Buenos Aires is a city bursting with history, culture and old world charm. You only need to go to the downtown area and take a short stroll along the grand avenues that are lined with numerous examples of illustrious belle époque architecture to understand why some people refer to this city as ‘the Paris of the South’. However, if there is one thing that encapsulates the most important facets of antiquity, architectural and cultural values in a Porteño’s heritage, it’s the café culture…more specifically, the Cafes Notables Buenos Aires. [caption id="attachment_5363" align="aligncenter" width="610"]A historic café in Buenos Aires Buenos Aires has many historic cafés and bars / Source[/caption] 60 bars, cafes and pool halls located in the City of Buenos Aires were recognized as official Cultural Heritage sites and given the title ‘Cafes Notables’ (Remarkable Coffee stores). These exceptional cafes set the scene for some of Buenos Aires’ most importance historical events and social movements as well as being the favourite haunts for many famous Porteño personalities from the past….if those walls could talk!! The bars have managed to retain their alluring original character throughout time, allowing both the people of Buenos Aires and tourists a fabulous insight to the glamorous days of the ‘golden age’ during the first half of the 20th centaury when the influx of European immigrants began to shape the culture of Buenos Aires today. The remarkable Bares Notables are characterized firstly by their traditional, alternative and outstanding architectural design elements and secondly, for the popular performances, sport and literature events that take place within their historic walls. [caption id="attachment_5365" align="aligncenter" width="610"]A classic Bar Notable in Buenos Aires Enjoy a coffee and medialuna in one of the Bares Notables / Source[/caption] Each year since 2002, the Government of Buenos Aires has hosted an eclectic program of events at these Bares Notables in order to, not only promote local artistic activities, but also the importance of preservation and restoration of these cafes, so that future generations can enjoy these important cultural places. Among the oldest of the Bares Notables include the Café Tortoni and 36 Billares (which was closed recently) on Avenida de Mayo, La Giralda and La Paz on Avenida Corriente, El Británico on Parque Lezama; Las Violetas on Medrano and Avenida Rivadavia; La Biela in Recoleta and finally, La Academia on Avenida Callao and Corrientes. Of these, Café Tortoni is by far the most famous and perfectly encapsulates the style and elegance of the old world. Another very famous cafe is Cafe de los Angelitos, which offers a high quality tango show It was frequently visited by numerous historically famous figures of the city including the tango icon Carlos Gardel and the writer Jorge Luis Borges. Currently the basement functions as a stage for jazz and tango artists as well as an area for presentations of book and poetry contests. So, if you come across a Cafe Notable during your visit in Buenos Aires don’t just admire it from the outside. Walk on in and order yourself a café con leche (coffee and milk) with a media-luna (pastry), sit back and allow yourself to be swept away by nostalgia, a passionate tango performance and the romance of the golden days of the Argentinean capital. See these notable cafes for yourself on a cultural city tour.