One of the most important points of any trip is food. It's one of the expenses that should be included in any planning, regardless of your style of travel. Of course, each traveler has their own style and priorities, and you can adapt this expense as you wish.
There are many people who prefer a more "low-cost" style of travel, opting to spend less on food and more on other experiences. On the other hand, there are also those who consider food to be an essential part of a trip, bringing new gastronomic experiences. That's why it's important to know what your travel style is. There is no right or wrong, only what works for you.
As we've talked about before, although the exchange rate between the Brazilian real and the Chilean peso has a big difference, the real is not always valued here - especially when it comes to food. This means that, despite the exchange rate, you will spend the same - or even more - than you would on a trip to Brazil in some states.
That's why we've put together this complete guide to help you decide how much money you should set aside for food, what you can eat and some typical dishes that we think you shouldn't miss!
How much does food cost in Chile?
The country has a reputation for expensive food - many tourists, when they return from their trip, say that eating in Chile is expensive. And that may be true, yes, after all, the main destinations are always full of tourists. But there are cheaper alternatives if you choose to do so.
You can observe more how the locals behave and where they go: from the most expensive places to the cheapest. Generally, they choose places that aren't so crowded with tourists, so that they can enjoy the best - without necessarily paying so much for it.
The price of meals can vary a lot, especially if you consider certain points, such as: high or low season, location, fame of the place, type of restaurant, etc. But in general, the average price for one person in good restaurants in Santiago, Chile, is $ 25,000 (R$ 130) Chilean pesos (considering the main course + one drink + dessert). As we said, this is an average.
How to eat cheaply in the country?
You can find much cheaper dishes - especially in restaurants that offer a set menu every day - and also much more expensive ones. So this is a good starting point for your first bill. The menu of the day includes a pre-defined dish and a complete meal, with a starter, main and a dessert or drink.
It's important to remember that, unlike in Brazil, there are no self-service or per kilo restaurants in Chile, which makes life difficult for those who want to save more money.
One very important thing to note about Chilean culture: restaurant kitchens open around 12:30 and close around 11pm. In other words, unlike in Brazil, it's very difficult to find a restaurant that closes during the day - it just gets emptier.
In addition, we always recommend contacting the restaurant via Instagram and booking a table. However, if you don't, we recommend arriving early and going at off-peak times, as it's possible to get a table at that time.
Where to eat well in Chile?
Here at Dias in Chile, one of the parts of our job is to explore the city in order to guarantee good recommendations for our clients. And also just to have a good time - after all, we're Santiago locals too!
That's why, over the years, we've come to know a lot of restaurants - some very good, others that may not be worth it just because of their fame. And so we've put together some of these tips - separated into the regions of Santiago, Centro, Providencia and Las Condes - for you to get to know and put on your itinerary.
We've put together tips for all budgets and tastes - from the cheapest and tastiest to a gastronomic experience that you can visit on special occasions. They're all part of our partner guide!
In addition, we'll give you the average prices so you can prepare for eating out during this period.
Patio Bellavista
The place offers a variety of food options to suit all tastes. However, we have some very tasty options that we approve of here:
- Tambo: Want to get to know other cultures while in Chile? One of our favorite restaurants is Tambo Cocina Peruana, with great options to try and an affordable average price.
- Texas Ribs (DNC Partner): American-style restaurants specializing in grilled meats, quesadillas and a variety of drinks. Perfect for lovers of intense flavors. With the DNC, you get 15% off.
- Tonny Pizzeria (DNC Partner): cozy pizzeria with inexpensive combos and guaranteed flavor. Ideal for a quick and delicious meal in strategic locations in Santiago. With the DNC promotion, you can get a pizza + drink at a more attractive price: CLP 3,990 for an individual and CLP 6,990 for a family size.
- Too Much (DNC Partner): modern restaurant with a diverse cuisine that includes hamburgers, Peruvian and Chilean dishes and sushi. It also offers a free sushi buffet, specialty drinks and a variety of draft beers for everyone. With DNC, you get 20% OFF your order.
Barrio Lastarria
One of the most visited neighborhoods in Santiago and a great choice for accommodation, Barrio Lastarria offers many delicious options for eating out:
- Chipe Libre: Here you can buy pisco sour, the best in town. This restaurant is in Lastarria, a neighborhood that forms part of the City Center and is very close to those who take the City Tour - it's a great recommendation for Dias clients in Chile. On Instagram, you can find out more about the menu and also make reservations.
- José Ramon 277 (DNC Partner): Contemporary Chilean bar and restaurant, famous for its creative cocktails and dishes that pay homage to local cuisine with a modern twist. A favorite among Santiago locals. Discount of 15% on the total bill.
- Bocanáriz: In the heart of the Lastarria neighborhood, Bocanariz is a restaurant and wine bar that values pairing good wines with its dishes, offering customers a unique experience.
Providencia neighborhood
Another option that many tourists end up staying in, it also offers well-known food options:
- Lá Bifería (DNC Partner): La Bifería has already been voted the best meat restaurant in Santiago - and it's hard to find good meat restaurants in the city, as fish menus are more popular there. At La Bifería, you choose your meat and side dishes separately, with a variety of premium meats, so you can try selected cuts and enjoy 20% OFF with our voucher.
- Holy Moly (DNC Partner): A burger joint with a New York soul, full of personality and a menu full of incredible burgers, as well as great options for sharing. Use the DNC voucher to get 10% OFF your meal.
- The Resistance (DNC Partner): Love good coffee? La Resistencia is a super cozy coffee shop in Providencia, perfect for a special coffee or a lunch break. As Dias partners in Chile, we get 20% OFF the total amount of your bill.
- Insert Coin (DNC Partner): If you love the Geek universe, you need to visit Insert Coin! An incredible themed bar inspired by the video game universe, with lots of nostalgia, creative drinks, good food and guaranteed fun. A perfect place to hang out with friends, play games and have a unique experience in Santiago. In our promotion, you get 1 drink per person.
- Baco Vino & Bistrô: Love good wine? Then don't leave Bacchus off your list! This bistro has a wide range of French dishes, but the wines are not too expensive. As it specializes in wines, it has a different wine list, with the possibility of ordering by the glass. What's more, they don't charge for 10% or water and they have a menu in Portuguese! Oh, and an extra tip: in our opinion, it has one of the best chocolate mousses! Well worth a visit.
Barrio Italia
One of Santiago's most traditional neighborhoods, it's part of our itinerary to visit it. So here are some of our picks from the area:
- Galpón Italia (DNC Partner): A modern bar with signature drinks, incredible dishes and an Instagrammable space that combines gastronomy and style. We always love visiting this place, and Dias' 20% OFF in Chile makes the whole experience even more enjoyable.
- Mariachi LocoIf you love Mexican food, Mariachi Loco can't be left off your list. One of the best Mexican restaurants in the city, it's already part of our DNC routine.
- Oculto Beergarden: We couldn't leave out a good choice of pubs and Oculto is the best option. With a wide range of food options, including pizzas, fast food and sushi, you can also try more than 20 Chilean beers!
Costanera Center
One of the most traditional malls in the Santiago region, as well as being home to one of the most popular tourist attractions, the Sky Costanera, it also offers great food options:
- Santa Brasa (DNC Partner): Restaurant specializing in premium meats, with noble cuts prepared to perfection. An elegant atmosphere ideal for lovers of good food. Using the DNC voucher, you get 1 glass of wine as a Welcome Drink and 20% OFF your purchase.
- There Verita (DNC Partner): Specializing in artisan cannolis and specialty coffees, this is the perfect place for a sweet and tasty break in Santiago. An Italian corner for you to enjoy on a quiet afternoon. Order a Cannoli XL and a coffee for just CLP 4,990 with our voucher. The promotion is also valid for the MUT unit in Las Condes.
Tobalaba Urban Market (MUT)
The MUT is a complex that brings together offices, stores and restaurants, which is well worth a visit as it has some restaurants that you can't miss:
- Burgers BoyIf you're visiting MUT, don't miss out on a delicious burger at Rapaz Burgers. It's a great option to enjoy with your family or friends, in a pleasant and relaxed atmosphere.
- Diablo (Vino e Fuego)A more sophisticated option at MUT, for those who love good wines and want new gastronomic experiences, even if you don't know much about the drink.
- Tony Pizzeria (DNC Partner): Strolling through MUT? Don't miss out on the inexpensive but delicious pizzas with our coupon!
Las Condes and Vitacura
Two of Santiago's traditional neighborhoods, which carry much of Santiago's culture, are also home to many delicious options for you to discover:
- Capital Fish (DNC Partner): A Peruvian cuisine restaurant specializing in fish and seafood of the highest quality. Taste, freshness and tradition in one place. And everything is even better with the 20% OFF and the Welcome Drink that only DNC vouchers can offer.
- The Crust (DNC Partner): A good burger joint can't be left out, can it? At The Crust, they specialize in Smash Burguers, one of the best in Santiago. You can't miss it, especially with 20% OFF with our coupon.
- Pizza Factory (DNC Partner): A good pizzeria is always a great way to relax while traveling - especially since it's a universal food. At Pizza Factory, you'll eat fresh, thin-crust artisan pizza with a variety of toppings. The DNC offers 15% off the total bill!
- Terraza Tramonto: Located in Vitacura, this rooftop is inside a 5-star hotel. Despite this, it has affordable prices. As well as a beautiful view, you can find a menu of the day, which is around 15,000 pesos and includes a starter, main and dessert coffee and a wine.
- Mestizo: A good option for those who love to venture into different cuisines. Mestizo mixes Chilean cuisine with seasonal produce, highlighting its flavors and raw materials.
- Osaka: Osaka is the best that Nikkei cuisine can offer, with an incredible combination of Japanese and Peruvian gastronomy. One of the best we've tried around here, well worth the experience!
Bonus: DNC recommendations for typical Chilean food
We know that some of the options above already include traditional Chilean food, but if you're looking for a complete experience, we have two options that we've tried and approved:
- There Chimenea (DNC Partner): An option for you who want to discover typical Chilean food! Located very close to Santiago's Historic Center, you'll also find some Mexican food options. It's also a great place to save money, as it has the cheapest menus of the day, plus 10% OFF from the DNC Benefits Club.
- GalindoAnother option for local cuisine, right in the center of Bellavista, you'll find a pleasant, open place to experience Chilean culture even more. Don't forget to make a reservation.
These are some of the restaurants we have selected and recommend to all Dias clients in Chile who ask for suggestions! Of course, they're based on our personal taste, but we've also taken into account some of the most popular and well-known restaurants in the city.
After all, some conclusions about tastes you can only draw on your own, right? So we've tried to leave you with everything from more economical options with the Menus of the Day to more sophisticated options for special occasions!
*Updated October 2025. Promotions are subject to change and prices may vary according to the restaurants themselves or the time of year. Please consult each establishment individually. Promotions not cumulative.