“Beef – it’s what’s for dinner.” Unless you are a vegetarian. And believe it or not, in a country known for its beef, where the asado is a tradition, it IS possible to survive as a vegetarian. In Bariloche for example, the popular El Vegetariano restaurant provides a delicious alternative to the local carnivorous customs.
Tucked behind a small garden and a welcoming entry way is a quaint, yet beautiful home-turned- vegetarian-restaurant. El Vegetariano strives to provide delicious yet healthy food and the results are impressive.
Made from all natural ingredients, they prepare a fixed menu for those looking for a nourishing dining experience. One any given day you can order various kinds of soup and an impressive salad prepared with every sort of vegetable you can imagine. (The pumpkin soup is highly recommended!). If dining out for a full meal they will give you an option of choosing between a fish plate or the fully vegetarian plate. To accompany your meal there are also freshly squeezed fruit juices, mineral water, beer, and the oh-so-wonderful Argentine wine.
I am about as far from being a vegetarian as it gets. However, I have to admit that I enjoyed this meal immensely and went back on a number of occasions to get my veggie fix. I must say that I never knew how many different ways it was possible to prepare a vegetarian dish until eating there. It was a mouth-watering experience and I felt healthy the whole while I was eating.
The atmosphere of the restaurant is an extremely welcoming and friendly one. The staff makes an extra effort to greet you and always provides their wonderful service with a smile. At night the lights are dimmed, and the candles are lit, making it a great option for a special dinner date as well.
Vegetarian or not, all are welcome and bound to be impressed. I strongly recommend trying it out while passing through town.
20 de Febrero 730
Bariloche, Argentina
Tel: (54-11) (02944) 42-1820
El Vegetariano website
One Comment
[…] What better way to build an appetite than by spending all day mountaineering through the backcountry of Parque Nacional Nahuel Huapi? One needs to bring along only one thing to Bariloche’s vegetarian hotspot El Vegetariano (20 de Febrero 730): a voracious appetite. With bountiful portion sizes and daily set menus for lunch and dinner, El Vegetariano dished up some of the tastiest grilled vegetables and fresh soup and juice I’ve ever had (this coming from a girl raised in California). In addition to the monstrous portions, the friendly wait staff and the delightful complimentary homemade tea rounded out the laudable dining experience at El Vegetariano. La Cocina – Av Libertador 1245, El Calafate Ruca Mahuida – Lionnel Terray 104, El Chalten Del Bosque – on San Martín, near Rancho Grande Hostel, El Chalten El Vegetariano – 20 de Febrero 730, Bariloche, Argentina […]