Tiendas Naturales — Photo courtesy of Javier Kussrow
Upscale but casual, Tiendas Naturales in Buenos Aires is a cool café and restaurant that serves up creative, international-inspired organic fare all day long. Their new spot in Palermo at República Árabe Siria 3001, which you can find just a block away from Buenos Aires’ pretty Botanical Garden, is the sister location of the original Tiendas Naturales in Palermo at Cabello 3407, a block from nearby Las Heras Park (and also still near the Botanical Garden).
With a distinctive red exterior and an attractive interior of natural woods and modern touches paying homage to French country style, Tiendas Naturales appears polished and relaxed at the same time.
The menu includes pastries, salads, sandwiches, hamburgers, wraps and pastas. They have a couple of gluten-free and diabetic options, too, as well as some vegetarian dishes, like the grain burger with mashed potatoes and baba ghanoush. The bagel with smoked salmon, cream cheese, mango, avocado and red onions accompanied by wedge-cut fries in a cup is a good choice.
The food at Tiendas Naturales is organic and doesn’t contain preservatives, but unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it doesn’t have calories! This restaurant also offers many types of juices, smoothies and teas in addition to baked goods and cocktails.
They have free Wi-Fi, and the staff don’t mind if you hole up for a few hours with your laptop. The place is as good for a solo meal or snack as some time spent out in the company of friends. With a group, try to the snag the couches in the back or the large table in the front, if you can. For a party of two, another option is to sit outside at the café tables.
Be aware that Tiendas Naturales only accepts cash and closes at midnight.
If you don’t feel like staying or if you can’t get enough, you can also order multigrain breads and some of their sinful bakery items to go, like crumbles, tarts, alfajores, scones and muffins, or else have them delivered if you live in the area.
Otherwise, to cap off your meal, try to go for a stroll at the Botanical Garden or one of the parks in the neighborhood. Palermo has a number of green spaces.
