El Gato Negro is in the heart of Buenos Aires’ theater district on busy Avenida Corrientes.

Victoriano López Robredo founded this cafe based on one he frequented in Madrid and it still has that Spanish feel.

Robredo was an incessant traveler and he created the logo of a black cat with a red bow from a sign he saw once from the Orient Express. And from these travels he brought back spices, teas, and coffee.

El Gato Negro was an almacen selling all these exotic spices and ground coffee. Eventually, his son focused on it becoming a cafe and all things gourmet.

Today it’s run by Robredo’s nephew and you can still purchase excellent spices and tea here, it’s a great souvenir.