Restaurants in Chile
-
A
Las Vacas Gordas
Steak, pork, chicken and vegetables sizzle on the giant grill at the front of the clattering main dining area, then dead-pan old-school waiters cart it over to your table. This popular steakhouse is often packed, so reserve or get there early.
reviewed
-
B
Emporio La Rosa
Choco-chili, strawberry and black pepper, and rose petal are some of the fabulous flavors of this extra-creamy handmade ice cream, which has been known to cause addiction. Flaky pains-au-chocolat and squishy focaccia sandwiches are two more reasons to plonk yourself at the chrome tables.
reviewed
-
C
Astrid y Gastón
The seasonally changing menu of Peruvian haute cuisine has made this one of Santiago's most critically acclaimed restaurants. The warm but expert waitstaff happily talk you through the chef's subtle, modern take on traditional ceviches, chupes (fish stews) and cochinillo (suckling pig), all beautifully presented. The barman deserves an ovation for his complex cocktails: Peruvian pisco comes with physalis juice in the Aquaymanto, for example.
reviewed
-
D
Pasta e Vino
The word on Pasta e Vino – credited with starting Valpo’s gastro revival – has gone from ‘fabulous’ to ‘overrated’ and back to ‘fabulous’ again. Your prize for bagging a table (at the time of research, it was first-come, first-served) is watching the chefs make whatever the inventive pasta of the day is, and then eating it. Expect unusual combinations – bean with orange or duck with plum, for example.
reviewed
-
E
Ocean Pacific’s
From brass-rimmed portholes to fish tanks and a massive fiberglass whale skeleton, they’ve gone all out on under-the-sea decor here. The menu should come as no surprise then, not least because they’ve illustrated it with photos of each fishy dish. The kitsch factor is reason enough to come, but the massive seafood platters and traditional fish stews are surprisingly good, too.
reviewed
-
F
Bravíssimo Gelateria
The ice cream at this popular chain comes in colors as lurid as its sign, but it still goes down a treat on a hot day.
reviewed
-
Fogón de Cotelé
Reviews are mixed as to whether it’s still the best steak in town, but the experience at this intimate quincho-designed steakhouse with just seven tables surrounding an open hearth is priceless. Watching the owner methodically slow-cook your chosen weight of bife chorizo evokes Picasso in his prime. Just down the road in Pelluco, it can easily be reached by colectivo or buses from the terminal marked Chamiza (CH$300). Reservations are a good idea, especially Thursday through Sunday.
reviewed
-
G
Patagonia
No prizes for working out where the star ingredients at this cozy wood-lined restaurant come from. Harder to predict are the combinations the Argentine chefs cook them into: Patagonian lamb comes in a calafate (berry) sauce, rainbow trout is dressed in smoked goat cheese, and the brownies come with a Cabernet coulis. Wild boar and venison are also on the cards, but there’s also a plain old parrillada (mixed grill) if you’re not feeling, um, game.
reviewed
-
Masay
While Masay appears to have your standard Chilean sandwich/pizza restaurant menu, it does everything better than standard. It's very clean, offers fast service, serves oversized and always quality sandwiches, and abundantly topped pizzas. For those who are tired of the southern 'red meat served with red meat' diet, it offers top-rate chicken sandwiches made with breast meat and individual vegetarian pizzas that are a meal in themselves.
reviewed
-
H
Restaurant Majestic
The chef at Santiago’s only Indian restaurant is Bangladeshi and the menu revolves around rich northern dishes like Rogan Josh, tandoori meats and breads. There’s a good selection of vegetarian curries, but let them know if you like yours hot. Predictably decorated with elephant statues and batik tablecloths, it’s inside the Majestic Hotel.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
I
Retro’s Pub
- Ancud, Chile
- Restaurants › Pub
This cozy spot rides the fence between restaurant and pub, serving up the usual suspects plus Tex–Mex, killer burgers and a small veggie menu (though we’re not sure what the chicken Caesar salad is doing there). As far as bars go, this is the town classic for an atmospheric drink, a pretty perfect spot in light of the weather.
reviewed
-
J
La Luna
This local favorite, known for fresh seafood dishes and a lively, colorful atmosphere, is becoming a little too touristy – but non-Spanish-speaking travelers will appreciate the multilingual staff when trying to decide between scallops stewed in garlicky sauce and chupe de centolla (crab casserole).
reviewed
-
La Maga
There is a parrilla for every budget on Fresia between Gerónimo de Alderete and the plaza, but this Uruguayan steakhouse stands out for its bife de chorizo and house-cut fries. It’s not the cheapest, but there’s a consensus it’s the best with bang-on service to boot.
reviewed
-
K
Trawen
Like everywhere else in town, there’s an outfitter element to this innovative and wonderfully casual deli that churns out some of Pucón’s most interesting flavor combinations: ravioli with Roquefort and roasted apples, Antarctic krill empanadas. It’s kind of a writer hangout, too.
reviewed
-
L
La Olla
Serving the best seafood in town, this place packs in locals and tourists alike. The ceviche caribeño, with salmon and congrio, is a meal in itself, as is the caldillo (broth). Don't pass up the cilantro (coriander) and garlic bread spread.
reviewed
-
M
Tiramisú
Bright murals, rough-hewn tables and cheerful red-checked cloths set the tone at this busy pizzeria that's perennially popular with locals. You'll spend more time choosing one of the myriad thin-crust pizzas than wolfing it down.
reviewed
-
N
El Huerto
This earthy restaurant's healthy, vegetarian-focused fare is a big hit with both hip young things and ladies who lunch. Come for egg-white omelets, strawberry smoothies, quinoa salads and wonderfully rich desserts with café au lait.
reviewed
-
O
Café del Patio
Locals rave about the superfresh vegetarian specialties at this cute eatery, where the best tables are clustered in a brightly painted courtyard. As well as tofu- and seitan-based stir-fries, there are salads, sandwiches and a few fish options.
reviewed
-
P
Africa
With the giant model elephants trampling on the roof, Africa's facade wins no prize for subtlety. Nor does its food for that matter, all hearty Chilean staples, but it's fun and worth a trip for the kitsch novelty value.
reviewed
-
Q
Donde El Gordito
From the same family that owns the more famous La Olla, this smaller and cheaper (and some say better) seafood spot in the Mercado Municipal does wonderful things with crab sauce. It’s rich, but excellent.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
R
Tata's Pub
It doesn't look like much, but this long thin pub, with '80s music videos blaring, serves surprisingly good food: especially Chilean rabbit and goat dishes, as well as pizza and burgers.
reviewed
-
S
Entremasas
Prawn and mushroom in a cheese-cilantro sauce; ground beef and bacon seasoned with merquén; chorizo and goat’s cheese…Who knew empanadas got this interesting?
reviewed
-
T
OH! Salad Garden
Calorie-counters swear by this inexpensive and healthy lunchtime buffet, where a team of chefs washes, tosses and stirs an impressive range of salad dishes.
reviewed
-
U
Daniella II
Numero Dos is a plain-faced local favorite serving hearty portions of Chilean comfort food. The fresh seafood is especially tasty.
reviewed
-
V
La Marmita
Recently revamped, this classic bistro enjoys wild popularity for its lovely, casual ambience and tasty fare. Besides fresh salads and hot bread, hearty dishes such as casseroles or seafood hark back to grandma’s cooking, Chilean style. There’s also a new take-out service.
reviewed