"Leafy Greens El Mercadito, whose value proposition of “friendly & fresh”, lives up to its promise with an international menu of gourmet salads, sandwiches and burgers (including veggie). The food is consistently wholesome and delicious, down to the fresh vegetable and fruit juices blended on the spot. Most restaurants in Mendoza offer a menu of meat, milanesas, empanadas, pizza and pastas; so Mercadito’s leafy greens are quite a novelty in this beef capital. The salmon entrée on the dinner menu is cooked to perfection. The restaurant’s antique-garage decor and spacious outdoor terrace are all part of its charm. Arístides 521; +54 261 463 8847"

"Rock and Roll Por Aca is a popular local hangout on Aristides that's all about rock and roll. It fills up around 1:30 AM, when partrons are allowed to start smoking cigarettes. You can dance among the throngs of partiers until 6:00 AM. Tuesdays and Wednesdays, ladies eat and drink for free (bar shots & pizza). Av Arístides Villanueva 557; +54 261 420 0346."

"Beautiful Bikinis As the saying goes, “When in Rome ...,” and in Mendoza , this means slipping into an immodestly cut bikini bottom to blend in with the locals. Get rid of those American tan lines with some of the most adorable bikinis in the southern hemisphere. Two young Mendocenean sisters design and stamp the bathing suits themselves, making each one slightly unique. You can mix and match tops and bottoms for size and cut. The only question is, do you have enough courage to wear it back at home? With your flattering new tan lines, you just might."

"Chic Boutique This hip boutique on Aristides, part bookstore and part clothing and home-décor retailer, subliminally screams Brooklyn cool. The owner of Cosset is a culture vulture who also runs a production company called Musik+Arte with a renowned Mendocenean deejay; they bring big-name musicians and underground bands to Mendoza . You can buy tickets for their shows at the store. Arístides Villanueva 537; +54 261 425 8150"

"Neighborhood Tavern El Palenque is a classic where locals and tourists can both be found sipping wine from “pinguino” carafes—vessels historically used by Argentine gauchos nicknamed for their distinct penguin shape. El Palenque is fashioned after an old-time “pulperia” or tavern where neighbors would come together to drink house wine, eat bar food and catch up on the daily gossip. Order the melt in your mouth fried calamari (rabas) while you sit outside and people watch. Aristides 287; +54 261 429 1814"

"Aromatic Soaps, Lotions, and Potions Vero Gift is an enchanting gift shop on Aristides selling handmade soaps, aromatic lotions, scented oils, and beautifully bundled toiletries. It’s the perfect place to find a thank you gift, presents to take home (La Pasionaria products are a great option), or treat yourself to lovely spa therapies found only in Argentina. Arístides Villanueva 154; +54 261 423 6544"

"Hostel with Pool and Bar Damajuana Hostel is considered one of the best hostels in Mendoza and enjoys a prime location in Aristides. The hostel occupies a restored colonial home with hardwood floors and beautiful wooden windows. The common room leads onto a manicured back yard with a patio, pool, ping-pong table, and a back house containing the hostel’s communal kitchen with covered picnic tables. You can purchase a variety of room packages that include transportation transfers, wine tours, mountain tours, and adventure activities like paragliding, rafting, and horseback riding. Damajuana’s hostel bar, Ph, is a Mendoza hot spot and a great place to mingle with locals. Arístides Villanueva 282; reservas@damajuanahostel.com.ar; +54 261 425 5858"

"Sweet Treats at Bianco & Nero Bianco & Nero is a chocolaterie and ice cream shop that was established in Mendoza in 1992. It’s like stepping into a scene of Charlie and the Chocolate factory with over 220 different kinds of sweet treats that you’ll want to melt in your mouth. There are rows of bonbons, truffles, fudge, chocolate bars, chocolate covered fruit and nuts, caramels, chocolate lollipops, and much more. The smell alone is intoxicating. Try Argentina’s national treat, the alfajor, and a cone of dulce de leche ice cream. Aristides 144; +54 261 423 9420"

"Clothing Boutique Entra y Flipa, which translates to “enter and flip out” is a trendy clothing boutique on Aristides selling popular Argentine brands like Ay not dead, Maria Cher, Cora Groppo, and Retink. There is a fashionable selection of casual and evening women’s wear. The scarves are colorful and fun. The locale itself has a sunny backyard patio with sale racks. Aristides Villanueva 135; +54 061 423 9232"

"Antares Artisanal Beer Antares is an artisanal beer company started by three friends from Mar de Plata, Argentina, in the 90s. They first learned about homebrewing from a Californian on a post-college trip to Florida. A few years later the three started brewing artisanal beer together, and today they’re the leading craft beer producers in Argentina with bars all over the country. Named after the most brilliant star in the Scorpio constellation, Antares was used as a guide by seamen for centuries. You’ll find German Kolsch, Scotch Ale, English Porter, Babylonian Honey Beer, Irish Cream Stout, Barley Wine and Antares’ Imperial Stout on the menu. Salud! Arístides Villanueva 153; +54 261 423 8327"

"Italian Influence This Argentine chain is a popular spot for inexpensive chicken and beef milanesas. You can get a traditional Napolitano with tomato sauce and melted mozzarella cheese or a Patagonica with mozzarella, herbs, ham, sun-dried tomatoes and fresh arugula, Cheddar cheese with bacon and onion or a Clasica a Caballo with two fried eggs. The spinach salad with mushroom, parmesan and pancetta is a lighter option. Arístides Villanueva 405; +54 261 425 9254"

"Sofia Restaurant Sofia's restaurant menu opens with a history of when the introspective owner’s father purchased a historian’s library in 1985. He spent years reading those books searching for answers to life’s philosophical questions. The library now resides in the restaurant along with a collection of Buddha statues, giving the dining room a pleasant vibe. Sofia’s a great spot for an afternoon coffee or tea. The dinner menu is varied with salads, meat entrees, milanesas and wok specialties. It’s a popular spot for locals for their mid-week deals which are posted on their Facebook page. Arístides Villanueva 650; +54 261 429 9836"

"Trendy Threads Cloter is a hip Argentine brand for pretty young things (think H&M and Forever 21) with trendy prints, sexy cuts and fashionable basics. You can add a touch of Latin flair to your wardrobe. Arístides Villanueva 129; +54 261 429 6997"