Showing 1-21 of 21 results
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Astrid y Gastón
Astrid y Gastón is one of the most critically acclaimed restaurants in South America, the offshoot of a successful restaurant of the same name in Lima, Peru. Blending old European influences (Astrid) with South American (Gastón), its exclusive fusion cuisine is among the most refined you will find anywhere, not just in this city. The Patagonian lamb shanks are something to savor and the service is impeccable. Book ahead.
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Bar Nacional
Don't be deceived by the unprepossessing exterior - this is no run-of-the mill diner-style fuente del soda . The traditional bow-tied waiters bustle efficiently, carrying national dishes such as pastel de choclo (maize casserole) and grilled fish. Although its reputation means the prices are slightly inflated, it's a lively, colorful place to have lunch and the juices are surprisingly good. A second branch is at Paseo Huérfanos 1151.
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Bar Restaurant de la Unión
Bar Restaurant de la Unión is an established downtown eatery that is full of bustle, atmosphere, old boy waiters in bow ties and stacks of dusty wine bottles. The meals, although slightly oily, are good-value and heftily proportioned.
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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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Camino Real
Few places in the city give as spectacular a vista over the Santiago metropolis as Camino Real. The cuisine isn't bad either (although the view adds a few dollars), but it's the shimmering street lights below that will really grab you during your evening meal. The range of beverages at the adjoining wine bar is excellent. Access is through the Pedro de Valdivia entrance of the Parque Metropolitano.
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Confitería Las Torres
This enchanting old-school bar/restaurant has seen many notables dine in its agreeable surroundings, and has even witnessed the birth of a favorite national dish - former president Barros Luco used to swear by a beef and melted cheese sandwich, the meal that now bears his name throughout the country. More recently, opera singer Placido Domingo discovered the delights of the pisco sour here. It's relatively pricey, but worth every peso. Live tango music is played here on weekends.
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Don Victorino
The hippest place on the Lastarria strip, Don Victorino is adorned with vivid modernist artwork. There are occasional gaps in the wine list but the culinary specialties from all over South America compensate.
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Donde La Elke
Donde La Elke is full of rustic charm. The brightly colored cozy café is one of the best value places in Bellavista and includes a set menu every day.
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El Caramaño
Just getting into El Caramaño feels like a discovery - you have to ring the bell at an unpromising looking door outside. The walls are covered in graffiti, but higgledy-piggledy charm abounds. Extremely good-value Chilean classics are on the menu.
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El Giratorio
Spectacular views and a gently revolving dining hall put a different, er, spin on your evening meal here. The Chilean dishes are nothing special and not cheap, but the shifting panorama makes for a memorable romantic tête a tête, particularly at night. Lunchtime set menus include aperitif, drink, main dish, dessert and coffee.
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El Masticón
Working men and students refuel at this diner-style joint. You'll get no fancy airs and graces here; what you will get are cheap and filling Chilean staples like lomo agregado (beef with side dish).
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El Mesón Nerudiano
The menu here takes inspiration from Neruda's favorite dishes, including the legendary caldillo de congrio (conger fish stew). There are also poetry readings and regular shows such as the traditional cueca dance (try it if you dare), making this elegant restaurant a delight for bohos with cash to splash.
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El Otro Sitio
The atmosphere is low key, the mood relaxed and the waiters are informative and well accustomed to the international crowd at this established Peruvian restaurant. The camarones costanera (Ecuadorian prawns wrapped in chicken) are hard to beat.
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El Tablao
Dine on succulent fish platters to the stomp of flamenco in this vibrant restaurant/live music venue. The salmon cakes topped with mushroom and shrimp sauce are a winner. There is a cover charge for the live weekend dance performances and a weekday lunchtime set menu.
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El Toro
El Toro has transformed this little neighborhood from Bellavista backwater to hip hangout - spend a lunchtime here to spot the soap stars. Great value, colorful, open and rowdy, its tragos (alcoholic drinks) pack a punch, and the Chilean/Argentine cuisine is excellent - try the pastel de jaiba (crab pie).
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Fuente Suiza
Fuente Suiza is a bit like a late-night kebab house and is an enduring working-man's favorite that is rightly famous for some great fried empanadas and large, succulent lomo (pork) sandwiches.
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Galindo
A trendy media crowd still masses in this perennial favorite, where weekend crowds can turn a simple bathroom trip into an epic obstacle course. The menu features dependable Chilean staples. Book ahead for weekends.
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Liguria
A legend on the Santiago restaurant circuit, Liguria has a simple recipe for its incredible popularity: line your walls with pictures and memorabilia, offer a great menu at a surprisingly low price and add a hefty pinch of bohemia and bustle overseen by slick waiters, then watch your locales fill so much that many would-be diners end up disappointed even on a weeknight. The great and the notorious have long flocked to Liguria - a drunken Marcelo Ríos (former world tennis number one) famously caused a kerfuffle here. Book ahead.
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Pérgola de la Plaza
The Chilean seafood and meat dishes are well prepared at Pérgola de la Plaza, but it's the impressive range of cocktails that makes this place stand out. The patio is ideal for people-watching on a lazy sunny day.
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R
The owners of R showed a certain economy of effort with the name, but thankfully don't do the same with the menu. A classy candlelit setting and original dishes (mainly fish) with a Peruvian twist make for a great romantic night out that won't crunch your credit card. There's a reasonable set lunch menu, but it's better in the evening.
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Venezia
Although just about every place in Bellavista claims to have been a favorite of Neruda, Venezia genuinely was. This is one of the few places in the main Pío Nono hub that is worth visiting. Classic Chilean dishes and faded bohemian decor provide a relaxed and family-friendly atmosphere.
Showing 1-21 of 21 results
