Home › Food tours › Mendoza
Food tours in Mendoza: what to eat and which tour to book
Mendoza is the capital of Argentina's biggest wine region, at the foot of the Andes, and food here is organised around wine and the grill. Asado — beef, sausages and offal cooked slowly over wood embers — is the centre of any celebration, Malbec is the obvious pairing, and winery restaurants in Luján de Cuyo, Maipú and the Uco Valley serve long lunches with views of the mountains. In town, Mendocinos eat baked empanadas, goat (chivo) from the dry country to the south, olive oil from local groves, and alfajores filled with dulce de leche. The city is built on wide tree-lined streets watered by open irrigation channels, and most of its bars are on and around Arístides Villanueva.
Use this page to know what to order and where. Argentine peso prices change very quickly, so prices here are given mainly as rough euro equivalents for 2026; check the current rate and card versus cash prices. The tours shown are real GetYourGuide listings, with prices as seen when we checked; confirm the price and meeting point on the booking page before you pay.
What to eat in Mendoza
| Dish | What it is | Where to eat it | Typical price* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asado asado / parrillada | Wood-fired grill of beef cuts (tira de asado, vacío, bife de chorizo), chorizo sausage, morcilla (blood sausage) and sometimes sweetbreads, served with chimichurri and salad. | Parrillas (grill restaurants) across the city and at winery restaurants. | roughly €12–25 per person in a parrilla, more at wineries |
| Mendoza empanadas empanadas mendocinas | Baked empanadas filled with beef, plenty of onion, hard-boiled egg and olive; often eaten as a starter or snack. | Bakeries, empanada shops and parrillas. | roughly €1–2 each |
| Malbec and other Mendoza wines Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Torrontés | Malbec is the region's flagship red, grown at high altitude in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley; Cabernet Franc and white Torrontés are also common. | Wine bars in the city and wineries in Maipú, Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. | roughly €3–7 a glass in town; tastings at wineries roughly €15–60 |
| Goat chivito | Young goat roasted or grilled, a speciality of southern Mendoza province (around Malargüe); found on some menus in the city. | Parrillas and traditional restaurants; more common in the south of the province. | roughly €12–20 a portion |
| Tomato and egg stew tomaticán | A simple Cuyo-region dish of tomatoes and onion cooked down, often with egg and sometimes corn. Home-style and seasonal. | Traditional and home-style restaurants; not on every menu. | roughly €5–9 a plate |
| Fried dough sopaipillas / tortitas mendocinas | Sopaipillas are fried dough discs eaten on rainy days or with mate; tortitas are flat breakfast breads, often eaten with butter or jam. | Bakeries (panaderías) in the morning. | roughly €0.50–1.50 each |
| Olive oil aceite de oliva | Mendoza grows olives in Maipú and elsewhere, and several producers offer tastings, often on the same routes as wineries. | Olive oil producers in Maipú; delis in the city. | roughly €6–15 a bottle from producers |
| Alfajores and dulce de leche alfajores | Two soft biscuits sandwiching dulce de leche, often coated in chocolate or rolled in coconut. | Bakeries, kiosks and cafés everywhere. | roughly €1–2.50 each |
Where to eat: markets and neighbourhoods
Mercado Central (Avenida Las Heras)
The city's central covered market, with butchers, produce, cheese, cured meats, empanada and pizza counters, and simple places to eat lunch.
Arístides Villanueva
The main street for bars, beer pubs, restaurants and pizza west of the centre; where young Mendocinos go out.
Plaza Independencia and the centre
Parrillas, cafés and confiterías around the main squares and the pedestrian Paseo Sarmiento.
Chacras de Coria
Leafy suburb south of the city in Luján de Cuyo with restaurants, cafés and wineries nearby; popular for weekend lunch.
Maipú, Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley
Maipú (close to the city, popular for bike-and-winery days), Luján de Cuyo (Malbec heartland) and the Uco Valley (higher, about 1.5 hours away) have wineries with tastings and restaurants.
Food tours in Mendoza compared
Every tour below is a real listing on GetYourGuide or Viator, checked on 2 Oct 2026. Prices move with season and group size, so treat them as a guide and confirm on the booking page.
| Tour | Length | Price* | Group | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mendoza: Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks | 3.5 hours | from €133 per person | private | Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients. | Check dates |
| From Mendoza: 3 Wineries, Olive Oil Factory Tour & Tasting | 6 hours | from €30 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Mendoza: Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings | 5 hours | from €38 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
| Mendoza's best wineries, wine tastings, and lunch! | 6 - 7 hours | from €115 per person | max 8 | Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them. | Check dates |
| Mendoza Food Safari - 4 Top Restaurants in One Night | 4.5 hours | from €195 per person | — | Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark. | Check dates |
| From Mendoza: Tour of a Chocolate Factory, 2 Wine Cellars, and an Olive Farm | 5 hours | from €36 per person | — | First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide. | Check dates |
Mendoza: Cooking Class with 7 Recipes & Bottomless Drinks
On GetYourGuide · run by Cook in Fiesta
- Length
- 3.5 hours
- Price
- from €133 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 59 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- private
- Suits
- Travellers who want to cook the dishes again at home; easiest option for dietary needs, since you control the ingredients.
From Mendoza: 3 Wineries, Olive Oil Factory Tour & Tasting
On GetYourGuide · run by Viajes y Diseño
- Length
- 6 hours
- Price
- from €30 per person
- Rating
- 4.7 ★ from 1,353 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Included
- All wine tastings included Tasting of products in the olive oil factory Included Air-conditioned - Heating vehicle Foreign residents or payments with cards issued outside of Argentina: includes local taxes Entry/Admis…
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Mendoza: Half-Day Wine Tour with Tastings
On GetYourGuide · run by OPERADORES MENDOZA VIAJES
- Length
- 5 hours
- Price
- from €38 per person
- Rating
- 4.3 ★ from 740 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Included
- Hotel pickup and drop off Knowledgeable guide in English, Spanish, and Portuguese Guided visit and wine tastings in two wineries Guided visit to an olive oil factory with tastings Lunch (please eat before the tour)
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
Mendoza's best wineries, wine tastings, and lunch!
On GetYourGuide · run by MCT
- Length
- 6 - 7 hours
- Price
- from €115 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 130 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Group size
- max 8
- Suits
- Couples, families or friends who want the route and pace set around them.
Mendoza Food Safari - 4 Top Restaurants in One Night
On GetYourGuide · run by Futuro Travels
- Length
- 4.5 hours
- Price
- from €195 per person
- Rating
- 4.9 ★ from 16 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Included
- All drinks, meals and transportation are included.
- Suits
- Evening eaters who want dinner and drinks rolled into one, plus the city after dark.
- Starts
- Gómez Rooftop
From Mendoza: Tour of a Chocolate Factory, 2 Wine Cellars, and an Olive Farm
On GetYourGuide · run by Viajes y Diseño
- Length
- 5 hours
- Price
- from €36 per person
- Rating
- 4.2 ★ from 14 reviews (on 4 Oct 2026)
- Included
- IMPORTANT: The morning option starts at 8:30 AM (NOT 6:30 AM)// The afternoon option starts at 2:00 PM IMPORTANT: The morning option starts at 8:30 a.m. (NOT 6:30 a.m.) // The afternoon option starts at 2:00 p.m. Tran…
- Suits
- First-timers who want a broad tasting of the classics with a local guide.
- Starts
- Viajes & Diseño
Some links on this page are partner links. If you book through them TonyPlan earns a small commission — the price you pay is exactly the same.
Street food, sit-down or a cooking class?
Street food
Street food is limited: empanadas from bakeries and shops, choripán (chorizo sandwich) from grills and food trucks, and pastries with mate or coffee. The Mercado Central is the easiest place for a quick, cheap lunch.
Sit-down meals
Parrillas are the default; order cuts to share, with salads and wine. Winery restaurants serve long lunches with paired tasting menus. Argentines eat late: lunch 13:00–15:00 and dinner from about 21:00–21:30. Shops close for siesta, roughly 13:00–17:00.
Cooking classes
Some wineries and local hosts offer asado or empanada classes, often combined with wine tasting. Check whether transport is included, as many are outside the city.
How much to budget for food
| Style | Per person, per day* |
|---|---|
| Budget (street food, markets) | about €15–25 (bakery breakfast, Mercado Central lunch, empanadas) |
| Mid-range (one sit-down meal a day) | about €35–55 (parrilla dinner with wine, café lunch) |
| Splurge (tasting menus, wine) | about €80–150+ (winery tasting-menu lunch with pairings) |
Vegetarian, halal and gluten-free
Vegetarian & vegan: Harder than in Buenos Aires but manageable. Parrillas have provoleta (grilled cheese), grilled vegetables and salads; empanadas come in cheese, corn (humita) and vegetable versions. Winery tasting menus usually offer a vegetarian option if asked in advance.
Halal: Very limited. Beef is everywhere but not halal-certified; some Middle Eastern restaurants exist. Vegetarian and fish dishes are the alternatives.
Gluten-free: Argentina has legal labelling for gluten-free food ('sin TACC'), and many shops and restaurants mark it. Grilled meat and salads are naturally gluten-free; empanadas, bread and alfajores are not unless labelled sin TACC.
Food scams and tourist traps to avoid
- Card prices that are higher than cash prices, or poor exchange rates at small shops and restaurants for foreign currency. Ask whether there is a cash discount, compare card versus cash, and use reputable exchange or card payments according to current conditions.
- Bike-and-wine rentals in Maipú with poorly maintained bikes and extra charges for 'deposits' or damage. Check brakes and tyres, photograph the bike, and confirm the price and what is included before leaving.
- 'Cubierto' (cover charge) per person for bread and table service. This is common and legal if listed; check the menu so it doesn't surprise you.
Top tours & activities in Mendoza
Rent a car in Mendoza
Compare rental cars from local and international companies, with free cancellation on most bookings.
Compare car rentals in MendozaPlan the rest of your Mendoza trip
Staying near the markets saves time and taxi money — most food tours start in the old centre.
Common questions
Do I need to book wineries?
Yes, for most. Many wineries in Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley only accept visitors by appointment, and restaurant lunches book up in high season. Maipú has some wineries that accept walk-ins for cyclists. Book a few days ahead, more around Vendimia in early March.
Do I need to tip?
About 10% in restaurants is normal, usually left in cash, as tips can't always be added to card payments. Check whether a cubierto (cover charge) has been added — it is not a tip. Guides on wine and food tours usually receive a tip of roughly 10%.
What time do people eat?
Late. Lunch is roughly 13:00–15:00 and dinner from about 21:00–21:30, often later at weekends. Many restaurants don't open for dinner before 20:00. Shops and some cafés close for siesta in the afternoon, roughly 13:00–17:00.
How much should I budget for food per day?
Because peso prices change fast, think in rough euro terms: about €15–25 a day on a budget, €35–55 with a parrilla dinner and wine, and €80–150 or more for a winery lunch with pairings. Check current exchange conditions before you travel.
Can I drink tap water?
Mendoza's tap water is generally considered safe to drink, and many locals drink it. If you have a sensitive stomach, bottled water is easy to buy. The dry climate means you'll need more water than usual.
When is the best time for food and wine?
Harvest season, roughly February to April, is the most interesting time at wineries, with the Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia in early March. Autumn (April–May) brings colourful vineyards and fewer crowds. Winery restaurants operate all year.
* Prices are approximate, gathered on 2 Oct 2026 from menus, markets and the booking pages linked above. They change with season and exchange rates.