Italpast | Faena Buenos Aires is Chef Pedro Picciau’s Italian-Sardinian haute-cuisine pop-up at Bistró Sur inside Faena Hotel Buenos Aires, Juana Manso 1450, C1107, Puerto Madero, Buenos Aires, Argentina. Set within the hotel’s conversion of the historic El Porteño building, this is a destination for meticulously prepared Italian cooking, late dinners and Faena’s theatrical design language. Travelers come for Picciau’s signature dishes, polished service and a singular dining room looking onto Puerto Madero’s dockside district.
What to Expect at Italpast | Faena Buenos Aires
Italpast occupies Bistró Sur, where Chef Pedro Picciau applies innovative techniques and distinct flavor profiles to traditional Italian-Sardinian cuisine. The experience is a restaurant meal rather than a museum visit: book a table, choose from the current menu, and allow the kitchen’s seasonal dishes to shape the evening. The official restaurant page describes it as the Buenos Aires edition of Picciau’s family restaurant, with signature dishes and attentive service at the center of the format.
The room is as much a part of dinner as the food. Bistró Sur is known for its dramatic Faena interiors: white unicorn figures with red eyes line the walls, while an oversized floral centerpiece anchors the dining room. That playful, deliberately extravagant setting contrasts with the focused Italian-Sardinian menu. It sits in Faena Hotel Buenos Aires, a former early-20th-century El Porteño building reimagined as a design-led hotel in Puerto Madero, giving a meal here a strong sense of place beyond the plate.
- Chef Pedro Picciau’s pop-up: Italian-Sardinian haute cuisine with the chef’s individual techniques and flavor combinations.
- Signature-dish format: The Buenos Aires outpost presents dishes associated with Picciau’s family restaurant.
- Unicorn-lined dining room: White, red-eyed unicorn sculptures create Bistró Sur’s unmistakable theatrical backdrop.
- Late-night dinner: Dinner is served nightly until 12:30 a.m., useful after a show or a long Puerto Madero walk.
- Sunday lunch: A dedicated lunch service runs only on Sundays, from noon to 4 p.m.
Italpast | Faena Buenos Aires at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Juana Manso 1450, C1107, Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Neighborhood / Area | Puerto Madero, in Faena Hotel Buenos Aires near the docks |
| Operating Hours | Dinner 7 p.m.–12:30 a.m. Monday–Sunday; lunch noon–4 p.m. Sunday only |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission ticket; dining is paid, with current food and beverage prices listed on the restaurant menu |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours for dinner; about 1.5 hours for Sunday lunch |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Puerto Madero bus stops in the Alicia Moreau de Justo–Juana Manso area; taxis and ride-hailing offer the most direct door-to-door arrival. Confirm vehicle parking arrangements with Faena when reserving. |
| Official Website / Phone | Faena Bistró Sur / +54 11 4010 9207 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Reserve ahead, particularly for Thursday through Saturday dinner and Sunday lunch; the restaurant accepts reservations through its online booking page. An early 7 p.m. seating suits travelers who want a quieter start and time to walk beside the docks afterward, while later reservations make the most of the dining room’s evening mood. Business casual is the stated dress code. There is no entry fee, but a reservation is strongly advisable because this is a table-service dining experience with a limited number of seatings.
For public transport, use the Puerto Madero bus stops around Avenida Alicia Moreau de Justo and continue to the hotel on foot; taxis and ride-hailing are especially convenient at night. The approach along Juana Manso is paved and largely level, though Buenos Aires curb cuts and sidewalk surfaces can vary. Faena’s reservation process includes an Accessible request option; select it before confirming and call the restaurant to arrange step-free arrival, wheelchair seating, stroller space or other requirements. Pair dinner with the Puerto Madero waterfront promenade and Dique 2, both moments away, or walk roughly 10–15 minutes to the Colección de Arte Amalia Lacroze de Fortabat. Faena’s own El Mercado is also in the hotel for a more casual meal at another time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Italpast | Faena Buenos Aires’ hours, and when is the best time to go?
Dinner runs from 7 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. every day. Sunday lunch runs from noon to 4 p.m. Book the first dinner seating for a more relaxed pace, or reserve later for a full evening out in Puerto Madero.
Does Italpast charge admission, and do I need a reservation?
There is no admission charge or ticket: guests pay for their meal and drinks. Reservations can be made online through Faena’s booking link, and are recommended for all peak dinner periods and Sunday lunch.
How much time should I budget for dinner at Bistró Sur?
Allow 1.5 to 2.5 hours for dinner, especially if ordering several courses and wine. Sunday lunch generally takes around 1.5 hours, with time afterward for the nearby dockside promenade.
Is Italpast suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families can dine at the restaurant, with Sunday lunch often the most convenient service. For wheelchair users, strollers, or guests requiring a step-free route, request Accessible assistance during booking and contact the restaurant in advance to coordinate seating and arrival.
When planning your Buenos Aires travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Buenos Aires, pair this stop with standout local spots including Jardín de Invierno, Plazoleta Jardín de los Maestros, Jardín Botánico Carlos Thays, and Faena Hotel Buenos Aires (nearby).
