Cafe Tortoni Tours

Cafe Tortoni
Choose one or more items to build your trip:
Soak up the elegance of Buenos Aires’ oldest café: a meeting place of literati, a treasure-trove of art and the host of live tango shows.

A visit to Café Tortoni often features high on a Buenos Aires itinerary. Come to this coffeehouse to sip a hot drink, admire elegant furnishings and artwork or watch a tango. Established by a French immigrant in 1858, it is the oldest and most famous café in Buenos Aires.

As soon as the doorman opens the grand brass-handled doors you’ll begin to appreciate the café’s 19th-century charm. Wood-paneled walls, marble tables, chandeliers and a stained-glass ceiling present a sophisticated and bohemian ambiance. Sit at a table and imagine the time when Argentine literati would convene over a cortado (espresso with warm milk). Among many famous former visitors are legendary tango singer Carlos Gardel and Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges.

Browse the artwork scattered around the main room, including a painting by local artist Augusto Marteau and a life-size bust of Borges. Check out the Sala Eladia Blázquez, a billiards and game room named after a tango singer who dedicated a song to the café.

Try the traditional Argentine café food, such as croissants, toasted sandwiches and cheese selections. You must taste the simple, but special churros con chocolate dip the fried pastry into the rich, not-too-sweet hot chocolate for a memorable treat. You may find prices here slightly higher than at other restaurants, but you are paying for a bit of history with your food.

Walk down the narrow staircase to La Bodega, an intimate theater where from Monday to Friday you can watch twice-daily tango shows. On weekends, shows take place in the Sala Alfonsina Storni. Adorning its walls is a series of paintings that make up the Homenaje al Tango (Tribute to Tango). A complete schedule of events is available on the café’s official website.

Café Tortoni sits on Avenida de Mayo, one of Buenos Aires’ most recognizable streets, and is just a few blocks from Plaza de Mayo. The café is easily accessible via public buses and the metro. A hop-on hop-off tourist bus also stops nearby. The café is open daily. Visit in the morning or late in the evening to avoid lines and tour groups.

Plan a trip to see Cafe Tortoni

Faena Hotel Buenos Aires
CasaSur Recoleta
Hotel Bys Palermo
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Browse tours and tickets to explore Cafe Tortoni

Popular places to visit


Best Lodging Options Near Cafe Tortoni

Boutique Apartments BA Moreno
Boutique Apartments BA Moreno
2.5 out of 5
550 Moreno, Buenos Aires
Boutique Apartments BA Moreno
Intercontinental Buenos Aires, an IHG Hotel
Intercontinental Buenos Aires, an IHG Hotel
4 out of 5
Moreno 809, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
Intercontinental Buenos Aires, an IHG Hotel
Hotel 6 De Octubre
Hotel 6 De Octubre
3 out of 5
Av. Independencia 2852, Buenos Aires
Hotel 6 De Octubre
Gran Hotel Argentino
Gran Hotel Argentino
3 out of 5
Carlos Pellegrini 37, Buenos Aires, BUE
Gran Hotel Argentino
Hilton Buenos Aires
Hilton Buenos Aires
4.5 out of 5
Av Macacha Guemes 351, Buenos Aires
Hilton Buenos Aires
Efe Hotel & Cowork
Efe Hotel & Cowork
4 out of 5
Paraguay 474, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
Efe Hotel & Cowork
El Conquistador Hotel
El Conquistador Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Suipacha 948, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
El Conquistador Hotel
Up Barrio Norte
Up Barrio Norte
2.5 out of 5
1064 Riobamba, Buenos Aires, CABA
Up Barrio Norte
Regente Palace Hotel
Regente Palace Hotel
3.5 out of 5
Suipacha 964, Buenos Aires, Capital Federal
Regente Palace Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.