Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting

REVIEW · MENDOZA

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting

  • 5.080 reviews
  • 4 hours (approx.)
  • From $89.00
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Traveller rating★ 5.0 (80)Duration4 hours (approx.)Price from$89.00Book viaViator

A Mendoza asado is more than dinner. This one happens at a local home with hands-on cooking and wine tastings under mountain views from a terrace. You’ll feel like you’re hanging with friends, not lining up for a generic meal.

What I really like is the participation. You help with the coals—then you get in the kitchen making homemade empanadas instead of just watching.

A second big win is the host-led flow: you learn as you eat, including the Argentina-asado way of doing things and a proper Fernet con Coca toast. One drawback to plan for: the terrace requires climbing two flights of stairs, and if weather turns, you’ll shift indoors.

Small group: up to 5 people

Rooftop terrace with city and mountain views

Help light the fire and make empanadas

Wine tasting paired with the grilled meats

Classic finish with Fernet con Coca and dessert

Indoor backup if it rains or it’s too cold

Rooftop Mendoza Asado: Where You Meet and What the Night Feels Like

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - Rooftop Mendoza Asado: Where You Meet and What the Night Feels Like
You start at 8:00 pm in central Mendoza, at Av. Ejército de los Andes 346 1b, M5521JNA. The area is convenient for getting there—public transport is nearby, and Uber is easy to use.

This experience is capped at five travelers, which matters more than it sounds. With a small group, the evening stays conversational, and you’re more likely to actually do things—like shaping empanadas and helping manage the fire—rather than sitting through a scripted program.

The vibe is intimate and warm. Expect a local-host style of hospitality, with plenty of talk about food and Mendoza life. One detail I’d underline: the terrace setup is partly vertical, since you climb two flights of stairs to reach the view.

The First Phase: From Coals to Empanadas (You’ll Be Doing Real Work)

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - The First Phase: From Coals to Empanadas (You’ll Be Doing Real Work)
The timing is built around the grill. While the coals get going, you’ll pitch in, which is the whole point if you’re tired of restaurant dinners where nothing requires your hands.

You’ll make empanadas (homemade style), and you’ll do it with guidance rather than guessing. It’s one of those skills that suddenly makes sense once someone shows you the rhythm—folding, sealing, and getting them ready for baking while the asado cooks.

Lighting and managing the asado fire is another highlight. This isn’t just lighting a flame; you’re learning how the fire needs time, how coals behave, and how cooks think while waiting. Several people liked that they weren’t thrown into chaos—they were taught steps and then invited to help.

You can also read our reviews of more food & drink experiences in Mendoza

The Asado Plate: Morcilla, Chorizo, Pork Matambre, and Beef

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - The Asado Plate: Morcilla, Chorizo, Pork Matambre, and Beef
Once the coals are ready, the asado takes over. You’ll eat a spread that includes morcilla (blood sausage), chorizo, pork matambre, and beef. If you’re a meat lover, this is a solid lineup—and if you’re not, the experience still works because you’re understanding the culture, not only sampling.

Here’s what I’d pay attention to: tasting order and pace. On an asado night, food arrives as the grill dictates, not all at once. That helps you notice differences—how char and smoke affect flavor, how each sausage style tastes, and how beef textures change when cooked properly.

Also, you’re not stuck with one thing. The mix of sausages, pork, and beef gives you variety in fat, seasoning, and chew. Even better, you’re learning why these cuts show up on Argentine grills in the first place.

Wine Tasting With Your Host: Pairing That Actually Makes Sense

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - Wine Tasting With Your Host: Pairing That Actually Makes Sense
You’ll also taste local wines as the meal progresses, and you’ll get help understanding what you’re tasting. The idea is pairing—how wine changes the experience of the grilled meats and how the meats affect what you notice in each glass.

I like wine tastings best when they’re practical, not a lecture. This one is integrated into the evening—so you can connect flavors while the asado is still fresh in your mind. People also mentioned the host knows his wines well, and that you can expect choices that go with the food.

If you’re not a wine person, don’t worry. The evening still centers on asado skills, empanadas, and the shared meal. But if you are a wine person, this is a good chance to learn without feeling formal.

The Fernet con Coca Toast and Dessert Finish

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - The Fernet con Coca Toast and Dessert Finish
Toward the end, you’ll do the closing ritual: a final toast with Fernet & Coca Cola. It’s a very Argentine thing, and this experience treats it like an actual tradition rather than a gimmick.

After that, there’s dessert, mentioned as an amazing local finish. Dessert matters here because it signals you’re done with the heavy part of the meal and can relax with conversation while everything settles.

If you want the full cultural sweep, don’t skip the toast. It’s short, fun, and helps you end the night the way locals do—together, not rushed.

The Weather Plan: Rooftop Views vs. Indoor Living Room

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - The Weather Plan: Rooftop Views vs. Indoor Living Room
The terrace is a big part of the draw, with city and mountains showing in the background. But Mendoza evenings can swing cooler than you expect, especially later in the day.

Good news: if it rains or it gets too cold, the dinner moves indoors to the living room. That means you’re not stuck canceling your whole night just because the sky has ideas.

Still, you should come prepared for the terrace access. The setup calls for two flights of stairs, so if stairs are an issue for you, I’d think carefully before booking. A simple plan: wear shoes with grip, since you’ll be moving around during a kitchen-and-grill night.

You can also read our reviews of more wine tours in Mendoza

Meeting Your Host and Finding Your People in a Small Group

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - Meeting Your Host and Finding Your People in a Small Group
A big reason this works is how the host runs the evening. People kept describing the host as warm and attentive, and that he’d rather teach than perform. You’ll likely share stories with the other small group, which is what turns dinner into an evening.

You may also meet family members during the night. One account specifically mentioned meeting the host’s wife, Roxanna, as well as a baby named Simon and dogs. That’s not something to count on every time, but it matches the home-style feel: this isn’t staged for photos only.

There’s also a participation culture. People enjoyed getting involved with starting the fire and making empanadas, and they felt the host genuinely wanted people to enjoy themselves. One solo traveler even mentioned getting extra attention for their situation with gluten intolerance. That suggests you should ask ahead if you have dietary needs, since the host appears willing to accommodate when possible.

What You Get for $89: Value Beyond the Food Price

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - What You Get for $89: Value Beyond the Food Price
At $89 per person for about 4 hours, you’re not paying only for meat. You’re paying for:

  • a local-host home setting in central Mendoza
  • hands-on asado and empanada instruction
  • wine tasting during the meal
  • a full dinner experience with multiple meats, plus beer, Fernet con Coca, and dessert
  • a small group limit of five, which keeps the evening personal

If you’ve spent time in Mendoza, you know prices for wine and food tours can climb fast. What makes this feel like good value is the combination: food + drink + real instruction + small-group intimacy.

The “4 hours” length is also a fair match for asado timing. Coals take time. Empanadas take time. Then you’re tasting and talking. This is not a fast grab-and-go meal, and that’s part of what makes it memorable.

Who Should Book This Mendoza Asado Experience (and Who Might Skip)

Mendoza: Make an Argentine Asado BBQ w/ Local Host & Wine Tasting - Who Should Book This Mendoza Asado Experience (and Who Might Skip)
This is a strong fit if you want:

  • a hands-on Argentine BBQ rather than passive dining
  • a smaller group experience that supports conversation and learning
  • meat-and-wine comfort food with cultural context
  • views from a terrace, but with an indoor backup if weather changes

If you prefer quiet, strictly restaurant-paced dining, this might feel too interactive. You’re expected to help with the fire and cooking steps. Also, if stairs are a hard limit for you, you’ll want to think about the terrace access before booking.

Practical Tips Before You Go

A few things will make your evening smoother:

  • Plan to arrive on time for the 8:00 pm start, since coals and cooking follow a schedule.
  • Bring light layers if evenings feel cool in Mendoza. The terrace is part of the appeal, but weather can shift.
  • Wear comfortable shoes for the two flights of stairs.
  • If you want the veggie option, ask for it ahead of time.
  • If you have any dietary restrictions, message early. One diner specifically noted gluten intolerance being accommodated.

Also note: free cancellation is available with a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours in advance. That gives you some breathing room if your trip schedule changes.

Should You Book This Asado With a Local Host in Mendoza?

Yes, if you want a Mendoza evening that feels like a home cooking night with real teaching. This is one of the better ways to experience Argentine asado, because you don’t only eat—you learn how the fire works and how empanadas come together.

If your top priority is a scenic view with zero participation, consider a different wine-and-view style tour. But if you want hands-on cooking, small-group conversation, and the full closeout with Fernet con Coca, this one is a clear match.

FAQ

What time does the asado experience start, and how long is it?

It starts at 8:00 pm and runs for about 4 hours (approx.).

How many people are in the group?

The group size is small, with a maximum of 5 travelers.

What’s included in the meal and drinks?

You’ll have homemade empanadas, asado items including morcilla, chorizo, pork matambre, and beef, plus beer, wine tastings, a local dessert, and a final toast with Fernet & Coca Cola.

Can I request a veggie option?

Yes. You can ask for a veggie option.

What happens if it rains or it’s too cold?

If weather turns, the dinner moves indoors to the living room.

Where is the meeting point?

Meet at Av. Ejército de los Andes 346 1b, M5521JNA Mendoza, Argentina. The activity ends back at the meeting point.

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