Cabaña Las Lilas, Buenos Aires

Hmm... where to start... OK, the beef will never dissapoint you, that's true, but hey! we live in Beef Paradise, so why would you spend a minimum of 70 pesos (23 dollars) just for a coke, a piece of meat and a cover charge of 15 pesos? It's sooo not worth it. You can get extraordinary beef anywhere else and pay half as much, including a side order, a dessert and wine!
This place was created for tourists exclusively, as the prices are a total rip off. If you come to think of it, the prices are in dollars, not in pesos... 40 pesos for just a piece of grilled chicken??? Sure! that's 13 dollars. And one more thing, this place DOES NOT reflect what beef is for us at all! A gaucho would scream blue murder if he saw it!

If you want to experience a great value and can spend a moderate amount of your hard-earned cash, book and dine here. I am not given to exaggeration or effusive behavior (just ask my wife); but our experience was exceptional and worth writing about. Prior to going to Cabaña Las Lilas, on our extended trip, we dined at several area establishments. Local friends said try Cabaña Las Lilas.

The former warehouse row had been converted to lofts above and restaurants along the canals entry floors. Our first good sign was how busy Cabaña Las Lilas was in comparison to the other dinning establishments near.

From the reservation, to the moment of arrival -- to departure, the experience was perfect. I am not sure a short reservation will always work on a Saturday night -- we called at 7:30 PM asking for an 8 PM reservation. To our surprise and delight, we were able to get in. I suppose it is early for locals to dine and it appeared many out-of-town guests were selecting the restaurant spontaneously (walk up and ask to be seated). Take my advice; plan to take this one in. Put it on your list. You will thank me later. By 8:30, they were full and they stayed that way until we left, around 9:30. We watched many couples and groups get turned away.

The hostess staff warmly greeted us. Since it was a beautiful day and cooling off slowly after being in the mid-80s, in the reservation we asked for and were seated outside on the back patio. The wonderful starter that is provided to every patron surprised us. Then came the bread -- and it kept coming, and coming. From the vegetables in olive oil to the blue cheese and butter, the tray delighted the palate and gave you a warm, centered feeling. Garlic bread and rolls unlimited. The staff works a table on a pool or team basis. They work very customer-aware and you are never more than a few minutes without attention to an issue; your water needing a refill - done. The bread tray coming by, boom; the balance of attentiveness without intrusion is remarkable. We had a shopping bag from some recent Christmas gift buying. To ensure nothing of ours walked away, a manager took a zip-tie and attached it to a unoccupied seat arm. Prevention is better than regret. At no time did we feel unsafe of at risk. You could not swing a dead cat and not hit a security guard. They patrolled just outside the restaurant along the moderately traveled footbath along the canal. You may feel more comfortable if you dress in a snappy casual way (khakis and polo shirt for guys, summer dress for gals). They didn't seem to turn anyone away for attire, but most patrons reflected a slightly better than average look of means.

Favorite Dish: Being from Texas, we have opinions about steak; but we asked the manager about the best tasting steak. He didn't point to the Kobe beef area that was 3x+ more expensive, but pointed to the simple Ribeye that was about 400 grams. We have learned that to get what we called Medium Rare in Texas, you must ask for Medium in BA. We had the same Ribeye that was $163 ARS. For sides, we had the rice Las Lilas and the grilled vegetables. The rice had bits of goodness - eggs and other light and full of texture items. The grilled vegetables consisted of onions, tomatoes, zucchini and Portobello mushrooms.

While the service, ambience and side dishes were excellent I'm am absolutely puzzeled as to how this restaurant can be considered a great steakhouse.

My steak came well done after I ordered it medium rare and the replacement was far from tender. I also tried bites from everyone at the table and found their cuts also mediocre. The chefs here could also use some lessons as they make a large cut in to every steak to make sure it's cooked to order. This allows the precious juices to leek out and is unnecessary as you can tell how cooked a steak is by checking its firmness.

Favorite Dish: The salmon carpaccio was an excellent appetizer.

In my opinion, this has got to be the best parilla in all of Buenos Aires. I know some may disagree, but for me, when I ate at a steakhouse and the medallon de lomo melted in my mouth on 3 separate occassions, I was convinced Cabana Las Lilas was the best.

There's a small table cover per person. At lunch the table cover is 12 pesos and at dinner 14 pesos. The table "cover" includes dried tomatoes, mozzarella, olives, peppers, and delicious garlic bread. It comes on a huge plate, about 16 inches in diameter and gives enough to snack on while navigating the menu. You can see the tray in my pic.

This is a steak lover's paradise, so if you are not a steak aficionado, you might not do justice to the quality of steak here.

Octavio Caraballo is the owner, and Las Lilas raises their own cattle on their own private farms.

Main dishes will run between 38-44 pesos. appetizers 12-18 pesos, and desserts around 16 pesos.

If you're going for lunch, make sure you show up on time. Lunch is only served between 12-3:30. I say that because I saw people being turned down from going in after 3:30 at the front door.

Favorite Dish: Medallon de Lomo--I had it 3 times.
Chorizos Bombon--little mini sausages, yum!

I guess even a mediocre steakhouse in Buenos Aires is probably better than a good steakhouse in the U.S. They weren't kidding when they say that Argentina has the best meat! I don't normally eat meat, but I decided "when in Rome...." :) So, prior to my trip to Argentina, I started eating a little bit of beef in the U.S. so that I can compare. Well, the conclusion is that the steaks in BA are really yummy!! :) Cabana las Lilas has a great atmosphere that's more casual for a higher end restaurant. It's fairly big and it's right on the water with an outdoor patio. As you are waiting for your table, there is a big bar area with tables where the servers will come by with complimentary empanadas, mixed nuts, and champagne. The only complaint I had was that the service we got was somewhat mediocre. Granted, it was a Friday evening and VERY crowded, but still....Also, FYI, everything is served a la carte so you have to order side dishes separately if you want something else besides your choice of meat. Cabana las Lilas has their own estancia (ranch) from where they bring their beef for their restaurant.

Favorite Dish: I actually got shrimp since I don't normally eat meat so I had a bite of everyone else's which was really good. They also serve this cheese bread that is really yummy as well! :) The shrimp was actually really good! It was just cooked in olive oil and some seasoning and served (head on and everything) with potatoes. I'm not a beef expert, but I hear that some of the good choices are Ojo de Bife (rib eye), Bife de Chorizo (T-Bone), and Medallon de lomo (Tenderloin). The cows produce better meat because they are raised on the Pampas eating grass, unlike the US.

I was told by several people that this was the best steakhouse in all of Argentina, and believe me it held up to it's well earned reputation. The word amazing is the best word I could find for this place. I had the pleasure of having dinner here on Valentine's Day 2004. The prices here are a steal for the American dollar. Had probably one of the best steaks in my life here...The portions are HUGE !!! come to eat, because that's what your gonna do !!!!! The wine selections are outsanding and priced very well. Of course only Argentian wines are the served here with the exception of "Dom" and at 100 US dollars a bottle it might worth ordering a bottle or two. Appetizer's, main course for 2, dessert and 2 bottles of wine....$100 US. Try that in Morton's Steakhouse in the USA., which could easily run you $400 US..... PERFECT 10 out of 10

Favorite Dish: Rib-eye steak, T-bone.......were perfect....and BIG !!!! almost too big !!!!!!

2 more images

Considered one of the best restaurants in Buenos Aires, Cabaña las Lilas is a parrilla that serves beef from its own Argentine ranches. Its reputation has also made it one of the most expensive in the city, so it has become popular among the wealthy as well as tourists. It is also affiliated with one of São Paulo's most popular steakhouses, Figueira Rubaiyat in Jardins. It was one of the few restaurants open on Christmas Eve 2008, so my travel companions and I ate here more out of necessity. While the food was delicious, the service could have been better and the prices lower. Frankly, as enjoyable as it was, there are other restaurants in Buenos Aires that serve equally delicious food for a lot less money. The restaurant is located in Puerto Madero, the docks area in the city that has been redone and turned into a trendy area in Buenos Aires.

Si visitas Buenos Aires, no puedes dejar de visitar este restaurante! Tanto la comida como el ambiente es fantastico y el entorno inmejorable.

La atencion desde que llegas es fantastica, todo el personal muy amable!

Para repetir, y repetir y repetir!

Favorite Dish: La carne!

This had to be one of the best places for steak in the city. We went twice in a single week and were not disappointed. The T-bone beats anything I have ever had in any of the major steakhouses in the US. I have been all the best steakhouses in the US and they can't come close to Las Lilas. The service is fantastic, the food is fresh and sitting on the patio is a pleasure. Word to the wise, if you are not going for lunch or an early dinner you will want to make a reservation. Also, you will want to make sure you come hungry. The price can't be beat. Similar food and service in the US would have cost us more than 3xs the amount. We tried hard to spend a lot of money, just to see if we could do it, but two steaks, 3 sides, dessert, 2 bottles of wine and it was still under $120usd!

The beef here is solid for sure, but why pay so much when you can get the same thing that's just as tasty somewhere else for way cheaper? I say this and I didn't even pick up my tab!

Four of us had wine, drinks, tequila, dessert, the "welcome" platter of appetizers and oyo de lomo for 500 pesos, 125 pesos each. $42 USD each is a steal by New York or London standards but we're in Buenos Aires, land of the inexpensive meal.

I also felt ripped off when I ordered veggies and they gave me a small portion for 21 pesos. Everything else we ordered was in large enough portions to split but somehow veggies weren't.

Atmosphere perfectly pleasant but I'll take my local, no-name parilla anyday over this obvious tourist destination.

Favorite Dish: excellent house wine. Good little snacks while we waited for our table too.