Cafe Buenos Aires is Long Island’s premiere destination for authentic Latin American tapas and cocktails. Together with Argentine immigrant Hugo Garcia, the Machado brothers opened the Huntington hot spot over a decade ago to popular and critical acclaim.

Cafe Buenos Aires was one of Long Island’s first restaurants to redefine the way people eat by offering an extensive tapas menu. Customers select a variety of interesting and creative small plates and sharing is encouraged. For Garcia and the Machados, it’s always been a food first philosophy. Newsday’s Peter Gianotti recommends “delectable salt-cod croquettes; silvery grilled sardines atop tomatoes and onions, sautéed sweetbreads sparked with olives and capers; garlicky shrimp; and lush Serrano ham. A quartet of oysters opens the appetite, whether it’s with leeks and mascarpone, smoked bacon and peppers, tangy vinaigrette or seasoned breadcrumbs.”

But there’s much to be said about cocktails and wine at Cafe Buenos Aires too. Weeknights feature a happy hour that brings out a regular crowd and weekends feature hand-crafted cocktails that continually impress Huntington’s crowds. “Having fantastic food is essential, but it’s not enough,” says owner Eric Machado. “We want out guests to have an experience unlike any other restaurant on the island.”

In the years since the Latin American bistro’s opening, many have tried to replicate the lively feel and unique dining experience, but Cafe Buenos Aires continually ranks among Huntington’s most popular restaurants.