Hi there!

Please, first of all, I’d like to point out that I wouldn’t want this post to turn into a series of offensive or disrespectful comments. I’m just looking for some opinions from locals.

The thing is, years ago I lived in Rome for an extended period, and I loved Italian food. Later, I traveled throughout Italy and continued to adore it. For work reasons, I moved to Buenos Aires a couple of years ago, hoping to once again enjoy delicious Italian food or at least some variation of it. However, I find the food here quite disappointing.

I mean, Argentinians are very proud of their pizza, gnocchi, and pasta, but when I try them, it honestly feels like Italian food is on a whole different level. For example, the pizza here is very thick and greasy. I even went to some specialized restaurants offering Neapolitan pizza, but I still wasn’t fully convinced. I’ve also bought gnocchi from many pastificios (pasta shops) in Buenos Aires, but I don’t find them any better than those in Italian supermarkets—miles away from the homemade ones there.

What I’d like to know is how, in a country with so much Italian immigration in its origins, there is such a big difference in the cuisine compared to Italy.

In short: what do Italians think of the Italian food made in Argentina? Should I give it another chance? Look at it with fresh eyes?

Thanks