Restaurants in South America
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Crepes & Waffles
This chain of restaurants serves, obviously, crepes and waffles, plus salads and a range of desserts. It's a professional operation with a good philosophy - they only hire single mothers and women in need.
reviewed
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B
Zazá Bistrô Tropical
French-colonial decor and delicately spiced cuisine await those venturing inside this charming converted house in Ipanema. Inventive combinations, blending East and West, match the seductive mood inside. Upstairs, diners lounge on throw pillows, with candles glowing along the walls. Those who prefer fresh air can dine on the porch out front.
reviewed
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C
Jack’s Café
The only food outlet in the world that you may consider worth standing in line for, and you will clearly not alone in your appreciation – the ever-present crowd of hungry travelers waiting outside Western-style, Australian-run Jack’s tells you how popular it is. One breakfast here and you’re hooked. You have been warned.
reviewed
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D
Kaupé
For an out-of-body seafood experience, head to this candlelit house. Chef Ernesto Vivian employs the freshest of everything and service is nothing less than impeccable. We can’t leak our faves, since the chef protests that customers always repeat the order! Service is attentive, the wine list extensive and the views of the bay, well, we doubt you’ll bother to notice them. Reservations advised.
reviewed
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E
El Boliche de Alberto
It’s worth dining at this esteemed parrilla simply to see the astonished look on tourists’ faces when a slab of beef the size of a football lands on the table; it’s the AR$46 bife de chorizo (the AR$35 portion is plenty). If the place is full, check out the nearby sister restaurants at Elfein 49 and 158.
reviewed
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Cafecito
A few steps above street level, this open-air café serves imported beers, desserts, cocktails (caipirinhas and mojitos), tapas plates and gourmet sandwiches (with ingredients such as smoked trout, artichoke hearts, prosciutto).
reviewed
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G
Granja Heidi
Follow the pictures of cows upstairs to this light Alpine cafe with terrific fresh produce, yogurts, cakes and other snacks on offer. The hot breakfasts are gigantic, and can satisfy any carnivorous cravings you may have.
reviewed
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Magic Bean
Long the epicenter of the Mariscal, the Magic Bean serves a variety of well-prepared breakfasts, lunches, juices and snacks for the ever-present crowd of hungry travelers.
reviewed
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California Café
Run by Tim, from California no less, this hip pad does breakfasts at any time, plus light lunches and salads – it’s a funky, chilled space to while away many hours. You can spend the day listening to the sublime world music collection or reading one of the hundreds of books available for exchange. Wi-fi is a godsend to laptop junkies and rich espressos and dozens of herbal teas will keep you sipping till closing time. Tim is active in the development of ecotourism in the Cordillera Huayhuash and is a goldmine of information on that area. He organizes ‘ultimate Frisbee’ games every Friday.
reviewed
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Minuteman Revolutionary Pizza
This convivial spot, inside the Toñito Hotel, run by Chris from Boston and his Bolivian wife Sussy, is a deserved travelers’ favorite with the best pizzas in town, tasty alternatives like salads, pastas and sandwiches and fantastic desserts. It’s also a cozy spot for a beer or candlelit glass of Tarija wine or a hearty breakfast (B$20 to B$30) with all you can drink coffee or tea. If you have old sunglasses, you can do a good deed – drop them off here and they’ll be donated to the salt workers in Colchani.
reviewed
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K
Cumaná
This bright, upbeat eatery is one of the only places in town serving traditional dishes from far-flung provinces of Argentina. The hearty criollo (Spanish/Indian) cuisine baking in the adobe oven includes locro, a thick corn-based stew made with meat and vegetables. Don’t miss the humita, a creamy cheese and corn mixture wrapped up in corncob leaves.
reviewed
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L
Las Vacas Gordas
The name means ‘fat cows’ and cow-print paint plasters the outside walls and pavement: if it once said ‘moo,’ it’s on the menu and in hefty portions, too. Your steak sizzles 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. It’s usually packed, so reserve or get there very early.
reviewed
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El Desnivel
Eating at dirt-cheap Desnivel is a rite of passage. The convivial parrilla atmosphere is buoyed by deadpan waiters, a mix of hungry locals and eager tourists, the skill and speed of the overworked guys on the grill, and – of course – the affordable beef, sizzling provoleta (grilled provolone) and fried empanadas.
reviewed
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Campo Bravo
While this chic parrilla (grill restaurant) is a relaxing place to tackle a huge steak or a pasta during the day, at night it's a very different beast indeed. While the staff remain cool, on a busy night you can wait up to an hour for a table - it's the price you pay for hanging with the most stylish crowd in Las Cañitas.
reviewed
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La Puerta Falsa
This is Bogotá’s most famous snack shop – with displayed multicolored candies beckoning you into the tiny spot that’s been in business since 1816. Grab a sticky breva candy, eggs or tamales for breakfast, or sit with chocolate completo (hot chocolate with cheese, buttered bread and a biscuit; COP$4000).
reviewed
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Bacalhau do Tuga
Since opening in 2009, the ‘Tuga’ (Portuguese guy) has been drawing throngs of people to this beachfront hole-in-the-wall, mixing classic Portuguese codfish recipes with local specialties such as peixe grelhado com molho de manga (grilled fish with mango sauce).
reviewed
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P
Los Toldos
Local favorite with perhaps Cuzco’s best salad bar (try the purpley black olive sauce) and an extensive menu of high-class fast food. Most people can’t go past the Peruvian classic cuarto de pollo (quarter of a chicken cooked on a spit), done here to perfection.
reviewed
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Tiestos
Though a hair on the pricey side, one reader claimed they're the best steaks in Ecuador. Formerly known as Las Brasas de San Juan, this grill house is lovely, the owners are friendly and you definitely get what you pay for. Pizzas and pastas too.
reviewed
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Fez
Have you been craving authentic falafel ever since you landed in South America? Step up to the counter here and order yourself a sandwich dripping with juicy goodness. Crêpes are equally delicious. Garden tables are out back.
reviewed
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El Cuartito
Since 1934, this legendary pizzeria has seen local men polishing off slices at the counter and families sharing fresh empanadas (savory-filled pastries) at tables, surrounded by faded images of sportsmen.
reviewed
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Carretão
It’s all about the meat at this inexpensive churrascaria. There is another branch in Ipanema, at Rua Visconde de Pirajá 112.
reviewed
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Cabaña Las Lilas
Porteños are evenly split as to whether this famous eatery is a fantastically overpriced display of hubris or an upmarket example of parrilla perfection. Tellingly, even those who deride this large waterside restaurant won’t hesitate to thumb through the jumbo wine list, especially if the meal’s on someone else’s dime. The fine beef was raised on the restaurant’s own estancia (ranch).
reviewed
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Florín
Rapidly turning into the place to be seen in Sucre, this atmospheric bar-restaurant serves a mixture of typical Bolivian food and international dishes, including a ‘Full English’ breakfast. Popular with locals and gringos alike, who line up along the enormous 13m-long bar (surely the biggest in Bolivia?) at night during the two-for-one happy hour.
reviewed
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Emporio La Rosa
Choco-chilli, 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
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Café Eucalyptus
The irreverent Eucalyptus menu proudly declares that it doesn’t serve ‘customs officials, crazy bus drivers, or airline executives.’ For the rest of us, dozens of Cuban, Vietnamese, Spanish and other reliably delicious international dishes are served at cozy tables near roaring fireplaces, and an extensive variety of wines and beers flow from the gorgeous bar. This wonderful restaurant should cure any gringo’s hankering for home, and, thankfully, it still serves guidebook writers.
reviewed
