Cafayate eats well for a town of its size. The emphasis is on straightforward Argentine food — empanadas, grilled meats, locro (a hearty Andean stew) — accompanied by the local wine. The restaurants around the plaza are the obvious choices for dinner; most are reliably good and affordable.
El Rancho: A long-established restaurant near the plaza serving hearty Andean cooking — goat stew, locro, humita — alongside grilled meats. The wine list is local and well-priced. Outdoor tables when the evenings are warm.
Chato's Wine Bar: A relaxed bar and restaurant combining local Torrontés and Malbec with tapas and snacks. Good for an afternoon tasting session that extends into dinner.
Empanadas: Every corner shop and lunch counter in Cafayate sells empanadas. The Salta-style empanadas here — fried, filled with seasoned beef, onion, and hard-boiled egg — are excellent and cost almost nothing. The market on the edge of town is the best place for them in the morning.