Best Terremoto in Santiago

Order:

Verdict

Offers a "classic" version in a wonderfully formal and quiet setting; it is a favorite for local bankers and lawyers who want a traditional refresher without the noise of the city center. — various (Centro)

Queue

Go

1:30 PM; a historic club with a beautiful garden terrace.

Price

$$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

The name translates to "Where the Fat Man Is"—a classic Chilean indicator of a place that serves enormous, calorie-dense meals for a low price. Their Completos are notoriously "oversized." — various (Centro / Rancagua)

Queue

Go

1:30 PM; a "people's restaurant" known for its massive portions.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Famous for its "Terremoto" drinks, but their Chorrillana is the essential "fuel" for the night; it is cheap, massive, and served on communal wooden tables in a chaotic, historic atmosphere. — Centro Histórico

Queue

Go

6:00 PM; a legendary and gritty "republican" bar near the Mercado Central.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

A no-frills downtown bar where office workers and students share communal tables over Terremotos; it is fast, cheap, and the pineapple ice cream is replenished every two hours for maximum freshness. — various (Centro)

Queue

Go

7:00 PM; a gritty port-themed bar in the historic center.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Offers a "gourmet" take on the Chorrillana, using craft-beer-marinated beef and artisanal fries; it is the best spot for those who want to pair the dish with high-quality local IPAs or Stouts. — various (Bellavista / Providencia)

Queue

Go

7:30 PM; a modern craft beer bar with a high-end pub food menu.

Price

$$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Known as the "other" birthplace of the Terremoto; they claim to have invented the drink before La Piojera. Their version is notoriously strong and served in a wonderfully dark and atmospheric setting. — various (Centro)

Queue

Go

8:30 PM; a historic and very unpretentious bar near the river.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Offers a "premium" Chorrillana using high-end tenderloin (lomo) and hand-cut artisanal fries; it is the most expensive version in the city but also the most technically perfect. — various (Providencia / Lastarria)

Queue

Go

1:30 PM; a legendary and very stylish restaurant filled with Chilean pop culture artifacts.

Price

$$$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Known as "The Palace of the Terremoto," this massive venue is a hub for traditional Chilean music and dance. Their version is notoriously large and is served with a very high-quality grenadine that adds a beautiful depth to the drink. — Centro Histórico

Queue

Go

8:30 PM; a classic and very large traditional bar and restaurant.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

A favorite of Anthony Bourdain; their Pastel de Choclo is the definition of "soul food." It is large, messy, intensely flavorful, and served in a setting that hasn't changed in a century. — Estación Central

Queue

Go

1:30 PM; a legendary and very unpretentious "Picada" operating since 1912.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Their empanadas are notorious for their size and weight; one is a full meal. They are baked throughout the day, ensuring you almost always get one that is still warm from the oven. — various (Las Condes / Vitacura)

Queue

Go

1:00 PM on a Sunday; a premier bakery chain that is a staple for local families.

Price

$$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Famous for the "juiciness" of their pino; they use a traditional ratio of onions to meat that creates a rich, savory gravy inside the turnover, which is the hallmark of a great empanada. — various (Maipu)

Queue

Go

12:30 PM; a legendary "local secret" with a massive following in the West.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Offers a "home-style" Completo that feels less like fast food and more like something a Chilean grandmother would make; the bread is fresh from a local bakery and the mayo is whipped by hand. — Ñuñoa

Queue

Go

1:30 PM; a classic neighborhood lunch spot with a very traditional menu.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

A favorite for those looking for an "authentic" local experience away from the main tourist strips; their Chorrillana is home-style, using thick-cut fries and a rich, savory beef gravy. — Bellavista

Queue

Go

8:30 PM; a hidden, rustic restaurant with a very traditional atmosphere.

Price

$$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

As the name suggests, it is built for speed; the waiters are famous for shouting orders and the hot dogs appear almost instantly. It is a quintessential part of the downtown office-worker culture. — Centro Histórico

Queue

Go

12:30 PM; a historic standing-room-only spot in the heart of the city's pedestrian district.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Offers a "traditional" Terremoto in a wonderfully historic and quiet setting; it is a favorite for local intellectuals and writers who want to avoid the crowds of the more famous bars. — various (Centro)

Queue

Go

8:30 PM; a hidden and very atmospheric restaurant in a narrow alleyway.

Price

$$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

This is where the city’s working class eats; look for the "Empanadas de Pino" stalls where the turnovers are served on plastic plates with a side of "pebre" (Chilean salsa). — Recoleta

Queue

Go

12:30 PM; the second-floor food court is a hub for authentic local food.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Known for its "Mega Chorrillanas"—plates that are designed to feed an entire family or a group of office workers. It is fast, affordable, and very unpretentious. — various (Centro)

Queue

Go

1:30 PM; a popular "people's restaurant" on the city's main avenue.

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

Offers a "safe" and very affordable introduction to the Completo; it is a popular choice for those who want a sit-down meal with a cold beer without spending much. — various (Ubiquitous)

Queue

Go

1:00 PM for a reliable family lunch with beer (Schop).

Price

$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

One of the most famous "Picadas" in Santiago; their Chorrillana is a favorite for tourists and locals alike, known for its generous amount of beef and its perfectly caramelized onions. The atmosphere is vibrant, loud, and quintessentially Bellavista. — Bellavista

Queue

Go

8:00 PM; a very popular and historic corner restaurant in the bohemian district.

Price

$$

Dietary

Order:

Verdict

This is the "raw" street experience; while not for the faint of heart, eating a Completo from a street cart while standing on a busy corner is the most authentic connection to the city's working-class food culture. — various (Santiago Centro)

Queue

Go

6:30 PM; the name refers to the "Uncle of the Oil"—a humorous nod to street food culture.

Price

$

Dietary