5 Best Restaurants in Trelew, Gaiman, and Punta Tombo, Patagonia

This central restaurant serves up every meal of the day and while the chocolate fondue has some fame in the town, it's really the fusion cuisine in the evening that keeps punters returning. There's a relaxed but professional bistro vibe to Sugar and the chef has an eye for smart presentation.

A short way out of town lies Gaiman's largest teahouse (where Lady Di famously took tea in the 1990s), surrounded by cypress trees, sculpted gardens, and a giant tea pot. It stands apart from its rivals culturally, too: it's run by descendants of a Spanish family, which shows in the sprawling colonial-style architecture. Otherwise you'd never know they weren't Welsh, as they do the most impressive spread of traditional cakes in town.

Exquisitely prepared Argentine plates, from pizzas and pastas to milanesas to vegetarian wraps (and don't miss their desserts!), are served here. It has a cozy, laid-back atmosphere with live blues music for dinner some evenings and an occasional poetry reading.

With its paneled walls, sleek black tables, and vintage photos, this retro Italo-Argentine diner is popular with locals and visitors alike for its pasta specialties. Try the stuffed gnocchi and the good prix-fixe menus.

Legend has it that Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid once stayed here—search long enough and you might find them among the old photos cluttering the walls. This cavernous old confitería (café) was founded in 1895, and became Chubut's first hotel in 1926. The hotel's rooms are too shabby to recommend, but a toasted sandwich and a coffee or beer here is tantamount to a trip back in time.