Pampero channels the spirit of Argentinian asado in Woolloongabba
South City Square has scored a new addition in Pampero, an Argentinian-inspired steakhouse and bar from the team behind Pablito’s Mexican. Here, the menu leans into fire, meat and tradition, with succulent steaks, knife-cut empanadas and asado served to share. It’s a laid-back spot that captures the warmth and conviviality of Argentinian dining culture – take a peek inside …
The low-lying plains of the Pampas are known for many things. Stretching south and west from Buenos Aires, the vast grassland is regarded as Argentina’s premier agricultural zone – a region where the gauchos (Argentinian stockmen) tend to the country’s numerous herds of beef cattle.
It’s from these expansive plains that Woolloongabba’s newest restaurant and bar draws its inspiration. Pampero, which quietly opened its doors at South City Square last month, is shining a light on Argentinian culinary traditions, infusing them with the same instinctive respect for fire, land and produce as the residents of La Pampa.
“It is one of the best meat production centres in the world, in terms of taste and quantity,” says Pampero’s venue manager Julian Bustamante. “Everything that comes from that province is called Pampero.”
Pampero is the latest venture from Peter Baumgart, owner and operator of Mexican-inspired Sanctuary Cove eatery Pablito’s. After being approached by South City Square developer Pellicano with the offer of a ready-made venue to move into, Pete and his team were swayed to expand north, taking over the site previously home to the Chinese-Peruvian fusion spot Casa Chow.
Once the keys were in hand, the crew started putting thought towards the concept.
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“[The Pellicano team] wanted something very shareable, like what we have at Pablito’s,” Julian reveals. “We didn’t like the idea of doing Mexican again – Argentinian culture is all about sharing, so we decided that making it about shared Argentinian cuisine would be better.”
The Pampero crew has retained much of Casa Chow’s vibrant interior scheme (which was brought to life by Collectivus, People of Design and Unita), with a few cosmetic tweaks helping breathe a fresh sense of energy into the 100-seater space.
As one can expect, Pampero’s menu is heavy on Argentinian inspiration. There are a few Latin American twists in the mix, but Julian tells us that they’re more of a reflection of how Argentines weave the flavours of the continent into their own cuisine.
Subscribe for updates“It’s Latin food that we eat in Argentina,” explains Julian, an Argentinian expat who hails from a province near Mendoza. “For example, ceviche – it’s Peruvian, but we eat a lot of ceviche in Argentina.”
Pampero’s menu leads with starters – we’re talking knife-cut beef empanadas, striploin beef tartare and Pampero’s take on choripan. Portions scale up quickly from here, with mains like slow-cooked beef short rib, Tasmanian grilled salmon and potato gnocchi with parmesan cream following.
Those after a quintessential Argentinian asado experience should look to the grill section, which offers five kinds of steak, all served with your choice of chimichurri, salsa criolla, aioli, red wine mole or shellfish sauce. Pampero’s signature asado experience is a share-style repast featuring a selection of Argentinian cuts (short ribs, grilled chicken thighs, flank, skirt steak and chorizo), served tableside on a traditional brasero.
All of this is available alongside a sturdy beverage selection, anchored by a wine list featuring French, Italian and Australian drops, plus a section dedicated to malbec. On the cocktail front, Pampero pours a number of signature Argentinian-inspired sips, including Fernet con coca (Fernet Branca and Coca-Cola), prittiado (a Córdoba-born drink of malbec topped with lemon squash) and berry sangria.
The team is also bringing the margarita menu from Pablito’s north, with a range of classic and flavoured salt-rimmed concoctions available.
While Pampero’s menu and drinks list provide a clear window into Argentina’s rich culinary traditions, the venue’s ambitions stretch beyond the plate. The team is focused on recreating the easygoing, communal spirit that defines Argentinian dining culture – where meals are unhurried, conversations flow freely and the atmosphere is as important as the food itself.
“It’s not fine dining at all – it’s just a casual place where people can come and have fun. Pampero is a venue that can adapt to every customer or to every situation.”
Pampero is now open to the public – head to The Directory for operating hours and contact details.
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