Where to eat in Purmamarca, Argentina

A lot of people come through Purmamarca, Argentina on a day trip, and some others might spend one or two nights here. I stayed an entire week! Since my guest house only provided breakfast, and didn’t allow us to use the kitchen otherwise, I ate out all my lunches and dinners. I tried my best to go to a new restaurant for each meal. While certain things seem to be slightly more expensive in Purmamarca, such as lodging and laundry, the food prices tend to compare quite nicely to the rest of the region. Wondering where you should eat in Purmamarca? Check out the list below:

Read less

Updated ago

PURMAMARCA: Where to Eat - Nicki Posts Travel Stuff

nickipoststravelstuff.com

RESTAURANTE EL ALGARROBO

@nicki

Just a half block from the main plaza on Calle LaValle, sits this magnificent and unassuming restaurant, with the word ‘comedor’ above the main door. I came here one evening for dinner and asked for something typical of the region. They recommended to try the llama parrilla. It was fantastic. Grilled llama, rice with an egg, grilled vegetables, and potatoes. I also got a glass of red wine. All for $1250, including tip ($6 usd).

Add to

Details

Del Sol-Parrilla&Restaurante.

@nicki

This restaurant sits right on the corner, and is very easy and obvious to find with its bright yellow sun on the front. Decent food, terrible service. Similar to most restaurants in Purmamarca, you will be able to enjoy live folclorica music with your meal. Personally, I didn’t feel the ambience of this restaurant was as warm and inviting as several others I went to. Also, I felt like I was a burden to the servers who sat at the register chatting with each other, ignoring the customers. I definitely don’t need super attentive service, but I do appreciate the bare minimum, and this place was not it. It took ages to put in my food order, (food came quickly actually), and then ask for the bill, and even longer to get my change. When I looked back at the register to see if the waitress was going to bring my change, she was just sitting there chatting. Only once I made eye contact with her did she finally bring my change so I could leave. I ate the llama al disco, which was like a stew with potatoes and rice. The flavor was rich and the llama was quite tender. I recommend for the food, but not the service. Llama al disco + lemonade = 1600 pesos ($8 usd).

Add to

Details

Los Morteros

@nicki

This was my most expensive meal, but also one of the best. The ambience was incredibly warm, cozy, and inviting. I sat next to the fireplace. I was here in the evening, the lights were low, and the music was pleasant. This was one of the few restaurants that didn’t have live music, but it was a nice change to lay low and read my book. I ordered a glass of Malbec, lomo de ternera, and mashed potatoes for a total of 2500 pesos (including tip) ($12 usd).

Add to

Details

Los Tientos

@nicki

I highly recommend coming here for dinner. Not for the food exactly, but for the atmosphere. I had the vegetarian ‘risotto,’ which was made with quinoa rather than rice, and I didn’t love it, though it wasn’t terrible. I imagine the meat dishes are quite delicious. However, the reason I absolutely fell in love with this place was the atmosphere. I arrived around 8pm, so there really weren’t many people yet. But around 8:30 it started getting crowded, and at 9pm, the band started playing. They played traditional Argentine folclorica music, and everyone sang along and clapped their hands. The main singer also went around asking everyone where they were from, and everyone clapped for each other. It was all very warm and welcoming. Veggie risotto + wine + tip = 1300 pesos ($6.50 usd).

Add to

Details

Kuntur Resto Bar

@nicki

This spot is just a 45 second walk from El Algarrobo on the same street, LaValle. I came here for lunch one afternoon and got a great seat by the window. The space is actually quite large and has a ton of tables in the back as well. Sometimes I like to order food with names I haven’t tried yet, just to see what it’s like. That’s what I did here, and got the ‘Tira de Asado,’ which turned out to be long strips of grilled beef ribs. I was also able to choose one side between salad, rice, or potatoes. I won’t lie, I didn’t love the meat, but only because I actually don’t normally like ribs, and it was a bit too fatty for me, though the flavor was quite nice. Along with my meal, I ordered a fresh lemonade. The total for everything was 1630 pesos ($8).

Add to

Details

Ruta 52 Cafeteria Restaurante

@nicki

I stumbled upon this place purely by accident one day for lunch, and I’m really glad I did. The inside felt cozy and warm as the musician up front played more Argentinian folclorica music on his guitar. Once again, all the Argentinians there clapped and sang along to all the songs I have never heard before, but loved. A woman at another table had ordered the fresh lemonade and cazuela de llama (llama stew), and when it came out I said “that’s what I want.” I liked, but not loved it. I wish the broth had a bit more flavor to it, and I also wish there were less meat chunks and more veggies to round out the meal. But I still enjoyed myself. Cazuela de llama + lemonade + tip + 100p tip for the musician = 1600 pesos ($8 usd).

Add to

Details

KUNTURI CAFÉ TIENDA

@nicki

Unfortunately I only discovered this place on my last day. But it seems to be the only spot in town with a roof terrace. The food menu is a bit limited, as they only had pizza and empanadas available when I went. But they have several cafe and drink options. It was a lovely place to sit, read, and have a meal in the sun with a beautiful view. You can find the entrance just off the main street of Rivadavia, just before reaching Calle Salta. You’ll pass through a small courtyard and the stairs are to the left.

Add to

Details

* * *

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nicki Post

Available for hire

I have been traveling the world for 20 years, and I want to help you do the same. I am originally from Colorado, though I took off as soon as I graduated from university. Since then I have lived in ten countries and traveled through dozens more. I have learned languages, tried several new foods, walked across Spain, trained across Russia, worked on farms, and in pubs, taught English, and anything else that allowed me to keep going. My life motto is to be fearless and I try to live up to that every day. I’m currently traveling around Tunisia. I spent an entire year traveling around Argentina so I know it quite well. I want to help you discover what makes this country incredible as well! Shop my Argentina travel guides: https://share.thatch.co/Cijz I offer travel consultations too! Book here: https://nickipoststravelstuff.com/contact/ “Wow. Nicki is super knowledgeable about Argentina and actually travel in general. We discussed everything from general safety to the cost of renting an apartment long-term. My biggest takeaway was her ideas for using social media as a resource for learning about the people from the people. Great idea. Real nice gal too.” -Ray “Nicki’s consultation was amazing. She is extremely knowledgeable and answered all my questions and concerns with ease and intelligence. She’s definitely someone to talk to before you visit or relocate to Buenos Aires or other locations in Argentina.” -Paul “My family and I are about to embark on a 3 month trip through Argentina, we had been binge watching youtube videos from Nicki so we scheduled a call to dive deeper. Nicki helped give feedback to our itinerary and gave great local perspective from cell phones to don’t miss desserts. It was super beneficial to get the added insight.“ -Andi

Read less

Send A Tip

Support Nicki Post’s work.

Select your tip amount

$10

$20

$50

Or type in other amount

Explore related destinations

Purmamarca, Jujuy, Argentina