Chori
Palermo, Buenos Aires
Restaurant in Buenos Aires, Argentina
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Casual
Why go
Chori on Thames is Palermo's most honest choripán stop; counter service, fair prices, no gap between what you pay and what you get. Walk-in friendly and consistent, it earns its reputation not through spectacle but through doing one thing reliably well. A strong repeat-visit pick for anyone already familiar with Buenos Aires street food.
About Chori
The Verdict
Chori on Thames 1653 in Palermo is one of the harder tables to walk away from in Buenos Aires; not because it's difficult to book, but because the format is genuinely simple and it delivers on that simplicity without fuss. If you've been once and liked it, go back. The choripán format hasn't changed, that's the point. This is a counter-service spot built around one thing done well, the service model matches the price point honestly: you order, you eat, you leave happy. There's no pretension in the room and no gap between what you pay and what you get.
What to Expect
The space on Thames is compact and street-facing, with the kind of layout that prioritises throughput over comfort. Seating is limited; this is not a venue built for long lunches or leisurely group dinners. The physical experience is casual to the point of being deliberately rough-edged, which is exactly appropriate for the format. If you're returning after a first visit, the smart move is to arrive early or off-peak; the room fills fast during lunch service, standing outside with a choripán is part of the experience rather than a failure of planning.
Service here is fast and transactional, which earns the price rather than undermining it. You're not paying for tableside attention, you're paying for a precisely made sandwich at a fair price in a neighbourhood (Palermo) where inflated tourist pricing is common. That value equation is what makes Chori worth a repeat visit. Compared to the $$$$ end of Buenos Aires dining, venues like Don Julio or Aramburu require booking weeks out and a serious spend. Chori asks for neither.
For returning visitors, the practical upside is consistency: the menu is tight, the execution is reliable, you don't need to think hard about what to order. If you want more considered contemporary cooking in the same city, Anafe or Crizia are worth your attention. For a broader picture of where Chori sits in the Buenos Aires eating scene, see our full Buenos Aires restaurants guide. If you're planning a wider trip, hotels, bars, and experiences guides are also available. Argentina's wine country is a natural extension of any Buenos Aires visit, Azafrán in Mendoza and Cavas Wine Lodge are strong options if you're heading west.
Quick reference: Walk-in friendly, Palermo location, counter service, leading visited at lunch on a weekday.
Planning details
- Location
- Thames 1653, C1414DDG Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Website
- instagram.com/xchorix
- Phone
- +54 11 3966 9857
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Chori celebrates the elemental pleasures of Buenos Aires street food with deliberate seriousness. The restaurant centers on the choripán — a split link of grilled chorizo tucked into crusty bread and dressed with chimichurri — served from a busy counter on Thames in Palermo. It reads as unapologetically straightforward: affordable, unpretentious, and anchored in communal traditions from football terraces to family asados. The spot sits within a neighborhood known for fine dining but keeps to the casual register, acting as a reference point for porteños and visitors who prize honest, hand-held food over formality.
Best For
Chori is best for quick, informal visits where the food is the focus. It suits solo diners looking for a speedy, satisfying bite at the counter, groups who want an unfussy shared experience, and visitors exploring Palermo’s restaurant scene during daylight hours. The format encourages standing and street-side grazing rather than long, seated meals, so it’s ideal for after-work spillovers or casual hangs that prioritize flavor and value. Locals and tourists alike find it a reliable, affordable stop when appetite calls for something immediate and authentically porteño.
Ordering Tips
Order a choripán and embrace the simple formula: grilled chorizo in crusty bread with chimichurri — meant to be eaten standing or on a kerb. The menu highlights regional variations such as Cerdo Ahumado, Colorado Picante, El Regional de Cordero and the Morcipán; sampling a few different styles gives a quick education in the city’s street-sausage traditions. Expect counter service and a brisk pace; plan to visit during daylight hours when the counter is most active and the place functions as a neighborhood reference point for honest, wallet-friendly eating.
Venue details
Ambiance
Casual, energetic counter-service spot with a focus on the food rather than formal dining atmosphere.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Counter Service
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Cerdo Ahumado
- Colorado Picante
- El Regional de Cordero
- Morcipán
Planning details
Location
Thames 1653, C1414DDG Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina · Directions
Also consider
Also Consider
- Don Julio; Argentinian Steakhouse, $$$$
- Aramburu; Modern Argentinian, Creative, $$$$
- El Preferido de Palermo; Argentinian, Traditional Cuisine, $$
- Elena; South American, Steakhouse, $$$
- La Carniceria; Argentinian Steakhouse, Meats and Grills, $$
Restaurant context
How Chori Compares in Buenos Aires
Chori sits at the informal, accessible end of the Buenos Aires eating spectrum, which means it's not competing directly with the $$$$ steakhouse and tasting-menu set. If your priority is a serious parrilla with full table service, Don Julio is the benchmark; but expect to book weeks in advance and spend significantly more. Aramburu operates in a different register entirely, with a creative tasting menu format that requires planning and a higher budget. Neither is a direct alternative to Chori; they serve a different decision.
The closer comparisons are at the $$ tier. El Preferido de Palermo offers traditional Argentine cooking in a more sit-down format at a similar price point; better for a longer meal or a group that wants proper table service. La Carniceria bridges the gap between casual and serious meat cooking, with a stronger parrilla focus than Chori and a slightly more composed room. For a mid-range option with a steakhouse format, Elena at the $$$ tier works if you want atmosphere alongside your beef.
The honest verdict: Chori is the right call when you want something fast, fairly priced, reliably good in Palermo without a reservation. It's not the right call when the occasion calls for a proper sit-down meal. Use El Preferido for traditional Argentine comfort at the table, La Carniceria for a more serious meat focus at a similar spend, Don Julio when budget is secondary to the full Buenos Aires parrilla experience.
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Chori guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Chori
| Venue | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Chori | ; | No published awards |
| Don Julio | $$$$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #8Star Wine Lists 2026Michelin Guide Buenos Aires & Mendoza 20262026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 World's Best Steaks 101 Best Steak Restaurants · #12025 Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants · #32025 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #42025 World's 50 Best Restaurants · #102025 Michelin 1 Star |
| Aramburu | $$$$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #22Michelin Guide Buenos Aires & Mendoza 2026Star Wine Lists 20262026 Relais Chateaux Restaurants2026 Les Grandes Tables du Monde Members2026 La Liste Top Restaurants2025 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #182025 Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants · #352025 The Best Chef Three Knives |
| El Preferido de Palermo | $$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #26Star Wine Lists 2026Michelin Guide Buenos Aires & Mendoza 20262025 Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants · #242025 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #252025 Michelin Plate2024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #29 |
| Elena | $$$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #472026 World's Best Steaks 101 Best Steak Restaurants · #54Star Wine Lists 2026Michelin Guide Buenos Aires & Mendoza 20262026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #402025 World's Best Steaks 101 Best Steak Restaurants · #562025 Michelin Plate2024 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #49 |
| La Carniceria | $$ | 2026 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #402025 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #312024 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #222024 Michelin Plate2023 OAD Top Restaurants in South America Ranked · #32 |
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Side-by-side comparison to help you decide where to book.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chori good for solo dining?
Yes; it's one of the more natural solo stops in Palermo. The compact, street-facing layout at Thames 1653 means there's no awkwardness in occupying a small seat alone, the throughput-focused format keeps things moving. You won't be nursing a table for two; you'll order, eat well, be on your way. For a longer solo sit-down, El Preferido de Palermo or Elena offer more room to settle in.
Can Chori accommodate groups?
Realistically, groups of more than four will find the space tight. Seating at Thames 1653 is limited and not designed for large parties; this is a counter-and-queue operation, not a booking-ahead group dinner. For groups, Don Julio or Aramburu give you the structure and space to coordinate a shared meal properly. Chori works best for pairs or small clusters who are happy to eat standing or grab whatever's open.
Where is Chori located?
Chori is located in Buenos Aires, at Thames 1653, C1414DDG Cdad. Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.
