From January 13-17, 2025 we visited Buenos Aires again after 15 years. In 2010 we had spent two months in the Argentinian capital in order to learn Spanish. Of course even during our longer stay it was impossible to explore all of the metropolis with her eight million inhabitants.
Though it was very hot this time – temperatures were around 32-35 degrees Celsius – we managed to walk in the city and discover new places we had not been to before. Our area we stayed in was very lovely with many upmarket restaurants. The apartment was situated on Darrego street with Nicaragua street in the Southwestern corner of Palermo, a trendy “barrio” of Buenos Aires. It was a very safe neighborhood during day and night.
Great Vegetarian Restaurant in Buenos Aires
Our Spanish teacher Ivana had recommended us a vegetarian restaurant in a special setting. As one of the train lines was moved from ground level to a high line the space beneath developed into many creative spots. One of them was a wonderful vegetarian restaurant that created a green jungle where you can have lunch or dinner.
We arrived to Chui in the heat of the day – I had made a lunch reservation at 1 pm. What we found was an oasis in the middle of the busy and hot city. A jungle of plants and trees providing shade. All beautifully arranged and in between tables to have a romantic dinner or a lunch with your colleagues. Above all, they have an irrigation system. It sprays mist on a regular basis providing water to the plants and reducing the temperature even further.
Chui (located in the street Loyola 1250) is a vegetarian restaurant and we ordered a couple of superb dishes. Beautifully arranged, high quality organic food. Life was wonderful there especially while sipping on our glass of white wine. I started becoming a fan of the Torrontés variety.
My conclusion: I can absolutely recommend Chui to anybody!
Art Deco Architecture
While researching things to do in Buenos Aires I stumbled over a shopping mall that was constructed in the 1930s in the style of art deco. As architecture fans we had to visit the Abasto Shopping Center in the neighborhood of Balvanera. It was a long walk in the heat but we absorbed the city life around us. Michael and I love doing that. Noticing details here, comparing architecture there and observing people and behaviors. Often we felt actually being in Spain. Areas reminded us of Barcelona or had a Spanish touch. And that is in general my impression also 15 years later. Buenos Aires does not feel like a Latin American city unlike Bogota where we were before. It is rather European with its own features.
The art deco shopping mall Abastos was an incredible building. The façade was very impressive. The interior is now adjusted to serve as a mall – still the roof was has a wow effect.
The closest metro station is called “Carlos Gardel” after the famous tango singer of Buenos Aires who lived in the neighborhood. Inspired by that we visited the museum dedicated to him. It is located in the house where Carlos Gardel once lived.
Carlos Gardel – the most prominent singer in the history of tango
Carlos Gardel was a French born Argentinian singer. He was one of the most influential figures in interpreting global popular music during the first half of the 20th century. He recorded more than 900 songs.
To honor his legacy, the Museo Casa Carlos Gardel was created in the Abastos neighbourhood (officially Balvanera). We visited the exposition with a free of charge entrance. It is a rather small museum but you will definitely discover the important influence of Gardel on the Argentinian culture. He died in 1935 at the age of 45 in a plane crash. All of Buenos Aires was in mourning.
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