Fusion restaurants in South America
-
A
Zazá Bistro Tropical
Inside an art-filled and whimsically decorated converted house, Zazá serves satisfying dishes with Eastern accents, and uses organic ingredients when possible. Two favorites: curry chicken with coconut milk and basmati rice; and semi-raw tuna with vegetables, grilled shrimp and passion fruit sauce. Upstairs, diners lounge on throw pillows, while candles glow along the walls. You can also sit at one of the tables on the front.
reviewed
-
B
La Nieta
The wonderful staff prepares and serves a changing menu of delectable regional specialties, creative pastas and house recipes. Be sure to save room for dessert. Check out the lovely upstairs terrace, which catches breezes and gives ample people- watching ops on the street below.
reviewed
-
C
La Trattoria del Monasterio
A helping of epicurean delight has descended upon the Monasterio de Santa Catalina. The menu of Italian specialties was created with the help of superstar Peruvian chef Gastón Acurio, and is infused with the flavors of Arequipa. Reservations are essential.
reviewed
-
D
Azafrán
It’s hard to figure out what’s the bigger draw here – the rustic-chic decor, the small but creative menu or the extensive wine list. Who cares? Enjoy them all.
reviewed
-
E
Pronto Dalicatessen
Eating here is like having sex for the first time: definitely experimental, shockingly foreign, but surprisingly delicious in the end. When the restaurant's name contains an Italian 'Pronto' and a punned 'Dalicatessen', you know you're in for a surreal fusion. Think goat ravioli with Asian curry sauce or quinoa spaghetti with coca béchamel sauce, and you get the sensation.
The climax has to be the 'Paranoia of textures and tastes of Daliano chocolate'. Coupled with the discreet cover song of Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' (we kid you not), you'll agree that, for a high price, this restaurant is the place to be sated.
reviewed
-
F
Platillos Voladores
The food at Platillos Voladores (literally 'flying saucers') is out of this world, combining spicy, sweet, sour and savory in novel ways. A mecca for the city's foodies, the chef takes fusion to new heights, borrowing inspiration from Asian, European and indigenous Colombian cuisines. The decor, too, is both colorful and eclectic.
There's also a small store on the premises that sells bottled versions of the restaurant's complex sauces and chutneys, many of which feature exotic produce from the surrounding Cauca valley.
reviewed
-
G
Afrigonia
Outstanding and wholly original, you won’t find Afro-Chilean cuisine on any NYC menu. This romantic gem was dreamed up by a hardworking Zambian/Chilean couple. Fragrant rice, fresh ceviche and mint roasted lamb are prepared with succulent precision. Next door, a small takeout business of the same name sells wraps and salads which lack the flair of the restaurant.
reviewed
-
H
Pachamama
This warm and delightful restaurant-bar features a glass roof, plant-filled interior garden, fireplace, pool table, table tennis, art on the walls and giant chessboard on the floor. It’s a hip, fun and popular locale that may have live music and dancing at weekends (not folklórico !). The menu is Peruvian and international with a Swiss twist.
reviewed
-
I
Térèze
Under the command of French chef Damien Montecer, Térèze provides a memorable dining experience. All the elements are there, from the inventive menu (char-grilled octopus with couscous salad, black risotto with seafood, macadamia-crusted veal tenderloin), to the suggested wine pairings and the superb views over the city. Even the design is green – tables and artwork are made from reclaimed lumber and recycled materials.
reviewed
-
J
IncAbar
This stylishly low-slung, cheerily chic restaurant does creative international food with a local twist. The massive Andean platter – bread, chips, to-die-for olives, cheese, ham, avocado and more – is a favorite. A deservedly popular stop on the Gringo Trail, as evidenced by the pinboard full of expat business cards on the front wall.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
K
La Comédie Art-Cafe Restaurant
Cruise in to this ship-shape place (note the building) – it’s hard to beat for its bar and restaurant ambience, food and French je ne sais quoi. The chocolate mousse is not to be missed. The experience isn’t the cheapest, but it’s the perfect place to anchor yourself at any time.
reviewed
-
L
Monte Rosa/Inca Pub
This warm, snug Swiss-run restaurant has an Alpine vibe; it does an international menu that includes fondue and raclette (melted cheese over potatoes or bread) as well as pizzas and Peruvian plates. If it’s full, service can be slow. The owner also sells Victorinox Swiss army knives.
reviewed
-
M
Trapiche Adelaide
One of Salvador's finest restaurants serves creative and delectable cuisine in a lovely setting overlooking the bay. Top-notch service, fine views and unique flavors (octopus carpaccio, lamb chops, sesame-crusted tuna with wasabi) mean you'll be dining among Salvador's A-list crowd.
reviewed
-
N
Santa Gula
This remarkable restaurant, hidden at the end of a leafy court, serves up creative Brazilian-fusion dishes like shrimp with apricots and cashew-encrusted salmon. It doubles as a showcase of homegrown crafts - and you can literally take home the table you ate on.
reviewed
-
Japaiano
At the lovely Hotel da Praça, this chic restaurant and lounge serves Japanese-Bahian fusion with surprising success. There are enticing cocktails, giving prominence to Brazil’s tropical fruits, and picture-perfect garden seating.
reviewed
-
Paquita Siu
Worth going out of your way for, this Asian fusion restaurant specializes in hard-to-find Thai and Japanese favorites like pad thai and sushi. It lies directly behind the department store Saga Falabella on Av Ejército.
reviewed
-
O
Figueira Rubaiyat
Sprawling and luxurious like the ancient fig that graces its outdoor terrace, this top-of-the-line grill-restaurant serves up perhaps Sampa's best meat, plus other delicacies from fresh oysters to foie gras with figs.
reviewed
-
P
de Sánchez
San Juan’s snootiest restaurant is actually pretty good. It has a creative menu with a smattering of seafood dishes, an adequate wine list (featuring all the San Juan heavy hitters) and a hushed, tranquil atmosphere.
reviewed
-
Q
D.O.M.
Foie gras with a crust of wild rice? Gnocchi with oxtail sauce? Duck breast with banana? This small and deceptively casual Italo-French restaurant serves up some of the finest food in Sampa, which is saying a lot.
reviewed
-
R
Mestiço
Both the creative menu and the colorful-yet-chic design are a delightful combination of Brazilian and Asian influences, from Bahian fritters to Thai curries. Mestiço attracts an upscale, artsy crowd.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
S
Oscar Café
New but already a Jardins classic, this restaurant-café is a world unto itself, with natural-wood decor, a pretty waterfall, excellent coffee and baked goods, and creative Brazilian-fusion mains.
reviewed
-
T
La Mira
Delicious, innovative dishes in a relaxed environment. Each dish comes as a full meal (some with side orders of vegetables) and there’s a small but respectable wine list.
reviewed
-
U
L'Aperô
The French-born owner has created a relaxed, Sampa-style bistro that serves up big portions of classic French dishes with Brazilian inflections, plus creative and delicious salads.
reviewed
-
V
Merlin O Mago
At this candlelit restaurant with only eight tables, the globetrotting German chef and his Japanese wife have created a delightful fusion of Brazilian, Asian and European flavors.
reviewed
-
Diego's
Formal waiters, faded wallpaper and a casual clientele make this Loja classic a rather surreal place. Plates include garlic chicken, pastas, lasagna and filet mignon.
reviewed