Palermo Argentinian Bistro Soho

Authentic Argentinian Fare With Creative Flair

By Anne Raso

Palermo Argentinian Bistro SoHo is an authentic Argentine steakhouse and bistro located at 55 Grand Street in the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood. The establishment marks the third Manhattan location for the growing Palermo Argentinian restaurant concept, building on the immense popularity of its sister locations in Hell’s Kitchen and Gramercy Park. Founded by restaurateur Orhan Cakir alongside Wine Director Jorge Albarracin, the SoHo venue transports diners straight to the energetic culinary capital of South America.

The restaurant is named after the vibrant Palermo neighborhood of Buenos Aires, a destination legendary for its trendy bars, Spanish colonial architecture, and fashionable dining scene. This downtown location honors that aesthetic by blending classic Argentinian traditions with the sophisticated, artistic vibe intrinsic to SoHo. It functions as an upscale yet accessible gathering place tailored perfectly for neighborhood locals, date-night couples, and food enthusiasts alike.

At the helm of the kitchen is Executive Chef Carlos Barroz, a native of Córdoba, Argentina, who grew up immersed in the world of hospitality. Raised in a family of passionate restaurateurs, Barroz mastered traditional culinary techniques directly from his mother, sisters, and uncles. Crucially, he also learned the foundational craft of butchery from his grandfather, a vital skill that heavily influences his precise handling of premium proteins today. Chef Barroz previously honed his elite Latin-American culinary skills in New York as the Executive Chef at the highly acclaimed La Pulperia.

The Art Of Wood Fired Beef
Chef Barroz’s menu in SoHo revolves heavily around the art of the wood-fired grill, utilizing high-quality imported Argentinian beef. He utilizes simple, time-honored cooking methods to elevate the natural flavors of the meat, avoiding overcomplicated culinary trends.

The steak selection at Palermo Argentinian Bistro centers on highly authentic, premium cuts of beef sourced straight from Argentina. Prepared with deep culinary expertise under the direction of Chef Barroz, each cut is grilled over an open fire to showcase traditional, bold South American flavors. The menu highlights a variety of choices, including a tender 10-ounce Skirt Steak (Entraña), a rich 12-ounce Picanha (Culotte Cut), a robust 12-ounce New York Sirloin, and a massive, deeply flavorful 16-ounce ribeye. For those seeking an exceptionally premium experience, the bistro also offers an impressive 48-ounce Tomahawk Steak that is dry-aged for 60 days.

Every single steak cut is confidently grilled to perfection, remaining juicy and tender while absorbing the distinct, smoky aromas of the open flame. To honor classic Argentine barbecue traditions, all steaks from the grill are served alongside traditional, vibrant accompaniments like house-made chimichurri, tangy salsa criolla, and roasted red peppers. A bit of fire is added to some of the steaks—right at your table! For instance, the Skirt Steak has fresh sprigs of rosemary on top and your server torches it to bring out the remarkable herbal fragrance!

Chef Barroz’s profound respect for Argentine heritage is showcased in the restaurant’s traditional Parrilladas (grill platters) that deliver deeply rich, smoky, and tender profiles. The undisputed crown jewel of the menu is the signature Parrillada For Two, an extensive, meat-centric feast designed for sharing. This ultimate platter includes beautifully charred cuts of skirt steak, picanha, sweetbreads, chorizo, and morcilla (blood sausage). Cooked perfectly over open fire, the platter is complemented by house-made condiments like tangy chimichurri and vibrant salsa criolla, creating an authentic South American barbecue experience.

More Than Just Steaks
Beyond massive steaks, the culinary team excels in creating traditional Argentinian starters and small plates. Guests can sample golden, flaky Beef Empanadas, Humita En Olla (a creamy yellow corn mixture reminiscent of fresh corn polenta), and crispy Fried Sweetbreads served over a smooth butternut squash purée.

Reflecting Chef Barroz’s broader culinary evolution, the bistro also features a sophisticated raw bar and an expanded selection of seafood dishes. The menu boasts premium options such as Tuna Tartare enhanced with crispy quinoa, elegant tuna crudo, and whole wood-Grilled Branzino. These lighter, ocean-forward options offer an excellent counterweight to the heavy beef cuts, ensuring a well-rounded dining menu.

The menu also includes vibrant, seasonal salads such as the Palermo Salad—butter lettuce, hard boiled eggs, hearts of palm, carrots, cherry tomatoes, red onions and house vinaigrette. A light favorite is the Endive Salad, made with pears, caramelized walnuts, croutons, Grana Padano cheese, and Chardonnay vinaigrette. Exclusive to the downtown SoHo location, Chef Barroz has also introduced a refreshing variety of specialized house-made pasta dishes that have been garnering amazing reviews on Yelp and other restaurant review/reservation sites. All pasta and sauces are house made.

This balance of traditional street food and refined seafood ensures a dynamic start to the dining experience, whether you prefer a hearty bite or a clean, ocean-forward opening. Entrée wise, the Fish Of The Day is a best kept secret—it was Grilled Halibut over sauteed broccolini on the night New York Lifestyles Magazine made our reviewer visit, and my super finicky guest cleaned every morsal off her plate.

Exceptional Malbecs ‘N More
No true Argentinian meal is complete without wine, and Wine Director Jorge Albarracin has curated a stellar beverage program. The wine list focuses entirely on elite Argentine producers, boasting an exceptional selection of world-class Malbecs from famed viticultural regions like diverse selection of traditional South American starters crafted to prime the palate for the wood-fired main courses.

Warm And Rustic Setting
The physical venue itself is thoughtfully split into two distinct dining environments to match various guest moods. The front of the restaurant features a high-energy bar area backed by an expansive television screen for a lively social scene. Moving toward the back reveals a much quieter, romantic dining room accented by warm lighting, rustic brick, and cozy seating arrangements perfect for focused conversation. Crucially, the venue houses a large-format projector screen, as it was designed to open early and serve as a premiere hub for soccer fans during the FIFA World Cup.

Dulce De Leche To Die For
To complete the dining experience on a classic sweet note, the dessert menu features traditional Panqueques Con Dulce de Leche, which are thin, delicate Argentinian-style crêpes. These golden crêpes are folded or rolled and generously filled with a rich, velvety, and deeply caramelized Argentine dulce de leche. The kitchen elevates this soulful dessert by pairing the sweet caramel spread with fresh fruit fillings like sliced bananas and strawberries. Dusted lightly with powdered sugar, this spectacular dessert offers a smooth, decadent texture and a nostalgic flavor profile that perfectly rounds out a smoky steak dinner.

While Palermo Argentinian Bistro is in the trendy SoHo neighborhood, there is nothing pretentious about it and they do welcome families. The friendly staff is ultra-accommodating and takes all types of tastes and dietary restrictions into account—always saying “no problem” to food customization. There are neighborhood regulars whom you can tell have made this eatery their second home even though it just opened on June 1, 2026! So yes, like the Cheers theme song goes, Palermo Argentinian Bistro SoHo is really one of those places “where everybody knows your name”!

For more information on Palermo Argentinian Bistro Soho, visit palermosohonyc.com