The New Restaurant Openings Refreshing Mendoza’s Foodie Scene

In Las Compuertas, vineyards, open-fire cooking, and relaxed dining come together in a new restaurant that reimagines the traditional winery experience. Coraje Mendoza is the project of Agustina Gandolfo and Lautaro Martínez, located inside Cittanina, the family winery set on a historic vineyard dating back to 1930.

The concept is all about making the winery experience more laid-back. The idea is simple: eat well, share dishes, and enjoy the moment. The menu draws inspiration from both Argentine and Italian traditions, featuring homemade pasta, flame-grilled meats, and shareable plates, all paired with the winery's own labels and sweeping views of the Andean foothills.

Good to know: The project grew out of a family dream that began almost by chance, when the family discovered that this historic 1930 vineyard could become not only a place to make wine, but a place to build something entirely their own.

Where: Roque Sáenz Peña 6001, Las Compuertas, Mendoza.

After spending some time inside Parque General San Martín, Cocina Gardenia has returned to where it all began. Facing Mendoza City's bike path, chef Ginella Mazzocca has brought the project back to its original location with a renovated space that preserves everything people loved about it: an open kitchen, great music, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes it easy to lose track of time.

The menu revolves around small plates designed for sharing, inspired by flavors from around the world and prepared with seasonal ingredients, which means the menu changes every month. Vegetarian and vegan dishes play a leading role, while homemade lemonades and iced teas replace soft drinks, reinforcing the restaurant's distinctive identity. It's open Monday through Saturday for dinner, with lunch service on weekends.

Good to know: One of its signature experiences remains the same—you can order your meal as a picnic and enjoy it in the green space along the bike path directly across the street.

Where: Martín Palero 20, Mendoza City.

Some places are woven into Mendoza's collective memory, and the lake at Parque General San Martín is certainly one of them. Palma Parador del Lago was created to breathe new life into this iconic setting with a contemporary concept that blends seamlessly into the landscape originally designed by renowned landscape architect Carlos Thays.

Set right on the water, with outdoor seating surrounded by nature, the venue revives the idea of an urban lakeside retreat with a laid-back vibe—a kind of "Mendoza beach" where time seems to slow down and any moment of the day becomes the perfect excuse to linger by the lake.

The kitchen serves food from morning until night and is divided into two main concepts. One centers on the grill, with beef tenderloin as one of the signature dishes alongside burgers and choripán. The other focuses on comforting homemade fare, including milanesas, empanadas, Spanish omelets, savory pies, salads, and seasonal charcuterie boards.

Good to know: The bar also embraces a creative and sustainable philosophy, repurposing citrus peels, fruit, and other ingredients to garnish cocktails and create new flavors while reducing waste.

Where: Parque General San Martín Lake, Mendoza City.

On one of the busiest corners of Arístides Avenue, Folia and Bar Rumano share the same space while offering two distinct experiences depending on the time of day. In the morning and afternoon, Folia operates as a café and artisanal bakery, where house-made breads, laminated pastries, organic flour milled on-site, and Roman-style pizza al taglio define a concept deeply rooted in Italian tradition. As the sun goes down, the atmosphere shifts and Bar Rumano takes over: a neighborhood wine bar with a European soul, where music, wine, and good food invite guests to linger well into the evening.

The star of the menu throughout the day is the pizza al taglio, inspired by traditional Roman pizza, handcrafted with organic flour and served by the slice. Chef Felipe González's menu is rounded out with seasonal small plates designed for sharing, alongside a carefully curated selection of wines and cocktails that complement the nighttime experience.

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Good to know: Folia mills its own organic flour on-site to make its breads and pizza al taglio, an uncommon practice that has shaped the project's identity from day one.

Where: Arístides Villanueva 521, Mendoza City.

RAMAL has arrived in downtown Mendoza with a concept that sees food as part of a broader experience. Inspired by railway culture, the venue uses train tracks as a metaphor for connection, movement, and the stories that intersect along the way. Music, cocktails, food, and thoughtful design come together in a space made for long evenings, where the bar serves as the true heart of the venue and every night develops its own unique rhythm.

The menu features tapas and shareable dishes with Spanish and Mediterranean influences, including classic Spanish tortilla, tortilla with sobrasada, zucchini involtini, bruschettas topped with pickles and pâtés, grilled provolone cheese, and traditional matambre empanadas. The food is complemented by signature cocktails and a carefully curated soundtrack that completes the venue's distinctive atmosphere.

Good to know: One of RAMAL's defining features is the curation behind every evening: the music, menu, and ambiance are all designed as part of a single experience where every detail encourages people to gather and stay.

Where: Av. Sarmiento 786, Mendoza City.

Biri Biri Cantina is one of those places where food becomes a way of telling stories. Inspired by a family's experience of political exile across Latin America, the restaurant transforms the table into a space for connection, memory, and celebration of the continent's cultural diversity.

The menu takes diners on a journey through Latin American cuisine with dishes such as Peruvian chaufa fried rice, Argentine lomito sandwiches, and tacos al pastor prepared with handmade nixtamalized corn tortillas and slow-cooked pork. The project also places a strong emphasis on local producers and artisanal techniques, using seasonal ingredients, naturally leavened bread, and regional products that reinforce its unique identity.

Good to know: One of the house specialties is its tacos al pastor, served with authentic handmade nixtamalized corn tortillas—a traditional Mexican technique that's still relatively rare in Mendoza's dining scene.

Where: Rivadavia 680, Mendoza City.

Vicolo SpirItaly brings the charm of Italy's narrow alleyways to the heart of Palmares Mall. More than just a restaurant, it's designed as a small marketplace where every corner has its own personality while sharing the same philosophy: celebrating good food, togetherness, and the simple pleasures of everyday life.

The concept combines a café, bistro, pizzeria, salumeria, wine shop, gourmet market, and florist in one destination, offering both dine-in experiences and delicacies to take home. Whether you're stopping in for breakfast, a specialty coffee, a pizza, a glass of wine, or authentic Italian ingredients, Vicolo offers multiple ways to enjoy the same Italian-inspired lifestyle.

Good to know: The must-order dish is the Pizza Mortadella e Pistacchio, a northern Italian classic topped with mortadella, burrata, pistachio pesto, and lemon zest on a long-fermented dough.

Where: Palmares Mall – Av. San Martín Sur 2875, Godoy Cruz, Mendoza.

Cellier Anna offers a different kind of culinary experience in Chacras de Coria. Inspired by the traditional French celliers—pantries where wines, cheeses, and special delicacies were stored for memorable occasions—the concept was created by the team behind Anna Bistró and Brillat Savarin. It revives that spirit of collecting and sharing exceptional products, bringing together a carefully curated selection of cheeses, charcuterie, preserves, artisan breads, and wines from small Argentine producers.

The food menu revolves around cheese and charcuterie boards, dishes built around those same premium ingredients, and a wine list designed to complement every bite. Guests familiar with Anna Bistró will also recognize several of its signature dishes, while desserts come courtesy of Brillat Savarin, creating a space that seamlessly combines a gourmet market, wine bar, and restaurant.

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Good to know: Many of the products can be purchased to take home. Cheeses, charcuterie, wines, and gourmet specialties are selected with the same careful curation that has made Anna Bistró—a restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide in both 2025 and 2026—a local favorite.

Where: Darragueira 7035, Chacras de Coria.

Jugador N.º 12 has landed on Arístides Avenue with a concept that blends traditional Argentine comfort food with football passion. Described as Mendoza's first 100% Boca Juniors-themed bodegón, the restaurant pays tribute to the club's history through its décor, iconic blue-and-gold colors, memorabilia, and an atmosphere designed for die-hard fans as well as anyone who enjoys classic Argentine dining and the excitement of match day.

The menu celebrates the traditional flavors of Argentine bodegones, featuring hearty milanesas, homemade pasta, classic desserts such as flan, and generous dishes made for sharing. The experience is rounded out by an open kitchen, a large central bar, screens throughout the venue broadcasting major sporting events, a VIP section, and an official merchandise store.

Good to know: Beyond the food, it's worth heading upstairs to visit the Boca Juniors museum, where historic jerseys, memorabilia, and club relics turn a meal into a must-visit experience for football fans.

Where: Arístides Villanueva 165, Mendoza.

In the heart of Gualtallary, 1,350 meters (4,430 feet) above sea level, Finca Las Divas offers a dining experience where the landscape is just as important as the cuisine. Located within Huarpe-Riglos Winery, the restaurant invites guests to discover one of Mendoza's most celebrated wine regions through an intimate concept that highlights the area's terroir, wines, and Andean identity. Floor-to-ceiling windows, a visible wine cellar, and a dining room built with materials that echo the winery's architecture create a space designed for slow, immersive meals, always with the Andes Mountains as a breathtaking backdrop.

Led by chef Guido Gonnet, the kitchen reinterprets regional cuisine through a contemporary lens. Guests can choose between a seven-course tasting menu or an à la carte selection featuring dishes that embrace traditional cooking methods such as open-fire grilling, clay ovens, and wood-fired techniques, all paired with Huarpe-Riglos wines.

Good to know: Much of the restaurant's furniture has been crafted from reclaimed oak wine barrels, a thoughtful detail that reinforces the connection between architecture, winemaking, and the surrounding landscape.

Where: Ruta 89 Km 13, Tupungato, Mendoza.