Top 10 Argentinian vegetarian dishes To Try

Though Argentina is known as the land of carne asado, there are plenty of Argentinian vegetarian dishes to eat there for vegetarians! From vegetarian empanadas to flan, these are my top 10 vegetarian foods to eat in Argentina.

A wooden plate holds several baked Argentinian empanadas with golden-brown crusts. Some vegetarian varieties are topped with sesame seeds. They rest on a light-colored surface, creating a warm and inviting presentation.

In the weeks leading up to my trip to Argentina, I spent hours looking for recommendations on what a fish-loving pescetarian should eat in the land of steak, asado, and dulce de leche. I combed through Argentinian blogs, looking for the tried-and-true. I sat with Argentinian friends over steaming cups of yerba mate, writing down phrases in broken Spanish that I could not pronounce even five minutes later. There I was, dreaming and taking down notes and making lists.

And then, my trip to Argentina resulted in this sort of eating.

To prevent you from finding yourself hopelessly lost in the kosher McDonalds, or not sure what to order in a typical steakhouse. Here is the list of the top 10 vegetarian foods to eat in Argentina. I'm warning you - these babies are enough to make any avowed meat eater set aside the steak, at least for one meal.

Ravioles (verdura, de calabaza, de ricotta, hongos)

A white plate with ravioli in a creamy orange sauce, garnished with chopped herbs and walnuts, evokes the vibrant culinary adventures of an Argentina travel guide. A fork and knife rest on the side of the plate, ready to dive into this delicious dish.

A white table features an Argentinian vegetarian dish of mixed vegetables and pasta, a wine glass with red wine, an empty glass with a slice of lemon, a green glass bottle, and a white napkin. A knife sits poised on the table's edge.

Everyone I knew told me to eat pasta in Argentina, but I'll admit that I was rather skeptical. I've eaten at some of the best restaurants in Italy, so how different can Argentinian pasta be? Very, very different, as it turns out. Having also tried regular handmade fettucini and gnocchi, I have to say that the true pinnacle of perfection in Argentinian pasta is the ravioli. Silky, translucent, and bursting with more filling than you could possibly imagine being squeezed into this paper. Thin envelope, Argentinian ravioli alone is worth the trip to Buenos Aires. Whether you go for verdura (vegetables), de calabaza (squash), or hongos (mushroom), they'll all be exquisite.

Provoleta is the Best Vegetarian Food in Argentina

A hand holds a slice of cheesy bread topped with herbs, reminiscent of Argentinian vegetarian dishes, lifting it from a plate. A fork supports the slice in this culinary delight. The background is a softly blurred dining setting, adding to the charm. — Provoleta. Photo credit: Depositphotos.

The best vegetarian main to order in an Argentinian steakhouse is the provoleta. A whole round of ooey, gooey provolone cheese, grilled to perfection and placed right on your plate . What could be better?? Make sure to cut through all the richness with a salad... that you'll dress at the table with lots of vinegar, in true Argentinian fashion.

Tartas saladas

A partially eaten slice of pie with a flaky, golden crust on a white plate evokes the charm of Argentinian vegetarian dishes. Some filling is visible, appearing as a vibrant mixture of yellow and orange ingredients. The pie's texture looks crispy and layered.

What sounds like 'salad cake' is actually the Argentinian name for a multitude of pies with savory fillings. These include everything from cebolla y humita (onion and corn), to spinach and hard-boiled eggs, or calabaza (pumpkin) - my favourite. Each restaurant and home cook makes theirs a little differently, and I encourage you to try as many as possible!

Ice cream (Dulce de leche, vanilla, maracuya)

A glass dish of yogurt topped with a berry compote, reminiscent of refreshing Argentinian vegetarian dishes, and a spoon rests on a white surface. Beside it is a cup of coffee on a saucer with a small spoon.

Whether you are a purist who likes plain vanilla ice cream, a tourist who wants to try dulce de leche EVERYTHING in Argentina, or an adventurous foodie who will combine maracuya (passion fruit) with sea salted caramel in their cone, you can't go wrong with helado in Argentina. Whether it's the cream, the milk from the local cows, or just some secret magic powder they sprinkle into the water, the dairy in Argentina is out of this world... and the ice cream is definitely the cherry on top.

Empanadas (Queso y cebolla, humita, quatro queso)

A baked empanada, a classic in Argentinian vegetarian dishes, sits on a white plate beside a small bowl of seasoned herbs on a wooden surface. The herbs are an enticing mix of green and red spices.

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I have a terrible secret to tell you: I didn't try Argentinian empanadas in Argentina. We were on a group tour; there was little time, yada yada yada, and we ended up eating at a kosher Mcdonald's at a food court. But everyone I know has said you simply must try at least one of the many vegetarian empanada combinations.

Unlike in North America, in Argentina, they'll put almost anything into an empanada, and it'll all be delicious. Queso y cebolla (onion and cheese) or humita (corn) are rumoured to be especially good. I also like some vegan empanada fillings, like my mushroom and kale combo.

Dulce de leche flan

An Argentinian-inspired dessert in a foil container features a creamy yellow base topped with a generous dollop of caramel. A dark spoon rests on the edge, dipping slightly into the caramel, evoking the rich flavors often found in vegetarian dishes. The background shows a light, slightly blurred tablecloth.

It turns out that flan is as ubiquitous in Argentina as ice cream! Everywhere we went, people offered us quivering globs of pudding, topped with a generous helping of dulce de leche... and once I overcame my initial textural aversion, I have to admit that I became quite smitten with this simple dessert. It may lack the pizzaz of alfajores or the devil-may-care scrumptiousness of ice cream, but flan is not to be passed up in Argentina.

If you're looking to try a simple version of flan, my Argentinian bread pudding is a good place to start.

Alfajores de chocolate

Two cups of coffee on a speckled countertop, one with foam and the other plain, reminiscent of an inviting Argentine café scene. Between them is a chocolate-covered biscuit resting on a white napkin and its wrapper, tempting any travel guide enthusiast.

Ah, alfajores. I actually thought I didn't like them before I went to Argentina - what in the world was wrong with me?? Turns out there is nothing better in the world than a chocolate-covered alfajore cookie, alongside a cup of bitter yerba mate (which I feel no need to introduce as you'll see it everywhere in Argentina). Except maybe a gluten free alfajore alongside a good espresso...

Espresso with a thimble of soda water

A smiling waiter in a black and white uniform stands at a diner counter, reminiscent of an Argentina travel guide. Several patrons are seated, enjoying their meals as multiple clocks showing different times adorn the wooden wall behind him.

The first thing I put in my mouth in Argentina was a short, bitter, perfectly made espresso, served alongside a thimble of bubbling soda water. It was pure perfection, the soda helping cut through the acidity of the coffee and making the whole experience as enjoyable afterwards as it is during the process. I was then told that in Argentina, if you see a thimble of soda served alongside your coffee, you know it's going to be good... and that rule of thumb did not disappoint. Look for small, packed coffee bars that serve only desserts and cafe, and you'll be satisfied every time.

Oh, and if you want some milk in your coffee, go for a cortado, or a cafe con leche if you want a really milky concoction. Image from Camu Cocina

Medialunas de Manteca

Croissants rest on a wooden board and plate, surrounded by sugar cubes and metal tongs atop a white-clothed table. A glass of tea in a metal holder with a spoon completes the setting. The rustic, wooden wall backdrop nods to the simple charm of Argentinian vegetarian dishes. — Medialunas de Manteca. Photo credit: Depositphotos.

Breakfast also has to be included in my Argentinian vegetarian dishes. My breakfast every day in Argentina consisted of a medialuna and a strong cup of espresso with soda on the side, and I couldn't have been happier (though my waist definitely noticed the extra sweet). Medialunas de Manteca are tiny little Argentinian croissants, baked and brushed with a thin layer of sugar syrup, and they are so much more than the sum of their parts.

If you eat fish: Cornelitos fritos, calamari, rabas

If you are a pescetarian like me, there is so much fresh seafood in Argentina to try. My favorites were the Cornelius Fritos (little fishies fried whole and served with just lemon on the side), the red Argentinian calamari, simply grilled, and any local fish 'a la plancha' - off the grill. The really is a huge variety of seafood in Argentina, and a lot of the fish is even kosher, if you worry about that sort of thing.

Looking for more Argentinian vegetarian dishes?

You have to try Argentinian vegetarian empanadas, which can be prepared three different ways, with a vegan option available. Try Argentinian bread pudding with a caramel sauce that’s both gluten-free and dairy-free. You can also make a batch of Argentinian alfajores, traditional cookies adapted to be dairy-free and gluten-free. Each of these dishes offers a taste of Argentina with an option for everyone.

Looking for more Argentinian travel posts?

See my Argentina Travel guide, where I braved my way through the country and saw the different restaurants I tried.

For North American fun, see the best things to do with your family in Niagara falls or what to do in Las Vegas. In Canada, see my Toronto and Quebec City restaurant guide, where to find the best coffee in Winnipeg, and my Quebec Cider Route Guide.