Chile Food and Drink
Chilean cuisine reflects the country's geography — long coastline, fertile valleys and rugged south. Seafood is outstanding, with Pacific fish and shellfish forming the backbone of many traditional dishes. Central Chile produces abundant fruit, vegetables and wine, while the south contributes hearty stews and smoked meats.
Meals are generally straightforward and generous rather than elaborate. Lunch is traditionally the main meal of the day. Dinner tends to be later, particularly in cities, though not as late as in some other Latin American countries. Bread is served widely and often accompanies most meals.
Chile is one of the world's major wine producers, and local wines are widely available and affordable. Pisco, a grape-based spirit, is central to national identity and appears frequently in cocktails, most famously the pisco sour.
Specialities
Empanadas: Baked or fried pastry parcels typically filled with beef, onions, olives and egg, or with seafood and cheese.
Pastel de choclo: A comforting baked dish of minced beef and chicken topped with a sweet corn purée crust.
Ceviche: Fresh raw fish cured in citrus juice with onions and coriander, particularly popular along the coast.
Curanto: A traditional southern dish from Chiloé combining seafood, meat and potatoes, often cooked over hot stones.
Completo: A Chilean-style hot dog piled high with avocado, tomato and mayonnaise.
Carmenère: A red wine grape variety closely associated with Chile, producing smooth, fruit-forward wines.
Pisco sour: A cocktail made from pisco, lime juice, sugar and egg white, shaken to a frothy finish.
Terremoto: Literally "earthquake", a potent drink made from sweet wine, pineapple ice cream and grenadine.
Mote con huesillo: A non-alcoholic summer drink made from dried peaches and husked wheat in sweet syrup.
Tipping
A service charge of around 10% is commonly added to restaurant bills. It is customary to accept this if the service has been satisfactory. In cafés and bars, rounding up the bill is normal.
Drinking age
18 years old.