Mendoza & the Central Andes
The food is ordinary and the opening hours irregular, but the decor, comprising leftover props from Seven Years in Tibet, is curious enough to deserve a…
Must-see restaurants in South America
Puerto Natales
A bright nook with savory and sweet crepes, teas and coffee drinks. Factors like local produce and sought-after Nutella help you to break out of that meat…
Paraty
Barracas (food stalls) on the beach here serve simple meals. Don't miss the pasteis de camarão (fried dough pockets filled with locally caught shrimp).
Rio Grande do Sul
The closest restaurant of note to the ruins at São Miguel Das Missões. It's a slightly varied and simple por-kilo buffet in a clean and welcoming…
Bariloche & the Lake District
On sunny days you’ll want to arrive a little early to guarantee an outside table. No surprises on the menu (pasta, parrilla), but the atmosphere’s a…
Baños
This little spot serves breakfasts, cakes and coffee, but everyone comes for the ‘Ponche Suizo,’ a trade secret treat that’s a cross between a shake and a…
Quito
Fast food Colombian-style, including arepas and ajiaco, a Bogotá specialty of three types of potatoes with chicken and corn. Cheap, filling portions.
Paraguay
High-quality food in pleasant surroundings, the varied menus of risottos, meats and fish is a cut above the average small-town restaurant in Paraguay…
Rio de Janeiro
In a colonial house in the Tijuca forest, this atmospheric restaurant serves decent Brazilian fare. It sometimes closes during bad weather, so it's best…
The Oriente
On the main square, atmospheric Los Pinchos is a bar which serves the eponymous pinchos (skewered grilled meat and vegetables) street-side for a dollar a…
Quito
Office workers crowd this two-floor cafeteria for cheap and filling almuerzos (set lunches). Convenient for those staying at one of the nearby…
Córdoba & the Central Sierras
Pull up a wooden bench under the pine tree and try some of the excellent Swiss-German options such as spaetzle (German egg noodles) with wild mushroom…
Rio de Janeiro
This popular spot serves tasty temaki, seaweed hand rolls filled with tuna, salmon and other bites. It stays open late, making it ideal for a post-bar…
Paraguay
A meat merry-go-round awaits, with the salad bar something of an afterthought. They eat well around here, and this calorific smorgasbord is not for the…
Huaraz & the Cordilleras
This very simple restaurant located on the plaza offers the standard Peruvian set menus with quinoa-heavy soups, stewed chicken and a piece of cake, if…
Quito
In the gorgeous central patio of the Hotel Patio Andaluz, this upscale restaurant serves gourmet Spanish and Ecuadorian fare.
Norte Chico
Some excellent fish dishes, good parrilla (barbecued meat) and live music on weekends make this a solid choice, tucked among the bars of the Barrio Inglés.
Mendoza & the Central Andes
The menu doesn’t stretch much beyond pizzas and sandwiches, but this is a good coffee spot and becomes a happening bar with live music Wednesday to Sunday…
Belo Horizonte
If you’re not a carnivore, or just need a break from Minas' meat-heavy repertoire, make a beeline for the buffet at this popular Asian-vegetarian, per…
Tena
Right on the malecón across from the southern footbridge, this friendly spot serves up decent, topping-laden pizzas, chicken wings, sandwiches and juices.
Quito
Since 1977, La Crêperie has been dishing up traditional French dishes in a handsome dark-wood dining room lined with black-and-white photos of old…
Lima
Across the street from Wa Lok, the smaller Salon Capon has a lengthy Cantonese menu, good dim sum and a traditional bakery that makes scrumptious, flaky…
Popayán
Popular vegetarian place serving cheap and tasty meals featuring a variety of mains including soy protein, lentil dishes and tofu alongside many vegetable…
Middle Chile
This central, contemporary cafe is a great place to catch up on emails over coffee or grab a quick lunch. There are salads, sandwiches and daily cooked…
North Coast & Lowlands
A popular place for young and old with old-fashioned wood booths, a checkered floor and a satisfying assortment of cold drinks, sandwiches and other snack…
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Blink and you'll miss the entrance of this simple little den overlooking the Caleta Hanga Roa. It whips up freshly prepared empanadas, ceviches and tuna…
Cochabamba
Hole-in-the-wall spot with a couple of tables where you can quickly tackle large, juicy empanadas washed down with a juice or even a surprisingly good…
Puerto Williams
A decent option for fried fish, chupe de centolla (king crab casserole) and abundant meat dishes, though vegetables lack luster. Service can be slow.
Uyuni
Something of an Uyuni classic for its menu of pizza, pasta, soups and drinks, this place with wooden benches and local Bolivian decor is friendly and…
Uruguay
Best known for its grilled meats, this popular eatery in the heart of La Paloma also does decent pizzas and has a well-stocked bakery selling takeaway…
Uruguay
La Pedrera's only dependable year-round restaurant is this straightforward parrilla-pizzeria, two blocks in from the beach on the town's main street.
Cuzco
For a little something sweet, this tiny bakery hits the spot, selling breads, empanadas and fat slabs of tart passion-fruit or coconut bread with fresh…
Lake Titicaca
Super-friendly local favorite for a tall, cold beer and trout heaped with all the trimmings. It’s neat, clean, very traditional and popular with the…
El Chaltén
Serving thick pizzas overflowing with toppings, oversized calzones and well-dressed salads, La Ruca is a longtime local institution with a homey…
Puerto Madryn
This busy bistro serves the purpose of satisfying diverse appetites – from milanesas with mashed potatoes to curried shrimp and Florentine hake.
Bolivia
This friendly candlelit Mexican restaurant has quite authentic guacamole, tacos, burritos and refried beans. It’s a fun spot for a drink or two later on.
Paraguay
Great-value pizza and pasta in huge portions served in distinctly Mediterranean surroundings. This is a good bet if you want to eat well on a tight budget.
La Paz
A recommended all-you-can-eat vegetarian lunch is found above Librería Armonía in Sopocachi. Organic products are served when possible.
Riohacha
Pepe serves up hunks of grilled meat over coals with huge sides of potato and salad on the main drag. It's Wayuu-owned, and the goat is particularly good.
Puerto Varas
This down-to-earth locals' favorite is an intimate seafooder in the Mercado Municipal. It does wonderful things with crab sauce. It's rich but excellent.
