Café restaurants in Chile
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A
Vinilo
From bakers to butchers to effortlessly hip resto-bar: the mismatched tile floor tells the story of the many incarnations of this Cerro Alegre institution. Sandwiches and chocolate-and-raspberry cake seduce during the day. Later, quirky Chilean fare takes center stage. As the last plates are licked, the namesake vinyl gets turned up and things slips into bar mode.
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El Living
Indulge in the London lounge feel of this chill café with proper vegetarian fare, stacks of European glossies and a stream of eclectic tunes. In addition to real coffee, tea and fresh juice, organic salads, burritos and soups are served. Wine and local beer are also at the ready. Choose a comfy chair or check out the new garden space.
reviewed
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B
La Última Frontera
This bohemian café is the kind of place Valdivia needs more of, hidden away in a restored mansion among a battalion of trees and cutting-edge art. Creative sandwiches, fresh juices and a chill vibe day and night courtesy of the town’s hip artistic front make it a must-stop. If they had rooms, you’d never need to leave.
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C
Confitería Torres
One of Santiago’s oldest cafés wears its history on its sleeve. Golden oldies play on the radio, aging waiters attend with aplomb, and the green-and-white floor tiles are worn from use. Former president Barros Luco always ordered a steak and melted cheese sandwich here – the dish now bears his name throughout Chile.
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D
Boulevard
Laid-back streetside café without, and smooth Gallic restaurant within, this is the place to relax and let the world traipse by. On offer are delicious fondues, pizzas, crepes and enormous salads with zesty dressings. Service is hit or miss, but the fixed lunch is definitely worth it. There’s occasional live music.
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E
Café Export
This is a funky cavelike spot with an intimate interior: low candlelit tables, roaring fire and prehistoric-style daubing on the walls. Despite off-putting touts hovering on its doorstep, and the loud music, it is hugely popular for strong coffee, homemade pasta and decent pizzas.
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F
Poema Café
You come to this café in the Biblioteca Nacional more for the grand surroundings than the food - it's like having lunch on the set of Dangerous Liaisons. The dishes all have literary themes and it is equally good for a caffeine pit stop and a relaxed read.
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G
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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Restaurant La Bomba
Pass the shiny red engine to reach this unpretentious café in the local fire station. If you can’t find it, listen for its deafening siren at noon. There’s nothing particularly spectacular about the food, which focuses on Chilean fare, but you can’t beat the setting.
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I
Kalabaza
Stylish in an edge-of-the-civilized-world Puerto Montt type way, Kalabaza is more attractive than most other cafés in town, with sandwiches, Kuntsmann and fixed-price lunches (with lots of vegetarian options). The lunches and cruditos are more than filling.
reviewed
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Café Escondido
Literally 'the hidden café,' Café Escondido really is tucked away in an alcove. Within its welcoming, simple candlelit interior you can get cheap lager and decent snacks - try the canapé de champiñones (mushrooms in garlic sauce).
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K
Café Oliver
There are few frills in this branch of a small regional chain of cafés, but you get reasonable sandwiches at a palatable price. It's small and smoking is allowed, which may bother some. It functions more as a bar later in the evening.
reviewed
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L
Schop 21
This plain-faced café hogs a corner of the city's main pedestrian mall, onto which it spills in a haphazardly shaded patio. It offers condiment-heavy sandwiches, pizzas, coffee and lager to keep people-watchers fed and watered.
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M
Tortas y Tartas
Relax on the open-air terrace with a beer or head here for a late breakfast and some of the best coffee in town. The food is surprisingly good, featuring an eclectic mix from teriyaki chicken to a salad topped with fresh salmon.
reviewed
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N
Tavelli Café
Tavelli has bagged a prime location in this opulent high-ceilinged venue right next to the Teatro Municipal in a well-heeled, cultural pocket of downtown. Its prices are steep, but the cakes are quite scrumptious.
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O
Salón de Té Rhenania
Just upstairs from a bakery that wafts out enticing smells, this tea room is bright and breezy and serves up a variety of empanadas, most fried, but all absolutely enormous. Sandwiches are equally good and large.
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Bon Apetit
Caffeine addicts rejoice! Forget the ubiquitous Nescafe for a moment and indulge in a decent cappuccino with sticky pastries at this twee little coffee shop. It also serves a tempting choice of set menus.
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Q
Veracruz Cosas del Mundo Café
Veracruz Cosas del Mundo Café fosters about as cultured an atmosphere as it's possible to get inside a shopping mall. Coffees and a slice of mouthwatering pastel (cake) are a bargain.
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R
Café Migas
Meaning 'Café Crumbs' this cheery restaurant serves empanadas, pizzas and cakes, plus a lunch special. Best of all, the owner speaks English and likes helping travelers enjoy the Osorno area.
reviewed
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S
Café Abarzúa
A scaffolded mezzanine lends an industrial look to things here. The coffee, tea and cakes are the main attractions, but the temporary exhibitions by local art students might also catch your eye.
reviewed
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Café Mamusia
Has an array of cakes, all fresh, good and not overly sweet. The regular menu has a good mix of Chilean and German specialties, plus sandwiches, all served in the usual doily and floral decor.
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Color Café
On Cerro Concepción, this bright, cozy place prepares delicious vegetarian food, coffee, many different types of tea and lovely hot chocolate, all served in literary, arty surrounds.
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Naif
Tucked away on an easily missed pedestrian street, this is a funky little café-cum-bar with curly ironwork chairs, sharp art and occasional live music. Happy hour runs from 8pm to 11pm.
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Peperone
The empanada is king (try the cheese and asparagus) at Peperone, a romantic little candlelit café that also serves tea, coffee, good beers (including Kuntsmann) and fresh juices.
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Cafe Colombia
If you're fed up with Nescafe, feast your taste buds on Colombia's finest coffee at this ever buzzing café. They also do ambrosial iced juices and decadent ice-cream concoctions.
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