20 Best Places to Eat in Chile: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Chilean gastronomy is a rich celebration of fresh Pacific seafood, flavorful native ingredients, and comforting home-style traditions. From high-end fine dining in Santiago to lively oceanfront seafood stalls, eating your way through Chile is an unforgettable journey.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

When dining across Chile, be sure to sample these iconic dishes:

Empanada de Pino: Savory pastry stuffed with minced beef, onions, olives, hard-boiled egg, and raisins.
Calddillo de Congrio: Rich red conger eel soup seasoned with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and herbs.
Pastel de Choclo: Sweet corn casserole baked with a savory meat base.
Curanto: Traditional Chiloé feast of seafood, meats, and potatoes slow-cooked underground.
Completo Italiano: Chilean hot dog loaded with mashed avocado, tomatoes, and mayonnaise.

20 Best Places to Eat in Chile

1. Boragó

Cuisine: Modern Chilean / Indigenous Fine Dining
Location: Vitacura, Santiago
Must-Try Dish: Multi-course seasonal tasting menu
About the Place: Consistently ranked among the world's best restaurants, Chef Rodolfo Guzmán uses native wild ingredients harvested across Chile to craft inventive culinary masterworks.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Boragó

2. Mercado Central

Cuisine: Seafood Market / Chilean Seafood
Location: Downtown Santiago
Must-Try Dish: Caldillo de Congrio or Machas a la Parmesana
About the Place: Housed in a historic 19th-century cast-iron building, this bustling market offers dynamic seafood stalls and casual eateries serving ultra-fresh ocean catches.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Mercado Central

3. Liguria

Cuisine: Traditional Chilean Bar & Bistro
Location: Providencia, Santiago
Must-Try Dish: Carne al Jugo with mashed potatoes or Mechada sandwich
About the Place: A vibrant Santiago institution known for retro bohemian decor, classic Chilean comfort foods, lively music, and an extensive local wine list.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Liguria

4. Restaurant El Hoyo

Cuisine: Classic Chilean Creole / Tavern
Location: Estación Central, Santiago
Must-Try Dish: Pernil (Pork Knuckle) or Terremoto cocktail
About the Place: Open for over a century, this historic eatery serves legendary slow-cooked meats and traditional Chilean drinks in an authentic, rustic atmosphere.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Restaurant El Hoyo

5. Ocean Pacific's

Cuisine: Seafood & Maritime Dining
Location: Santiago
Must-Try Dish: King Crab Legs (Centolla) and Pacific Oysters
About the Place: Decorated like nautical ships and submarine interiors, this unique restaurant delivers spectacular fresh seafood platters surrounded by maritime antiques.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Ocean Pacific's

6. La Pasta Della Mamma

Cuisine: Italian & Chilean Coastal Fusion
Location: Valparaíso
Must-Try Dish: Seafood Fettuccine with local ocean shellfish
About the Place: Perched on Valparaíso's hills, this cozy trattoria combines traditional handmade Italian pasta with fresh coastal catches and spectacular ocean bay views.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Pasta Della Mamma

7. Mar de Historias

Cuisine: Coastal Chilean Seafood & Craft Beer
Location: Cerro Alegre, Valparaíso
Must-Try Dish: Reineta Fish Ceviche
About the Place: Set inside a colorful hillside home, this boutique venue features ocean-inspired seafood dishes, artistic ambience, and warm local hospitality.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Mar de Historias

8. La Cevicheria

Cuisine: Pacific Seafood & Ceviche Bar
Location: Viña del Mar
Must-Try Dish: Mixed Peruvian-Chilean Fresh Seafood Ceviche
About the Place: Located near the beach in Viña del Mar, this popular dining spot specializes in citrus-marinated fresh fish, pisco sours, and crisp white coastal wines.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Cevicheria

9. Angelmó Seafood Market Restaurants

Cuisine: Patagonian & Marine Cuisine
Location: Puerto Montt
Must-Try Dish: Curanto en Olla (Seafood stew)
About the Place: A world-famous harbor market lined with small palafito kitchens serving massive steamy bowls of fresh mussels, clams, salmon, and traditional smoked cheeses.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Angelmó Seafood Market

10. Mercadito de Chiloé

Cuisine: Traditional Chilotan Island Cuisine
Location: Castro, Chiloé Island
Must-Try Dish: Smoked Salmon and Native Potato Cake
About the Place: Located along the Castro waterfront, this charming rustic restaurant celebrates Chiloé's native potato varieties, garlic stews, and fresh island harvests.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Mercadito de Chiloé

11. La Table de Camaño

Cuisine: French-Chilean Fusion
Location: Pucón
Must-Try Dish: Pan-seared Lake Trout with native berry reduction
About the Place: An intimate dining spot in Pucón blending refined French techniques with fresh Southern Chilean lake fish, wild mushrooms, and local forest berries.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Table de Camaño

12. La Marmita

Cuisine: Patagonian Bistro
Location: Punta Arenas
Must-Try Dish: Patagonian Lamb Stew or Guanaco medallions
About the Place: A cozy, colorful bistro serving creative regional Patagonian recipes prepared with local game meats, wild berries, and fresh Straits seafood.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Marmita

13. Santolla

Cuisine: Southern Seafood & Crab Bar
Location: Punta Arenas
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Southern King Crab (Centolla) Chowder
About the Place: Constructed from converted shipping containers, Santolla offers a modern dining experience centered entirely around pristine Patagonian king crab dishes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Santolla

14. El Asador Patagónico

Cuisine: Patagonian Steakhouse & Grill
Location: Puerto Natales
Must-Try Dish: Spit-roasted Cordero al Palo (Patagonian Lamb)
About the Place: Situated right in main square of Puerto Natales, this classic steakhouse roasts whole local lambs over open wood fires inside the dining room.
Explore More: Read our full guide to El Asador Patagónico

15. La Casona de San Pedro

Cuisine: Northern Chilean & Andean Fusion
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
Must-Try Dish: Lomo Saltado or Quinoa Risotto
About the Place: Set in a spacious adobe courtyard, La Casona provides a warm atmosphere to enjoy hearty grilled meats, local grain dishes, and craft beer.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Casona de San Pedro

16. Café Haani

Cuisine: Desert Cafe & Bakery
Location: San Pedro de Atacama
Must-Try Dish: Empanadas with Rica-Rica herbal tea
About the Place: A charming desert cafe serving artisanal coffee, freshly baked empanadas, and pastries seasoned with native desert herbs like Rica-Rica and Chañar.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Café Haani

17. Mestizo

Cuisine: Contemporary Chilean Grill
Location: Parque Bicentenario, Santiago
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Octopus with chimichurri and pastel de choclo
About the Place: Set alongside Parque Bicentenario, Mestizo features striking stone architecture, outdoor park view terraces, and high-end Chilean steak and seafood.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Mestizo

18. Donde El Nano

Cuisine: Chilean Street Food & Sandwich Shop
Location: Vega Central Market, Santiago
Must-Try Dish: Sánguche Lomo Luco (Steak with melted cheese)
About the Place: Tucked inside Santiago's main produce market, this legendary sandwich counter serves massive, juice-dripping Chilean sandwiches piled high with toppings.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Donde El Nano

19. La Cuca

Cuisine: Traditional Parrillada / Barbecue
Location: Santiago Outskirts
Must-Try Dish: Mixed Parrillada Grill Platter
About the Place: A lively destination restaurant famed for festive folk atmosphere, huge portions of open-flame grilled meats, and traditional Chilean music performances.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Cuca

20. Café San Juan

Cuisine: Argentine & Chilean Gastro-Bistro
Location: Barrio Italia, Santiago
Must-Try Dish: Slow-cooked Pork Ribs with rustic potatoes
About the Place: Located in the trendy Barrio Italia district, this buzzing bistro offers punchy flavors, open kitchen theater, generous meat cuts, and artisanal cocktails.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Café San Juan

Featured Image

Traditional Chilean Seafood Feast