Restaurant in Buenos Aires Province, Buenos Aires, Buenos Aires
Cafe de los Artistas Pinamar
A charming pine forest cafe in Pinamar popular with artists and bohemian visitors, serving excellent coffee, homemade cakes, and light lunches. The outdoor wooden terrace under the pines is magical.
Café de los Artistas is a distinctive cafe tucked among the Aleppo pines on Las Casuarinas in Pinamar, the Buenos Aires Province coastal resort town developed in the mid-twentieth century by architect Jorge Bunge along a unique design philosophy that integrated architecture into the native forest. The cafe embodies the bohemian, artistically-inclined identity that has long characterised Pinamar's cultural life, and it draws a faithful clientele of artists, writers, and creative visitors who appreciate its relaxed pace and forest setting.
The outdoor wooden terrace is the principal attraction: a series of timber-decked seating areas spread under the pine canopy, dappled by light filtering through the branches. In summer the terrace fills from mid-morning as guests linger over breakfast or afternoon coffee, and the low hum of conversation among shaded tables gives the space the feel of an artists' colony common room. In cooler months a glassed-in interior section provides shelter without losing the sense of connection to the surrounding forest.
The menu is centred on house-baked cakes and tarts, with rotating seasonal offerings that change according to what ingredients are available. The torta de campo — a dense, rustic country-style cake made with local eggs and seasonal fruit — is the signature preparation and regularly appears on tables throughout the day. Coffees are treated with care, with specialty-style preparations including the café especial con canela, a spiced coffee that has become closely associated with the café's identity. Light lunches of salads, sandwiches, and quiches bridge the morning and afternoon service.
The café does not take reservations and operates on a walk-in basis. In the height of summer the terrace fills quickly from around 11 AM, and waits of fifteen to twenty minutes for a table are common on clear beach days when visitors stop in during walks through the forest.
Signature dishes
- Torta de campo — $6
- Cafe especial con canela — $4
Known for: Pine forest terrace cafe
Hours: 9AM-7PM
Location
Las Casuarinas 560, Pinamar, Buenos Aires Province
-37.1120, -56.8670 — View on map
Highlights
- Pine-shaded outdoor wooden terrace — one of Pinamar's most atmospheric seating areas
- Signature torta de campo baked in-house with seasonal local fruit
- Café especial con canela, a spiced coffee preparation that defines the venue's identity
- Bohemian, creative atmosphere drawing artists and writers from across Buenos Aires Province
- Year-round operation with a glassed interior section for cooler months
Tips
- Arrive before 11 AM in summer to claim a terrace table before the post-beach crowd arrives; the outdoor seats are the entire point of visiting.
- The torta del día changes with the season — ask what is freshest on arrival rather than defaulting to the standard menu.
- Morning visits (9–11 AM) offer the quietest atmosphere and the full range of baked goods before items sell out.
- The café is a natural stop on a forest walk through Pinamar's residential streets, which double as shaded pedestrian paths.
- No reservations are accepted; walk-in only. The wait on busy summer afternoons rarely exceeds twenty minutes.
FAQ
What kind of food does Café de los Artistas serve?
The menu focuses on house-baked cakes, tarts, and pastries alongside light lunch options including salads, sandwiches, and quiches. It is primarily a café and patisserie rather than a full-service restaurant, suited to breakfast, brunch, and afternoon visits.
Is the outdoor terrace covered or open to the elements?
The terrace is shaded by mature Aleppo pines rather than a constructed roof, providing natural shade but limited rain protection. An enclosed interior section is available during inclement weather or in winter.
How does the café fit into Pinamar's overall character?
Pinamar was designed by Jorge Bunge as an architecturally integrated coastal resort, and the café reflects the town's long association with creative and artistic communities. It is considered one of the most characterful spots in the Buenos Aires Province beach resort circuit.
Is parking available nearby?
Street parking is available on Las Casuarinas and surrounding pine forest roads. In peak summer the area near the beach fills quickly, so arriving on foot or by bicycle — common in Pinamar — is practical.
Accessibility
The terrace is accessed via a wooden deck path from street level, which may include short raised sections that can be challenging for wheelchair users. The interior section is on a single level and more readily accessible. The uneven pine-needle ground around the terrace is not wheelchair-friendly. Visitors with mobility requirements are advised to visit in off-peak hours when staff can assist with seating.
When to visit
Late morning on weekdays from November through March is the optimal time — the pine canopy provides natural cooling on hot beach days and the terrace is at its most photogenic in filtered summer light. Autumn and spring mornings are quieter and ideal for an unhurried breakfast.