5 Restaurants You Must Try In Valparaiso, Chile

Once a major stopover for boats traveling between the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Valparaiso is now an intriguing and somewhat eclectic city. Here are the top 5 restaurants that capture its bohemian vibe.

* Café Turri

When asked by a foreigner where to eat, a local will almost certainly reply ‘Café Turri‘. Housed in a 19th-century building, the cafe not only has one of the best views in town but also has an incredible menu, with a wide selection of both Chilean and foreign dishes. Scallops and shrimps in whisky and cumin, octopus carpaccio, and lamb ribs in pepper sauce or honey and mint are just some of the sophisticated creations on offer. Great for dinner, Turri also has a cafe if you’re in the mood for a lazy afternoon with tea and cake. Be prepared to spend for the privilege of enjoying one of Valpo’s oldest venues.

* La Concepcion

Also located in the old part of Valparaiso, not far from Turri, La Concepción has a stunning view and a loyal clientele of locals. Lamb, ceviche, and other favorites figure on the menu. The staff are incredibly attentive to detail, and all of their products are sourced locally. The food is of the highest quality, and the service is second to none. If you choose to opt for an evening meal on the terrace and you’re feeling cold, the waiters will bring you a blanket. It’s a relatively expensive option however, but well worth it if you love food, or you’re wining and dining someone who does.

* Café del Poeta

A visit here is an opportunity to be seated in really close proximity with Nobel prize-winning poets. They may be in the form of mini models, but it’s charming nonetheless. Here you can read Neruda and Mistral away from the bustle of the city while eating tiramisu, or sipping on freshly squeezed orange juice. This is a valuable asset in Chile, where so much of the juice on offer is from a bottle. The atmosphere is 1920s, the coffee is strong, the food is unpretentious while being delicious. Although Café del Poeta is a cheaper alternative to higher end restaurants, it still manages an extensive menu, including seafood, and fish.

* Foto Café

This cafe is run by the family of Magdalena Muencke, a famous Valpo portrait artist. It used to be the site where photographic equipment was sold and photos were developed. Today half of the cafe is a shop, where you can buy photos. It also houses exhibitions both of material from the family archives, and of other artists. Many go to Foto Café for its architecture, and historic location and significance. Expect good quality cafe food in an enchanting atmosphere where the salads and the crepes are particularly delicious.

* Pasta e Vino

Hailed as one of the best restaurants in Valparaiso, Pasta e Vino is usually full so it is a good idea to reserve in advance. The chic, sophisticated setting is in line with the food: white clams grilled with ginger and lime, black fettuccine with seafood, araucan pine seeds ravioli, chancaca and shredded beef. Don’t go there looking for grilled fish. The restaurant only serves pasta as a main course. The wine list is limited, but exquisite. End your meal with an amaretto and panna cotta, before strolling through the old town.