Puerto Maldonado
For a sweet treat or ice cream on the plaza, drop in here, although it has gone downhill since the old owner left.
Must-see restaurants in South America
Bolivia
Simple place with a friendly owner serving up mostly basic meat and rice dishes. Not always open the posted hours.
Paraguay
This unusual eatery features a triple menu (pizza, sushi and bistro) served above the trendy SAX department store.
Bolivia
Head to the market to grab goods for a picnic lunch. There are some food stands here, too (mostly fried chicken).
Centro & the Mainland
On e of Brazil's best supermarkets, this Santa Catarina-based chain is a great place to stock up for the beaches.
Santa Cruz
For a good variety of (relatively expensive) ingredients to prepare meals yourself, try this central supermarket.
Amazonas
Low-key per-kilo place with OK food and a fine panoramic view of Lago de Tefé. A short walk west of the center.
Coastal Patagonia
A popular stop for meats, pasta and seafood, this restaurant boasts attentive service and a family atmosphere.
Panificadora Nossa Senhora de Saúde
Alter do Chão
This popular bakery has a few tables if you want coffee and a pastry, but it's best for its freshly baked bread.
Cuzco & the Sacred Valley
This restaurant has wood-fired pizzas, and also serves lasagna in big portions. It's a local hangout after dark.
Paraguay
Choose your own fillings to knock up gigantic subs or three-tier sandwiches. A great way to eat well for less.
Mendoza & the Central Andes
Small, homey family-run spot several blocks south of the town center. Simple menu of grilled meats and pasta.
Rio Grande do Sul
One of the first spots you come to on the road into town, this simple por-kilo is a local favorite.
Middle Chile
Locals usually agree that the empanadas at Las Deliciosas are hard to beat. Crab and cheese is the classic.
South Coast
For ice cream and snacks, this has some intriguing local fruit flavors and may tempt you with free samples.
Northern Patagonia
You can't miss this roadside bus painted in swirling pastels, serving enormous steak sandwiches and juices.
Minas Gerais
Popular with locals for its self-serve offerings, including grilled meats and mineira specialties.
Medellín
This long-running seafood place serves a variety of delicious dishes in an unpretentious Caribbean setting.
Lima
Lima’s top supermarket has luscious arrays of meats, cheeses, vegetables, baked goods and prepared foods.
Villa de Leyva
The Casa Blanca serves up hearty, no-nonsense meals at low prices. You'll rarely have to wait for a table.
Middle Chile
Sit at one of the sturdy wooden tables overlooking the sea and chow down on affordable seafood empanadas.
Huacachina
The Carola Lodge has a decent pizza restaurant and one of the oasis’ larger and more atmospheric bars.
Mendoza & the Central Andes
Simple eatery with a good range of parrilla offerings, including chivito (baby goat).
South Coast
A no-frills restaurants with plastic tables, serving tasty chicken, ham and cheese, and meat empanadas.
South Coast
Near the town center, this classy but affordable Peruvian cafe is perennially full during lunchtime.
Paraguay
Girasol is a good option that serves delicious all-you-can-eat Brazilian asados (barbecue).
Cuzco
One of several small, overpriced grocery shops near the Plaza de Armas. With a Globalnet ATM inside.
North Coast & Lowlands
Tie-clad waiters serve up tasty Ecuadorian fare in this slick and starched eatery by the cathedral.
Northern Patagonia
Whole-bean coffee, omelets and sandwiches are sold out of this food truck, also serving ice cream.
Belém
This roadside pastry cafe does local pastries as well as pizza, and often fills up in the evening.
Puerto Natales
Happy diners share one long, worn table for thin-crust pizza, quality pasta and organic salads.
Quito
Besides an outstanding produce selection, the main market in New Town has cheap food stalls.
Parque Nacional dos Lençóis Maranhenses
A friendly little restaurant right by the river's edge serving up traditional local dishes.
San Gil
Stock up on groceries at Autoservice Veracruz, the best supermarket in the center of town.
Quito
Cafeteria-style place serving fresh fruit juices, empanadas, coffee and basic sandwiches.
Quito
Serves knockout Spanish seafood plates including excellent paella. Portions are gigantic.
La Paz
Locals dig this pint-sized salteña joint with five options and five tables.
El Calafate
Medialunas (pastries) and much more are available at this enormous bakery.
Cali & Southwest Colombia
This cheap restaurant a couple of blocks from the park offers a filling set meal.
