What happens when a gourmet food fair meets a farmer’s market in Buenos Aires? The result is Buenos Aires Market.
Healthy, hip and fun, Buenos Aires Market is a monthly event that brings lots of local organic and gourmet suppliers together under one tent (some weekends, literally so). Locals and visitors alike come to eat, shop, try new things, relax and enjoy themselves. Really, if you love good food, you have to come out and try it!
At Buenos Aires Market, bakery items are popular — Photo courtesy of TESS Worldwide
At Buenos Aires Market, you’ll see a host of stands where you can buy things to take home like organic vegetables, breads, pastries, cheeses, aromatic herbs, wine, olive oil, pastas, artisanal chocolate, flours, seeds, spices, sauces, teas and reusable cloth bags. But the fun is not all for later.
Be prepared to be tempted at every turn. Amongst the stands, you’ll also see groups of tables and chairs where you can sit and delight in some of the prepared foods and drinks for sale. While not all of the food at the market is vegetarian, here you will still notice a fair amount of vegetarian-friendly burgers, burritos, fajitas, pizzas, risottos, empanadas or whatever else the restaurant vendors have decided to bring from their kitchens. (For better or for worse, the foods on offer change from month to month, so if something takes your fancy, you better snap it up!)
That’s not to mention all the desserts and sweet treats that tempt vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. Think sweet waffles topped with chocolate and fruit, crème brulee, cakes, tarts, croissants, donuts, brownies and pound cakes. Pace yourself!
Buenos Aires Market takes place on one Saturday and Sunday every month. The venues change, but they are all in the neighborhood of Palermo. Past editions have been held at Las Heras Park, Plaza Unidad Latinoamericana and El Dorrego fairground, although not at the Botánico.
The stands are set up outside in the open air and sunshine, or sometimes under cover, such as in the case of El Dorrego fairground. Since they have a sound system at this particular venue, there's also some cool music in the background.
Besides all the food stands, you'll encounter some extra features at Buenos Aires Market that change from month to month, such as talks where you can learn about different aspects of food or a recreation area for children to play or draw. Feel free to bring your kids, especially when the market takes place in one of the parks.