I once fell for the hype and booked an Argentinian steakhouse that went viral on TikTok. The chimichurri was laughably small, the steak had no seasoning, and the price tag was the only thing with bite.

We’ve all been there—expectations high, flavour low. And with Argentinian food, that kind of letdown hits harder. People want the real deal.

So I put together a list for anyone tired of overpaying for food that doesn’t deliver. These Argentinian restaurants in Auckland are worth the money, the time, and yeah—even that uphill walk on a rainy night when every cab in the city seems to disappear.

1. El Sizzling Chorizo

El Sizzling Chorizo made it to my list because it kept coming up in conversations, and after finally trying it, I get why.

It’s inside Ponsonby Central, so it already has that buzzy, food-hall energy. But once you’re in front of the grill, it feels a bit more focused. The smell of meat on the open flame hit first and had me hoping the food would live up to it.

I went with the parrillada for one, mostly out of curiosity. It came stacked with flank steak, short ribs, morcilla, and chorizo—each with that slightly charred edge and proper seasoning. No need for extra sauces to recover anything.

The chimichurri had an actual bite to it too, not the bland drizzle I’ve had at other places. That kind of boldness carried through to everything on the plate, especially in how the meat was cooked—seared on the outside, juicy inside.

Service was quick, nothing overly chatty, which fit the vibe. The guy manning the grill gave a quick nod when he handed over my plate like he knew it would speak for itself, and it kind of did.

The only downside? Seating’s tight. If you come during peak hours like lunch around noon or dinner between 6 to 8, it gets crowded fast. Expect to be elbow-to-elbow with strangers.

Friendly and efficient service

“BBQ! I recommend the chorizo. The pork belly was also good, but the beef steak was quite tough (maybe due to the meat quality?). I liked that plenty of side salad was served with the main dish. When I visited, there was only one chef and one manager working, but they were professional and friendly even in a fully packed and busy situation – true superstars! It’s a great place to stop by for a drink with the chorizo.”

• J, Google Review

Cozy setting, great service, and hearty portions

“Our team of four had dinner on a rainy Tuesday night. We were invited to sit in an enclosed outdoor area with overhead heating, and it was actually a brilliant spot.  Service was very good, and the meals were all thoroughly enjoyed.

I was a massive fan of the Chorizo that we shared as a starter, and most of us chose the Parrillada which gives you three different proteins. For me, the pork belly stood out. Two of us were not quite able to finish our plates.

I would like to go back and try the short rib later in the year.”

• Mike Collis, Google Review

2. South American Oven

South American Oven came onto my radar after a friend kept raving about their empanadas, so I tagged along one time. It’s an easygoing, takeaway-focused spot, but the food is truly delivered.

The beef empanada and choripán I picked tasted like something straight from a family kitchen. The pastry was perfectly crisp and golden, not oily at all, while the filling packed a good flavor without feeling heavy.

The choripán came with chimichurri that packed a bit of heat, making it livelier than the milder versions I’ve tried elsewhere. Everything tasted fresh, especially the quality of the meat and the balance of spices.

Unlike other places, you don’t get that greasy, over-processed feeling here. Each bite felt thoughtfully made.

Their menu isn’t big, but it’s clearly well thought out. By sticking to core Argentinian classics and skipping any extras, they make it easy to trust the authenticity of their food.

The guy behind the counter even shared that recipes come straight from family traditions and that care definitely comes through. They prepare and serve with attention, even when things get busy.

I usually don’t mind eating outside, but since they only do takeaways, it’s a bit risky unless you’re nearby. The food’s best when it’s hot, so unless you’ve got somewhere else close to sit and eat, it might not hit the same. 

Authentic and impressive variety

“I don’t usually write alot of reviews but since traveling Argentina and falling in love with Empanadas, these are by far the best I’ve had outside of Argentina, I had the ham and cheese, 4 cheese, beef and olive, plus the halloumi schnitzel all were absolutely amazing”

• George Smith, Google Review

Tasty and quick service

“The sandwich argentino was pretty good, although a little pricy for the size. Service was relatively quick for being a busy lunchtime. Ordering via the screen is easy, although you may want to browse the menu ahead of time as to not hold up the line when it comes to your turn to order.”

• Jessica Ureste (Jess), Google Review

3. Vino Vino

My sister actually tried Vino Vino once and recommended it to me when she heard I was having dinner with my best friend, who had just gotten back from Argentina.

We started with the provoleta, which was rich and gooey, with just enough chili and oregano to cut through the cheese. It came out sizzling, and we ended up scraping every bit of it off the pan with the warm bread they served on the side.

For mains, we went for the asado plate with beef ribs, chorizo, and morcilla. The ribs had that slow-cooked tenderness you only get from real-time on the grill, and the chorizo had just the right amount of spice.

The portions here were generous without being overwhelming, and everything came out with that smoky depth you hope for in Argentinian barbecue.

Their service was genuinely impressive. The staff knew the details behind the menu and made smart recommendations, including which wines paired well and where they source their meats.

My only real complaint here was the noise. The space is compact, so once it gets busy, conversations tend to overlap.

Excellent service and standout flavours

“An excellent dining experience – would highly recommend a visit!

We arrived on a Saturday evening as a group of six, and this restaurant was undoubtedly one of the highlights of our recent trip to Waiheke.

We started with several shared starters: arancini, patatas bravas, grilled prawns, and chipa (Argentinian cheese bites). The presentation of the dishes was lovely, and each dish was vibrant and colourful. My favourite starter was the grilled prawns—perfectly cooked and paired with a tangy coriander chutney that was surprisingly delightful (I’m usually not a fan of coriander, so I was very impressed).

For the mains, we ordered the eye fillet steak, lamb rump, and the pasta of the day. The steaks were cooked perfectly to our requested medium rare. The pasta of the day was a green pea pasta with rocket, featuring a creamy sauce that was rich and delicious, though I found the rocket a bit overpowering. Still, it was an enjoyable dish.”

• Sang Hyun Kim, Google Review

Friendly service and stunning views

“Stunning views and great food!! We shared a pan fried chicken milanesa and a fillet steak with chimichurri sauce. But actually we should had ordered a fillet steak for each because it was absolutely delicious. I definitely recommend it! It was the best steak I had in a long time. I would like to thanks Connie and the argentine waitress that served us for being so friendly and attentive!!”

• Marta Rodriguez, Google Review

4. Le Chori

My aunt swore by Le Chori’s empanadas, and I finally decided to try them when I saw their promo—too tempting to ignore.

This is the spot if you want empanadas with actual variety. They don’t just stick to one or two safe options—you’ll find beef, ham and cheese, spinach, and more. I went for a dozen with mixed fillings, and every one of them had its own personality.

The pastry was soft but held its shape, and none of them were overly greasy.

There’s something satisfying about how unfussy the whole experience is, like you’re getting a taste of home cooking without it feeling like a gimmick.

One thing that stood out was the personality they put into everything. The way they describe their food—“empanadas for the old folks without teeth and the hungry backpackers”—kind of tells you everything you need to know.

The only downside is that there isn’t a proper dine-in space. It’s mostly delivery or takeaway, so unless you live nearby or are lucky to catch a pop-up, you’ll need to plan ahead a bit. Still, for solid Argentinian empanadas in Auckland, it’s worth it.

Delicious taste

“Excelentes las mejores empanadas 100% argentinas! Las recomiendo son las mejores.”

• Martín Pefaur, Facebook Review

Top-notch and authentic 

“Muchas gracias!!!! Por las 2 docenas de ayer ..  Estuvieron deliciosas!!  

Le mando un beso a LA rubia!”

• Ignacio Nicolás Tabilo Garcia, Facebook Review

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