12 Best Bakeries & Cafés in Buenos Aires for Medialunas and Pastries (2026 Guide)

When you’re strolling Buenos Aires, it’s basically impossible not to fall in love with the city’s café culture. One block you’re catching the buttery perfume of fresh-baked medialunas (tiny sweet croissants), the next you’re watching friends linger over coffee like there’s nowhere else they’d rather be. Sure, Argentina’s steak-and-Malbec reputation is well-earned—but in Buenos Aires, pastries are absolutely their own food group.

Locals often use the word confitería for these beloved spots—places where coffee and pastries are the main event (and where “just popping in for one” is the funniest lie you’ll tell yourself all day).

Good news: the places below are all still operating as of late 2025 (always double-check hours around holidays—Buenos Aires keeps things exciting).

The best bakeries and cafés in Buenos Aires

Here’s your pastry hit-list, with neighborhood notes so you can build an easy “café crawl” without zig-zagging across the city.

1) Cocu Boulangerie (Palermo)

If you want a quick Paris-meets-Palermo moment, Cocu is the move. It’s proudly French in spirit—beautiful viennoiserie, crusty bread, and the kind of display case that makes decision-making feel like a high-stakes sport. Grab something flaky and buttery, then settle in and pretend you’re “just going to have a coffee”… while quietly adding a second pastry.

Don’t miss: croissants, tartlets, and anything involving chocolate.

2) Sintaxis Gluten Free (Palermo)

Traveling gluten-free in a big city can be a headache—Sintaxis is your relief. It’s a 100% gluten-free restaurant + shop (almacén), so you can eat with confidence and still get the full “treat yourself” Buenos Aires experience. Stock up on baked goods to take home, or sit down for a proper meal and dessert. Sintaxis

Don’t miss: gluten-free pastries and grab-and-go sweets from the shop.

3) Catoti (Belgrano)

If coffee is your love language, put Catoti on your list. The vibe is friendly and low-fuss, and the coffee program is the star—ideal for a slow morning, a laptop hour, or a mid-day reset with something sweet on the side.

Don’t miss: your favorite espresso drink + a pastry (simple combo, perfect payoff).

4) Malvón (Villa Crespo)

Malvón feels like a classic neighborhood confitería—warm, familiar—while still keeping things modern and brunch-friendly. It’s the kind of place where you can show up for breakfast and accidentally stay until late lunch. (No judgment. That’s kind of the point.)

Don’t miss: brunch plates + something sweet “for later” (that you will eat immediately).

5) Las Violetas (Almagro)

If you like your pastries with a side of history, Las Violetas is iconic. It originally opened in 1884, and it’s part of Buenos Aires’ celebrated Bares Notables tradition. Come hungry, order boldly, and give yourself time—this is a “linger and soak it in” kind of place.

Don’t miss: merienda (afternoon tea-style spread), classic cakes, and old-school confitería vibes.

6) Dos Escudos (Recoleta / Retiro and more)

Dos Escudos is your reliable “I need something delicious right now” option—medialunas, alfajores, dulce de leche everything, plus savory classics like empanadas. It’s not trying to be trendy; it’s trying to be good (and it is).

Don’t miss: medialunas + any dulce de leche treat that catches your eye.

7) Bilbo Café (Villa Crespo)

Bilbo has that “someone definitely cared about this space” energy—stylish without being stiff, cozy without being sleepy. Add strong coffee and a solid menu, and it becomes a very easy place to put on repeat. BILBO CAFE

Don’t miss: brunch, pastries, and a long catch-up with friends.

8) La Noire Café (Colegiales / Chacarita and more)

If your ideal café includes great coffee, beautiful pastries, and a calm vibe, La Noire fits. It’s a popular choice for study sessions, casual dates, and quiet mornings—plus they often highlight options that work for different dietary needs (vegan / sin TACC).

Don’t miss: an espresso drink + something from the pastry case.

9) Vive Café (Palermo)

Run by a Colombian-Argentinian couple and focused on Colombian coffee, Vive is a happy place for coffee lovers. The mood is warm, the drinks are taken seriously, and it’s exactly the kind of spot where you’ll “just stop in” and then start planning your next visit.

Don’t miss: flat white or latte + a sweet treat to balance it out.

10) Sablêe Vegana (Núñez / Belgrano area)

Vegan travelers (or anyone who loves dessert): Sablêe Vegana is a must. It’s a long-running vegan pastry shop with cupcakes, cookies, cakes, and also savory options like empanadas—so you can go sweet and salty in one stop.

Don’t miss: cakes and cookies—perfect for take-away picnics.

11) Libros de Pasaje (Palermo Soho)

Part beloved bookstore, part tucked-away café dream—Libros de Pasaje is the definition of cozy. Wander the shelves, then head to the café area and settle in with something sweet and a coffee while the city hums outside. It’s an especially lovely break if you’re doing a Palermo day.

Don’t miss: coffee + lemon pie / tart vibes + “one more chapter.”

12) Café Tortoni (Monserrat)

Built in 1858, Café Tortoni is the classic Buenos Aires “step back in time” café. Go for the historic atmosphere, the marble tables, and the feeling that you’re sitting inside the city’s cultural memory. And yes—order a submarino (hot milk + dark chocolate you melt yourself) because it’s both delicious and delightfully dramatic. Gran Café Tortoni+1

Don’t miss: submarino + pastries, and check their cultural programming if you’re curious. Gran Café Tortoni

How to order like a local (and eat even better)

A few quick terms that make ordering easier—and your café stops even more fun:

• Medialunas: sweet, small croissant-like pastries (you’ll see them everywhere).
• Facturas: the broader category of classic Argentine pastries (glazed, filled, swirled, sprinkled—yes).
• Cortado: espresso “cut” with a little milk.
• Café con leche: coffee with milk (a staple breakfast drink).
• Submarino: hot milk + a bar of chocolate you dunk and melt (try it at Tortoni). Gran Café Tortoni

Pro tip: if you’re doing multiple cafés in a day, order smaller drinks and split pastries—you’ll taste more without hitting pastry exhaustion by stop #3.

Where to find truly excellent coffee (specialty shops)

If your trip needs a “best coffee in Buenos Aires” moment, add these:

• Coffee Town (San Telmo area): a favorite stop in the historic center for a coffee break while exploring.
• The Shelter Coffee: a solid specialty pick with a loyal following.
• Usina Cafetera: widely recommended in BA’s specialty coffee scene.
• Café Zavalía: a charming coffee stop worth bookmarking.
• Lattente: consistently named among the city’s strong coffee options.
• LAB Tostadores de Café (Palermo): a heavyweight in the local roasting world.
• Cuervo Café (multiple locations): beloved specialty shop with several BA locations. Cuervo Café
• Negro (downtown/Retiro): another popular specialty stop when you’re near the center.

(You may notice one older recommendation floating around online that’s now closed—if you see “Barrio Cafetero,” skip it and pick one of the spots above instead.)

Best medialunas in Buenos Aires

Medialunas are everywhere, but the best ones have that magical combo: shiny glaze, soft interior, and a gently crisp, buttery bite.

Start with:

• Dos Escudos
• La Biela (Recoleta)
• L’épi Boulangerie
• Oui Oui
• Confitería El Galeón
• Confiterías y Panaderías La Argentina

A simple “pastry crawl” itinerary (so you can taste more, stress less)

Palermo morning: Cocu → Libros de Pasaje → (optional) Vive or La Noire
Classic + historic afternoon: Las Violetas (Almagro) → Café Tortoni (Monserrat)
Villa Crespo comfort day: Malvón → Bilbo → wander boutiques and streets between stops