WHERE AND WHAT TO EAT IN SANTIAGO AND SURROUNDINGS

Santiago, Chile is a cosmopolitan city that offers all kinds of flavors and preparations in high quality international restaurants. In its bohemian neighborhoods like Bellavista, Lastarria, Isidora Goyenechea in the Eastern sector and BordeRío, we can find food from around the world, from Peruvian, Japanese, Spanish, Italian, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, to name a few, in addition to Creole cuisine.

The cuisine of the central zone of Chile is characterized by ingredients like corn, potatoes and fresh vegetables, and meats such as beef, chicken and pork. "Parrilladas" are very traditional, where barbecued style beef is eaten, accompanied by various types of salads and baked potatoes.

Other meat dishes include "lomo a lo pobre", a plate of meat accompanied with fried egg, fries and fried onions; lamb chops, and pork ribs among others.

You cannot miss the seafood and shellfish dishes that can be eaten in diverse preparations such as shrimp, crabs, scallops, sea urchins and "locos", which are made with fresh ingredients in places like the Mercado Central (Central Market).

All kinds of dishes are prepared with fusion of traditional and exotic ingredients, bringing new flavors that create new and exciting preparations to Chilean cuisine, also including native elements like pine nuts, merkén, quinoa grains, among others.

If you want to eat local food, we recommend visiting some of the "picadas" or traditional restaurants where the dishes are hearty and delicious. Cazuela de Vacuno (Beef Casserole), carbonada, charquicán, pastel de choclo and humitas are some of the classic dishes of the Chilean cuisine. These can be found in the downtown area of the capital, as well as neighboring towns like Cajon del Maipo, Pirque, among others.

Among the most representative drinks, the Chilean pisco sour is the quintessential appetizer before any meal. To accompany any dish, a cup of Chilean wine is recommended, white is recommended if you eat seafood and red for meat and pastas.

As for desserts, many have rescued the Creole flavors including mote con huesillo (sweet drink with wheat "mote" and dehydrated peaches) as a main ingredient of preparations and sweet desserts. You can also sample lucuma ice cream cake, canned fruits, and cakes with dulce de leche and merengue (meringue), including empolvados (powdered cakes) and chilenitos, traditional Chilean pastry recipes.