Lunch in Santiago

One major bonus of making my own English teaching schedule is making my own lunch. But there are days where I want to be served. Days that I want a plate of food to appear in front of me instead of exerting effort to wash, chop and mix up a lunch at home.

Remember, if you are from the US and in Santiago, service at restaurants is very different. There isn't service in Santiago. In the States, I think about how waiters almost dance around a restaurant and make the dining experience just that - an experience. Here, you're lucky if they remember your order the second after you order.


In Chile, you walk around the restaurant to find your own table, and sit wherever you want. You have to tell someone that you are there, that you want a menu and you want water from the tap (which seems uncustomary). If you ask for changes to a plate - except to hear, "No, you can't do that."

Coming from the US to Chile? Expect food to have LOTS of salt. If you like salt, you'll like the food in Chile. Sometimes, I think they put salt in their tap water because my thirst is never quenched. Plus, if you order a jugo natural, it actually has loads of sugar, tastes great but my hips can't lie about the calorie intake.

Major bonus in Chile = no one rushes you out of your table. You ask for the check when you want to leave and leave when you want to leave. No one is staring you down to run you out of your table. Sit, enjoy and take your time. Ojo, tips are NOT required and it isn't like the States where a minimum tip is expected. If you don't want to tip, don't. If you do, leave no more than 10%. 

So Where Should You Go? 

El Huerto: Vegetarian/Vegan in the heart of Providencia. Fresh natural juices (order without the sugar if you want to stay healthy), gazpacho is good. They've got big salads, interesting entrees and nice patio seating. Gets really busy between 13:00 - 14:30 for lunch so be prepared to wait. I think a few servers speak limited English.

La Vega Chica: It's a large fruit, vegetable and everything-else market but upstairs there are small restaurants where you will eat like royalty and have fun!

Best Bet? Go to a small little place that has a Promocion del dia on a chalkboard and get the day's menu. You can't go wrong! Those are the best value - the right amount of food, for a minimal price.

Just don't go to Lastarria where you'll pay high prices for low-quality food. Or to Patio Bellavista - the typical tourist trap with prices above the quality of food. Except for Galindo. That's good.