Villa Crespo and Chacarita are very charming and calm barrios connecting to Palermo. Everything is a little cheaper here, from living to food, but probably not for long! These barrios are not as polished and touristy as Palermo but still lovely. Some real-estate agents are calling Villa Crespo for Palermo Queens, to increase prices, so when checking out someplace to stay, be careful with overpriced places in that non existent barrio! In Villa Crespo theres an area of a couple of blocks  completely dedicated to outlet shopping. If you’re in a bargain mood, check out the streets Gurruchaga and Aguirre and a couple of blocks around them to shop big brands much cheaper. The street Murillo, between the avenues Scalabrini Ortiz and Juan B. Justo is leather heaven, loads of small stores selling everything you can imagine in leather, even furniture, of course!

Villa Crespo is the place to go if you’re in the mood for some Arabic or Lebanese food. Check out Avenida Scalabrini Ortiz between Avenida Cordoba and Avenida Corrientes, you’ll find loads of small spots. You can also try Sarkis on Thames 1101, typical middle eastern small dishes and a good wine list! If you’re in the mood for some traditional Argentinian vibe, try Café Crespin on Vera 699.  They serve breakfast, lunch and brunch, you will not be disappointed! This is a perfect spot to have the traditional Argentinian “merienda”, a coffee with something sweet or a snack, in-between lunch and dinner.

If you’re like me and love antique furniture and nicknacks, go and torture yourself at the Mercado De Las Pulgas. Or buy loads of stuff, cheap, if you’re able to bring them home with you, which I couldn’t… damn backpack! Either way, it’s on Avenida Dorrego 1650 in Chacarita, and there’re small antique and vintage shops on the streets surrounding it as well.

The streets around Mercado de las Pulgas are full of cafés and restaurants, the bar Franks on Arévalo 1443 is very much worth a visit, yummy cocktails and nice environment! A little further away is a great little french patisserie,  Le Blé on Dorrego 999, pricey but oh so good!

The train tracks that run on Juan B. Justo divide Chacarita and Villa Crespo, and along them is of course a great public space take over! Mostly graff, but totally worth a walk. There’s still loads of empty walls for your taking. If graff is what makes your heart beat faster, you have to check out the huge wall around the Cementerio de la Chacarita, that’s the cemetery. Completely bombed wall as big as 4-5 blocks, with some really great stuff!