Cafe Tortoni
Cafe Tortoni
4
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 9:00 PM
About
This famous cafe, the oldest in Argentina, features reasonably priced tango shows in its velvet-covered back room.
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: El Centro (Downtown)
How to get there
- Piedras • 2 min walk
- Avenida de Mayo • 3 min walk
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
3,042 reviews
Excellent
1,281
Very good
1,017
Average
447
Poor
174
Terrible
123
Frederik W
Massachusetts20 contributions
Jan 2020
Well, we did the Cafe Tortoni experience. We started with about a 45 minute queue outside and then find out that the cafe was not that crowded some tables empty. And yes the interior is beautiful and worth seeing, but that's the end of the good. We waited a bit for a waiter, looked over the menu and made our selections.
My wife and I shared a hamburger with ham and cheese on it and I had an apple pie with ice cream. Well the hamburger was rather plain and just too 'heavy' to finish it - overall not very good. Now the apple pie should have been better. It was more of an apple tart likely made/manufactured some place else. Overall a very poor excuse of an apple pie. The ice cream was OK.
Then we decided to see the 6:00 PM Tango show. Two $14.00 tickets and we arrived early for the show. The room was rather small (only seating for 55 guests), but we were seated way in the back. I asked if we could sit at an empty table in the front but was told that I couldn't.
The show started twenty minutes late at 6:21 PM and ran for exactly fifty minutes. Overall, it was OK, but far from being a good show.
Your best bet is to go when there is no line, have a drink, and pass on the food or show.
My wife and I shared a hamburger with ham and cheese on it and I had an apple pie with ice cream. Well the hamburger was rather plain and just too 'heavy' to finish it - overall not very good. Now the apple pie should have been better. It was more of an apple tart likely made/manufactured some place else. Overall a very poor excuse of an apple pie. The ice cream was OK.
Then we decided to see the 6:00 PM Tango show. Two $14.00 tickets and we arrived early for the show. The room was rather small (only seating for 55 guests), but we were seated way in the back. I asked if we could sit at an empty table in the front but was told that I couldn't.
The show started twenty minutes late at 6:21 PM and ran for exactly fifty minutes. Overall, it was OK, but far from being a good show.
Your best bet is to go when there is no line, have a drink, and pass on the food or show.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Julie M
12 contributions
Apr 2023
What a disappointment. We queued for nearly an hour from about 12.15pm only to discover when we went in it was over half empty. Not only did this really annoy us but it meant there was little buzz or atmosphere. Our waiter was so disengaged. Not one smile, proper greeting or anything. Very rude . The food is truly dreadful. I've never had such inedible medialunas. We left most and the brownie was equally poor. The only redeeming feature was the tea. The café is nice enough but many as nice. I would never recommend . A true waste of time.
Written 22 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael A
Buenos Aires, Argentina1,962 contributions
Mar 2023
Cafe Tortoni is worth a look if you're on the Avenida de Mayo. However, it's not worth going out of your way. Be advised that Cafe Tortoni keeps half of its tables empty in order to ensure a long queue of customers outside its entrance.
Written 10 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tr1pAddv1z0r
13 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
Well, the cafe is lovely and we were glad to check it off our list. As mentioned in other reviews, there was no reason for the wait outside, as, once we did get in, there were about ten available tables, not counting those we couldn't see in the back. I suspect that having a long line, ergo the long wait, is part of the gimmick to make tourists think this is something worth waiting for inside. Good grief...they even keep the door shuttered until they let parties in one at a time!
This said, the cafe con leche was excellent, however, the dulce de leche ice cream tasted like the carton it was scooped from...stale. The wait staff (2 different fellows) was borderline rude...inattentive and totally unfriendly.
Why wouldn't these folks want to make this as lovely an experience as is the cafe's decor?
Once we were able to get our check (after 2 requests), the waiter commented that the tip had not been included. Seriously, did he think we couldn't read la cuenta? Here's our tip: Check out the photos online and skip visiting.
This said, the cafe con leche was excellent, however, the dulce de leche ice cream tasted like the carton it was scooped from...stale. The wait staff (2 different fellows) was borderline rude...inattentive and totally unfriendly.
Why wouldn't these folks want to make this as lovely an experience as is the cafe's decor?
Once we were able to get our check (after 2 requests), the waiter commented that the tip had not been included. Seriously, did he think we couldn't read la cuenta? Here's our tip: Check out the photos online and skip visiting.
Written 3 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Linda J
New York City, NY14 contributions
Feb 2020
A beautiful.classic cafe in the heart of Buenos Aire. A variety of coffee, tea and chocolate drinks plus food options. The thing to have here is hot chocolate and churros but since it was almost 80 degrees I opted for a frozen cappuccino which was delicious. My friend had a double scoop of dulce de leche ice cream. I bought a pound of their coffee to bring back for a friend and he said it was wonderful. Ambiance is lovely, stained glass ceiling, wood, brass, marble - historical pictures on the wall - don't miss it1
Written 7 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bongocuba
Miami, FL249 contributions
June 2022 • Solo
If you don’t visit Cafe Tortoni you’ll be missing out on a piece of Buenos Aires history. I had a portion of Churros with Hot Chocolate and saw a Theater Cafe from the 1800’s with figurines and picture frames of old movie stars and tango artists. Love it.
Written 26 June 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Pedro P
6 contributions
Sept 2023 • Friends
Place is historical and feels so. It also feels authentical, so do not expect a turist-centered attention. Cheescake is amazing.
Do check for tango events being held downstairs. They require a separate admission fee but they are totally worth it.
Do check for tango events being held downstairs. They require a separate admission fee but they are totally worth it.
Written 12 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcela A N
Sydney, Australia14 contributions
Jan 2020
Loved this place. We watched the tango & folk show. Loved it! The building/architecture/interior just amazing and what I expected to experience. Perfect place for a tango enthusiast or a lover of anything "porteño". When you enter, it feels as you are stepping back in time. The service was the only negative, a bit slow! Need to reserve a table with ample time.
Written 25 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Viatgesrjr
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico1,195 contributions
Apr 2023 • Couples
The first two times we went there was a line of over 40 people waiting to come in. Third time there were only 15 people waiting, requiring a 20 min wait. We followed the advice of a long time Buenos Aires resident who recommended hot chocolate and churros. The churros were quite special filled with of course: dulce de leche. There is plenty of history associated with this cafe. The more you appreciate the history, and the opportunity to be a part of it; the more you will enjoy the food.
Written 22 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Venture548769
1 contribution
Feb 2024 • Couples
Queued in the rain to get in. No problem for such an iconic venue. When we finally got in there was no welcome, we were shown cursorily to a table by the toilets, Menus were thrown on the table by a passing waiter. Sat and waited for 20 minutes. No acknowledgement from any staff. Two couples walked out while we’re waiting. After 25 minutes and still no one came to take the order. We left and commented en route why we were leaving and were greeted by a shrug of the shoulders. Our suggestion is to pop your head around the door to see this historic venue and then go somewhere else to get some proper hospitality. Two blocks along wr found an authentic Argentinian restaurant and had a great lunch with fabulous service!
Written 26 February 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
preciso para hoje as 20 horas , reservar 12 lugares para a confeitaria tortoni
Written 26 January 2020
Não tenho certeza mas creio que a confeitaria não faz reservas
com antecedência, face a grande procura diária.
Written 28 January 2020
Qual o valor pra o Show de Tango?
Written 23 December 2019
No Café Tortoni só consumismo um café completo e maravilhoso. O show fomos no Senhor Tango (sem jantar).
Tortoni pagamos 650 pesos para 2 pessoas. Excelente!
Sugestão de dicas de viagem pode visitar o Instagram da minha filha Clarissafre que ela viaja pelo mundo.
Written 1 January 2020
Hola! Alguien me podrÃa indicar si para ir el sábado por la tarde noche, es necesario reservar? ir muy temprano? para tomar algo o comer ahÃ! Gracias!!
Written 25 October 2019
Hola,habra una fila, pero son muy cuidadosos para respetar el orden de llegada...Vale la pena esperar.
Written 26 October 2019
Qual o valor, mais ou menos, que se gasta?
Written 8 October 2019
O preço é o equivalente ao de um café ou uma padaria em uma capital brasileira qualquer.
Written 9 October 2019
Está abierto diariamente de 8 am hasta 3 am....Nosotros fuimos a las 11 pm; pudimos recorrer el lugar y ver las fotos sin molestar a otros comensales.
No estaba disponible todo en el menú, pero cenamos algo ligero con vino y cerveza..
Fue agradable.
Written 22 September 2019
como comprar ingresso para o show de tango no café tortoni ?
Written 1 May 2019
Eu comprei os meus ingressos diretamente no próprio café. Procure comprar com um dia de antecedência, assim poderá conseguir mesa melhor localizada.
Written 2 May 2019
Olá, fui no natal de 2018 e custou 80$ por pessoa somente o show de 1 hora.
Written 8 April 2019
Is it worth it to go early in the morning for breakfast???? I don’t wanna wait in a que line in the afternoon....
any Sugestiones??
Written 1 February 2019
Sorry but I’m not sure when the Cafe opens, best to check the website for that. I would advise going at none peak times though and would suggest mid morning or mid afternoon. We only had to wait about 10 minutes in mid afternoon and it wasn’t a problem.
Written 2 February 2019
Is it worth it to go early in the morning for breakfast???? I don’t wanna wait in a que line in the afternoon....
any Sugestiones??
Written 1 February 2019
Why don't you just make a reservation for the time you do want to go?
Written 1 February 2019
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