Asunción
Not as pretentious as you might expect from the name (wine recommendations for each dish apart), this is a cozy little restaurant with an inventive menu.
Must-see restaurants in South America
Paraguay
A real treat and a bit of a surprise considering the location. Out near the airstrip, the Meshin serves probably the best Chinese buffet in the country.
Sur Chico
Fat plates of fish and chips or choritos al ajillo (mussels in garlic and chilies) are served in three floors of restaurants with river views.
Bariloche
The most atmospheric confitería (cafe offering light meals) in Bariloche has good coffee and reasonably priced sandwiches, burgers and pizza.
Santa Catarina
Nutri Lanches is a dependable stop for healthy-leaning sandwiches, salads and pastries. The lunchtime buffet is a fantastic array of homemade goodness.
Mendoza & the Central Andes
A solid menu offering all the Argentine standards – pizza, pasta, parrilla – with a couple of inventive mains to keep things interesting.
Sucre
A large grocery store in a minimall (where the movie theatre is located); carries Bolivian and foreign brands.
Porto Alegre
Home of the incomparable super bomba royal (a showy ice cream and fruit salad concoction; R$15).
Jericoacoara
A Jericoacoara classic, this bakery opens in the wee hours of the morning to provide coffee and freshly baked goods to partygoers on their way home.
Manizales
Full-service supermarket in Cable Plaza for those who want to cook. Has a good self-service fruit-salad bar.
Brazil
This popular Japanese restaurant draws crowds with fresh seafood dishes, all-you-can-eat sushi and live jazz nights. It’s next to the Yacht Club.
Coastal Patagonia
Bridezilla decor aside, this popular seafood haunt satisfies with sturdy portions of grilled fish, fried calamari and an extensive wine selection.
Northern Patagonia
Maritza cooks up a storm of tasty soups, smoked salmon and homemade pasta dishes in this cute cafe with vegetarian options, liquor and local beer.
Bahia
Zecas & Zecas, on the main square of Sítio do Conde, is a colorful seafood restaurant serving the town’s best moqueca (fish stew).
São Luís
The most convenient large supermarket for the center of town. It's a few blocks south of the main market.
Amazon Basin
Rurrenabaque's market is a good place to stock up on nuts, chocolates and other jungle snacks. Also has cheap juices, empanadas and baked goods.
North Coast
On an open deck across the road from the beach, this popular place serves up quality Peruvian classics in addition to some international plates.
South Coast
Stretching for several blocks, Machala's massive (and packed) outdoor market is the place for self-caterers to buy fresh fruits and provisions.
Uruguay
With its thatched roof and walls covered with gaucho paraphernalia, this neighborhood parrilla is a perennial local favorite.
Uruguay
A fantastic little family-run parrilla on the plaza. The menu sticks closely to Uruguayan standards. Homemade desserts are wonderful.
Viña Del Mar
The Portal Álamos, a downtown shopping arcade, has a string of samey schop-and-sandwich joints that fill the open-fronted 2nd floor.
South Coast
A good no-nonsense cafeteria-style choice on the main road, with grilled meats, roast chicken and mixed rice, plus inexpensive lunch specials.
La Paz
Locally made organic produce is sold at this health-food chain. There is another branch in Sopocachi.
The Amazon
Waiters at this loud, glaring family-favorite rotate with platters of pasta and pizza, including chocolate and banana varieties for dessert.
Bahia
Across the bridge from the center, Mega Chic offers a self-serve buffet and an à la carte menu of pastas, salads, sandwiches and cocktails.
Around Medellín
This no-nonsense diner is popular with the locals thanks to its massive portions of well-prepared typical Colombian food. Bring an appetite.
Alausí
The railroad-inspired Cafetería La Higuera serves breakfasts, sandwiches and simple mains. Conveniently located next to the tourism office.
Leticia
Facing Parque Santander, this friendly spot for a basic but filling breakfast of eggs, bread and coffee is a favorite with budget travelers.
Mendoza & the Central Andes
A fine little sidewalk cafe on a semi-pedestrian strip, specializing in good sandwiches and salads and a couple of innovative main courses.
Ushuaia
Serving homemade burgers and fries, sandwiches, and steak and eggs, this is a local favorite for high-octane, low-cost dining with friends.
Bahia
Stop by this popular spot on Boipeba's main beach drag for a hearty seafood lunch or to just enjoy a cold beer with your feet in the sand.
Quito
A small but delightful fruit and veg market in the peaceful La Floresta neighborhood. The Thursday market concentrates on organic produce.
Mendoza & the Central Andes
Offers a fairly standard range of meats and pastas, and some good meat empanadas. Also a good selection of wines from the San Juan region.
Cochabamba
All bright lights and big servings of cakes, pastries, shakes and gelato with playground equipment to help the kids burn off the calories.
Mendoza
Check out this authentic, bare-bones Peruvian eatery a few blocks from the center. What it lacks in atmosphere it makes up for in flavor.
Arequipa
Coffee, carrot cake, quiche, vegan lasagna and wi-fi; the mezzanine of this refined cafe is where you come to write up your holiday blog.
Paraguay
If you haven't had a decent Chinese meal for a while you may go gaga over Gugu's. It's great value and pretty tasty; portions serve two.
Minas Gerais
Attached to Congonhas' museum, this restaurant is a convenient place to refuel with pasta or meat-focused Brazilian fare anytime of day.
Paraguay
Nationally famous for its delicious and inventive empanadas, and perfectly located midway between Asunción and the Mennonite Colonies.
Córdoba & the Central Sierras
Excellent homestyle cooking in a cute corner location. The homemade pastas are the standouts, but make sure you leave room for dessert.
