Department Stores and Shopping Centers in Buenos Aires | Expat Info Desk

Department Stores and Shopping Centers Guide

Unicenter is located in the province city of San Isidro. With four floors, a movie theater, and huge food court, this mall lacks nothing. There are clothing, shoe, leather, and electronic stores as well as the department store Falabella (the only real department store in Argentina), which sells everything from purses to kitchen utensils, within moderate price levels. Unicenter has a selection of stores that range in price and quality — it is the best selection for shopping in the city, with stores like Polo Ralph Lauren, La Martina, Lacoste, and Prune.

Another large shopping mall is DOT Baires, located in Saavedra off of the General la Paz Expressway, which encloses the city on the north, dividing it from the surrounding province. From the website, you can get directions on how to get to the mall from any area in the city. It offers a large selection of local stores, cinemas, food court, restaurants and even a Walmart. Prices are generally moderate.

Galerias Pacífico is in the heart of Microcentro, located on Avenida Florida. The stores are local brands and boutique shops, and the prices are in the moderate range. If it’s quality you’re looking for, you may be a bit disappointed, but the selection is good.

The Mercado de Abasto is located just off the B line Carlos Gardel stop. It is a touristy place to go, but many expats feel right at home with stores like Levi’s, Legacy, Lacoste, Kevingston, and BenSimon. Prices range from moderate to high. The upper-level food court is vast, and even includes the first kosher McDonald’s to open outside of Israel.

Alto Palermo, located just off the D line Bulnes stop, is the main shopping area of the Palermo barrio. With stores like NorthFace, Levi’s, Ayres, and Calvin Klein, the assortment is good. There are also many cafes and restaurants, like Benihana and TGIFriday’s. Prices stay in the moderate range.

Patio Bullrich, located at Av. Libertador 750 and facing towards Estación Retiro, is a shopping center housed inside a luxurious 19th-century auction house. Reputed fashion names include Calvin Klein and Christian Lacroix, and there’s also a food court and cinema. Expect high quality and higher-end prices.

El Solar, in Las Cañitas, doesn’t announce itself, so you have to know where to find it. It is located just off of Avenida Luis María Campos, on the corner of Gorostiaga. Stores include Fork (an upscale kitchen supply store), La Martina, Adidas, Kevingston, and other local high-end brands like Cardon and Maria Cher. Prices are in the moderate-to-high range.