🍦 Heladería Map
⚡ Quick answer
If you're deciding fast, use these picks instead of reading the whole list top-to-bottom.
Best overall
Cadore Gelato Artigianale — $$ · Av. Corrientes 1695, Balvanera
Start here if you just want the safest high-confidence pick.
Best late-night
Saverio — $$$ · Av. San Juan 2809, San Cristóbal
Most useful when your timing is the real constraint.
Best for first-timers
Rapanui — $$ · Arenales 2302, Recoleta
Good fit when you want the easiest, most approachable starting point.
Best local favorite
Heladería Scannapieco — $$ · Av. Álvarez Thomas 10, Chacarita
The pick with the strongest locals-actually-go-here signal.
Buenos Aires boasts an impressive array of heladerías, with prices ranging from $ to $$$, but the city's artisanal gelato shops are the true stars, offering a taste of Italy in South America year-round. This guide highlights 14 heladerías recommended by locals and Reddit users, from classic institutions to modern bars, ensuring a delightful experience no matter the season.
Buenos Aires' ice cream culture runs deep — thanks to waves of Italian immigration, the city developed an artisanal gelato tradition that rivals anything in Rome or Milan. Porteños don't just eat helado in summer; they consume it year-round, with most shops open well past midnight and delivering to your door. From family-run shops operating since the 1930s to modern Instagram-worthy bars, this guide covers the 14 heladerías that locals and Reddit users consistently recommend.
1Cadore Gelato Artigianale
Artisanal Gelato
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon12 PM – 12 AMTue12 PM – 12 AMWed12 PM – 12 AMThu12 PM – 12 AMFri12 PM – 2 AMSat12 PM – 2 AMSun12 PM – 12 AM
🌐 Website
What to order: Cadore Gelato Artigianale, an artisanal gelato shop located at Av. Corrientes 1695, Balvanera, offers a top-rated experience at a price of $$, with a rating of 4.6 stars from 14815 reviews. The pistachio flavor is widely considered the best in the city, and their sambayón (egg yolk and sweet wine custard) is another must-try.
"Cadore — Top 10 ice cream worldwide according to National Geographic. Best pistacchio ever." — r/icecream · 2025
"The most famous heladería in BA. Their pistachio is absolutely legendary." — r/BuenosAires · 2025
tabiji verdict: The most celebrated heladería in Buenos Aires since 1957. Cadore's Venetian-Italian roots and obsessive commitment to natural ingredients earned it a National Geographic Top 10 ranking. The pistachio alone is worth the pilgrimage to Corrientes.
2Heladería Scannapieco
Old-School Artisanal
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon12 PM – 12 AMTue12 PM – 12 AMWed12 PM – 12 AMThu12 PM – 12 AMFri12 PM – 1 AMSat12 PM – 1 AMSun12 PM – 12 AM
What to order: Heladería Scannapieco, an old-school artisanal heladería at Av. Álvarez Thomas 10, Chacarita, earns a 4.6-star rating from 5443 reviews and a $$ price point. Order the pistachio, lemon, peach, and crema americana, all made with natural ingredients; they caramelize hazelnuts and almonds in-house.
"Scannapieco's the best ice cream place in Buenos Aires; their pistachio is the bomb." — r/BuenosAires · 2025
"Scannapieco and La Gruta are also very good. Completely artisanal, nothing industrial." — r/BuenosAires · 2024
tabiji verdict: Operating since 1938, Scannapieco is the granddaddy of BA heladerías. This no-frills Chacarita institution relies on tradition and impeccable ingredient quality. Locals who grew up on their gelato will fight you if you disagree.
3Heladería Gruta
Hidden Gem
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon1:00 – 8:00 PMTue1:00 – 8:00 PMWed1:00 – 8:00 PMThu1:00 – 8:00 PMFri1:00 – 10:00 PMSat12:00 – 10:00 PMSun12:00 – 8:00 PM
What to order: Heladería Gruta, a hidden gem located at Mcal. Antonio José de Sucre 2356, Belgrano, is priced at $$ and boasts a 4.7-star rating from 3751 reviews. Fruit flavors and crema varieties are exceptional, and locals swear by the chocolate rocher and strawberries with cream.
"Scannapieco and La Gruta are also very good. Completely artisanal, nothing industrial." — r/BuenosAires · 2024
tabiji verdict: The highest-rated heladería on Google Maps (4.7★). La Gruta is a Belgrano treasure with limited hours that only add to its mystique. When porteños whisper about the best gelato, this name comes up first.
4Rapanui
Patagonian Chocolate
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon10:00 AM – 1:00 AMTue10:00 AM – 1:00 AMWed10:00 AM – 1:00 AMThu10:00 AM – 1:00 AMFri10:00 AM – 2:00 AMSat10:00 AM – 2:00 AMSun10:00 AM – 1:00 AM
What to order: Rapanui, a Patagonian chocolate heladería located at Arenales 2302, Recoleta, is rated 4.6 stars by 17023 reviewers and is priced at $$. Be sure to order the goat milk caramel (dulce de leche de cabra), chocolate negro, and the famous Franui — chocolate-covered Patagonian raspberries.
"Rapanui and Luccianos are the chains I respect. Rapanui's Patagonian chocolate heritage really shows." — r/BuenosAires · 2025
"Rapa Nui — Frambuesa balls! The chocolate-dipped raspberries are addictive." — PickUpTheFork · 2024
tabiji verdict: Born in Bariloche's chocolate country, Rapanui brings Patagonia's finest to the capital. The goat milk dulce de leche is unlike anything elsewhere. Most-reviewed heladería in BA by sheer volume.
5Tufic
Palermo Favorite
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon11:00 AM – 1:00 AMTue11:00 AM – 1:00 AMWed11:00 AM – 1:00 AMThu11:00 AM – 1:00 AMFri11:00 AM – 2:00 AMSat11:00 AM – 2:00 AMSun11:00 AM – 1:00 AM
🌐 Website
What to order: Tufic, a Palermo favorite located at Guatemala 4597, Palermo Soho, is priced at $$ and has a 4.5-star rating from 6026 reviews. Tufic is famous for launching the Paleta Dubai trend in BA, and their dulce de leche and specialty seasonal flavors are top-tier.
"Tufic is not just another ice cream shop — it's the original trendsetter, famous for launching the Paleta Dubai." — viewbuenosaires.com · 2026
"Tufic in Palermo Soho — one of my absolute favorites." — PickUpTheFork · 2024
tabiji verdict: The cool kid of BA's heladería scene. Tufic draws the Palermo Soho fashion crowd and foodies alike. Innovation keeps things fresh without sacrificing artisanal quality.
6Lucciano's
Gelato Bars
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon12:00 PM – 1:00 AMTue12:00 PM – 1:00 AMWed12:00 PM – 1:00 AMThu12:00 PM – 1:00 AMFri12:00 PM – 3:00 AMSat12:00 PM – 3:00 AMSun12:00 PM – 1:00 AM
What to order: Lucciano's, a gelato bar located at Honduras 4881, Palermo, is priced at $$$ and has a 4.4-star rating from 7051 reviews. The King Bianco (hazelnut with chocolate swirls), Mascarpone & Berries, and signature chocolate-dipped ice cream bars are highly recommended.
"Lucciano's specializes in ice cream bars. The Instagram presentation is wild." — PickUpTheFork · 2024
"Besides the ones already mentioned, check out Cadore and Luciano's." — r/viagens · 2025
tabiji verdict: The most Instagrammable heladería in Buenos Aires. Their fusion of Italian gelato craft with Argentine creativity makes it a destination. Open until 3 AM on weekends.
7Heladería Buffala
Recoleta Classic
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon12:00 PM – 12:00 AMTue12:00 PM – 12:00 AMWed12:00 PM – 12:00 AMThu12:00 PM – 12:00 AMFri12:00 PM – 2:00 AMSat11:00 AM – 2:00 AMSun11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
What to order: Heladería Buffala, a Recoleta classic located at Av. Pueyrredón 2100, Recoleta, is priced at $$ and has a 4.5-star rating from 4224 reviews. The chocolate rocher, choco almendras, and chantilly frutillas are rich, creamy, and intensely flavored.
"Buffala — chocolate rocher, choco almendras, chantilly frutillas. All-time favorites." — PickUpTheFork · 2024
tabiji verdict: A Recoleta institution proving you don't need a Palermo address for world-class gelato. Their chocolate varieties are devastatingly good.
8Occo Helados
Chacarita Gem
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon2:00 PM – 12:45 AMTue1:00 PM – 12:45 AMWed1:00 PM – 12:45 AMThu10:00 AM – 1:45 AMFri10:00 AM – 2:30 AMSat10:00 AM – 2:30 AMSun10:00 AM – 12:45 AM
What to order: Occo Helados, a Chacarita gem located at Av. Dorrego 1587, Chacarita, is priced at $$ and has a 4.4-star rating from 1295 reviews. Try the Baileys, After Eight, and grapefruit flavors, and enjoy FREE chocolate dips on cones — a rarity in BA.
"Occo — Baileys, After Eight, Grapefruit, FREE CHOCOLATE DIPS." — PickUpTheFork · 2024
tabiji verdict: Free chocolate dips on your cone. That alone puts Occo on this list, but the gelato more than holds its own. Creative flavors show a heladería unafraid to experiment.
9Heladería Pistacchio
Budget Artisanal
🕐 Opening Hours
MonClosedTue2:00 – 9:00 PMWed2:00 – 9:00 PMThu2:00 – 9:00 PMFri2:00 – 11:45 PMSat2:00 – 11:45 PMSun2:00 – 8:00 PM
🌐 Website
What to order: Heladería Pistacchio, a budget artisanal option located at Santos Dumont 3429, Colegiales, is priced at $ and has a 4.6-star rating from 1428 reviews. The namesake pistachio is the star, but every flavor is excellent, and they offer free chocolate dip on cones.
"Pistacchio Helados — FREE CHOCOLATE DIPS and incredible pistachio." — PickUpTheFork · 2024
tabiji verdict: The most affordable artisanal gelato in this list, and arguably one of the best. Hidden in Colegiales, locals guard this place jealously. Closed Mondays.
10LadobuenO
Neighborhood Favorite
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon12:00 PM – 12:00 AMTue12:00 PM – 12:00 AMWed12:00 PM – 12:00 AMThu12:00 PM – 1:00 AMFri12:00 PM – 1:00 AMSat12:00 PM – 1:00 AMSun11:00 AM – 12:00 AM
What to order: LadobuenO, a neighborhood favorite located at Gral. José Gervasio Artigas 1802, Villa Crespo, is priced at $$ and has a 4.4-star rating from 3798 reviews. Dulce de leche variations and seasonal fruit flavors are popular choices, and they nail the creamy base that makes Argentine gelato special.
"LadoBueno — smooth and intensely flavored helado." — vamospanish.com · 2024
tabiji verdict: Not flashy, not hyped — just consistently excellent gelato with neighborhood warmth that makes you feel like a regular from day one.
11Saverio
San Cristóbal Legend
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon10:00 AM – 2:00 AMTue10:00 AM – 2:00 AMWed10:00 AM – 2:00 AMThu10:00 AM – 2:00 AMFri10:00 AM – 3:00 AMSat10:00 AM – 3:00 AMSun10:00 AM – 2:00 AM
What to order: Saverio, a San Cristóbal legend located at Av. San Juan 2809, San Cristóbal, is priced at $$$ and has a 4.3-star rating from 3620 reviews. The dulce de leche granizado, chocolate amargo, and their legendary sambayón are must-try flavors.
"Saverio on Av. San Juan — a San Cristóbal institution." — PickUpTheFork · 2024
tabiji verdict: Open until 3 AM on weekends, Saverio is where night owls get their gelato fix. The sambayón alone is worth the trip south of the tourist corridor.
12Nonna San Telmo
San Telmo Classic
🕐 Opening Hours
MonClosedTue9:00 AM – 9:00 PMWed9:00 AM – 9:00 PMThu9:00 AM – 9:00 PMFri9:00 AM – 9:00 PMSat9:00 AM – 9:00 PMSun9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
What to order: Nonna San Telmo, a San Telmo classic located at Chile 501, San Telmo, is priced at $$ and has a 4.4-star rating from 457 reviews. It's the perfect spot after the Sunday San Telmo market, so try the dulce de leche with brownie and fruit sorbets.
"Nonna Bianca in San Telmo — great option after wandering the market." — PickUpTheFork · 2024
tabiji verdict: Perfectly positioned for the San Telmo Sunday market crowd. Honest gelato at fair prices in one of BA's most atmospheric barrios. Closed Mondays.
13Freddo
Iconic Chain
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon9:00 AM – 2:00 AMTue9:00 AM – 2:00 AMWed9:00 AM – 2:00 AMThu9:00 AM – 2:00 AMFri9:00 AM – 3:00 AMSat9:00 AM – 3:00 AMSun9:00 AM – 2:00 AM
What to order: Freddo, an iconic chain located at Av. Callao 1201, Recoleta, is priced at $$$ and has a 3.9-star rating from 1472 reviews. Order the OG dulce de leche — crafted without artificial additives for 50+ years — or the dulce de leche con Oreo, a crowd-pleaser.
"Freddo is popular for a reason. Their dulce de leche hasn't changed since 1969." — vamospanish.com · 2024
tabiji verdict: Argentina's most recognized chain since 1969. The consistency and late-night delivery make it the safety net every porteño relies on.
14Persicco
Quality Chain
🕐 Opening Hours
Mon9:00 AM – 12:00 AMTue9:00 AM – 12:00 AMWed9:00 AM – 12:00 AMThu9:00 AM – 12:00 AMFri9:00 AM – 12:00 AMSat9:00 AM – 12:00 AMSun9:00 AM – 12:00 AM
What to order: Persicco, a quality chain located at Riobamba 1296, Recoleta, is priced at $$ and has a 4.1-star rating from 626 reviews. The crema varieties and seasonal fruit flavors are recommended, and it's a solid delivery option across most of BA.
"Persicco — popular for a reason and their quality warrants inclusion." — vamospanish.com · 2024
tabiji verdict: The Pepsi to Freddo's Coke. Flies under the tourist radar but consistently delivers. Strong delivery coverage across BA.
FAQs
What is the best heladería in Buenos Aires?
Cadore is the most famous — ranked in National Geographic's Top 10 worldwide. But locals are split between Cadore, Scannapieco (open since 1938), and Heladería Gruta (highest Google rating at 4.7★). For best all-around experience, start at Cadore and explore from there.
What flavor should I try first in Buenos Aires?
Dulce de leche, without question. It's the Messi of Argentine ice cream flavors — every heladería has it, and it's the benchmark by which locals judge quality. After that, try sambayón (egg yolk and sweet wine) and chocolate amargo (bitter chocolate).
Is Argentine ice cream the same as Italian gelato?
Yes and no. Buenos Aires' helado tradition was brought by Italian immigrants and uses similar techniques — fresh ingredients, lower fat content, and denser texture than American ice cream. But Argentine gelato has evolved its own identity, especially with flavors like dulce de leche and goat milk caramel.
Can I get ice cream delivered in Buenos Aires?
Absolutely! Most heladerías deliver, many until 2-3 AM. Freddo and Persicco have the widest delivery coverage. You can order through PedidosYa or directly from the shops. There's usually a half-kilo minimum for delivery.
How much does ice cream cost in Buenos Aires?
A small cone (cono) with 2 flavors runs about ARS 2,000-4,000 ($2-4 USD). A quarter-kilo tub with 3 flavors is around ARS 4,000-8,000. Freddo and Lucciano's are on the pricier end; Pistacchio and local shops are more budget-friendly.
What are the best neighborhoods for ice cream in Buenos Aires?
Palermo has the highest concentration (Tufic, Lucciano's), but don't sleep on Chacarita (Scannapieco, Occo), Belgrano (La Gruta), and Recoleta (Rapanui, Buffala). San Telmo and San Cristóbal have excellent options too.
When is ice cream season in Buenos Aires?
Every season is ice cream season in Buenos Aires — porteños eat helado year-round. But summer (December-February) is peak season when lines form outside the most popular shops. For shorter waits, visit on weekday afternoons.
