Great fish. The "Puerto" of Mar del Plata is a nice zone to know and try "mariscos", "rabas" and as many possibilities as you can.
"Alfajores" a cake sandwich with dulce de lecheare found all over Argentina, and go perfect with cafe con leche. Many say the best are at the Havanna shops that are all around MDP. They make great gifts to bring home.
The Argentines love dulce de leche, which is a cream caramel, and put it on almost anything sweet. Medialunas mini-croissants and dulce de leche are a staple breakfast. Dulce De Leche Granizado Ice Cream Helado combines chocolate flakes into caramel ice cream. The best by far is found in the Alem section of town.
Parillas mixed grills are also ubiquitous and with the great exchange rate, eating steak almost every day is very possible. Sirloin Steak is referred to as Bife de Chorizo, not to be confused with the sausage of the same name. One of the best parillas in MDP is Palacio del Bife. Palacio del Bife is excellent, although pricey. Bargain bites can be found in casual restaurants, such as those found on the pedestrian strip, San Martin pizza slices 2 pesos, whole pizzas feed at least 2 around 12 pesos.
Empanadas in Argentina are great for the first few days, but once you realize that unless you plan well in advance, this is the only food you can get during the daily siesta for lunch. Bariloche on Calle Mitre has some of the best around.
After you've entered a beef coma and can't take any more steak, Amigos Del Mar sushi restaurant is the only Japanese food in Mar Del Plata. There are several oriental "Tenedor Libres" cheap buffet style restaurants and some trendier restaurants in Alem that claim to do Chinese or Japanese food but just don't cut it.
The most traditional place to eat in the "Happy City", as Mar del Plata is also called, is "Manolo". This low-key restaurant has three branches one on Rivadavia street, one right on the coast, and the newest one on Alem. Food quality is great and almost anything you order is to share. Great sea-food too. A very nice alternative to the pier... especially if you're on foot. You can't leave Mar del plata until you've tried "churros" from this establishment. They are the best!!! Don't expect anything fancy tiny paper napkins and waiters always in a rush, but be sure to leave with a full, happy stomach.
