For a great Mercado seafood experience that won't empty your pockets, try Tio Willy on the outer…read moreedge of the market. The restaurant isn't much to look at - it's actually the classic hole in the wall. I believe there might actually be two or three separate, small dining rooms. The one we were seated in was very small, maybe eight tables max, and garishly painted in a maritime theme with a black and white checkered tile floor. If you're looking for a white tablecloth fine dining environment, this place probably isn't for you. We were seated promptly by a friendly server. It helps to know a little Spanish, which pretty well describes my proficiency. Luckily, they have a menu with English translations. It was all good except our server recommended the seafood "pil pil" (the one without cheese), which was translated as "pil pil". Hmmm. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. We also ordered some ceviche to share. Do not go here if you're in a hurry - the pace of service is leisurely. If you're at the Mercado, you're probably on VC - so accept the laid-back Latin pace, sit back and order a bottle of wine. You can people watch and sip a Chilean red while you wait for your food. I took it as a good sign that we were the only Yanquis in the joint - everyone else looked to be local. Chances are that at some point, a street vendor will pop in and try to sell the diners toys, bandages, chewing gum or whatever. Don't worry - it's all part of the experience. If you don't want what they're selling, smile, say "no gracias" and wave them off. The meal started out right with complimentary hot biscuits served with butter. These were followed about 20 minutes later by the ceviche. Very generous serving, fresh tasting, and oh so delicious. As good as it was, we couldn't finish it, because the seafood pil pil was even bigger. Turns out pil pil is a delicious, buttery seafood stew, served in what looked like a cast iron dish. Tio Willy is certainly not stingy with the seafood - I posted a picture so you can see for yourself. Seafood lovers will mostly dig it, although if calamari turns you off, you might want to order something else. Overall, a great place to try fresh Chilean seafood.

I am always a little wary when it comes to eating seafood anymore, just because of the stories I've…read moreheard from others. This place was a little shaky at first, based on the fact that it's a market. There were two of these restaurants in the market, we picked the closest one to the entrance on San Pablo. My wife ordered the ceviche Peruano with cubes fish and a side of avocado (Palta). I ordered the camarones pil pil (a spicy dish). Both dishes were very clean and fresh. My wife's dish was a sort of salad with chopped up iceberg, red onions and tomatoes. My dish was a a bowl of bubbling very very hot broth with a small hill of small shrimp. Don't worry about the cats jumping on the empty cleaned up displayed trays where they sell fish. Go for it, you won't regret it.

Very good and inexpensive compared to other ones around We…read moreEnjoy it Eat an empanada and the local wine called pipeño

A great place for seafood, the dishes are great and the attention also, you got a variety of…read moredishes, the price is awesome. Really recommend this place.

A 10 minutes walk from the metro Neptuno, Louta (a restaurant that is frequented by only those who…read morereally "know"), is what I would consider a picada -- despite the prices being somewhat high (similar to those in the Mercado Central) this restaurant, far from downtown has quality and service not seen anywhere else in Santiago. I recommend ordering the Cancato de Salmon or "Reineta" or the Pastel de Jaiba (filled with cheesy goodness) They have good daily lunch specials where executives from the surrounding areas come to pass their lunch hour. They are known for having delicious empanadas, I recommend their empanada of cheese with shrimp -- seriously good! Their fish is always fresh and Because they are so popular there are rumors that they are opening another restaurant close by. The Louta is a great place for big family Sunday lunches and group outings. Their decoration is simple and clean - especially great for families. The waiters are always super attentive - especially when you come with kids they will sometimes even give the kids a juice or treat to keep them entertained. Tip: It is always full on any given day so call in the morning to make a reservation -- especially during the weekend.

I have not eaten here in many years. The pasta and shellfish en papillote is something you will…read morenever forget. I wish I had their recipe!!

I'm visiting Chile in 12/20 and I chose this restaurant because of the name (blue is my favorite…read morecolor) and also because the interior design. But the true is we were happily impressed by the food and the service! Exquisite fish, exquisite wine and exquisite service! Food was so very good presented that I forgot to take pictures of all of the dishes! Anyway, don't forget to try the quinoa risotto or the Pescado a la Sebastiana or even the scallops a la parmesana!

food was extremely fresh and amazing. The service was spectacular. They were very accommodating to…read morethe fact that we knew very little Spanish. Really enjoyed the ambience.

Great food, great setting, great service. Google maps gave…read moreme an old address, which I put into UBER. So we were dropped off at the wrong location. After we finally made it there the experience was wonderful.

I rarely eat at a hotel restaurant unless needed as usually they are average but this one had good…read morereviews and usually a Ritz restaurant is worth it. The meal started well with friendly service and the Salmon tartare cones. They were delicious! The tables on the patio are wonderful. We ordered the salmon and the Sea Bass. I was particularly looking forward to having Chilean Sea Bass while in Chile. Ironically the salmon was the hit and the Sea Bass was dry. Also, after we chose to order just a glass of wine each instead of a bottle, our waiter abandoned us. He stopped checking on us and we had to ask for the check (albeit typical in Chile) after quite a long wait. Please note this isn't a bad restaurant, it's just not consistently great for a 5 star hotel. There are many options for good dining in Santiago, this one is average for fine dining.

Incredible experience!…read more We were hoping for the opportunity to try a good Chilean Sea Bass, but due to the season found ourselves indulging in the juices of the Patagonian lamb perfectly prepared with putee eggplant and a Carmanere wine glaze. Before we can even decide on an appetizer, we were greeted with freshly warm biscuits that were stuffed with caramelized onions and a cone of tuna Crudo (on the house!). Pro Tip: Request a taste of several wines, including the regional Carmanere (originating from France, but rediscovered in Chile). Camilo provided us with exceptional service and even surprised us with a parting gift! It was a pleasure getting to know him and hope to cross paths with him in the future.

El Ancla was well reviewed by Yelp, so I took the short walk from my hotel to check it out. I'm so…read moreglad I made the trek because the food, service and ambiance on the patio were excellent! The weather on the beautiful, quiet, plant filled patio was perfect. I enjoyed a delicious soup of octopus, shrimp, potatoes, tomatoes and various spices with warm fresh bread and butter. El Ancla is a beautiful restaurant in a quiet neighborhood that's easy to get to from the major street of Avenida Providencia.

Cozy neighborhood restaurant with amazingly fresh seafood. Fresh fish, Oysters on the half shell…read morewith a refreshing shallot/ cilantro condiment. Yum! Excellent service.

If you want an authentic, no-frills, family-run dining experience in Santiago's Central Market,…read moreMares de Chile is a gem. Yes, it smells like fish the moment you walk in, because it's surrounded by the day's fresh catch, but that's part of the charm I suppose. I mean it's literally next to the stalls selling fresh seafood. We ended up having one of the best, and cheapest meals of our entire trip here. The seafood was exceptional: the salmon, octopus, and calamari Fritos were incredibly fresh and perfectly cooked, each dish simple and full of flavor. The razor clams were fine, I wouldn't get this one again. Before our plates even arrived, they welcomed us with a free consommé, a warm, comforting touch that set the tone for the meal. What really stood out, though, was the service, they were humble, genuine, and full of warmth. The family running the place treats you with a kind of quiet hospitality that makes you feel like you're being invited into their home rather than just their restaurant. Mares de Chile isn't fancy, but it's honest, hearty, and unforgettable. The whole meal with a half bottle carmenere and beer cost us $40. This would have been a $250 meal in New York. For anyone looking for real Chilean seafood and heartfelt service without tourist-trap prices, this spot is an absolute must.

Food: very tasty and fresh, especially the snow crab! The calamari was also good…read more Service: is friendly and attentive. Our server Daniel was terrific! Ambiance: is family restaurant-like and not too big like some of the other places in the Mercardo fish market. Value: is great for all the fresh seafood you get!

La comida estaba exquisita, me encanto mucho yo lo recomendaria y volvería a este lugar. La…read moreatención fue excelente y el ambiente muy agradable.

Located in the bohemian area of Recoleta, Garlic has always called my attention, frankly mostly for…read moreits name. I love garlic and I especially love garlic in my Italian food so whenever I pass by their restaurant my mouth instantly starts to water. Until finally, I stopped in route and went in for an early dinner. When you walk in, you feel like you have entered someone's home; warm, cozy and welcoming. The owners are very friendly and, depending on if there is space, can seat yourself right away (the restaurant is small so I would recommend calling ahead of time to make a reservation). They have a daily menu that changes but always includes a starter, main dish and a dessert for $8.500 + delicious pan amasado and yum-azing pebre. The portions are also pretty large, so you will definitely leave with a happy belly. They are also open for lunch and definitely recommend coming to take advantage of their specials. Although their presentation is a bit lacking, it makes up for it in taste. They use fresh ingredients with quality you can taste (ah that sounds just like a commercial but it's true!). They use a great quality olive in the dishes they prepare as well as garlic (not in all of the dishes but mmm its in their pesto for example, a must try when there). The only negative is that despite the friendliness of the owners and staff, the service is a bit slow.