The Best Restaurants in Santiago, Chile

From Michelin-worthy tasting menus to iconic Chilean sandwiches, these are the best restaurants in Santiago, Chile—tried, tested, and loved.

Santiago’s culinary scene is one of Latin America’s best-kept secrets. While cities like Lima or Buenos Aires tend to steal the foodie spotlight, Chile’s capital has been quietly crafting a dining culture that’s innovative, eclectic, and deeply rooted in its diverse geography. From the bounty of the Pacific to the vineyards of the Central Valley, Santiago’s chefs have a natural pantry at their fingertips—and they’re not afraid to experiment.

Over the six years I lived in Santiago, I watched this city’s restaurants evolve from simple, no-fuss eateries to some of the most exciting culinary destinations in South America.

What I love most about dining in Santiago is the balance: you’ll find elevated tasting menus using native ingredients right alongside tiny neighborhood joints serving perfect empanadas or the classic Chilean sandwich. It’s a city that feeds both your curiosity and your appetite.

In this guide, I’ve rounded up the best restaurants in Santiago, Chile—the ones I kept going back to again and again, as well as the city’s newest offerings. This list is built on years of lived experience (and full stomachs).

And while I wish I could show you every dish I devoured along the way, I wasn’t much of a photo taker at the time—apologies in advance. Luckily, these places don’t need filters or fancy edits to leave an impression.

14 Best Restaurants in Santiago, Chile

1. Boragó

No conversation about Santiago’s dining scene would be complete without beginning with Boragó. Frequently ranked among Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, Boragó is more than just a meal—it’s an experience, and of course, one of the best restaurants in Santiago, Chile.

Helmed by chef Rodolfo Guzmán, the restaurant is a temple to Chile’s native ingredients, many of which you’ve likely never heard of, let alone tasted. Think wild herbs foraged from Patagonia, native fruits from the Atacama Desert, and seafood sourced straight from the frigid Pacific waters.

I still remember that copihue (Chilean Bellflower), the national flower of Chile, stuffed with coconut cream. 

What makes Boragó so special isn’t just the ingredients; it’s the philosophy. Guzmán’s approach is both scientific and poetic, exploring Chile’s biodiversity through avant-garde techniques and beautifully minimalist plating. If you’ve been to Central in Lima, it’s a similar concept.

Dining here feels like stepping into a culinary laboratory where every course tells a story about Chile’s landscapes. The tasting menu changes constantly, depending on what’s in season—or what’s been foraged that week—so no two visits are ever quite the same.

That said, Boragó isn’t your casual Tuesday night dinner spot. It’s somewhere to slow down, savor, and celebrate. I saved it for a special occasion myself—taking my partner there for his birthday—and it absolutely lived up to the hype. Trust me: when you’re ready to splurge on an unforgettable meal, save Boragó for that special night.

2. 99 Restaurante

If Boragó is Santiago’s high temple of gastronomy, 99 Restaurante is its cool younger sibling—more relaxed, but every bit as innovative. Chef Kurt Schmidt, who sharpened his skills at places like Noma, brings Chilean ingredients into sharp focus through playful, seasonal tasting menus that are far more approachable than their fine-dining pedigree might suggest. 

Expect foraged mushrooms, fresh-caught seafood, and farm-grown produce reimagined into creative, beautifully plated dishes. The intimate, open-kitchen setup means you’re never far from the action—this is fine dining with its sleeves rolled up.

I found myself returning here again and again, not just for the food, but for the genuine warmth that lingers long after the last course.

3. Ambrosia Bistro

In Santiago de Chile’s Vitacura district, Ambrosía Bistro delivers polished, market-driven Chilean cuisine without the formality of a traditional fine dining spot. Led by chef Carolina Bazán, the kitchen focuses on globally-inspired small plates that shift with the seasons and daily ingredient availability. 

Dishes generally include fresh seafood crudos, handmade pastas, or grilled meats, each paired with a thoughtful list of Chilean wines, including small-batch natural producers. Menus change often, encouraging regular returns to discover new flavors.

Over the years, I’ve dined here countless times, always drawn back by the consistent quality and the sharp, ingredient-focused cooking.

4. Demencia

Demencia is where Santiago’s fine dining scene lets its hair down. Chef Benjamín Nast leans into playful creativity here, blending Chilean ingredients with international flavors in ways that feel both unexpected and completely natural.

The restaurant itself has a slightly offbeat circus-inspired theme—neon lights, bold graphics, a touch of irreverence—but the food is no joke.

The oysters here are a highlight with four different flavor profiles, a sort of opening act that sets the tone for the night. From there, the stuffed brioches are soft, golden, and oozing with cheese and wild mushrooms, indulgent in the best possible way. 

During the main course is where Demencia really opens up. There’s something for everyone: juicy cuts of aged beef, freshly caught fish, and inventive seafood dishes like grilled octopus in a smoky-sweet glaze. On my last visit, I went for the grilled seafood, which I’m still thinking about months later.

It’s the kind of place where ordering just one dish feels like missing out. Whether you lean meat-heavy or seafood-focused, Demencia’s menu delivers with both finesse and a little bit of fun.

5. Karai by Mitsuharu

Located inside the sleek W Santiago Hotel in Las Condes, Karai by Mitsuharu stands out as one of the best restaurants in Santiago, offering exemplary Nikkei cuisine that marries Peruvian soul with Japanese precision.

Under the watchful eye of chef Sebastián Jara—who channels the spirit of Mitsuharu “Micha” Tsumura (of Lima’s legendary Maido fame)—Karai delivers a menu brimming with artful sushi, sashimi, nigiri, ceviches, and tiraditos, all infused with vibrant, Chilean ingredients. 

During my time living in Santiago, this spot became a cherished benchmark of fusion excellence—their Lima outpost is also featured on the top tables in Lima guide. 

Whether you’re seated at the sushi bar or in one of its stylish booths, expect dishes that look as impressive as they taste—bright, balanced, and consistently fresh. Karai’s selection feels both bold and refined, a perfect fit for travelers who’ve already fallen in love with Restaurante Maido’s legendary kitchen but want a Santiago twist.

They also do some superb signature cocktails. It’s a brilliant reminder that Chile’s capital more than holds its own on the regional Nikkei scene.

6. La Calma by Fredes

In Vitacura, La Calma by Fredes has earned its place among the best restaurants in Santiago thanks to chef Marino Telúrico’s masterful approach to Chilean seafood. This is the spot I recommend to anyone in Santiago wanting to indulge in the best of Chilean seafood. 

Located on Nueva Costanera, the menu showcases everything from freshly shucked oysters and littleneck clams to machas, piures, and sea urchins that highlight Chile’s coastal richness. Standouts include olive-oil–confit sea bass, Patagonian king crab with brown butter and asparagus, and abalone served with house mayo and potatoes—a testament to the kitchen’s skill at balancing elegance and pure flavor. 

The dining room, with its floor-to-ceiling windows and terrace seating, creates an inviting backdrop for these meticulously prepared dishes. With consistent quality and an emphasis on ultra-fresh marine fare, La Calma by Fredes remains a top pick when compiling any serious guide to where to eat in Santiago.

7. Peumayén Ancestral Food

At Peumayén Ancestral Food, dining is reimagined as a culinary expedition into Chile’s indigenous heritage. The concept is rooted in ancestral recipes and native, local ingredients sourced from across the country—from northern highlands to southern Patagonia.

You’ll embark on a tasting journey that begins with an array of traditional breads, potato pancakes, and bite‑sized morsels echoing the staples of Quechua, Mapuche, and Huilliche cultures.

For the main event, you’re invited to choose between meat, seafood, or vegetarian tasting menus that spotlight lesser-known treasures like chochoca (potato dough), llama, mussels, seaweed, and even rabbit escabeche.

One visit meant working my way through a lamb-corn-mussel dish that surprised me with its flavorful harmony—every unconventional element felt deliberate and delicious.

Desserts continue the tradition, delivering quinoa ice creams, lucuma tarts, and local honey parfaits—all echoing regional flavors in innovative, modern formats.

Beyond the food, Peumayén’s name (from Mapudungun, meaning “dreamed place”) signals its mission: to honor ancestral roots through cuisine that educates, celebrates, and surprises in equal measure. 

8. Bar Liguria 

When you land in Santiago and want a proper introduction to Chilean classics, Bar Liguria should be your first stop. A beloved fixture since 1990, this Providencia icon weaves traditional Chilean flavors into a convivial, no-fuss setting.

Its menu is a pilgrimage through local favorites and traditional dishes: think juicy barros lucos, hearty chacareros, and the iconic jarra de borgoña—a fruity, wine-based pitcher that locals adore.

Mealtimes here are original and timeless: rustic plates served across three character-filled floors, where vintage posters and friendly banter land you smack in the heart of Santiago’s culinary soul.

Whether you’re in for a quick snack or a full dinner, you’ll get an instant taste of Chile’s hearty, comforting dishes. For my part, I stocked up on beef cazuela, perfectly oozy barros luco, and generous pours of pisco sours—the kind of essentials that set the tone for a true Santiago itinerary.

9. DeMo

DeMo is a bright, compelling weekend draw tucked inside Franklin’s Persa Víctor Manuel and worth making time for during your stay in Santiago. Chef Pedro Chavarría—whose résumé includes stints at Boragó and Mexico City’s Quintonil—crafts a concise set menu (just seven tables, open kitchen) that celebrates hyper-seasonal, local produce.

My favorite dishes have included candied popcorn topped with a savory seafood sauce and anchovies, and a mini brioche stuffed with cured-and-smoked corvina tartare and yuyo seaweed—small plates that pack clever flavor combinations and flair.

Menus change weekly based on what’s fresh in the market, so no two visits are the same. It’s those creative, no-waste bites and the venue’s lively neighborhood vibe that make DeMo a standout on the Santiago scene.

Open Saturday and Sunday for lunch and brunch, the fixed‑price menu clocks in around USD 20 per person—an affordable way to taste some of Chile’s most inventive modern cuisine

10. Osaka

Osaka is a cornerstone in Santiago’s Nikkei scene—veteran, polished, and still going strong since its arrival around 2008. Nestled on Nueva Costanera in Vitacura, this long-running restaurant fuses Peruvian-Japanese techniques with top-tier Chilean seafood.

Under chef Ciro Watanabe, the menu features refined tiraditos, imaginative sushi like braised beef tongue with cured yolk ‍ceviche, stone-grilled corvina, and indulgent dishes like smoked pork belly with tacu tacu—all served with immaculate precision.

Service here generally earns praise for being attentive, and the modern-chic décor—Japanese-Peruvian inspired with copper, wood, and desert hues—creates a sleek yet inviting setting. It leans upscale both in presentation and price, but I have to say that it’s excellent value and consistently topped the best meals I had in Santiago. 

For anyone mapping the best restaurants in Santiago, Osaka is an essential milestone—an expertly executed, full‑flavored showcase of Nikkei cuisine and Chilean coastal bounty.

11. Olam Restaurante

Olam Restaurante stakes its claim as Santiago’s—and Latin America’s—first true zero-waste fine-dining seafood destination under the helm of Spanish-born chef Sergio Barroso.

The concept is elegant simplicity intertwined with environmental mindfulness: dazzling marine-focused tasting menus built around Chilean catch—locally sourced oysters, langostinos, picorocos, and more—alongside thoughtful vegetable, fungus, and even rice courses.

What sets Olam apart is how it marries culinary artistry with sustainability: from composting organic remnants via an onsite Oklin machine to eliminating single-use packaging by swapping cardboard for reusable coolers and plastic bins.

The result is a restaurant where each dish—whether it’s a dumpling of loco mollusk in lemongrass‑coconut broth or a brioche topped with picorocos and caviar—is delivered with both finesse and a clear sense of purpose.

This isn’t solely haute cuisine; it’s a conscientious culinary journey that honors the ocean’s bounty and treads lightly on the planet. For diners who care about flavor and footprint, Olam offers one of the most refined and forward-thinking seafood experiences in Santiago.

12. Buriana

Buriana, in Vitacura, lives up to its name—a sudden Italian “buriana” breeze—delivering a harmonious mix of classic and innovative flavors.

Chef Stefano Ligori leads an open kitchen where you can glimpse the action behind two distinct menus: one rooted in time-tested Italian dishes, the other pushing into playful, global reinterpretations. 

Expect house-made focaccia, burrata and tomato starters, and pasta like pici al nero di seppia or agnolotti del plin. On the more adventurous side, you’ll find katsu sando made with premium cut and bold condiments. For mains, the wagyu beef and chips are a popular standout.

The bar program leans Italian too—negronis, spritzes, and limoncello sours anchor the beverage list while an Italian-heavy wine selection rounds things out.

13. Bocanáriz

Tucked into the Lastarria neighborhood, Bocanáriz was my go-to spot whenever I lived in the neighborhood—an essential chapter in my Santiago routine. It’s a wine bar, yes, but so much more: a celebration of Chile’s diverse terroirs presented with precision, personality, and heart.

The board features thoughtfully paired flights, spanning bold reds from the Maule Valley to elegant whites from Casablanca—and always includes gems from lesser-known appellations like Itata or Valle de Colchagua.

Aside from the wine, Bocanáriz’s food offerings are equally compelling. I often found myself ordering a plate of cured meats and rich, melt-in-your-mouth cheeses, or digging into spiced empanadas stuffed with slow-cooked beef.

There’s an easy chemistry between the bar’s sommelier staff and the glassware—every pour comes with a story, a sense of place, and sometimes even a tasting tip for your next Chilean discovery.

More than anything, Bocanáriz felt like good company. I frequented it after evening wanderings through the barrio, book in hand, curiosity piqued for a new varietal or old favorite. It’s the sort of neighborhood ritual that turns a city guide entry into lived memory. If you’re diving deep into Santiago’s wine world, there’s simply no better starting line.

14. Antigua Fuente

I’m not sure it’s possible to write a Chilean food guide to Santiago and not include Antigua Fuente. The Chilean sandwich isn’t just a meal—it’s a cultural and gastronomic icon. From the towering lomitos to the dripping churrascos, these overstuffed creations are practically a rite of passage. And if you’re visiting Chile, skipping out on one would be, frankly, a cultural faux-pas.

To avoid that mistake, head straight to Antigua Fuente. This is my favorite place for a sandwich. A no-frills institution has been serving up some of the city’s best sandwiches for decades.

My advice is to order a lomo italiano—thin slices of slow-cooked pork buried under mountains of avocado, sauerkraut, and mayo—and don’t even think about trying to pick it up. Do as the locals do: surrender, grab a knife and fork, and embrace the glorious mess.

Fuente Alemana, just off Nueva Providencia, is also a fantastic option for the classic Chilean sandwich if you prefer to stay in Providencia. 

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So, which of these top restaurants in Santiago, Chile will you choose? Please comment below, and let me know if you have any questions.

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