Cajón del Maipo
The long-running local favorite, La Vaquita Echá is rightly famed for its grill – steaks, ribs, fish and even wild boar all sizzle over the coals.
Must-see restaurants in South America
Popayán
Run by a charismatic family from Tumaco, this tiny nautical-themed place serves a great-value seafood lunch. Try the toyo (a kind of shark).
Salta & the Andean Northwest
An endearing corner kitchen on the main drag, it does humitas, tamales, sandwiches and chicken and beef empanadas. Grab lunch for the road!
Norte Grande
Just a half block from the plaza (toward the waterfront), this is the old British social club, offering great seasonal seafood and friendly service.
Norte Grande
Cheap, cheerful and usually crowded, Don Pollo has plastic tables huddled around a grass-hut patio. Locals come in droves for the succulent chicken.
San Pedro de Atacama
The food can be hit or miss, but this place has one of the loveliest settings in town, with umbrella-shaded tables facing the greenery of the plaza.
Brazil
Check out this hip 2nd-floor cafe that specializes in Mexican-inspired sandwiches and desserts. They have a small breakfast menu and daily specials.
Amazon Basin
The best place to eat Chinese food in the Amazon has a branch in La Merced and in San Ramón, but this clean, smart address is the most convenient.
Pará
Fresh typical Marajoara fare, including fried fish and buffalo steak, served in a breezy corner dining area. There's live music on Friday evenings.
Sucre
Come early to get your salteñas (meat and vegetable pasties) from this salteñería bakery – the tasty treats sell out fast.
Cuenca
Pizzas, lentil burgers and a little good karma to wash it down. It's one of Ecuador's nicest Hare Krishna restaurants. The buffet lunch is $2.50.
San Pedro de Atacama
A down-to-earth cafe where the locals outnumber the gringos, Tahira serves up no-frills mainstays that are satisfying, and barbecues on weekends.
Along the Río Paraná
Warmly lit and cordial, this appealing neighborhood Italian eatery uses great ingredients to create flavor-filled salads, pasta and meat dishes.
Minas Gerais
São João's go-to lunch spot is this fabulous self-serve near the Igreja de São Francisco, with a varied buffet and a cheerful patio out back.
Puerto Madryn
Locals flock to this retro pizzeria for its huge variety of clay-oven pizzas, with toppings like tapenade (marinated-olive spread) and arugula.
Córdoba & the Central Sierras
This upmarket parrilla (steak restaurant) has great atmosphere, attentive service and a menu that goes way beyond the usual offerings.
Amazon Basin
Mean cakes, ice cream and tried and tested breakfasts and mains can be found at Fuente Soda Tropitop, along with a lineup of rainforest juices.
Isla San Cristóbal (Chatham)
This 2nd-floor perch whips up tasty smoothies, plus burgers, toasted sandwiches and good breakfasts including granola with fruit and yogurt.
Guayaquil
One of the few restaurant options for meat-free Italian and Ecuadorian dishes, this simple spot has Hindu-style art on the walls. Cash only.
Sucre
Churros (fried dough) and nothing but at this newly opened postage-stamp-sized place. Dulce de leche or chocolate filling.
Belém
In the handsome surrounds of an old mansion just east of the center, Casa Mia is a popular choice for steaks and delectable risotto dishes.
Valparaíso
Boasting 81 varieties of empanadas, friendly service and a crispy crust you'll love, this is one of the best empanada joints on the coast.
La Paz
The Casco Viejo branch of Alexander Coffee, a city-wide coffee chain that offers reliable, gringo-pleasing food from breakfast to dinner.
Córdoba & the Central Sierras
Stellar French-style bakery and cafe that churns out the best bread you'll find in the entire province and delicious baked goodies too.
Amazon Basin
The Kitty is clean and popular, if dark, and brings in local lunch crowds for a wide variety of Peruvian culinary classics. Join ‘em!
Punta Arenas
This elegant restaurant is in a romantic old house, off the beaten path in a residential neighborhood. The detour is usually worth it.
Punta Arenas
In the historic Croatian neighborhood, this cafe serves decadent cakes in a room full of interesting relics from Dalmatian immigrants.
Puerto Varas
Everybody's favorite artisanal ice cream, often using local ingredients: manjar (dulce de leche) from Fundo Playa Venado etc.
Santa Catarina
The favored Marisqueira Sintra does wonderful things with octopus and bacalhau (salted cod) in a postcard waterfront setting.
Coyhaique
Call it a cultural experience – this classic but windowless eatery gets packed with locals downing seafood plates or steak and eggs.
Búzios
Still going strong after 40 years, David’s serves quality seafood at little wooden tables with red tablecloths in the heart of town.
North Coast & Lowlands
Formerly in the main square, Willy's has moved to a side street since the earthquake. Run by a sweet family who serves up tasty grub.
Belo Horizonte
The branch of this classic Belo Horizonte eatery specializes in no-nonsense, top-quality mineira food at reasonable prices.
Quito
Bustling La Union always packs a crowd, with its glass displays of croissants, berry tarts and ice cream, plus filling sandwiches.
South Coast
You can't beat the value of these sandwiches, wraps, lasagna, lunch specials and breakfasts, served in a narrow modern dining room.
Mendoza
Traditional-looking ice-cream parlor serving up classic gelato since 1947. Wide range of flavors and good espresso drinks as well.
Quito
This delightful snack stand cooks up kilos of nuts, corn kernels and coquitos (coconut sweets) in a giant copper kettle.
São Paulo
Induce a sugar coma with the traditional sweets of Portugal, laid out here in a dizzying and mouthwatering 15m-long display case.
Lake Titicaca
Some of the best trout in town is served at the beachfront stalls and can cost as little as B$25, though hygiene is questionable.
Córdoba & the Central Sierras
A great little all-day cafe-restaurant on the plaza that serves up good mains and pizzas, and also has some vegetarian options.
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