Work hard, play hard: Global stars make the most of Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires has become, almost by accident, a regular destination for global stars, many of whom land here for professional commitments but inevitably fall for the city’s flavour, passion and atmosphere. 

During their time in the capital, A-listers including Dua Lipa, Noel Gallagher, Johnny Depp, Rod Stewart, Katy Perry, John Travolta and Chris Martin have written small chapters of intimate tourism: memorable dinners, strolls through famous neighbourhoods, cultural visits and even appearances at football stadiums. They are not just artists on tour, but curious travellers eager to experience porteño life, often associating themselves with Argentine icons such as Evita, Boca Juniors, steak and tango, like regular tourists.

When Dua Lipa arrived in Argentina for her shows at River Plate’s Monumental stadium, she did more than light up the stage – she stepped out into the city often, letting herself be swept up by its rhythm. She was spotted at classic bodegones and neighbourhood restaurants, enjoying local flavours with the spontaneity of an enthusiastic tourist. El Preferido de Palermo was one of Dua’s favourite stops: a historic spot known for its milanesas, cold cuts, pasta, wine and atmosphere. The evening was not just a gastronomic delight, but a declaration of love for the porteño tradition. She also visited iconic parrillas, chatted with chefs and made her way to La Bombonera to soak up the atmosphere of a Superclásico. For her, Buenos Aires was not just another tour destination but an intimate landscape she wanted to explore, something she made more than clear on her social media accounts.

Noel Gallagher, meanwhile, took a more contemplative approach to his time in the city, which coincided with Oasis’ headline shows at the Monumental. The songwriter arrived with his daughter, toured the famous Recoleta cemetery, stopping by Eva Perón’s tomb and breathing-in the history. His was not a rushed tour but a conscious gesture of connection with local memory. Later, Gallagher surrendered to football and visited La Bombonera, walking its corridors and club museum, posing for photographs and, in a very human gesture, taking a photo beside Diego Maradona’s statue. That introspection was followed by an intimate dinner in Puerto Madero at Cabaña Las Lilas, where he ordered an ojo de bife steak with mushrooms and enjoyed a bottle of Malbec, preceded by empanadas – an evening that combined rock, family and tradition. While he followed a classic tour itinerary, his daughter Anais Gallagher even found time to visit a well-known hair salon in Palermo Hollywood for a change of look.

Johnny Depp, with the aura of a wandering artist, revealed his intimate side by surrendering to nights of fine dining, wine, music and conversation. During his stay in Buenos Aires – linked to the premiere of the film Modì, Three Days on the Wing of Madness, which he directed and his friend Corcho Rodríguez is distributing – he stayed at the Faena Hotel, where he enjoyed a specially prepared wood-fired asado featuring cuts of vacío, ribs and ojo de bife, paired with wines from the Uco Valley. More remarkable was his decision to pick up a guitar and join an improvised jam session in one of the hotel’s lounges with local musicians – a clear gesture of connection with the national spirit. He also wandered through San Telmo, visited a silversmith’s workshop and let himself be seduced by the city’s artistic traditions. His gaze was that of a genuine traveller, not a distant star.

Rod Stewart, one of pop’s greatest names, enjoyed a gourmet experience before his run of concerts at the Movistar Arena. He celebrated a nine-course dinner at an exclusive Palermo restaurant, accompanied by his wife Penny Lancaster and his band. In a warm, unpretentious atmosphere, he enjoyed a braised asado as the main dish, paired with a Malbec, before spending his night watching the fire and chatting with the chefs as if they were old friends. The evening was more than a gastronomic indulgence: it was a tribute to Argentine culture, a celebration of flavours and connection. That night, far away from the noise of the stage and the cameras, the singer seemed at ease with a city he knows, respects and loves.

Chris Martin, true to his modest profile, let himself be charmed by local neighbourhood life. During his recent stay in Buenos Aires – which included performing at a show by his friend Tini Stoessel – he ventured into Villa Crespo for dinner at Chuí, a vegan restaurant recommended by the Michelin Guide. He sat at an ordinary table, like anyone else, with a group of 12 people, without demands or special treatment. His choice reflected his essence: a vegetarian dinner of Margherita pizza, focaccia, grilled polenta, avocado with kimchi, plant-based leche de tigre and cheese and baked potatoes. At one point, he stood up to greet the pizza-makers at the wood-fired oven, acknowledging the craft. Before leaving, he put on a T-shirt and cap he had been given with the logo of the restaurant, smiled, and said in cordial Spanish: “I love coming to Chuí when I’m in Buenos Aires. I really ate very well.”

Katy Perry, during her recent visit to the city, showed that her connection with fans goes beyond the stage. After one of her shows, she went to Don Julio in Palermo, a classic Argentine steakhouse. Visibly delighted, she later stepped outside carrying a tray full of empanadas and began handing them out to the fans waiting to catch a glimpse of her. Images of a pop star serving empanadas with such simplicity went viral, becoming a symbolic moment. She was also visibly moved by Argentine history when she was given a portrait of Eva Perón, which she held up proudly before her fans outside her hotel – a trip blending pop, history and humanity.

Buenos Aires however, seduces stars with more than just food, football and history. Tango is another magnet for the stars and many celebrities reserve at least one of their nights for a visit to a tanguerías – those temples where the bandoneon expresses what words cannot. 

In August last year, John Travolta, after holidaying in Bariloche, popped by the Señor Tango show. The actor was moved to tears, hugging the cast and promising to return “for a good steak and more tango.”

During his trip, Benedict Cumberbatch – who accompanied his wife Sophie Hunter while she worked on the set design for two operas at the Teatro Colón – escaped to Rojo Tango, where he was mesmerised by the 21 dancers and ended up chatting with the bandoneon player late into the night.

Katheryn Winnick, the star of Vikings, also succumbed to the 2x4: she took private lessons at La Viruta and Esquina Homero Manzi during her promotional trip and tweeted: “Tango is wine and Argentina’s soul.”

Buenos Aires, it seems, captivates superstars not only as a professional stop-off but as a place to savour authentic cuisine, regional wines, historic neighbourhoods and football temples such as La Bombonera. It’s a surefire combination that turns any stay in the city into an unforgettable experience.