Other restaurants in Chile
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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
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B
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
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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
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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
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D
La Marmita
Unbeatable for its ambience as well as its tasty fare, Marmita has fresh salads and hearty, home-cooked creations.
reviewed
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Natura
Fresh, natural ingredients are creatively combined into salads or simple grilled fish and chicken dishes.
reviewed
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E
Govinda
Though this intimate restaurant owned by a Spanish expatriate suffers from perpetual identity crises (first Italian, this Chilean-Spanish fusion with Indian accents, now changing to straight-up Spanish tapas and downsizing the prices), there remains one constant worth visiting for: the roasted eggplant in a house-made ricotta, tomato and yogurt sauce, an innovative dish that sends your palette dancing after mucho travel in southern Chile. The artisanal homebrew is also excellent.
reviewed
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Afrigonia
Don’t doubt it – even though the Afro-Patagonian wave has yet to hit mainstream, this romantic restaurant is easily the best in town. Diners delight in the innovation and attention to detail. Combine Papas tsavo (crisp fried new potatoes in herb sauce) with kayapas (curried chicken stuffed with spinach and mashed peanuts). Or try mint roasted lamb. There is no way to lose. It’s run by a friendly Zambian-Chilean couple.
reviewed
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Cassís
This sleek café is swamped for breakfast and onces (afternoon tea), but it also does multigrain sandwiches, chocolate fondue, pizza, an endless array of coffees and an entirely too tempting cornucopia of deserts (it’s also a chocolatería). If you don’t eat here, stop by for the decadent Crepe Cassìs, a milk caramel crepe buried under scoops of chocolate and dulce de leche ice cream and a caramel brownie.
reviewed
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Tablón del Ancla
This soccer-fueled, caricature-walled bar-restaurant on prime Plaza de Armas real estate has a great bunless hamburger de lo pobre (hold the eggs), but insanity surrounds the parilla mixta, a mountain of mixed grilled meats served in a flame-contained bucket that feeds you, four friends and your unborn child for CH$18,500. They throw in pisco sours, too, just in case you need something to wash it all down.
reviewed
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Tradiciones Zuny
Temuco’s best-kept secret is an underground local’s haunt specializing in the fresh, simple food of the countryside served out of an indigenous-themed home. There’s no menu – a typical meal here might include salad, beef cazuela (stew), pumpkin and quinoa, plus whole-wheat sopaipillas (traditional fried dough), bread and avocado juice (try it!), all for around CH$2000. You’re welcome.
reviewed
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El Balcón
This stylish, all-wood urban café is a little too hip for Muerto Montt. Chilax tunes stream overhead as contemporary spins on classic dishes like humitas del mar (corn cooked in tusks with king crab and shrimp) and revolutionary sopaipillas (fried batter bread) with spicy ají and eggless mayonnaise delight the palettes of the artistic and culturally inclined crowd that gathers here.
reviewed
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H
La Casona
La Casona has been around for a long time. In its current incarnation, this rambling open-air restaurant has tip-top cuisine, focusing on international faves – try the veggie pasta, it’s excellent – with speedy service, a wine room up front and occasional live music. And then there’s those San Pedro stars blaring their cosmic orchestra overhead – can’t get much better than that.
reviewed
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I
Luna China
This bi-level ‘Cantonese’ restaurant in an elegant residence on Alemania does a shockingly good Mongolian beef (not Cantonese) and other Chinese specialties such as Peking Duck (not Cantonese) amid Bruce Lee lookalike statuettes and typically beige decor. Someone actually returned to ask how everything was a few minutes after delivering the starter – a miracle in Sur Chico.
reviewed
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Imperial 605
This historic house above the costanera is dressed in sexy reds, saucy blacks and hardwood ceilings, upping the style ante in town. The food follows suit – lentil burgers with curry and grilled goat cheese, pork medallions in red wine reduction with mushroom and fava bean risotto – taking Puerto Varas to new culinary heights without sacrificing flavor for fashion.
reviewed
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Café Bistro de la Barra
Worn old floor tiles, a velvet sofa, 1940s swing and light fittings made from cups and teapots make a quirky-but-pretty backdrop for some of the best brunches and onces in town. The rich sandwiches include salmon-filled croissants or Parma ham and arugula on flaky green olive bread, but make sure you save room for the perfectly firm, berry-drenched cheesecake.
reviewed
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J
Opera
From the first mouthful of foie gras to the last smear of crème brulée, the food at Opera bears the mark of classic French cooking, but it’s made with the best Chilean ingredients. Hefty mains include lamb shank in a Cabernet reduction or the perfectly pink veal ribchop in a buttery béarnaise. The upstairs sister bar, Catedral, does simpler but equally excellent food.
reviewed
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Picadillo
One of Antofagasta’s best, this highly recommended restaurant has great service, an eclectic menu featuring steak and seafood, and although it’s a bit of a splurge, it’s well worth it. The only drawback is its location on busy Av Grecia; this said, the warm dark-wood interior invites you to stay awhile, and enjoy that fancy dinner you were talking about.
reviewed
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Zuca Restobar
The hippest of the many restaurants on this street, Zuca’s small but intriguing menu includes squid-ink fettuccini with razor clams and squid or grilled fish on mashed potatoes infused with merkén (a Mapuche spice mix made of smoked chilli and coriander seeds). Pastel stucco walls and old movie posters strike just the right side of kitsch.
reviewed
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Pinpilinpausha
There’s a friendly, family feel to this Basque restaurant. The trademark fish dishes typically involve heavy sauces – try the merluza austral (hake in creamy artichoke) or corvina a la Donostiarra (a peppery sea bass). Add fuel to the fire by ordering a rich crema catalana (Spanish-style crème brulée) for dessert.
reviewed
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La Mesita Grande
Happy diners share one long worn table that is not unlike a post-trek feeding trough. But it’s kind of gourmet. The thin-crust pizzas are outstanding, with toppings like arugula and prosciutto or lemon-spiked salmon. Plus there are quality pastas and organic salads from a local greenhouse. Look for local Baguales beer, available on tap.
reviewed
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Tololo Pampa
A happening tablas joint. The hottest culinary trend to hit Chile since adding mayo to mussels, tablas are cutting boards adorned with anything from meats and cheeses to ceviche and sushi. Enjoy them on the open-air back patio with rough-hewn furniture and an outdoor fireplace. Come for drinks and late-night snacks.
reviewed
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L
Gohan Sushi
This trendy sushi spot offers some innovative rolls (shrimp pil-pil, avocado and onions) and a soundtrack to get your hips shaking. The two Happy Hour pisco sours for CH$1700 make for a nice chaser. If you stay within these walls, Temuco suddenly starts to feel a little Temucool. Prices are discounted at lunch.
reviewed
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Enjoy del Mar
A sunset drink here should be on everyone’s Viña to-do list – there are panoramic views of the Pacific from its terrace above the mouth of the Marga Marga. The ice-cream bar includes kooky flavors such as pisco sour and Coca-Cola. You get cheaper food but lesser views from the branch along the waterfront, Enjoy Café on Av Perú.
reviewed
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El Rey del Marisco
There’s a perfect balance of whimsical aquatic art and colorful tablecloths at this don’t-miss seafooder. There are 29 types of fish and the chef has worked all over Chile. Start with the near-perfect pisco sours and shellfish empanadas, move on to congrio, salmon, trout, lenguado or corvina prepared numerous ways.
reviewed
