The Flavor Route in Mendoza: 6 Luxury Restaurants with the Michelin Seal

Mexico City, May 19, 2025.—In Mendoza, wine no longer comes alone. Today, this region in western Argentina is establishing itself as one of the continent's most interesting gastronomic hubs, with cuisines that narrate the region through seasonal ingredients, organic gardens, signature techniques, and environments that invite you to linger at the table.

The Michelin Guide confirmed this in its first edition for Argentina (2024): with 15 mentions, Mendoza has earned a place on the gourmet map of Latin America. Among these distinctions, six restaurants stand out for their bold, elegant offerings, deeply connected to the Cuyo landscape.

Here's a look at these six must-see stops for those looking
to explore luxury from the table:

1. Angélica Cocina Maestra
“Wine first” is the concept that underpins this restaurant located within the Catena Zapata Winery, named after Angélica, Nicolás Catena's mother. Its presence is imposing, like the pyramid-shaped building that houses it, and it sets a unique architectural tone.
The experience begins with a tour of the winery—to get a feel for the wine and understand each label—and continues with an exclusive menu designed to enhance the wine through local ingredients. The Michelin Guide highlights its modern approach to Mendoza cuisine. It's important to note that reservations often sell out months in advance.
 

2. Casa Vigil
This is the home of renowned winemaker Alejandro Vigil, nicknamed "the Messi of wine," and his wife, María Sance. Located in Chachingo, Maipú, the property is surprisingly spacious with a setting inspired by Dante's Divine Comedy. After a tour of the vineyards, the menu offers a taste of the Cuyo region with dishes made with seasonal produce, many from their own garden. The Michelin Guide recommends not leaving without trying one of the more than 50 tomato dishes created by María. The rustic setting and artistic narrative complete the experience.
 

3. Brindillas
In Luján de Cuyo, 15 km from the provincial capital, this restaurant led by chef Mariano Gallego and dining room manager Florencia D'Amico offers a multi-course experience that intertwines imagination, technique, and roots. The Michelin Guide highlights dishes such as roasted eggplant with romesco sauce and diced salted anchovies, as well as the use of ingredients like Lavalle lamb and Atlantic fish. Brindillas combines haute cuisine with a refined aesthetic and absolute respect for the product.
 

4. Azafrán
Just steps from Plaza Independencia in the city of Mendoza, chef Sebastián Weigandt spearheads a project that combines signature cuisine with ancestral research. As part of the DOP project, he studies the diet of the region's first settlers and reinterprets it in two menus.
At Azafrán, the Cuyo goat and seasonal vegetables take center stage. The warmth of the space is complemented by the chef's personal touch, presenting many of the dishes directly at the table. For Michelin, this is an example of how the territory can be interpreted through flavor.
 

5. Zonda Cocina de Paisaje (Landscape Kitchen)
Located within the Lagarde Winery, this restaurant draws on an organic garden adjacent to an olive grove. Tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, chard, and aromatic herbs are the starting point for a cuisine that focuses on the landscape and translates it into flavor. The terrace overlooking the vineyards, the rustic-elegant aesthetic, and a menu that balances technique and simplicity make Zonda an immersive experience. The menu reflects the Cuyo culture with clean, harmonious, and flavorful presentations.
 

6. Riccitelli Bistró
This offering from the Matías Riccitelli Wines winery is built on recycled containers transported to the vineyards. Its disruptive architecture sets the stage for a cuisine that also breaks the mold. “From the land to the table” is the guiding concept. Chef Juan Ventureyra designs course-based menus with local roots and unconventional combinations. Michelin-starred chef highlights the dish “Espinal”—duck, cauliflower, apricot, and mustard—as an example of the creative elegance of the place.