Cafe Tortoni Tours and Tickets

Café Tortoni was founded by a Frenchman and named after a Paris café. It’s one of Buenos Aires’ best preserved bares notables, or recognized local historic cafés. Since its opening in 1859, several prominent people have frequented the establishment, such as writer Jorge Luis Borges and musician Arthur Rubinstein.

Try the churros dipped in either chocolate sauce or dulce de leche for a little treat when you visit Café Tortoni. There’s also a full menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner selections. And, you can order just a cider, a glass of wine, or a coffee and do some people-watching.

Yes, you need to pay to watch the Café Tortoni tango show. There are shows every evening—sometimes more than one. Shows can sell out, so purchase tickets in the morning to reserve your entry for the evening’s show. Entering the café is free, but often requires a wait.

The show has mixed reviews. Some people note that the show isn’t just tango and can be more like a variety show. However, many others like the intimate atmosphere and ambiance of watching the show in Buenos Aires’ oldest café, sipping on a glass of wine or a hot chocolate.

Several tours stop at Café Tortoni, including hop-on hop off bus tours, group or private city walking tours, and even self-guided Evita Perón tours. You may want to stop briefly at Café Tortoni with your group, and then come back later to leisurely take in the sights on your own.

Yes, Café Tortoni is worth it for the layers of history it represents. It’s the oldest café in the city and very well preserved. Try churros with dulce de leche, a coffee, or cider; or book in advance to watch one of the nightly tango shows held in the basement.