Dining and Shopping in Santiago de Chile

Dinner

Chilean culture is very European. There is a siesta in the afternoon. Many business close from 1pm to 4pm and then stay open until 9pm. Dinner reservations are unheard of before 9pm, most of them are around 11pm and the kitchen usually stays open until 1am.

Generally, Chilean food, like so many other cultures, focuses on meat as the main dish, especially beef, (fish second with chicken a distant third). Typical seasonings include salt, oregano, cumin, fresh coriander, and special spices. Parrilladas are local grill houses that specialize in grilling the whole cow. Portions are large enough to make any vegetarian cringe. Most foods are accompanied by potatoes in every fashion.

Salads are the common accompaniment to entrees. However, they are usually made with only one or two ingredients, in contrast to the American salad that includes virtually every vegetable under the sun. A standard version is the ensalada with sliced tomatoes, thrice-washed, sliced onions, a vinaigrette and a little coriander for a nice, fresh taste.

Desserts reflect the strong influence of German immigrants brought their exceptional bread- and pastry-making skills with them to Chile. You can also fill up on these inexpensive delicacies for breakfast.

Some representative Chilean dishes are Pollo al Cognac, swimming in an exotic blend of spices, heavenly mushrooms and cognac. A delicacy you should try while you’re here.
Pastel del Choclo is a lot like a “pot pie” or “tamale pie” with layers of corn (mashed or grated), meat, spices and raisins.
The empanada is a fried or baked pastry with chopped beef, eggs, olives, onions and seasonings. This portable meal originated in Spain and is Chile’s version of “fast food.”

You will also find that Chile possesses an unparalleled choice of seafood and fish. Freshwater favorites like trout and salmon come sweet, firm and delicious, because they’re farmed throughout Chile, particularly in the Lakes Region and in Patagonia.

Chefs prepare shellfish, including ostras (oysters) and machacas (razor clams) in a variety ways (including raw!) and in a variety of recipes, with soups being among the most common. Chilenos also hold an affinity for king crab (centolla), just as Americans do. Squid is another wonderful delicacy, often put into seafood soups and stews.

Time to Shop

Shops are open Mondays to Fridays, from 10 am to 8 pm and from 10 am to 2 PM on Saturdays. Shopping Centers open Mondays to Sundays. From l0am to 9pm.

Santiago is the heart of Chile in so many ways - politics, culture, industry, etc. That includes shopping. Santiago is the shopping capital of the country, serving as the conduit for all kinds of goods coming from across the nation

Santiago is a city that has raised shopping to an art form. It is riddled with pedestrian malls where one can stroll about taking in the sights, sounds and smells of elegant boutiques and gourmet restaurants in the Providencia District or downtown at Ahumada and Huerfanos, or the aura of quaint artisan markets and street vendors in the Bellavista District.

Others prefer to treat themselves to exquisite antiques in the Los Graneros del Alba shopping area. Art buffs haunt the Plaza Mulato Gil de Castro’s colonial-style buildings, filled with art galleries where they can even stop in at a cafe for an espresso and kuchen and eavesdrop on the artists and writers who gather here. Museum gift shops draw another kind of collector; one is lured by culture and fame of modern Chilean art and ancient Easter Island artifacts. And still others find themselves mesmerized by the kaleidoscopic colors, textures and scents of the Mercado Central where hundreds of stalls proffer the freshest of tropical fruits, vegetables and uniquely Chilean snacks to be found there.

National and imported goods at reasonable prices are available in Santiago in some of the following areas:

Downtown, between Miraflores and Amunategui streets and Av. B. O’Higgins and Santo Domingo Street.
Providencia Avenue, including chic boutiques on Suecia, General Holley, Los Leones, Ricardo Lyon streets, amongst others.
Shopping Centers: Panoramico, Apumanque and Parque Arauco, in the eastern area.
Plaza Vespucio, in the southern area.