2 years ago we travelled to Argentina and it has been a culinary highlight for us, in particular their amazing proteins and thus Asado became a favourite of ours. This is where the meats are cooked on the Asado or Parilla grill (meat mounted on a rack, cooked over an open flame) by the Asador (BBQ Chef/meat master) and this stuff is next level.
Baz Juan Pablo Sanchez
+5
The service was fantastic the moment you enter they made you feel like you belonged. The Steaks and Lamb Cutlets were cooked and seasoned perfectly. SCG bite more mesmerizing than the last. There wasn’t much too fault here, a truly beautiful evening
Gastronomicamenteincorrecto
+5
Restaurante fantástico para um jantar em grupo! Conceito de grelha Argentina e comida de partilha muito boa. Carne e acompanhamentos bons. Voltaremos
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Yes, the photos are not flattering; but seriously you’re not reading this because of the photos so bear with me. So another take away edition :)
So the meal for two is a lot, and honestly you could probably feed three but hey that’s a bonus! Never ever say no to too much food! Let’s begin with the highlights!
The Lasana “Lasagna” is incredibly rich so don’t be deceived by its somewhat non intimidating size. Now we more onto the Porchetta, you can’t go wrong with Porchetta but I do somewhat question the life expectancy of crispy pork crackling in a sealed container, I think ours didn’t travel too far before we couldn’t wait to take a bite and there was still a bit of crunch. Paired with the really roasted cauliflower another very rich and satisfying dish. Moving onto my favourite the Brussel sprouts and honestly “the best ones in Sydney”, I will forgive the diminishing crispy nature of them and truly the sour bitterness was a welcome counterbalance to the meal. Then it’s the simple potato salad with capers another welcome palate refresher but it could do well with a good toss before serving - I know it takes away from the presentation but it’s well worth it! Finally it’s the chicken, well no surprises it’s well cooked chicken. would have preferred if the verde was served separately as fighting for sauce in the crowded plastic box was difficult.
Oh and did I mention is comes with dessert?
I think Porteno has done a great job translating its restaurant food to the takeaway setting. A more cunning foodie could easily plate this at home and turn this into an amazing night in...not that every night isn’t a night in “these days”... :(
I LOVED this restaurant! Tastiest bread I’ve ever had, fresh out of the oven, warmed with rosmary and salt. Such yummy clams and octopus and seafood. Perfect for a big group, they have a spin to table in the middle (lazy Susan). Definitely coming back!
Great place for an amazing feed. Dimmed lights with a continuous humming of conversation, you’ll definitely feel comfortable and relaxed! Earning 2 hats in consecutive years, Porteno deserves way more recognition than it gets.
We started the night with some appetisers and a few drinks. Nothing quite stands out but we thoroughly enjoyed it all.
The wagyu is to die for. Perfectly cooked, soft and tender. Our favourite dish of the night and we can’t wait to come back again and again for it!
The other night it was a dinner by Porteño and New Zealand’s Depot Eatery. It was a wonderful collaboration with interesting dishes such as lamb neck with sweetbread and craydog with wasabi mayo, ginger and lime syrup (pictured). The saturnes custard with pickled prunes (pictured) was definitely on point. I could have eaten two of them! #porteno
Had a wonderful meal with a couple of friends here. Such a nice place to share dishes to try a bit of everything. Everything was so delicious but quite pricey. Nice lowlit atmosphere but slightly loud.
Really great food, excellent service, but quite expensive. Good for a special occasion, the ambiance is very low lit and moody. Staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Steaks are delicious! Had the wagyu and it was melt in your mouth goodness. The chimichurri was excellent as a side. Will need to come back and try other menu items
The staff at Porteño were very accommodating with our requests for a table over bar seating, as we were celebrating our anniversary. They were also very attentive. The food is a bit pricey, but that was to be expected with fine dining. The meals were delicious. I was a bit disappointed that some items on the menu weren’t available; however overall it was a pleasant experience.
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Now this place was the real deal!!
Absolutely fantastic Argentinean cuisine.
We had booked a table in advance and were received well and ushered to our well located table right in front of the restaurant.
We opted for the tasters menu and were overwhelmed with the sheer variety, portion size and number of dishes that came onto our table.
Initiating with the starters, there was an interesting mix of meats along with the wine as suggested by their expert sommelier, was very well paired. The wood fired cheese with onions & green olives and capsicum very a pleasant vegetarian entrant.
Followed onto the mains with heavy duty portions of the Wagyu beef, lamb rump, pork and chicken, that were absolutely outstanding given their visual appeal and taste. The spices , chilli and herbs in each dish were unique and suitably different.
The Malbec as suggested went pretty well with the mains and each one of us savored every last bite down our throats.
We probably had 8-10 dishes served to us over a period of 2 hours.
The service was prompt and the intervals between each dish were well planned.
Finally, the desserts were to rave about for the rest of the year.
The fried churros were surely great but the highlight was the Almendrado (Hazelnut Semifreddo, Amaretto Dulce de Leche centre and chocolate sauce). This was soft & delectable and the Dulce was the game changer.
Overall, We had the most wonderful dinning experience in Australia whilst at Porteńo.
I nice Argentinian setting with huge lazy Susan's set up for sharing.
The food was delicious. Definitely worth sharing with at least 4 people to try lots of tasty meats. Highlights... The Brussel sprouts, the wagu beef and the prawns! Dessert was nice but the churros were a little undercooked and doughy.
The staff are very attentive and just as friendly. The softdrink is more ice than taste and the special's are limited so as soon as they mention something that sounds yum, order it or you will miss out!
Amazing food, friendly service, great ambience.
Meat dishes are flavourful and tender, never greasy or over/under seasoned.
Worth every penny. Really enjoyed visiting this restaurant and would come back again!
One of the best places I've been to in Sydney. I came across Porteno at the Taste Sydney festival and was keen to try their restaurant. If you love meat like I do, you've got to go there! Their meat is unbelievably tasty. The right texture, the right flavours. The melted cheese is mind blowing too. Just perhaps go somewhere else for dessert!
Definitely a 4 star experience!! Food and service all amazing. One star deducted as it is super noisy in the restaurant and by the end of the night I have lost my voice by shouting during conversation with my friend.
We had mushroom & fontina dumplings and grilled blood sausage for entree. Both beautiful flavours. I particularly enjoyed the blood sausage.
Our main courses were amazing 🤩 Wagyu skirt steak and wood fired Berkshire pork. Both just melt in your mouth. Highly recommended ✔
Dessert is another highlight of the meal. We ordered the milk flan which was really nice. A little rich and big after a lot of meat. Can't beat the Isla Flotante - burnt meringue. Seriously a must try!!
All in all good service, great food. Make sure you book and remember the restaurant is now relocated on Holt street.
It was simply amazing. The sirloin and pork were by far the best meats I’ve ever eaten. This place is on a different level. Please I’m begging you to try it! (Also it was my first time having blood pudding and it was amazing) I actually made an account on zomato just so I could leave this review.
Food is good, not great, but good. The cheese was borderline burnt and had a strange flavour. The bar seating ruined the experience though. Can’t stand bar seating for a meal - especially since the dishes are shared. It’s far too difficult to eat and we felt like people were on top of us the whole time. There were some moments where I saw staff carrying on in the kitchen and behind the bar that were a bit unprofessional. Maybe scrap the bar seating in this case - we can see everything.
I didn’t take any photos. But I remember all the food are simply good taste. Very well done. The restaurant atmosphere is also quite good, with all the light candles and friendly staff.
This place is so popular that it needs reservations normally.
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Everyone shouts here; they have to...I think it’s one of the unspoken house rules...
0.5 point was deducted because of:
i) the noise, and
ii) one lacklustre waiter could not be bothered to find out if “lulo” is the same as “golden fruit of the Andes”. A Google search of images online found this out for me. All the other wait staff were helpful, attentive and on their toes.
Wood-fired octopus, mango, lulo (golden fruit of the Andes), salsa criolla
(...fresh and fruity; so appetizing with sweet, salty, smokey and tangy flavours and contrasting soft vs. chewy textures...)
Wood-fired John Dory, banana chips, coconut rice, beans, pepita sauce
(...crispy skin, moist flesh, fragrant rice, creamy beans with just the right touch of chilli; a sublime dish...)
Grilled wagyu flank steak, wood-fired capsicum
(...intense full-on flavours of full-strength beef mellowed by the bright orange oil, fragrantly infused with the sweet, roasted capsicums...)
Mango, passionfruit, finger lime, sesame, almomds, hazelnuts, biscuit, syrup-soaked cake with Cointreau
Atmosphere is not as good as Cleveland St, but other than that, only good things to say.
Service is excellent, wait staff are friendly and attentive and the food was nothing short of amazing - exactly as I remember it.
Ravioli entree was so delicate and tasty.
Pork Belly was the animal of the day and absolutely melted in the mouth and the beef short ribs had so much flavour and were perfectly cooked. And of course the Brussels sprouts to break up the meat were incredible.
$200 for 2 people with some drinks - overall a great night out and apart from the atmosphere not being as good as the old premises, everything was spot on and what you expect from a quality restaurant.
This place is divine and I was shocked at the score of received. We came here mid week and the place was buzzing. We were seated at the bar which I preferred to a table. The service was attentive, warm & unpretentious but most importantly the food was mind blowing. We had empanadas & the ravioli for entree which were both delicious but the standout (not unexpectedly) was the meat!! The skirt steak & peppers were cooked to perfection & melted in your mouth and so much flavour. The beast of the day (lamb) there were no words, paired with a yoghurt the sauce cut through perfectly. The waiter recommended a delicious bottle of wine & unfortunately we had no room for dessert & had leftovers to take home for the next day. Yes its not a cheap meal out but since then I've visited various top notch restaurants at the same price point & nothing has come close. You won't regret it!!!
Helen | Grab Your Fork
+4
Vitello tonnato provides firm evidence of the menu's expansion to the Mediterranean. The thin slices of wagyu veal are incredibly tender, draped over a silky tuna mayonnaise. There's just the right amount of zing and pepperiness from the capers and watercress leaves too.
Amazing tapas style restaurant offering delicious and interesting food to its patrons. Love the grilled prawns and the quirky deserts on offer.
Food: The wagyu is so good! But pork belly is just ok.
Environment: needed to wait an hour for a table.
Price: quite pricey.
Staff: friendly.
I used to hate brussel sprouts as a kid. My mum made me eat them. I've hated them my whole life until I came to Porteno. Words cannot describe the transformation of this generally distasteful vegetable into a triumph of modern gastronomy. Just order some you will love it.
But come for the sprouts and stay for the meat. The pork and lamb is just absolutely incredible. Melt in your mouth, tasty, smokey goodness.
The service is slick, smart and attentive. And the restaurant has a great atmosphere.
Tip - get there early and have a cocktail (or 2) in the lounge upstairs.
Definitely not the spot for a quiet meal, this place serves amazing food in a happening environment!
We dined here to celebrate a birthday & we had our eyes on the menu for weeks prior to our visit. Not everything we wanted was on the set menu, so we decided to freestyle and choose the dishes we were eyeing out!
We had a few favourite dishes! The Grilled Beef Tongue, such an unusual dish with amazing flavours! The Wagyu Skirt Steak was cooked to perfection, it just melted in our mouths. The Milk Flan with Dulce De Leche was too good for words - so silky and creamy!
Can't wait to go back!
Tried out their new location on Holt St and food is as good as it was in their old location on Cleveland St, but it's missing the old vibe and atmosphere.
I have to say we ordered the sirloin steak and the kind fish- it was delicious! The garlic potatoes were crispy and garlicy. The wine was also great. The staff were also beyond friendly and attentive. Would definitely come back here when I'm in town next.
Tried your chicken pie at Sydney Festival. Delicious, probably one of the best savoury pies I've had. Creamy chicken and I think leak filling with large chunks of chicken and flaky pastry. The corn added a sweetness while the Salsa Verde added freshness and a little bitterness. Very good!
Empanadas are a must. Check out the "animal of the day" - was pig when we ate there and it was stunning.
New location (the old Movida Sydney) takes reservations so it's actually a feasible choice for less than 6 now.
The service is friendly, the ambience is stunning and the food inline with the standard set.
Shared Starters:
ZUCCHINI FLOWERS deliciously crispy with just the right amount of ricotta inside.
DUCK LEG skin was beautiful and crispy, while the meat was pink and moist.
OCTOPUS - was a little bland. It was cooked well in that it wasn't chewy, but the flavor just wasn't there.
BEETROOT & GOAT CHEESE SALAD - was a pleasant accompaniment to our mains, but the highlight was definitely the brussel sprouts. They were cooked perfectly so that they weren't too hard but not soft either, and were served on a delicious bed of lentils. So good!
For mains SLOW COOKED LAMB & PORK, both with crispy crackling. Both meats were moist and melted in the mouth. Served with a delicious bowl of chimichurri on the side for an extra bit of flavour.
Absolutely fantastic!!! Best meal we’ve had in a while…
Expect to drop a few $’s… but the food is next level so you won’t be disappointed and the cocktails, especially the spicy margarita are spot on.
We had the banquet, plus signature sprouts, which turns the humble sprout into a delight!
A wonderful experience from start to finish. As well as the food being amazing, the customer service was warm and friendly. Asking wait staff their recommendations is a great way to dine and everything we had was perfectly sized to share among 4 guests. The Cheese dish was one of my favourites. Recommend dining here.
Awesome place for a steak. I would not call it your traditional steak house, more like a fun modern Argentinian steakhouse. I would recommend sitting by the bar as you can see the drinks being made and also see the open fire where they cook the steaks.
Great steaks, generous wine list
Amazing food and atmosphere. The set menu was fantastic with a good variety of delicious dishes and very generous portions. First time trying Argentinian cuisine and I'll definitely be back!
Came here for a birthday celebration dinner, and the food was divine! Shared many entrees - the ceviche, chorizo and bone marrow dishes are a must and the steaks were juicy and tender. Desserts were decadent and the staff sang happy birthday to our birthday girl, which was a wonderful gesture and hilarious when they trailed off at her name which had us all laughing. Great, friendly service and lovely atmosphere, keen to come back.
Wonderful as always. Bone marrow and tongue were terrific! Chimichurri on the steak was dry herbs rather than with oil which was interesting, but I guess because the steak was so rich, however not to my taste. Steak we ordered was the battle axe special which was supposed to have MB9+ - not sure it did, but was mostly rich. Last year was definitely 5 stars. This year only 4 stars, but we will definitely return still.
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Dinner with friends at @portenosydney: omg I love this place so much! The food is absolutely fantastic 😍😍😍. The service was warm and friendly, and also efficient at the same time 🙂🙂. We went for a la carte, and we were pretty stuffed by the end of the meal 😅😅. Such a good place to have a delicious meal for special occasions.
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Humble Bakery Sourdough: good bread! Nice and soft. So good to use it to scoop up all the sauces from the starter dishes 🤤🤤🤤.
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Ceviche of yellowtail kingfish & golden Kiwi with eschallot, hot sauce & basil: this dish was such a refreshing start to the meal. The sweet and ever so slightly tangyness of the gold kiwi was so good to have with the kingfish! Superb dish 🤤🤤.
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Charred Tasmanian octopus with cavolo nero, broccolini & wood roasted piquillo pepper: I don't know how they make the octopus so well! It's both charred and super tender at the same time 😯😯😍😍. So good!
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Wood fired forest grown mushrooms from Matt Farms with olaruto & smoked maple, slow cooked chickpeas, pickled celery & chestnut: this dish contains a lot of different yummy ingredients that all complement each other. Super delicious mushrooms 🤤🤤.
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T-Bone 750g - solely pasture fed Tasmanian Hereford, with chimichurri sauce, and done medium-rare: perfectly cooked t-bone steak! Tender and full of flavour. Sometimes all you need is a good steak 😍😍.
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Margra lamb rump (450g) - served with rosemary & confit garlic vinaigrette: wow the lamb was so good! Not at all gamey or fatty, and very tender. Excellent flavours.
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Crispy brussels sprouts with lentils, mint & mustard dressing: this is their must have side dish! They definitely make the best brussel sprouts I've ever had 🤤🤤🤤. It's not at all bitter, and just super delicious. Even if you don't like them normally, you should give it a try!
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Charcoal grilled leeks with burnt honey vinaigrette & hazelnut: nicely grilled with a good sweet nutty flavour. So good 😋😋.
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Chips: even their chips are perfectly crispy and seasoned nicely 😄😄.
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Porteno classic Jersey milk flan, with Chantilly cream & dulce de leche: apparently this dish has been on their menu for 15 years because it's so popular. We can definitely see why! The flan was so smooth and delicious 😋🤤😍. Rich but not overly so, and not too sweet. Just perfect!
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Caramelised apple upside down cake with Brandy custard & whipped cream: I love an apple dessert, and this one definitely did not disappoint! Again, not too sweet, and had lots of nice textures 🙂.
Always a pleasant experience dining here. Staff are attentive and friendly. It does get a bit busy and depending on the meat dish you ordered, there could be a bit of a wait but it's well worth it. I wasn't a fan of the grilled leak for it's texture but the flavour was good. Meat dish is always 100%!!
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