Tortoni Caffe | Our Story

Our Story

Daniel's Journey

In 2001, Daniel Avaca, armed with an Industrial Design degree from the University of Cordoba, made the leap from Argentina to the US with his wife Karina. Integrating seamlessly into Los Angeles' multicultural scene, he honed over 12 years of restaurant management expertise, paving the way for his entrepreneurial venture. As Tortoni took shape, Gonzalo Cullen and Natalia Primo joined forces, each bringing unique skills and experiences to this exciting project.

Like most of the Argentine population, Tortoni’s founders descend from European ancestors. The Italian influence is very strong in Argentina, thus the strong tradition of coffee bars or caffes, like they are called in Italy.

"Let’s grab a coffee!"

This phrase sets the tone for countless social gatherings in Argentine cities, particularly in bustling Buenos Aires. With its abundance of coffee bars, the city is a haven where locals convene for work, pleasure, or a brief respite from the daily grind. "Let's grab a coffee" invites us into shared moments and intimate conversations, as the unique ambiance of urban coffee bars becomes woven into the fabric of everyday life.

More than a Coffee Shop

Here, it's not just about hastily grabbing a takeaway coffee; it's about dedicating a precious hour to reading the news, engaging in discussions with the barista or fellow patrons about politics or sports. In these establishments, a simple coffee cup becomes a silent witness to business deals, declarations of love, break-up dramas, and the timeless tales of old friends. ☕✨

The Gran Cafe Tortoni

There is a cafe in downtown Buenos Aires that clearly represents this tradition: the Gran Cafe Tortoni. This historic establishment was founded in 1858 by Jean Touan, a French immigrant that wanted to bring to Buenos Aires the concept of a cafe that already existed on the Boulevard des Italiens in Paris under the name of Cafe Tortoni, founded by the Tortoni family around 1800. The Parisian Cafe Tortoni closed down in 1893, but the Argentine institution still stands strong.

Why Tortoni?

Daniel decided to use the name Tortoni as a way to pay tribute to this caffé experience and why not, to import once more by another immigrant, a tradition that has traveled through continents.