Naturally natural

Natural Deli
opened everyday till late
1776 Gorostiaga st.
1672 Laprida st.
4514 1776

After a few days of eating medialunas with cafe con leche for breakfast, your stomach starts complaining. You feel tired, cranky and stuffed. You'll soon start craving for natural food.

An apple or a walnut would do. But there's a more appetizing solution: 'Natural Deli'.

Mike, the owner and organic food's crusader, came from London to teach us that good natural, fresh, organic and veggie food can actually taste good. Organic coffee, scramble eggs, home made granola, french toast and home organic jams will redefine a typical breakfast in Buenos Aires. For lunch there's quiche, sandwiches, wraps, soups and freshly pressed juice, lemonade and ice tea. All good and fresh.

This is not a fast food place and they do take their time to prepare the meals, so patience is a must (you are in Buenos Aires after all). Natural Deli has two branches and they are planning to open up a few more. And yes, they sell apples and walnuts, too..

Go Baraka

Baraka
1450 Gurruchaga st.
4834 6427

Baraka became one of my favorite places to go for good organic coffee, pound cakes, amazing sandwiches and the best chocolate cake i've had in Buenos Aires so far. It's in a great area, near plaza serrano, but away from all the (annoying) mess. There's a sunny terrace, which is great, as long as it's not too sunny (too hot!) and comfy couches to sit inside. They have a really nice tea selection by Tealosophy

and the service is generally very friendly. Today I went for breakfast with my dad and then again for afternoon tea with a friend.. vote baraka!

Raw truth

Verde llama
3623 Jorge Newbery st.
sun/ wed. 11am-6pm
thu/sat . 11am-midnight
4554 74 67

This is one of my favorite restaurants in Buenos Aires. They offer freshly prepared vegetarian raw food.
Now, I have to say that I've never been a big fun of the whole raw food thing. I've always felt it all tasted rather grassy. But these guys make (should I say 'cook'?) amazingly nutritious, organic and wholesome foods. I usually get the 'hummus chapati' which is a flat bread sandwich, filled with hummus and fresh veggies served with a green salad sprinkled with seeds. Pure perfection.
Pressed fruit juices are always on offer. My favorite one, called 'third eye', is made with blueberries, wheatgrass and orange juice. It can be a bit tricky finding fresh juices around Buenos Aires, so this place is an oasis.
The setting is very casual and the service is always friendly and attentive. However, they do take their time to prepare the orders (slow food!), but it's more than worth it. Go green (and raw)..

Flower power

La Esquina de las Flores
1630 Gurruchaga st
mon/sat. 8am-9pm
4832 8528

If there's something i hate about Buenos Aires (besides dog poop and mad traffic) is that you cannot find many organic products at the supermarket (so far, at least). Right in the heart of Palermo Soho, this iconic vegetarian restaurant/deli is an oasis for those of us looking for honestly priced organic produce and goods. I've been coming here since I first became a vegetarian years ago and trust me, there were not may places to buy good natural (or naturally good?) food. These guys are real pioneers and they put great care in what they do. Most of what they sell is certified organic, the prices are great and the waiting staff is always friendly and helpful. I usually get the soup of the day, it's cheap, and it comes fairly quickly. There are also different varieties of quiche, home made whole wheat pastas, sandwiches, fresh salads, fruit salads and freshly pressed juices. Eat your veggies!

Farmers market

El galpon organico
4171 Federico Lacroze ave.
(and Corrientes ave.)
wed. 9am-1pm
sat. 9am-3pm

Last saturday I went to what I think is one of the few organic farmers markets in Buenos Aires. It's in the neighborhood of chacarita (next to a run down train station and down the street from a cemetery!) near palermo Hollywood. It's like a big railroad warehouse, filled with nice people ('sentimiento' cooperative) selling their fresh produce, cheese, milk, granola, pies, etc. They also have a few tables to sit down, perfect for breakfast and lunch. It's a very friendly environment, and it's quite affordable. Don't forget to bring your re-usable groceries bag!