Restaurant
Don Julio
Palermo's celebrated parrilla, holder of a Michelin star and Green Star, serving dry-aged Angus and Hereford beef from a cellar-backed corner house.
Gran Dabbang
Mariano Ramón's tiny Palermo restaurant mixing Asian, Indian and Latin American flavours in a short menu of sharing plates, with no reservations.
At a glance
- Type
- Asian and Latin American small plates
- Area
- Palermo, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Price
- $$ · Mid-range
Good to know
- No reservations
- Sharing plates
- Dinner Monday to Saturday
Why we recommend it
Gran Dabbang is proof that some of the most exciting cooking in Buenos Aires happens in very small rooms. Chef Mariano Ramón runs this tiny storefront on Avenida Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz in Palermo, where he blends Asian flavours, with a strong Indian influence, with Latin American ingredients. In 2024 it was ranked number 18 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, a striking achievement for such a modest-looking place.
The menu is short, with around ten small plates designed for sharing, so the best plan is to order several dishes for the table. Examples that have earned attention include stir-fried bamboo shoots with dill, quail marinated with rica-rica and a smoked lamb curry. In a city whose dining scene is so often associated with beef and parrillas, this is a good choice when you want a change of pace and a different set of flavours.
The room is part of the fun. Bollywood posters hang on walls decorated with palms, and dishes arrive on simple silver tableware, so the atmosphere is informal and playful rather than polished. It suits adventurous eaters, couples and small groups of friends; large groups will find the space tight. Prices are moderate, especially for cooking of this standard.
Gran Dabbang serves dinner from Monday to Saturday and does not take reservations. The advice is to arrive early in the evening, though the queue tends to move quickly. Because there is no booking, it is also one of the easier acclaimed restaurants for a spontaneous meal, as long as you are prepared to wait a little. The restaurant does not have a conventional website, so check its Instagram account for news, or call ahead on +54 11 4832 1186.
The restaurant is at Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz 1543 in Palermo, so it is easy to combine with an evening in Palermo Soho, and it is in the same district as Mishiguene and El Preferido de Palermo if you are planning several meals in Palermo. A note for planning: as it opens Monday to Saturday, it is a useful option on a Monday, when some other restaurants in the city are closed.
Gran Dabbang FAQs
Can I book a table at Gran Dabbang?
No. It does not take reservations, so arrive early; the queue usually moves quickly.
What kind of food does it serve?
Asian and Indian-influenced dishes made with Latin American ingredients, served as small plates for sharing.
Who is the chef?
Mariano Ramón.
When is it open?
For dinner from Monday to Saturday.
What dishes stand out?
Examples include stir-fried bamboo shoots with dill, rica-rica marinated quail and smoked lamb curry.
Is it suitable for large groups?
The room is tiny, so it works best for couples and small groups.
Has it won awards?
It was ranked number 18 on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants in 2024.
Where is it?
At Avenida Raúl Scalabrini Ortiz 1543, Palermo.