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Tours in Santiago |
Once a culinary backwater, Santiago is now awash with an impressive range of restaurants representing just about every cuisine style available. Whether it's vegetarian, a meat feast or sophisticated international fare you're after, Santiago's restaurant scene has something for you. Chilean wines are excellent and generally a lot cheaper than European varieties. Price indicators give an idea of cost for a three-course meal, excluding wine.
The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over US$40)
$$$ (US$20 to US$40)
$$ (US$10 to US$20)
$ (up to US$10)
The restaurants below have been classed into four different pricing categories:
$$$$ (over US$40)
$$$ (US$20 to US$40)
$$ (US$10 to US$20)
$ (up to US$10)
Gastronomic
Como Água Para Chocolate
It's not just the exquisitely prepared Mexican food that attracts diners here again and again - it's the magic realism and romance of the dining experience. From the moment you walk into the terracotta-hued, earthy environs of the restaurant you know it is not going to be any run-of-the-mill meal out. That's confirmed when your meal of choice is served onto a table shaped like a bed-frame. Shellfish dishes are particularly recommended.
Constitución 88
Tel: (02) 777 8740.
Price: $$$
It's not just the exquisitely prepared Mexican food that attracts diners here again and again - it's the magic realism and romance of the dining experience. From the moment you walk into the terracotta-hued, earthy environs of the restaurant you know it is not going to be any run-of-the-mill meal out. That's confirmed when your meal of choice is served onto a table shaped like a bed-frame. Shellfish dishes are particularly recommended.
Constitución 88
Tel: (02) 777 8740.
Price: $$$
Off the Record
This gourmet option in Bellavista is one of the in places of the moment. Understated yet refined, it quickly became popular as word of its fine cuisine and cultured ambience spread. Even President Michelle Bachelet has been seen sampling the dishes here. In fit with its cultivated image, the restaurant regularly hosts jazz and blues artists, as well as art displays.
Antonia López de Bello 0155
Tel: (02) 777 7710.
Website: www.offtherecord.cl
Price: $$$
This gourmet option in Bellavista is one of the in places of the moment. Understated yet refined, it quickly became popular as word of its fine cuisine and cultured ambience spread. Even President Michelle Bachelet has been seen sampling the dishes here. In fit with its cultivated image, the restaurant regularly hosts jazz and blues artists, as well as art displays.
Antonia López de Bello 0155
Tel: (02) 777 7710.
Website: www.offtherecord.cl
Price: $$$
Trendy
Etniko
This hip Japanese restaurant is impeccably furnished and attracts a young, wealthy crowd. The ambient music adds to the calm, relaxed atmosphere at Etniko, which serves ultra-fresh sushi and stir-fry dishes, with some international choices. This place is so cool that it doesn't even need a sign above the door.
Constitución 172
Tel: (02) 732 0119.
Website: www.etniko.cl
Price: $$$
This hip Japanese restaurant is impeccably furnished and attracts a young, wealthy crowd. The ambient music adds to the calm, relaxed atmosphere at Etniko, which serves ultra-fresh sushi and stir-fry dishes, with some international choices. This place is so cool that it doesn't even need a sign above the door.
Constitución 172
Tel: (02) 732 0119.
Website: www.etniko.cl
Price: $$$
Galindo
With tables and chairs spilling onto the pavement, this goodtime Bellavista restaurant is a hangout of choice for the city's media smart-set. On weekend nights, you'll have to fight for your space and the service is occasionally more frosty than cool. The menu features traditional Chilean dishes at medium prices with generous portions.
Dardignac 098
Tel: (02) 777 0116.
Price: $$
With tables and chairs spilling onto the pavement, this goodtime Bellavista restaurant is a hangout of choice for the city's media smart-set. On weekend nights, you'll have to fight for your space and the service is occasionally more frosty than cool. The menu features traditional Chilean dishes at medium prices with generous portions.
Dardignac 098
Tel: (02) 777 0116.
Price: $$
Zanzibar
Make no mistake - global cuisine has arrived in Santiago, not least at this exotic restaurant. Decked out like a Bedouin tent, this is a fun place for friends to meet and eat before they head out to the bars and clubs. It's located in Vitacura, a bit of a trek from the city centre, but it's worth it to witness the chef's world food creations.
Monseñor Escrivá de Balaguer 6400
Tel: (02) 218 0118.
Website: www.zanzibar.cl
Price: $$$
Make no mistake - global cuisine has arrived in Santiago, not least at this exotic restaurant. Decked out like a Bedouin tent, this is a fun place for friends to meet and eat before they head out to the bars and clubs. It's located in Vitacura, a bit of a trek from the city centre, but it's worth it to witness the chef's world food creations.
Monseñor Escrivá de Balaguer 6400
Tel: (02) 218 0118.
Website: www.zanzibar.cl
Price: $$$
Budget
Café La Isla
An excellent value restaurant with plenty of organic options, this is located in the low-key suburban streets of Ñuñoa. It stretches on far further than you think possible when you go through the doors - more rooms just keep appearing. The cheap lunch specials are worth the trip as is the attractive garden during the summer months.
Irarrázaval 3465
Tel: (02) 341 5389.
Website: www.laislaorganica.cl
Price: $
An excellent value restaurant with plenty of organic options, this is located in the low-key suburban streets of Ñuñoa. It stretches on far further than you think possible when you go through the doors - more rooms just keep appearing. The cheap lunch specials are worth the trip as is the attractive garden during the summer months.
Irarrázaval 3465
Tel: (02) 341 5389.
Website: www.laislaorganica.cl
Price: $
Mercado Central
Choice is not a problem at this wrought-iron fish market and cheap restaurant enclave in central Santiago. You may well be overwhelmed by enthusiastic waiters hawking their particular seafood eatery. Either go for the atmosphere (and higher prices) at Donde Augusto under the high ceilings at the heart of the market,or barter a better deal at one of the smaller places around the periphery.
Mercado Central
Price: $
Choice is not a problem at this wrought-iron fish market and cheap restaurant enclave in central Santiago. You may well be overwhelmed by enthusiastic waiters hawking their particular seafood eatery. Either go for the atmosphere (and higher prices) at Donde Augusto under the high ceilings at the heart of the market,or barter a better deal at one of the smaller places around the periphery.
Mercado Central
Price: $
Venezia
The Nobel prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda used to frequent this place when he lived around the corner. Venezia is an old-fashioned family picada which serves traditional Chilean dishes at low prices - crowds are almost guaranteed.
Pío Nono 200
Tel: (02) 737 0900.
Price: $
The Nobel prize-winning Chilean poet Pablo Neruda used to frequent this place when he lived around the corner. Venezia is an old-fashioned family picada which serves traditional Chilean dishes at low prices - crowds are almost guaranteed.
Pío Nono 200
Tel: (02) 737 0900.
Price: $
Personal Recommendations
El Huerto
El Huerto is generally regarded as the best vegetarian restaurant in Santiago. Its Providencia location means it is popular day and night with customers who are either committed vegetarians or just want a break from the relentless meat fest of the Chilean diet. Even dedicated carnivores are seduced by the menu here. There is also a cheaper adjoining cafe for a quick bite at lunchtime.
Orrego Luco 054
Tel: (02) 233 2690.
Web: www.elhuerto.cl
Price: $$
El Huerto is generally regarded as the best vegetarian restaurant in Santiago. Its Providencia location means it is popular day and night with customers who are either committed vegetarians or just want a break from the relentless meat fest of the Chilean diet. Even dedicated carnivores are seduced by the menu here. There is also a cheaper adjoining cafe for a quick bite at lunchtime.
Orrego Luco 054
Tel: (02) 233 2690.
Web: www.elhuerto.cl
Price: $$
Liguria
You couldn't possibly cram more bustle, bohemia and style into one restaurant - in fact, the owners have realised there is some left over as more branches of this superb, efficient Santiago eating institution keep cropping up around the city. This doesn't seem to have eased the crowds, however - you'll need to show early to be guaranteed a table.
Providencia 1373
Tel: (02) 235 7914.
Website: www.liguria.cl
Price: $$
You couldn't possibly cram more bustle, bohemia and style into one restaurant - in fact, the owners have realised there is some left over as more branches of this superb, efficient Santiago eating institution keep cropping up around the city. This doesn't seem to have eased the crowds, however - you'll need to show early to be guaranteed a table.
Providencia 1373
Tel: (02) 235 7914.
Website: www.liguria.cl
Price: $$
Vacas Gordas
It's difficult to pick out one single reason why this is one of Santiago's most popular eating venues. But the good value, the throng of contented diners in the cavernous eating area, the excellent pisco sours (the nation's favourite cocktail - a sweet, lemon-infused brandy) and the sizzle of fresh meat barbecued on the grill at the front all combine to make this one of the city's most memorable meals out.
Cienfuegos 280
Tel: (02) 697 1066.
Price: $
It's difficult to pick out one single reason why this is one of Santiago's most popular eating venues. But the good value, the throng of contented diners in the cavernous eating area, the excellent pisco sours (the nation's favourite cocktail - a sweet, lemon-infused brandy) and the sizzle of fresh meat barbecued on the grill at the front all combine to make this one of the city's most memorable meals out.
Cienfuegos 280
Tel: (02) 697 1066.
Price: $
View Our Airport Guides for Santiago:
(Santiago) Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport