Things to do in Concepción
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La Casa del Arte
The massive, fiercely political mural La Presencia de América Latina is the highlight of the university art museum La Casa del Arte. It’s by Mexican artist Jorge González Camarena, a protégé of muralist legend José Clemente Orozco, and celebrates Latin America’s indigenous peoples and independence from colonial and imperial powers. The museum also contains several rooms of paintings by major Chilean artists, and hosts regular temporary exhibitions.
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Verde Que Te Quiero Verde
One of Concepción's few genuinely good restaurants. It serves inspiring and inexpensive vegetarian food, while its service is spot on and reliable. Choose from a range of healthy dishes, including green lasagna and hearty sandwiches. There are also some inventive juices (apple and mint). Upstairs out the back, a gallery and artists' studios are sometimes open for visits.
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Galería de la Historia
Political correctness is clearly not a priority at the Galería de la Historia, where small dioramas representing local history gleefully celebrate the massacre of the Mapuche at the hands of conquistadores and pioneers. If you’re able to overlook such ideological undertones, the models themselves are vivid and fun.
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Sublime
Spidery chrome light fittings, stripped pine floors and upholstered red leatherette booths with unusual donut-shaped tables are an unusual way to kit out a traditional townhouse. But Conce’s coolest eatery is all about unexpected combinations: mains could include kingklip in a hazelnut crust or steak served in pear sauce.
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Fina Estampa
Starched tablecloths, fiercely folded napkins and deferential bow-tied waiters bring old-time elegance to this Peruvian restaurant. Ceviches, ají de gallina (chicken in a spicy yellow-pepper sauce) and other classics are perfectly executed, as is grilled seasonal fish.
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Parque Ecuador
Parque Ecuador is a narrow stretch of well-maintained urban parkland which runs along the foot of Cerro Caracol – walk up one of the two access roads (continuations of Caupolicán and Tucapel) to a viewpoint with great views of Concepción.
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Café Haití
Make sure you go upstairs for the lovely seating area overlooking the street - perfect for taking in the bustle of the plaza. Downstairs is the slightly sleazy café con piernas (café with legs) version where the waitresses wander round in miniskirts.
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Feria Artesanal
Local and regional crafts are sold at the Mercado Central and Feria Artesanal. The best things to look for are woolens, basketry, ceramics, wood carvings and leather goods. Knitters will notice an abundance of shops selling yarn (sometimes alpaca).
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Rancho de Julio
Cow is the name of the game at this ever-popular Argentine restaurant, which specializes in grilled-meat fests. Even the space itself smacks of the barn, both in terms of size and decoration. A few pasta dishes cater to noncarnivores.
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Chela’s
The TV blares in this cheap, corner café, which serves up mountainous portions of chorillana (a pile of fries and onions with bits of sausage) and steaks that are perfect for throwing cholesterol counts to the wind.
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Treinta y Tanto
With a great location, the candlelit ambience makes this place ripe for romantics, but a buzzing atmosphere also means it's just as good for a bunch of pals. Indulge in the many varieties of empanada if you can.
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Almendra Bar
Bespectacled design types lounge on the low 1950s sofas at this recycled old garage, the hippest haunt in Conce. Weekdays are about cool tunes, cocktails and sushi, but the dance floor gets going on weekends.
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Sauré Roeckel
Over 40 types of tea – including black, green, red, fruit, rooibusch and single-origin Chinese leaves – and a dazzling display of cream puffs make this the connoisseur’s choice for afternoon indulgence.
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Nuevo Piazza
There is a convivial, pleasant atmosphere and some reasonable cuisine here, but the real appeal is the view from its large windows, a grand people-watching perch over Plaza Independencia below.
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Crepería Jardín Secreto
Crepes, pancakes, and waffles come with eggs and bacon at breakfast, topped with manjar (a milk caramel spread) at teatime or stuffed with Peking-style duck at dinner.
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Club 592
Some of Conce’s coolest club nights have been going down in this club for years: with two different dance floors, it’s got something for both ravers and rockers.
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Café Rometsch
First you need to beat the hordes of stiffly coiffed fur-coat-toting old ladies to a table – your reward at this classic café is great cakes and gelato.
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Choripan
A young, laid-back crowd gathers here for cocktails, pitchers of beer and lively conversation over the reggae and blues in the background.
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Madero Lounge
One of the cluster of bars in the block, Madero attracts trendy, well-to-do Penquistas on the hunt for martinis and feel-good music.
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Chung-Hwa
Don't let the waitresses' nasty turquoise uniforms put you off - authentic, reasonably priced Chinese food is served here.
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Loft
A diverse crowd gets jiggy to the latest Latino dance tunes. It also has karaoke.
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