South American restaurants in South America
-
A
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
-
B
Bar San Roque
Head back in time to this restaurant with warm turn-of-the-20th-century atmosphere. Since 1905 this fine family has been serving out-of-this-world traditional Paraguayan dishes. The counter displays fresh goods from the family farm - macadamia nuts to fruits - and the wine list is as impressive as the decent menu of pasta to meat dishes. As many locals will attest, a culinary must with service to match.
reviewed
-
C
Nayjama
This appealing three-floor choice serves high-quality traditional Oruro food with a dash of innovation. The servings are huge so ask for half a portion of anything you order. Lamb is the specialty, as is cabeza, the sheep’s head served with salad and dehydrated potatoes. The English menu is slightly more expensive so ask for the Spanish one.
reviewed
-
El Huerto
Set in a lovely secluded garden, this is a favorite spot for Sucre’s people in the know. It’s got the atmosphere of a classy lawn party, with sunshades and grass underfoot; there’s great service and stylishly presented traditional plates (especially the chorizo) that don’t come much better anywhere in the country.
reviewed
-
D
Páprika
One of the ‘in’ spots, this is a block removed from the roar of Av Ballivián, and is a quiet leafy place popular for its food – both Bolivian and international, including tasty baked potatoes and fondues. After dark it becomes a trendy spot for a late drink and is also a good place to meet up with young Bolivians.
reviewed
-
E
Tunari
With the distinction of being the oldest restaurant in the city, this local favorite specializes in the sort of things you either love or hate: grilled kidneys (a patent local hangover cure), tripe and tasty chorizo. But if innards aren’t your thing, there are other typical Cochabamba plates.
reviewed
-
F
Hasta La Vuelta, Señor
Ecuadorian cuisine is prepared with panache at this excellent restaurant with balcony seating. Reliable favorites include ceviche, secos de chivo, tilapia and sea bass.
reviewed
-
G
La Briciola
This longtime favorite has an outstanding and varied menu. The portions are large and the wine is fairly priced. Make a reservation if you hope to eat before 9:30pm.
reviewed
-
H
MAP Café
Inside the gorgeous Museo de Arte Precolombino, this is the city's most sophisticated restaurant and lounge. Outdoor tables with starched white tablecloths sit royally upon a glass-enclosed patio, while attentive waiters pour ruby red glasses of fantastic South American, European and New World wines. The menu ranges from Italianesque salads to Andean steak and guinea-pig confit. The crowd of movers and shakers is always dressed to the nines.
There's live music almost every night. Make reservations for dinner.
reviewed
-
I
La Guayaba Verde
This wonderful comida venezolana hotspot got an upgrade both in space and location, moving from the edgier center to the safe confines of Santa Eduvigis. Here you’ll find Chef Eduardo Castañeda’s healthy-ish takes on his country’s dynamic cuisine, from a Trinidad- and Tobago-influenced curried shrimp wrapped in roti to upscale tequeños, a local staple of bread dough stuffed with white cheese.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
J
La Cocina de Francy
Instead of Spanish fare, this tasca-style restaurant specializes in delicious Venezuelan cuisine rooted in ancestral recipes. Check out the pelao guayanés, a soulful chicken stew laced with herbs and olive oil, or the pabellón criollo, Venezuela’s national dish of rice, black beans, fried plantains and shredded beef. The burlap tablecloths and funky art are a nice touch.
reviewed
-
K
Mercado Central
At the northeast corner of the market, street vendors sell snacks and pastries unavailable in other parts of Bolivia, including delicious crêpe-like panqueques. Breakfast is served out the back, other cheap meals are upstairs, and you’ll find fresh juices are in the produce section. Don’t miss the huge bakery and sweets section off Bolívar.
reviewed
-
L
La Castañuela
Located on a particularly busy corner of Las Mercedes, this is an updated drive-up version of a traditional tasca (Spanish-style bar-restaurant) with a boisterous atmosphere enhanced by freely flowing scotch and lounge singers. The waiters seem constantly in motion, toting enormous pans of paella or trays of tapas to big groups of revelers.
reviewed
-
Yolanda's Chicha de Yamor
Open from late August to mid-September during festival time, Yolanda Cabrera serves delicious local fare such as tortillas de maiz (corn tortillas), mote (hominy), empanaditas (Spanish pies) and the local favorite of fritada (fried pork). Of course, the real attraction is her chicha de yamor.
reviewed
-
Hajillo’s
A block west and half a block north of the plaza, this small chef-managed restaurant offers some adventurous culinary hybrids of Venezuelan and Asian fare, with assuredly aphrodisiacal ingredients. Try the mango rice for a true experience: curried chicken and rice comes along with a cornucopia of flavor enhancers to mix in. Perfection!
reviewed
-
Doña Eugenia
Potosí residents swear by this convivial local restaurant at the northern end of town. Head there early (around 10am is best) to make sure you get some of the legendary kala purca (thick maize soup with a hot rock in it). Other specialties include a hearty pork stew (fricasé) only served on Sunday.
reviewed
-
M
La Canoa
Near Mera, this highly regarded restaurant from Guayaquil is your best opportunity to try Ecuadorian delicacies without emptying your wallet: there’s sopa de verde (plantain soup), caldo de manguera (tripe soup that’s said to be an aphrodisiac), bandera (a mixed seafood plate) and other treats.
reviewed
-
El Viejo y El Mar
This ramshackle restaurant is suffused with a carefully calculated rustic-hip atmosphere - its candlelit walls are adorned with fishing nets, wine bottles, lanterns and guitars, and a friendly dog roams from room to room. You're offered whatever they're serving that night, with fish and wine sure to feature prominently.
reviewed
-
N
Casa de Campo
A Cochabamba classic, this loud and cheerful partly open-air restaurant is a traditional spot to meet, eat, and play cacho (dice). There’s a big range of Bolivian dishes and grilled meats; the food is fine (and piled high on the plates), but the lively, unpretentious atmosphere is better.
reviewed
-
O
Aray Restaurant
Aray Restaurant has long been Guayamerín's most popular restaurant, though it is certainly not the cleanest or most attractive option in town. The menu has the same standard meat, chicken and fish dishes found anywhere, but its large dining area can fill to overflowing at lunchtime.
reviewed
Advertisement
-
P
La Escarcha
La Escarcha is a family-run eatery serving simple meals in a pleasant indoor dining area, and at wood tables set up on the sidewalk facing the plaza. Go light with a couple empanadas and a freshly blended fruit smoothie, or fill up on with grilled beef with rice, beans and salad.
reviewed
-
Q
Casablanca
Both restaurant and bar, this spot is popular with both locals and visitors and always has a busy buzz. As one might expect, there are dodgy Bogart murals on the walls. The place also offers a large range of international dishes, and drinks until late. Service is very poor.
reviewed
-
R
Cucurucho de Santa Clara
Aimed squarely at tourists and affluent quiteños, this gourmet restaurant occupies the historic Santa Clara market building, with elegant tables interspersed beneath adobe brick arches. It's Ecuadorian cuisine at its finest. Go for the Sunday buffet for a real treat.
reviewed
-
La Posada Restaurant
This comfortable hotel also has one of Sucre's most appealing spots for a meal or a drink, offering elegant indoor and outdoor seating around its stone-flagged courtyard. There are tasty fish and meat dishes, pastas and salads, various set meals, and good-natured service.
reviewed
-
S
Restaurante La Atarraya
This classic dining hall is named after a store that operated here in the 19th century, when the plaza functioned as the city market. Comida criolla staples like cachapas and roast chicken are served at the counter or in the wood-lined dining area.
reviewed
