Mendoza Fine Dining: Michelin-Starred Winery Restaurants, 1884 Francis Mallmann and Casa Vigil

Photo: David / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0); destination context image.

Jet Set LatAM · Fine Dining

Mendoza has always had the wine. Now it has the restaurants to match. The arrival of the Michelin Guide in Argentina put a cluster of stars on Mendoza’s wine country, and today a long lunch among the vines with the Andes behind you is one of the great fine-dining experiences in South America. Here is where to book.

Michelin-starred tables

Azafrán, chef Sebastián Weigandt’s modern Argentine restaurant on Avenida Sarmiento, started as a deli and has earned consecutive Michelin stars. In the vineyards, Zonda Cocina de Paisaje (chef Augusto García), Casa Vigil (chef Iván Azar, at Alejandro Vigil’s storybook estate in Chachingo, Maipú) and Brindillas (chef Mariano Gallego) each hold a star, and Casa Vigil and Zonda were also recognized for sustainability. Casa Vigil hosted Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2021.

The legend: 1884 Francis Mallmann

1884 (Belgrano 1188, Godoy Cruz), inside the historic Escorihuela Gascón winery, is where Francis Mallmann made Argentine open-fire cooking world-famous. It once ranked No. 7 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list and remains the classic Mendoza dinner: fire-cooked meats and vegetables, a garden by the grills and a wine list of around 500 labels.

Winery lunches in the Uco Valley and Maipú

At Piedra Infinita Cocina, in the Zuccardi family’s winery in Paraje Altamira, Uco Valley, the tasting lunch faces vineyards and the Andes. In Maipú, the Zuccardis’ Casa del Visitante, run by Julia Zuccardi, celebrates seasonal Mendoza cooking. Book these lunches well ahead, especially during harvest season in March and April.

Practical tips

• Lunch, not dinner. Winery restaurants are mostly lunch-only; plan one per day.
• Hire a driver. Distances to the Uco Valley are long and tastings are generous.
• Harvest. The Vendimia festival takes place in early March.

What to pack

• Cashmere travel wrap — for cool evenings and long dinners
• Leather loafers — polished and cobblestone-proof
• Packing cubes — room for what you bring home
• Our full ShopMy travel collection ↗

Where to stay

Stay in Mendoza city for 1884 and Azafrán, Luján de Cuyo or Maipú for winery lunches, or a vineyard lodge in the Uco Valley for the views. The flight search and live accommodation map below help you plan the rest of the trip.

Frequently asked questions

Does Mendoza have Michelin-starred restaurants?

Yes — including Azafrán, Zonda Cocina de Paisaje, Casa Vigil and Brindillas.

What is 1884 Francis Mallmann?

Francis Mallmann’s fire-cooking restaurant inside the Escorihuela Gascón winery in Godoy Cruz, once ranked on the World’s 50 Best list.

Where should I eat lunch in the Uco Valley?

Piedra Infinita Cocina at Zuccardi’s winery in Paraje Altamira is a highlight.

When is harvest season in Mendoza?

Roughly February to April, with the Vendimia festival in early March.

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