Milonga Empanadas Bringing Artisanal Argentinian Pastries To North City

North City, the evolving live-work-play community in North County San Diego, announced the addition of Milonga Empanadas to its restaurant collection.

A regular at local farmers markets in Oceanside, Carlsbad, La Jolla, and Scripps Ranch, Milonga Empanadas specializes in handmade artisanal empanadas – this is their first brick-and-mortar store.

From Michelin-star kitchens to handcrafing savory pastries

Owner Matias Bienati draws up his Argentinian heritage and professional experience working in Michelin-star kitchens to handcraft the savory pastries.

Founded in 2021, Milonga Empanadas has rapidly gained acclaim due to founder Matias Bienati’s passion for artisanal handcrafted Argentinian-inspired empanadas.

Guided by Matias’ background as a chef in Michelin Star restaurants and over 15 years of culinary experience, he fearlessly took on the challenge to launch Milonga Empanadas in the heart of a pandemic.

In only three short years, Milonga Empanadas has expanded from local farmer’s markets to its first-ever brick-and-mortar location —aiming to bring more traditional Argentinian cuisine to North County.

Their first brick-and-mortar location in North City

Milonga will occupy the storefront located at 251 N City Dr, San Marcos Suite 128E, which most recently housed award-winning Wynston’s Ice Cream that moved to a larger space at North City last summer.

“We are excited to open the doors of our first brick-and-mortar location in North City,” said Matias Bienati. “The team at Sea Breeze Properties has been extremely welcoming and instrumental in supporting our expansion to our first permanent storefront. It is a big step in our growth and their team is giving us a unique opportunity to establish solid roots in an incubator space where another culinary business got its successful start. We’ve already been warmly welcomed at the weekly farmer’s market at North City so this seemed like a great place to take the next big step.”

Menu inspired by traditional Argentinian flavors

Milonga Empanada’s menu pulls inspiration from traditional Argentinian flavors. The empanadas are hand-made and freshly baked every day and never frozen, with all ingredients drawn from local purveyors.

Guests will find Milonga’s best-selling specialty empanadas like the Criolla, made with hand-cut prime steak, onions, and olives, and the Fugazza with caramelized onions, provolone, mozzarella, and fine herbs.

Bienati also takes inspiration from the seasons, creating empanadas filled with fresh seasonal ingredients.

The menu offerings also include Argentinian-inspired desserts and homemade chimmi-churri to-go. Local wine and a rotating selection of craft beer are coming soon.

“North City continues to evolve and grow with a curated collection of businesses that share our vision to create the ultimate live, work, and play community in Southern California,” said Andy Tenn, Senior Manager at Sea Breeze Properties, LLC / North City. “We are committed to aiding small and big businesses in their growth and fostering their success as it is integral to the backbone of North City and the greater San Marcos and North County area.”

See you there!

Milonga Empanadas will be open Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 12PM-8PM.

For more information, visit Milonga Empanadas on their website here and on Instagram.

See you there, San Diego!