Santiago’s food scene is no longer just about steak and red wine. The city is currently undergoing a culinary shift, blending old-school Chilean traditions with modern, world-class techniques. You will find Mapuche indigenous ingredients, hyper-fresh seafood from the nearby Pacific coast, and a thriving immigrant-led neighborhood dining culture. Chefs here focus heavily on seasonality and the extreme geography of the country—from the Atacama Desert to the glaciers of Patagonia. Whether you want a 20-course tasting menu or a $5 sandwich in a market, Santiago delivers high-quality ingredients and honest flavors without the pretension.
Must-try dishes in Santiago
- Pastel de Choclo: A savory-sweet corn pie layered with ground beef, chicken, black olives, and hard-boiled eggs. It is a staple of Chilean comfort food.
- Completo Italiano: A Chilean hot dog loaded with tomatoes, sauerkraut, and a massive amount of mashed avocado (palta). The name comes from the red, white, and green colors of the toppings.
- Ceviche: Different from the Peruvian style, Chilean ceviche typically uses finely chopped white fish, cilantro, and lemon.
- Mote con Huesillo: A traditional summer drink made of dried peaches cooked in sugar and cinnamon, served over cooked husked wheat.
- Empanada de Pino: A baked pastry filled with a mixture of minced beef, onions, raisins, a whole olive, and a hard-boiled egg.
- Congrio Frito: Fried conger eel. It is a dense, flavorful white fish famously adored by the poet Pablo Neruda.
Best restaurants for a splurge
If you are looking for the absolute best restaurants in Santiago for a high-end experience, these three spots define the city’s fine dining identity.
Boragó (Vitacura)
Chef Rodolfo Guzmán has made Boragó a fixture on the World’s 50 Best lists. You won't find standard ingredients here. Instead, expect "endemic" products like Patagonian rainberries, desert plants, and milks injected with volcanic minerals. The tasting menu is a theatrical journey through Chile’s diverse biomes. It is expensive, experimental, and essential for serious food travelers.
040 (Providencia)
Hidden inside the Hotel Tinto Boutique, 040 focuses on molecular gastronomy and technical precision. The 12-course tasting menu consists of small, highly visual bites served in a moody, intimate setting. After dinner, try to get access to Room 09, their exclusive rooftop speakeasy. It is one of the most sophisticated dining experiences in the city.
Ambrosía (Vitacura)
Chef Carolina Bazán brings a market-to-table approach that feels more personal than most fine dining. The menu changes constantly based on what is fresh that morning. While the technique is French-influenced, the flavors are distinctly Chilean. The atmosphere is upscale but relaxed, making it a perfect spot for a long, wine-heavy lunch or a celebratory dinner.
Best casual restaurants and local favorites
Where to eat in Santiago when you want quality without the dress code. These are the spots locals frequent for consistent, high-standard meals.
Liguria (Lastarria/Providencia)
Liguria is a Santiago institution. It is a nostalgic, kitschy, and loud bar-restaurant that serves classic Chilean "fuente de soda" food and hearty main courses. Order the arrollado de huaso or a simple plate of mechada (braised beef). The decor is a tribute to Chilean history and the wine list is extensive and fair-priced.
Fuente Alemana (Centro)
This is not a fancy sit-down meal; it is a masterclass in sandwich making. Take a seat at the counter and watch the "maestras" assemble massive lomitos (pork loin) and churrascos (thinly sliced steak). Ask for the "Completo" or the "Italiano." It is fast, efficient, and arguably the best sandwich you will ever eat.
Peumayén Ancestral Food (Bellavista)
Peumayén explores the flavors of Chile’s indigenous cultures, including Mapuche, Aymara, and Rapa Nui (Easter Island). The meal starts with a diverse bread basket reflecting different regional traditions. It is a great way to learn about the country’s pre-colonial history through food. The setting in Bellavista is charming and rustic.
Silvestre Bistro (Barrio Italia)
Located in the heart of the trendy Barrio Italia, Silvestre feels like eating in someone’s very stylish backyard. The menu is written on a blackboard and changes daily. It is vegetable-forward, rustic, and incredibly fresh. It is one of the best casual restaurants in Santiago for a long, sun-drenched Saturday lunch.
Best cheap eats and street food
You don't need a massive budget to find the best restaurants in Santiago. Much of the city’s best flavor is found in its markets and simple stalls.
Galindo (Bellavista)
Galindo is famous for being reliable and cheap. It is where you go for a massive bowl of cazuela (meat and vegetable stew) or pastel de choclo. It is popular with tourists and locals alike, so expect a wait during peak hours. The portions are large enough to share if you aren't starving.
Tirso de Molina Market (Centro)
While tourists flock to the Mercado Central for overpriced seafood, locals go to the second floor of Tirso de Molina. It is a collection of small stalls serving authentic Chilean and Peruvian plates. The prices are unbeatable. Look for the stalls with the most locals sitting on plastic stools.
La Vega Central (Recoleta)
This is Santiago's primary wholesale market. It is chaotic, loud, and incredible. Amidst the piles of fruit and vegetables, you will find small stands selling sopaipillas (fried pumpkin dough) and fresh empanadas. It is the best place to see the raw ingredients that power the city’s kitchens.
Emporio La Rosa (Lastarria)
Once named one of the best ice cream shops in the world, this is a local favorite for a sweet break. They use unique Chilean flavors like rose, lucuma, and chocolate with chili. They also serve simple, affordable savory dishes, but the ice cream is the primary draw here.
Best breakfast and brunch
Chilean breakfast traditionally consists of marraqueta (crusty bread) with avocado and tea. However, a modern brunch scene is growing rapidly.
Wonderland Café (Lastarria)
This Alice in Wonderland-themed cafe takes brunch seriously. Expect large English-style breakfasts, tiered cake stands, and excellent coffee. The interior is packed with antiques and curiosities. It is a high-energy spot that is particularly popular on weekends.
Holm (Providencia)
Holm was one of the first places to popularize the modern brunch in Santiago. They focus on fresh juices, creative salads, and egg dishes that go beyond the basic scramble. The atmosphere is bright, modern, and busy. It is a great choice if you need a break from the heavier meat-and-potato dishes.
Daniel's Bakery (Ñuñoa)
Located in the residential neighborhood of Ñuñoa, Daniel's is a local favorite for American-style comfort breakfast. They are famous for their "fatty" comfort food, including pancakes, eggs benedict, and some of the best brownies in the city. It is worth the short Uber ride out of the city center.
Best rooftop or view dining
Santiago is surrounded by the Andes, so elevated dining is as much about the backdrop as it is about the food.
Karai (Las Condes)
Located on the 4th floor of the W Hotel, Karai offers high-end Nikkei cuisine (Japanese-Peruvian fusion). While it isn't on the top floor, the design is stunning and the atmosphere is high-energy. The sushi and ceviche quality is top-tier, making it a favorite for the city's business elite.
Tramonto Bar & Terraza (Vitacura)
Situated on top of the NOI Vitacura hotel, Tramonto offers 360-degree views of the Santiago skyline and the mountains. It is more of a lounge than a formal restaurant, but the food is solid, focusing on pizzas, burgers, and high-end appetizers. It is the best place for a sunset drink.
Best food neighborhoods to wander
- Lastarria: This is the most aesthetic neighborhood. It is walkable, filled with cafes, and home to small wine bars like Bocanáriz.
- Barrio Italia: A former furniture-making district now packed with independent boutiques and hidden courtyards. It has the highest concentration of small, chef-driven bistros in the city.
- Bellavista: Known for its nightlife, but it also contains "Patio Bellavista," a curated collection of restaurants that are safe, reliable, and open late.
- Yungay: This is a gritty, historic neighborhood that is becoming a new culinary hub. It is home to traditional bakeries and the famous Peluquería Francesa, a restaurant inside a 19th-century barbershop.
Note: Restaurant hours and reservation requirements in Santiago can change frequently; always check the current status before visiting.