Café Tortoni, where tango and literature meet

An important part of the artistic history of Buenos Aires is present on its marble tables and walls, since among its most prominent clients were the writers Jorge Luis Borges, Luigi Pirandello, Federico García Lorca and Julio Cortázar, as well as the musicians Arthur Rubinstein and the mythical Carlos Gardel.

Its first owner was a French immigrant surnamed Touan, who named it after another famous Café Tortoni, located in Paris. The imposing facade that overlooks Avenida de Mayo was built in 1898 by the architect Alejandro Christophersen.

Currently, jazz and tango shows are presented in the basement of the Tortoni, and it should be noted that next to the café are the National Academy of Tango and the World Museum of Tango.
 
Fun facts
Did you know that Carlos Gardel always had a table reserved for him in this cafe, far from the sight of his admirers? According to the poet Enrique Cadícamo, it was the one on the right side of the room next to the window, entering via Rivadavia.

Learn about the history of the Monserrat neighborhood.