La Cabrera -- really good or tourist trap?
 

We're thinking about where we'd like to go for our one steak dinner before we leave BA on Saturday. Everyone we know who's been here recommends La Cabrera but of course they were all visitors like us. It actually gets mixed reviews on TripAdvisor. Most people who like it seem to be impressed with the tapas and the size of the food but is that really a good enough reason to go (especially if, like me, tapas isn't your cup of tea)? Especially when you can get good steak so many places here.

So far, our favourite restaurant here has been Fervor where the steak looked great and got an excellent review from the person sitting next to us who was eating it.

So...La Cabrera? Fervor? Or what's you recommendation for the best steak in BA?

The best steak I had in BA was in a little place near Lezama Park that my greeter took me to, but unfortunately I don't have the name (looks like it was Rest Parilla 1880 Capital something or other). Don Julio in Palermo wasn't bad either, but I would go with wherever avrooster recommends.

Oh, and as I remember, I had been thinking about La Cabrera, but gave up on it when I read that it wasn't solo diner friendly.

We really enjoyed our meal at La Cabrera. We were staying just up the street and we had a late lunch there near the end of our trip. It wasn't just tourists in the restaurant - there were definitely locals there. It was my husband's choice, and I'm glad we went.

I usually describe La Cabrera as follows: "a crowded, noisy restaurant, which serves decent steaks. For some reason or other, tourists LOVE it."

I would just walk a few meters from your hotel to Fervor for that steak dinner, or around the corner to Sottovoce for Italian.

Have a wonderful time during the rest of your stay in BA.

I apologize profusely for having been unable to meet you.

Thanks, everyone.
AV, there's absolutely no need to apologize -- you've been such a wonderful source of information and such a great help! I'm sorry too that we didn't get to meet but perhaps one day you'll get to Toronto and we'll arrange a GTG for you.

I think we'll go to Sotto Voce for dinner tonight!

Great! Some of the best pasta in town!

Be sure to try their "almendrado" for dessert.

A couple of thoughts:

1. I agree with AV that Sotto Voce is an excellent choice for Italian.
2. La Cabrerea. Locals introduced me to la Cabrera before it became wildly popular with tourists.
3. La Cabrera. The quality of the food has remained good even as the service has declined. Guia Oleo, a site where locals rate restaurants, scores higher than Fervor, or example.
4. La Cabrera Norte, just own the block from La Cabrera, features the same menu and is sometimes easier to get into.
5. The term " tapas" is something of a misnomer applied to la Cabrera. The tapas amount to a side dish " sampler" to accompany your steak.
6. My assessment, now two years old: la Cabrera serves excellent steak in a crowded, noisy atmosphere. If you go at all, go early before the crowds hit.
7. I agree with the post in this thread recommending Parrilla 1880. Excellent choice in San Telmo.

Welcome back, Doc!

I promise not to correct your frequent spelling errors, as long as you keep posting here!

Have a great time in our town.

La Cabrera serves excellent steaks (Norh as well): La Cabrera is noisy and 'touristy'. Perfect for some, less so for others.

You will not go away disappointed from either Fervor or 1880 - very different in atmosphere and locations, but both very good food and, IMO, a positive dining experience in Buenos Aires.

Ben Probecio !

Spanish version:

Buen provecho! meaning "bon appétit"

Google "Ben Probecio" and you'll find Marnie!

Just kidding!

A couple more trips and maybe I'll get it right :)