Santiago
Dining And Drinking

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The people of Santiago are very demanding when it comes to eating out. Over the last few years there has been an obvious increase in the city's international restaurants, as well as a return to traditional Chilean food, with European and American influences. The range of restaurants means it is possible to find practically anything you might be in the mood to eat.

The most popular and fashionable restaurants are concentrated in several different sections of Santiago, and for most of these restaurants it is important that you book a reservation in advance, even for a weekday.

Bellavista

If you prefer a quiet and relaxed atmosphere, the Bellavista, area is a good place to go. Here, besides many restaurants offering a wide variety of different types of food, there are wonderful cafés, art galleries, discotheques and theaters. It is also a great place to take a walk through its streets of picturesque houses, squares and quaint avenues. This area is also very popular among young and slightly older adults, and the fact that it was once the bohemian area par excellence in Santiago is still evident today. For a taste of some quality and rather unorthodox, spicy Chilean food, try Resto-Bar Ky.

The range of cuisines in this area is wide. If you want to try Peruvian cuisine (highly recommended), places such as Tasca Mediterránea Shakespeare's Pub or La Flor de la Canela will not disappoint you. In addition to the exquisite and exotic Peruvian dishes, don't forget to try the famous Peruvian-style cocktail called the Pisco Sour. If you want to try cooking your own food "Teppanyaki Style" try Meridiano Comida Entretenida.

Providencia

Providencia is both a residential and shopping area, where you will also find a wide range of restaurants for all tastes and ages. If what you are after is fish and seafood, try Aquí Está Coco, where both the atmosphere and the food are excellent and fresh. Mikado is another good seafood restaurant complete with a karaoke bar in order give it that touch of Tokyo.

For Mediterranean and arabic inspired cuisine, try Antojo de Gauguin (El). For mexican food go to Mexicana Santiago. Ecuadorian ex-pats go to Mitad del Mundo and enjoy traditional dishes from home. If Caribbean flavor is what your after, try, Delirio Caribeño and don't forget to have a mojito. For those all night revelers, go and enjoy some rhythms at Entre Negros, where the music is on until the early hours. Another wonderful bar with fresh cocktails and also serves dinner is Bar Yellow, located in the heart of Providencia.

City Center

In the city center, for those looking for a wonderful vegetarian restaurant, you must stop by El Vegetariano. A great place for take-out is Chez Henry which serves traditional Chilean food. And for the best tapas in town, try Ibérico. If beers and jazz are what you are seeking, go to Sicosis and satisfy both desires with some noisy jazz and a great beer selection. El Cuervo is an inexpensive bar with great food and located near the theater.

Ñuñoa

The district known as Ñuñoa has many options for nightlife and dining for you to choose from. For breakfast, stop by La Tecla and choose from every type of pancake on the planet. A great happy hour can be found at Ebano, where cocktails and every type of liquor are found. Again for those jazz enthusiasts, there is the venerable Club de Jazz, founded in 1943 and a Chilean institution. Two other bohemian type bars are the Café de la Isla also with live music and Amor Nunca Muere or "Love never Dies", both frequented by a young and lively clientele.

Vitacura Area

In the Vitacura area, you will find many restaurants that are very popular among young people, such as el Naturista featuring sumptuous vegetarian food and drinks at the bar. For Chinese food, try the Wok House and have the Sei-Sha, which is a plate of delicious prawns covered in almonds. If you have the family with you, take them over to Acuarela in order to take advantage of the all you can eat buffet of traditional Chilean food. For those beer lovers, there is only one place where you can get a pint of Guinness and that is at Flannery's Irish Geo Pub, so go here to enjoy that Irish specialty.

In addition to the fine cuisine in Santiago, it is important to mention Chile's world-famous wines thanks to the valleys of Maipo, Maule, Casablanca, etc. Highly recommended are the Caliterra Cabernet Sauvignon Reserva 1997 and Chardonnay Reserva 1997. Other wines well worth trying are Cánepa Cabernet Sauvignon, Blanc, Merlot and Chardonnay, Concha Y Toro, Cousiño Macul, Errázuriz, Miguel Torres, Santa Carolina, Santa Emiliana, and Undurraga. Afterall, Chile's wines are among the best in the world and the perfect accompaniment to dishes from all over the world. There is a famous saying in Chile: Guatita llena, corazón contento or full tummy, happy heart.

Las Condes Area

In the area of Las Condes, Asian food rules in restaurants such as Anakena and Bali-Hai, which also feature dancing and singing in the evenings. For excellent Chinese food, try Danubio Azul or Chang Cheng. The American Ruby Tuesday's is also in this area, if you fancy some burgers and fries. El Madroñal is an elegant place to try Spanish specialties that change daily. If you are in the mood for pasta, try Le Due Torri. Another place in the Las Condes is Pub Licity (both a restaurant and bar).

Downtown

The downtown area is another very popular area among young Chileans and executives alike. Frederick's Cafe & Bistro is famous throughout Chile and serves both European styled cuisine as well as American. You may want to leave your options open and try a more international menu, at such places like Pérgola de la Plaza, where you will eat in an elegant setting with piano or violin music to accompany your meal. Fancy an Italian meal? Try Squadritto located in the famous bohemian square called Mulato Gil. For a fusion of traditional Chilean and Asian foods try Catedral and for an excellent menu that includes French cuisine and white tablecloth service at reasonable prices, go to Opera. A classic wine bar located in this area after a show or dinner is Libro Café Mediterráneo, it has a selection of wines from around the world as well as fabulous Chilean wines.