Chilean restaurants in Northern Chile
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A
Puro Chile
A diminutive locally run restaurant just off Calle Caracoles, recommended for its authentic national cuisine (ajiaco, parrilladas, empanadas, cazuela and more) as well as more international dishes. Food is lovingly prepared, and dished up to a soundtrack of Chilean rock.
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B
Club Croata
Decorated with the Croatian coat of arms and dog-eared posters of the country’s distant coastline, this restaurant serves some wonderful Chilean favorites, including pastel de choclo (maize casserole). It’s one of the best traditionally styled eateries in town.
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Quitor
A large, thatched establishment frequented by locals, Chilean tourists and gringos alike, this small eatery right next to the bus stop has simple but filling meals and an efficient get-it-on-the-table attitude. Save money by going with the smaller set meal.
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D
CKunna
This is an excellent, if touristy, restaurant that gives traditional Atacameño ingredients a contemporary twist. It’s housed in a renovated adobe building with a beautiful courtyard to relax in. It also has takeaway service and a welcoming bar.
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E
Club Social de Vicuña
Enthusiastic waiters usher passing travelers into this upmarket courtyard restaurant, or into its posh linen-and-candlestick laden side rooms. The food is well prepared, though rather bland, and you should expect Chilean specialties.
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Halley
A spacious colonial-style restaurant with a thatched ceiling and scattered handicrafts, this mainstay is recommended for typical Chilean food, including roast cabrito (goat), conejo (rabbit) and plentiful salads.
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Food Stalls
The cheapest eats in town are served in rustic shacks in a parking lot behind the taxi rank on the northern edge of town. Expect simple set lunches of cazuela, mains and dessert, and all-day empanadas for snacking.
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H
La Protectora
Old World atmosphere reigns at this civilized restaurant nestling beside the theater and fronting onto the plaza; the building, the Sociedad Protectora de Empleados de Tarapacá, hosted one of Chile’s first trade unions.
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Solar Villaseca
Located 6km from Vicuña, beyond the Capel distillery, Villaseca is highly praised for its Chilean dishes cooked in solar-powered ovens (rows of curious metallic suntraps). Reservations are a must during summer.
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Café Adobe
Ever popular with travelers for its studied rusticity, rock-art decor and smoky fire in the outer dining room, Adobe is a bit pricy for what you get. You may just want to drop by later for a drink.
reviewed
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Bongo
Bubbly young eatery and bar with thick-cushioned booths and a tidy mezzanine above, and a good ’n’ greasy menu for those times when only a draft beer and burger will do – prepare those arteries.
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La Tabla
A mock-adobe bar with mellow lighting, studied rustic decor and plenty of dark intimate corners, La Tabla is good for those wanting to share bar snacks and jam out to the hard-rock soundtrack.
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Club de la Unión
The food at this plain restaurant may be ho-hum, but the bird's-eye view of Iquique's handsome plaza and the distant mountains is worth every cent. Come early to bag a window seat. Cash only.
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M
Donde El Guatón
El Guatón prepares sizzling parrilladas (grilled meats) right before your hungry eyes. The characterful dining area is hung with flowers and chandeliers made from old bicycle wheels.
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Club de Yates
Push the boat out and treat yourself to a meal at this swanky yacht club. Knock back sizzling fish dishes as cormorants, pelicans and vultures watch hungrily from the ancient pier alongside.
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Bomberos
Join the local fire brigade for a no-frills set lunch on the upper floor of the fire station. Note the British-made 1874 Merryweather engine downstairs, and browse firemen mugshots upstairs.
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Barlovento
With frequent peña (live folkloric performances), this little restaurant is a nice place to go for dancing or just dinner. The meaty menu tempered by a few vegetarian choices.
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El Tambo
If you can stomach the touristy atmosphere, you'll also enjoy the decent traditional food and occasional folk music at this restaurant, situated inside the Poblado Artesanal.
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Empanadopolis
This hole-in-the-wall is hugely popular for its mouthwatering empanadas with unusual flavors and gimmicky names borrowed from Greek heroes and philosophers.
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Don Elias
A downmarket diner with small tables and a blaring TV, ‘The Don’ churns out excellent-value almuerzos (set lunches) and particularly good seafood.
reviewed
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Grill Bar Serena
This down-to-earth venue is not much to look at but is fast, efficient and offers freshly netted catches of the day and good grills for reasonable prices.
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Pollo Scout
If you can’t wait to be fed, there is always spit-roasted chicken and steaming cazuela (stew) at the ready in this down-to-business cheapie.
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Don Pollo
Cheap, cheerful and usually crowded, Don Pollo has plastic tables huddled around a grass-hut patio. The chicken is so succulent it’s almost sinful.
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Tahira
Down-to-earth café where the locals outnumber the gringos, Tahira serves up satisfying, no-frills dishes.
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W
El Corsario
Sedate dining can be had in this elderly patio restaurant; serves varied Chilean food, including rabbit.
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