Overview
- Buenos Aires restaurants served about 20% fewer diners in July–September 2025 than in the same period in 2023, and lower per-customer spending is squeezing margins.
- Foreign tourism softened as prices in dollars rose, including a 133% increase since September 2023 in the average price of a bife de chorizo with a side, now about $21.90.
- Operators report closures and warn of more to come, highlighted by Palermo taco spot Ya Cabrón shutting in June after traffic fell to roughly 15 customers a day.
- Consumer outlays shifted toward cheaper eateries and big-ticket goods, with INDEC reporting nearly 400% growth in appliance sales in the first half of 2025 versus the first half of 2023.
- A stronger peso encouraged outbound travel and shorter stays by visitors, with Idecba noting slightly higher daily spend and roughly 62% more Argentines vacationing abroad in the first half of 2025.