Whether you’re a foodie or not, the food you eat on vacation can become some of your favourite memories. It’s a way of experiencing different cultures, relaxing at the end of the day, and finding new flavours. In the Chilean capital, you can find some of the best restaurant in the country, region, and even the world. From experimental to traditional cuisine, from indigenous flavours to fusions, there’s so much for your tastebuds to discover. During your stay in Santiago, you’ll be overwhelmed with choice, but here are our top ten restaurant recommendations for places to eat.
1. Boragó Restaurant
Boragó has twice been included in the world’s top 50 restaurants in recent years and in 2018 the restaurant won the Sustainable Restaurant award. Its chef and owner, Rodolfo Guzman, is at the vanguard of the molecular endemic cuisine in Chile. The food menu varies as much as the wine; everything served in this restaurant is delicately chosen to match the season and the finest produce Chile has to offer. Booking is required and there is often a waiting list, so book well in advance if this restaurant is on your list!
Address: Av. San José María Escrivá de Balaguer 5970, Vitacura, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday from 6:30 p.m. (last reservation at 10:30 p.m)
Reservations (required): https://borago.cl/en/reservations/
2. Ambrosia Restaurant
Regularly on the list of Latin America’s 50 best restaurants, Ambrosia offers a homely atmosphere with Chilean cuisine and international flair. Its food is creative, original, and a treat for the senses.
Address: Pamplona 78, Vitacura, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12:30 pm to 4 pm & 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Sunday & Holidays: Closed
Reservations: https://ambrosia.meitre.com/
3. Peumayen Restaurant
Peumayen is a celebration of the cuisines of Chile’s indigenous communities. From the Aymaras in the northern desert, to the Mapuches in the southern forests, to Rapa Nui in a Pacific island paradise, this food is as diverse as Chile. You can order a-la-cartè or you can also try a tasting menu called “Orígenes” with four different menus that contain nibbles inspired by the different cultures of the country, accompanied by a variety of wines, pisco or creative cocktails. Alternatively, you can sample a second six-course tasting menu with wine pairings from the spectacular Clos des Fous vineyard.
Address: Constitución 136, Barrio Bellavista, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm to 10:45 pm
Sunday: 1:00 pm to 3:30 pm
Reservations: https://www.peumayenchile.cl/reservations
4. Bocanariz
A journey to the senses, this wine bar & restaurant offers pairing with all their meals giving its name, “Mouth-nose”. The menu is designed as a map of flavors with each dish perfectly created to bring out the best of its wine pairing. The magazine Wine Spectator has nominated Bocanariz’s wine menu as one of the best in the world for six years running. If you’re a wine lover, this one is a must.
Address: José Victorino Lastarria 276, Barrio Lastarria, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 12:30 pm to 12:00 am
Thursday to Saturday: 12:30 pm to 12:30 am
Sunday: 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Reservations: http://bocanariz.cl/index.php/reserva/ or contacto@bocanariz.cl
5. Salvador Cocina y Cafe
Located in downtown Santiago, this small restaurant offers a menu based on cuisine from the countryside of Chile at moderate prices. The cuisine specializes in celebrating cuts of meat that usually go to waste and offers ‘menu del día’ (set lunch menu) and lighter options too. This is one of the more humble options on our list, but the same care and attention are paid to the dishes served. If you find yourself in the Lastarria district, visit Salvador’s sister branch, La Salvación.
Address: Bombero Ossa 1059, Santiago Centro, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday & Friday: 8:00 am to 8:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Reservations: Not necessary
6. Liguria Restaurant & Bar
This is the most typical restaurant on our list, offering typical Chilean food like ‘plateada’ (boneless short rib), ‘mechada’ (brisket), ‘pescado frito’ (fried fish), and traditional accompaniments. Wherever you are in Santiago, you won’t be far from Liguria with four restaurants in the most iconic neighborhoods of Santiago.
Address Lastarria: Merced 298, Lastarria Neighborhood, Santiago
Address Manuel Montt: Av. Providencia 1353, Providencia, Santiago
Address Luis Thayer Ojeda: Av. Luis Thayer Ojeda 019, Providencia, Santiago
Address Pedro de Valdivia: Av. Pedro de Valdivia 047, Providencia, Santiago
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12:00 pm to 1:00 am
Reservations: http://www.liguria.cl/
7. Bidasoa Restaurante
The Bidasoa Hotel hosts an excellent restaurant with a great variety of inspired and creative plates. This restaurant is our favourite for vegans and vegetarians with an entirely separate menu offering plant-based dishes. For those who can’t resist seafood or meat, enjoy the Chilean-European fusion menu, including ceviche, paella, and steaks.
Address: Av. Vitacura, 4873, Vitacura, Santiago
Opening Hours:
Breakfast: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Sunday until 11:00 a.m.)
Lunch & Dinner: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Reservations: https://www.hotelbidasoa.cl/restaurantes
8. Silvestre Bistro
Don’t let Silvestre’s humble entrance deceive you. This bistro is full of colourful, fresh dishes with a menu that changes daily to use only the freshest produce. From grilled octopus to hummus and veggies to the Chilean classic, cazuela, this is a must-visit if you find yourself in Barrio Italia.
Address: Tegualda 1509, Ñuñoa, Región Metropolitana, Chile
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30-23:00
Sunday: 12:30-16:00
Reservations: silvestrereservas@gmail.com
9. Lorenza Bistró
This lively bar offers a variety of dishes based on contemporary cuisine and cocktails that look like works of art. We recommend the cocktail called “Merecido Descanso” – you will be surprised!
Address: Alonso de Córdova 3854, Vitacura, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Friday: 6:30 p.m. to 2:45 a.m.
Saturday: 1:30 p.m. to 2:45 a.m.
Sunday: 1:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Reservations (recommended): https://lorenzabistro.cl/book/
10. Lolita Jones
Founded by jazz musicians who fell in love with the restaurant industry in New York, Lolita Jones is a multicultural hub. It offers Mexican street food with original touches and a drink menu that ranges from eccentric liquors to signature creations. Fun, fashionable, and delicious, add this one to your list for something different.
Address: Alonso de Córdova 4355, Vitacura, Región Metropolitana
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12:30 p.m. to 1:00 a.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Reservations (recommended): https://lolitajones.cl/#reservar
