Must-see restaurants in South America

  • Quintal

    Cartagena

    This innovative addition to Cartagena's eating scene is in a converted building facing the thick stone walls of Getsemaní. It offers a friendly gourmet…

  • Chantonner Delikatessen

    Bogotá

    Once a small tienda (shop) selling cigarettes and sweets, Chantonner Delikatessen is now a popular lunch hangout for those attracted to the house…

  • Biergarten

    Santa Catarina

    The most agreeable restaurant in Joinville is a convivial spot to sample regional specialties like marreco (stuffed garganey, a kind of small duck; R$119…

  • Puerto Fritos

    Puerto Montt

    Forget touristy Angelmó! All of Puerto Montt is laid out before you at this cute and unassuming locals' secret with the best views in town. It's well…

  • TT Burger

    Rio de Janeiro

    The son of famed local chef Claude Troisgros runs this high-end Brooklyn-style burger outpost, and has gained a strong following for his delicious burgers…

  • Pinati

    São Paulo

    What once was an old-timer's kosher haunt catering to Sampa's orthodox Jewish community remains such today, but son Alon has stepped up the family's game…

  • Casitanno

    Montevideo

    With its colorful cocktail list, intimate bar area and street-facing front deck, this lively corner place draws a youthful late-night crowd for designer…

  • Pizza Entre Vinhos

    Rio Grande do Sul

    In the evenings, Mamma Gema trattoria focuses on its downstairs pizzeria. You wander the shop and pick a bottle – hence the name, 'Pizza Between Wines' –…

  • Caê Restaurante-Bar

    Belo Horizonte

    Locally sourced ingredients and inventive twists on Brazilian and international recipes are the focus at this classy-casual restaurant opened by renowned…

  • Principe de Mônaco

    Rio de Janeiro

    The casual Principe de Mônaco is the neighborhood destination for sizzling plates of grilled squid, fresh cherne (grouper), shrimp and a mean bowl of Leão…

  • Bao?

    Lima

    Just as the restaurant scene in Lima began to lean towards the upscale and grandiose, this little steam-bun place found its way into the hearts of many –…

  • Restaurante Zé Maria

    Fernando de Noronha

    Located inside the hotel of the same name, this high-end restaurant is famed Brazil-wide for its over-the-top, all-you-can-eat R$230 seafood buffet…

  • Cabrón

    Bucaramanga

    For an upmarket take on typical Santanderean flavors, head to this hip corner restaurant with a fresh semi-open dining area and streetside terrace. The…

  • Toquilla y Mar

    North Coast & Lowlands

    There is a Peruvian sensibility to the fresh seafood served at this relaxed, open-air beachfront spot. It offers fried rice with shellfish, garlic crab…

  • Hostalomera

    Chiloé

    This arty lunch spot offers three exceptional home-cooked set-menu choices per day, including an appetizer and juice. An à la carte menu (mains CH$4500 to…

  • Bistro de los Andes

    Huaraz

    The only decent restaurant on the Plaza de Armas is this second-floor perch with a vaguely Alpine air that flirts with Peruvian and international food and…

  • Rinconcito Mineiro

    Huaraz

    This popular place is the spot to tuck into homey and cheap Peruvian daily menús (set meals). The daily blackboard of 10 or so options includes an…

  • El Club

    Uruguay

    This colorfully decorated, eco-conscious eatery combines the creative efforts of Colombian artist Camila, her Uruguayan partner Fernando and various local…

  • In Situ

    Medellín

    For a semiformal dining experience in a lovely natural environment, look no further than this bright restaurant on the grounds of the Jardín Botánico. The…

  • La Dama Juana

    Puerto Iguazú

    Offering a compact interior and pleasant balcony terrace, this is more informal than most of this strip and offers significant value. Service comes with a…

  • Pão de Queijo Haddock Lobo

    São Paulo

    Pão de queijo (Brazilian cheese bread) is one of the country's culinary pride and joys. Do as Brazilians do and pop in to this well-regarded take-away…

  • Pan Y Arte

    Buenos Aires

    There’s a wonderful old-time atmosphere at this bohemian eatery. The menu includes a range of sandwiches, empanadas and picadas (a plate of appetizers)…

  • Imaculada

    Rio de Janeiro

    Located in the old neighborhood of Morro da Conceição, Imaculada is a Rio classic. The walls are adorned with artwork and the cooking doesn't disappoint…

  • Gran Maloca

    Iquitos

    Enter the bygone world of the rubber-boom days at this atmospheric Amazonian restaurant. Expect silk tablecloths, wall-length mirrors and imaginative…

  • La Maravilla

    The Oriente

    Easily the most charming place in town, this blue casita is all ambience, from the twinkling porch lights to the stuffed red-leather armchairs. Come to…

  • Mesa Tropera

    Puerto Varas

    This wildly popular Coyhaique brewery/pizzeria transplant merges a jovial mix of families and hopheads. It's majestically located, jutting out over Lago…

  • Goza Espresso Bar

    Cuenca

    Goza, a trendy European-style cafe-bar on a pedestrianized section of Borreo, is equally appealing for the fabulous international breakfasts (like eggs…

  • Oh Là Là

    Cartagena

    This fabulous addition to Getsemaní's increasingly varied and interesting dining options brings a slice of Gallic culture to Cartagena's hippest…

  • Isla Sandwich

    Chiloé

    This tiny cafe is Quellón's safe haven for sophisticates. You'll find great espresso extracted from top Central American beans; fine teas and a wealth of…

  • El Ollón de Barro

    Huaraz & the Cordilleras

    A near-impenetrable wall of hedge guarding a large, enticing garden with a fronton court (used for playing Basque pelota), children’s swings and trees…

  • Casa Cheia

    Belo Horizonte

    This perennial Mercado Central favorite earns its name (meaning 'Full House'), with lines regularly stretching out the door. Behind the counter, a bevy of…

  • Bráz Elettrica

    São Paulo

    Part of the exceptional Bráz chain, the informal Elettrica outlet of its pizza empire takes a different approach, spearheaded by Anthony Falco of Brooklyn…

  • Festival della Pasta

    São Paulo State

    Chef Carmelo Flaviano takes diners on a carbohydrate-fueled trip through Italy at this pasta powerhouse, one of the few fabulous, good-value restaurants…

  • Gelato & Grano

    Jericoacoara

    If there's one thing you'll eventually crave in this heat, it's ice cream. This wildly popular, farmhouse-chic gelato shop on the main square serves up 20…

  • El Niño

    Ayacucho

    The specialty at this large restaurant is grilled meat – often cooked over a wood fire on the sheltered patio in the evenings – but a variety of Peruvian…

  • Tropical

    Amazon Basin

    This is Riberalta’s most upscale restaurant, located near the airport, leading the residents to nickname it tropicarísimo (very expensive…). Gargantuan…

  • Carne

    The Pampas & the Atlantic Coast

    Mauro Colagreco, a chef from La Plata whose French restaurant Mirazur is currently ranked number four in the world, caused a buzz when he opened this…

  • Café de Rat

    Huaraz & the Cordilleras

    Don’t mind the name, the menu has been cleared of rodents. What remains are sandwiches, pasta and, most popular of all, pizza. The cafe is run by Alberto…

  • Liguria Bar & Restaurant

    Santiago

    A mainstay on the Santiago restaurant circuit, Liguria mixes equal measures of bar and bistro perfectly. Stewed rabbit and other specials are chalked up…

  • Retro's Pub

    Chiloé

    Having reopened in a grittier space near Plaza de Armas in 2016, Ancud's most timeless bar is divey in all the right ways. The menu is chock-full of Tex…

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