El Baqueano - Cocina Autóctona Contemporanea

The dining experience was outstanding. Everything was taken care off from the moment we walked in to the restaurant to the taxi ride back. They introduced all the staff and Nicolas was our waiter. He explained every element of every dish and all the pairing wines. I don’t drink alcohol but was offered non alcoholic pairings like I’ve never tasted before. So unique. I don’t eat meat and that wasn’t a problem such unique dishes were modified for me. Our dishes were thoughtful, textural and full of flavour and colour. Nothing was left to chance. Each dish arrived on perfect timing. We sat back and had the most wonderful experience. I hope everyone gives it a go that is looking for fine dining and exceptional food. Thanks for everything. It’s made our stay in Argentina something to remember.

This place has so much potential! The food is first class, really an amazing experience. However, the staff is lacking proper training. Such a missed opportunity. They could double their revenue, and most importantly, the experience. The set up, the decoration of this restaurant is amazing, so are the views. But as soon as you sit at your table, the experience stops. There are no menu cards, which as such can be nice, but in that case, the staff should explain the concept. However, nothing. We wanted to start with bubbles, but they didn’t have any. Nor any other aperitif. One of us had the wine pairing. Again no explanation about the wine. The only thing they told us was the grape, the vineyard and the year. No explanation on the flavor, on why this was a good match with the dish. Even upon asking, nothing. For the person without wine pairing, only one option was given as a glass of wine. That was not my favorite, but they didn’t have any alternative, so I was left without any options. The pour for the wine tasting was very poor. See the pictures. That is one zip and it is gone. We had to slow them down significantly. We were still chewing on pur food when they wanted to take away our plates. And at the main course we already were asked if they should order us a taxi as they would take 15 minutes to arrive. I appreciate the upfront warning, but it felt very unwelcome. Make the wait for the taxi an experience! Offer a cocktail, a digestive. Everyone is happy to wait a little with an amazing view, after an amazing meal, with a good drink at hand. We observed the other tables closely, and we could hear the same confusion at the tables around us. The food absolutely made up for it, but the whole experience could have been so much better, plus more revenue for the restaurant as everyone would be happy to pay for those extras. We tried to enter the conversation at the end of our dinner, but they completely ignored our input and just repetitively asked which dish was our favorite. Missed opportunity.

Incredible!! The tasting menu is excellent. Everything is made with local products. A truly worthwhile experience. We tried both pairings (with wine and with juices), and both were very good. The service is excellent; everyone was very attentive, but Anahi particularly stood out. The place has a lovely ambiance, and the view of the city of Salta at night is spectacular!

Top food, but service needs more heart and less stiffness ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) The food and design here are outstanding. Every dish was a delight, and the location is stunning. However, the atmosphere felt very tense. Fine dining should be about joy and passion, not just rigid etiquette. I witnessed a small mistake by a new staff member being addressed by a manager in a way that felt uncomfortable and overly formal. We are all human, and I believe a more relaxed, authentic approach to service would make this place even better. I’d love to come back and see the team enjoying their craft as much as we enjoy the food. It’s about the experience, not just perfection!

We sat downstairs outside in lunch time. We wanted to eat local food and asked for waitresses advice. We also gave her free hands to choose the wine. She showed excellent professionality and intuition in all she did. We got good selection of various tasty food and a bottle of good wine.

I had an amazing dinner from start to finish. It’s an interactive experience and the waiter (Nicolas) was very knowledgeable and patient to explain me the story behind the dishes. The food was very creative and a good way to discover local cuisine. From Farm to table is the philosophy. Absolutely recommend

A great and unique place. The tasting menu is an extraordinary experience - many dishes (in my opinion, that is a big advantage, minimalistic), each of which is an interesting combination of different tastes and textures, with perfectly matched wines (they bring out completely new tastes). Another advantage is the appearance of the dishes - they look artistic. Apart from the taste experiences, the location of the restaurant is worth noticing - on a hill almost 300m above the city with a wonderful view on the sun setting behind the Andes. The staff is very nice and helpful. They are willing to talk about the dishes and your experiences.

Dining at El Baqueano, perched on Cerro San Bernardo, was an extraordinary culinary journey that far exceeded my expectations. The experience began with a guided tour of the restaurant’s impressive facilities, setting the tone for what was to come. We were welcomed with a trio of petits bocados, each inspired by a different region of Salta and highlighting the unique fruits and crops of the area—a thoughtful and delicious tribute to local terroir. The eight-course tasting menu with wine pairing was simply outstanding. Each dish was beautifully presented and expertly explained by the attentive staff, showcasing a deep respect for local Salteña cuisine. The main course was a highlight, with the chef himself coming to our table to describe the inspiration and techniques behind the dish, adding a personal and memorable touch. For the principal dessert, the pastry chef provided a detailed explanation, further elevating the experience. The wine pairings, all from the region, complemented each course perfectly and demonstrated the richness of Salta’s viticulture. Having dined at several Michelin-starred restaurants in Europe, I can confidently say that El Baqueano is on par with the best, both in terms of creativity and execution. The entire evening was a celebration of local flavors and culinary artistry. One small suggestion: during the welcome bites, no drinks were served, and instead, guests are given a menu to select a cocktail or aperitif. I believe the experience would be even more seamless if a signature cocktail or appropriate pairing were included as part of the welcome, ensuring the flavors of the bites are enhanced rather than potentially overshadowed by mismatched drinks. Overall, El Baqueano is a standout restaurant that honors the best of Salta’s gastronomy. I was truly and pleasantly surprised by the level of excellence, and I wholeheartedly recommend this experience 100%.