Palermo is the neighborhood where Buenos Aires’ most expensive parrillas coexist with bodegones that resist gentrification. And in that balance is the best of porteño choripán: legendary places with lines, specialists who bet everything on chori, and those neighborhood bodegones where lifelong residents still eat the same thing.
Here I’ll tell you about the real places, the ones worth it, without invention or places that already closed.
Don Julio - The Legendary That Needs No Introduction
📍 Guatemala 4699 esq. Gurruchaga, Palermo Viejo 💰 Range: $7,000-9,000 ARS ($6.30-$8.10 USD)
Don Julio isn’t just a premium parrilla. It’s an institution that appeared on all best restaurant lists in the world, but still makes choripanes as if nothing happened. And that contrast is exactly what makes it unique.
The chorizos come from their own butcher shop. It’s not marketing: they really have a blend perfected over more than three decades. Cooking is slow, on coals with firewood, until the skin is crispy but the inside explodes with juice when you bite it.
The bread is artisan baguette type, toasted on the same grill to absorb all those juices without falling apart. And the chimichurri has had the same secret recipe for over 30 years. There are people who come exclusively for that chimichurri.
The place has that perfect balance between tradition and quality that’s only achieved with decades of experience. The wooden tables, walls with neighborhood photos, the griller who’s been grilling on that same grill for 20 years.
Watch out for this: Don Julio fills up EVERY day. The line is part of the experience. If you go at noon, arrive before 1:30 PM or get ready to wait. They don’t accept reservations for choripanes (only for full parrillada). But every minute in line is worth it when they bring you that chori.
Pro tip: Ask for chori with “extra chimichurri.” It’s a couple pesos more and doubles the sauce. Those who know, order like that.
La Cabrera - Gourmet Without Losing Essence
📍 José A. Cabrera 5127, Palermo Viejo 💰 Range: $8,000-10,000 ARS ($7.20-$9 USD)
La Cabrera transformed the gourmet parrilla concept without falling into the pretentious trap. Its choripán is exactly that: an elevated version that respects tradition but isn’t afraid to innovate.
What makes the difference are the details. They offer you four sauces at the table: classic chimichurri, spiced criolla, provenzal and a spicy one that blows your mind if you like fire. The chorizo comes from a premium blend with spices they don’t reveal, but that clearly works. When you see it come out of the grill with that golden shine, you already know you’re about to eat something special.
The version with melted provolone and caramelized onion is a classic that conquered both locals and tourists. It’s not your grandma’s chori, but it’s so good it makes you question why nobody thought of it before.
The atmosphere is relaxed, modern without being cold, with service that treats you well without making you feel you’re in a luxury restaurant. Sundays they have a promo that rocks: choripán plus craft beer at special price.
Good to know: Tables fill up fast on weekends. If you can, drop by during the week or reserve in advance. They accept cards, have menu in English, and for those who don’t eat meat they have a surprisingly good vegetarian version.
Chori - The Choripán Specialists
📍 Thames 1653, Palermo ⏰ 12:30 to 00:30 | 💰 $3,600-4,200 ARS ($3.25-$3.80 USD)
When a place is literally called “Chori” and dedicates its entire menu to choripán, they’re either geniuses or crazy. Here they’re both, and it works.
Chori is the project of some guys who bet everything on a simple idea: make the best possible choripán and offer varieties nobody else has. And they succeeded. The place is small, kind of hidden in Palermo, but those who know it return religiously.
They have everything from the classic porteño to more daring versions. The chorizo is top quality, the artisan bread is toasted on the spot, and the homemade sauces change each week. It’s not a traditional bodegón or a luxury parrilla: it’s something new that respects chori tradition without getting stuck in the past.
Prices are honest for Palermo: between $3,600-4,200 ARS depending on which version you order. And the midnight hours make it the perfect place for that late-night chori when you come back from the bar with real hunger.
Important info: It’s small. Few tables. On weekend nights it’s recommended to call ahead or get ready to eat standing at the bar (which also has its vibe). They have delivery, which saves your life when you don’t want to go out.
The best: Thursdays they have 2-for-1 on classic choripanes after 8 PM. Neighborhood locals know it and it fills up, but it’s the best deal if you want to try without spending too much.
El Preferido de Palermo - The Modern Bodegón
📍 Jorge Luis Borges 2108, Palermo 💰 Range: $6,000-8,000 ARS ($5.40-$7.20 USD)
El Preferido is that bodegón Palermo needed: maintains the soul of neighborhood general stores but with aesthetics that don’t make you feel you traveled to 1960. The original tiles, shelves full of preserves, wooden counter… Everything’s there, but updated.
Choripán here isn’t the menu’s star dish, but that’s exactly what makes it special. They prepare it with the same care as the milanesas or beef chorizo steak. Premium butcher chorizo, artisan bread from the bakery around the corner, homemade chimichurri with a recipe from some owner’s grandmother.
What’s special about El Preferido is the complete experience. You can start with a vermouth and some olives, eat a spectacular chori, and close with flan with dulce de leche. All in the same place, with that slow rhythm of porteño bodegón that barely exists anymore.
The atmosphere is perfect for a date or to go with friends. Low music, easy conversation, attentive service without being invasive. Sundays at noon it fills with neighborhood families, which is always a good sign.
Pro tip: Try the choripán with spiced criolla sauce. It’s their own recipe that combines perfectly with house wine. And if you go in winter, ask them to serve it hot straight from the grill. It’s another level.
Las Cabras - The Palermo Soho Secret
📍 Fitz Roy 1795, Palermo Soho ⏰ Sun-Thu 12-01 | Fri-Sat 12-02 | 💰 Range: $5,000-7,000 ARS ($4.50-$6.30 USD)
Las Cabras is one of those places that don’t make noise on social media but are always full. Because those who know it return and bring friends, and those friends return and bring more friends. It’s the old-school organic viral.
The place has modern beer bar vibes, with a craft beer menu that justifies going even if you don’t eat. But choripán is the menu’s hidden star. They make it with artisan chorizo that has perfect balance between spices and meat, homemade beer bread (yes, they make it with their own brew), and chimichurri that has that just-right point of acid and spicy.
The Palermo Soho location makes it perfect for starting or ending a night out. Drop by at 1 PM for a quiet lunch, or arrive at midnight Friday with friends after touring bars. Extended hours (until 2 AM on weekends) is a plus few places have.
The atmosphere is relaxed, kind of rocker, with music that lets you talk without shouting. Sidewalk tables are perfect in spring. And waiters know about beer, so if you don’t know what to order they guide you without making you feel ignorant.
Key info: Mondays they have discount on chori + craft beer. It’s the secret of neighborhood freelancers who work from home and go out to eat on Monday as if it were Friday. The move is to go around 1:30 PM, eat your chori with a cold IPA, and go back to work with full belly and happy heart.
🔥 Practical Guide: When to Go and How Much to Spend
Strategic schedules:
Weekday noon is pure gold if you want to avoid Palermo crowds. Places have free tables, waiters have time to chat, and you eat calmly without feeling they’re rushing you to leave the table.
Weekends, especially Saturday noon, Palermo explodes. If the wait doesn’t bother you and you want to feel the neighborhood full of energy, that’s your moment. But reserve or arrive early.
For a late-night choripán, Las Cabras is your place. Chori also opens late. The others close early or have split schedule.
Real budget 2026:
Palermo is more expensive than other neighborhoods, but prices vary quite a bit:
- Budget: $3,600-5,000 ARS ($3.25-$4.50 USD) (Chori, Las Cabras)
- Mid-range: $6,000-8,000 ARS ($5.40-$7.20 USD) (El Preferido)
- Premium: $7,000-10,000 ARS ($6.30-$9 USD) (Don Julio, La Cabrera)
If you want to know how much choripán costs in each Buenos Aires neighborhood, we have the complete 2026 price guide. You can also see our list of the best choripán carts in Buenos Aires for more economical options.
A beer or soda adds between $2,500-4,000 ARS ($2.25-$3.60 USD) depending on the place. If you go to Don Julio or La Cabrera, add 10% tip which is usual at those places.
Suggested route:
If you have a day to eat choris in Palermo, here’s the perfect plan:
Start at Don Julio for lunch (arrive around 12:30 PM). Walk through Palermo Viejo, window shop, walk off the food. Around 6 PM drop by El Preferido for a vermouth. At night, finish at Las Cabras with chori + craft beer. You’ll sleep like a champion.
The Final Verdict
If I have to choose just one, I’ll stay with Don Julio. It’s the perfect balance between tradition, quality and that experience only a legendary parrilla can give. Yes, it’s more expensive. Yes, you have to wait in line. But there are things worth every peso and every minute.
To try something different: Chori. The specialists who bet everything on making the best possible choripán. And they’re succeeding.
For best price-quality ratio: Las Cabras. Honest, delicious, good atmosphere, and the craft beer combo is unbeatable.
For a complete bodegón experience: El Preferido de Palermo. It’s not just the chori, it’s the whole context.
For gourmet without falling into pretentious: La Cabrera. Innovation that respects tradition.
Last update: February 2026. Prices and schedules subject to change. Price data is estimated based on recent inquiries. Always confirm schedules before going, especially on holidays.
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