For a great Mercado seafood experience that won't empty your pockets, try Tio Willy on the outer…read moreedge of the market. The restaurant isn't much to look at - it's actually the classic hole in the wall. I believe there might actually be two or three separate, small dining rooms. The one we were seated in was very small, maybe eight tables max, and garishly painted in a maritime theme with a black and white checkered tile floor. If you're looking for a white tablecloth fine dining environment, this place probably isn't for you. We were seated promptly by a friendly server. It helps to know a little Spanish, which pretty well describes my proficiency. Luckily, they have a menu with English translations. It was all good except our server recommended the seafood "pil pil" (the one without cheese), which was translated as "pil pil". Hmmm. Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. We also ordered some ceviche to share. Do not go here if you're in a hurry - the pace of service is leisurely. If you're at the Mercado, you're probably on VC - so accept the laid-back Latin pace, sit back and order a bottle of wine. You can people watch and sip a Chilean red while you wait for your food. I took it as a good sign that we were the only Yanquis in the joint - everyone else looked to be local. Chances are that at some point, a street vendor will pop in and try to sell the diners toys, bandages, chewing gum or whatever. Don't worry - it's all part of the experience. If you don't want what they're selling, smile, say "no gracias" and wave them off. The meal started out right with complimentary hot biscuits served with butter. These were followed about 20 minutes later by the ceviche. Very generous serving, fresh tasting, and oh so delicious. As good as it was, we couldn't finish it, because the seafood pil pil was even bigger. Turns out pil pil is a delicious, buttery seafood stew, served in what looked like a cast iron dish. Tio Willy is certainly not stingy with the seafood - I posted a picture so you can see for yourself. Seafood lovers will mostly dig it, although if calamari turns you off, you might want to order something else. Overall, a great place to try fresh Chilean seafood.

I am always a little wary when it comes to eating seafood anymore, just because of the stories I've…read moreheard from others. This place was a little shaky at first, based on the fact that it's a market. There were two of these restaurants in the market, we picked the closest one to the entrance on San Pablo. My wife ordered the ceviche Peruano with cubes fish and a side of avocado (Palta). I ordered the camarones pil pil (a spicy dish). Both dishes were very clean and fresh. My wife's dish was a sort of salad with chopped up iceberg, red onions and tomatoes. My dish was a a bowl of bubbling very very hot broth with a small hill of small shrimp. Don't worry about the cats jumping on the empty cleaned up displayed trays where they sell fish. Go for it, you won't regret it.

food was extremely fresh and amazing. The service was spectacular. They were very accommodating to…read morethe fact that we knew very little Spanish. Really enjoyed the ambience.

Great food, great setting, great service. Google maps gave…read moreme an old address, which I put into UBER. So we were dropped off at the wrong location. After we finally made it there the experience was wonderful.

Very good and inexpensive compared to other ones around We…read moreEnjoy it Eat an empanada and the local wine called pipeño

A great place for seafood, the dishes are great and the attention also, you got a variety of…read moredishes, the price is awesome. Really recommend this place.

This was a phenomenal meal during a visit to Santiago. Initially was tipped off to this place via…read moreLonely Planet, which talked about its ceviche as a highlight. The blurb in LP was enticing enough that while in the neighborhood on the way to do some sightseeing, we made a reservation in the afternoon for dinner that evening. We left stuffed and happy with our choice to dine here. If you love seafood, make this a stop during your culinary tour of Santiago. We sat outside as the weather was rather mild. There's a handful of tables outside and a reasonable sized restaurant inside. Warned about the size of portions, we ordered one of the ceviche platters to share (amongst two people). Three mounds of ceviche came out in short order. We unfortunately couldn't finish it, despite coming with an appetite, which was a shame. The food was excellent. There was a shrimp ceviche with avocado and quinoa, a salmon ceviche with hearts of palm, and a classic white fish ceviche with onions and peppers. All of them were fantastic, but the shrimp with quinoa was unique and memorable for me. To wash it down, we had a nice bottle of red wine (sadly I forget the specific name). Service was prompt and friendly, though I recall that our server didn't speak English. We got by with my very rudimentary Spanish. Prices were quite fair given the quality and quantity of food. Come hungry and prepared to sample some great seafood! While you could come here for lunch, I'd suggest saving it for a dinner. Can't imagine trying to eat that much food in the middle of the day.

I have not eaten here in many years. The pasta and shellfish en papillote is something you will…read morenever forget. I wish I had their recipe!!

A Must-Visit in Santiago: Unmatched Congrio and Exceptional Dining Experience…read moreIf you're visiting Santiago, Chile, there's one place you simply can't miss. For anyone who appreciates top-tier seafood, this restaurant serves what I consider to be the best fried Congrio in the world. The fish is expertly prepared, with a perfectly crispy exterior and tender, flavorful flesh that highlights the quality of the ingredients. Beyond the Congrio, the entire menu is outstanding, offering a variety of dishes that are consistently fresh and skillfully crafted. The service is impeccable--attentive, knowledgeable, and friendly, making you feel right at home from the moment you step inside. The ambiance also plays a big part in the experience, with a beautifully designed space that balances elegance and comfort. Whether you're here for a casual meal or a special occasion, this place truly impresses on all fronts. For a memorable culinary experience in Santiago, this restaurant is a must-visit.

Probably the best seared Tuna steak with mushroom risotto I have ever had in my life. My girl had…read morea grilled fish dish and it was also fantastic and we had an appetizer with clams cooked French style with cheese, and they were out of sight too. Fast service and a very enchanting and charming restaurant with lots of sea fair on the walls including an assortment of navy medals, and other nice seafare decorations around the place. They even have robot assist servers, which is pretty cool.

No longer exists. What more needs to be said? The requirement for 85 characters is stupid.read more

This restaurant operates under a new name, but a comparison of the menus revealed similar items…read more I'd still give it high ratings. The food and service were excellent, I'm my humble opinion.

From the owner: Nuestro negocio es un Restaurante familiar de comida tradicional Chilena con productos del mar de…read moreuna alta calidad, donde se destacan Pescados y Marisco, con los cuales preparamos nuestro emblemáticos platos como el Caldillo de Congrio Dorado, Paila Marina La Jovita, Cebiche La Jovita, Pescado La Jovita. Tenemos una larga tradición de más 30 años presente en el litoral central, nuestro eslogan es: Sabor Frente al Mar

A 10 minutes walk from the metro Neptuno, Louta (a restaurant that is frequented by only those who…read morereally "know"), is what I would consider a picada -- despite the prices being somewhat high (similar to those in the Mercado Central) this restaurant, far from downtown has quality and service not seen anywhere else in Santiago. I recommend ordering the Cancato de Salmon or "Reineta" or the Pastel de Jaiba (filled with cheesy goodness) They have good daily lunch specials where executives from the surrounding areas come to pass their lunch hour. They are known for having delicious empanadas, I recommend their empanada of cheese with shrimp -- seriously good! Their fish is always fresh and Because they are so popular there are rumors that they are opening another restaurant close by. The Louta is a great place for big family Sunday lunches and group outings. Their decoration is simple and clean - especially great for families. The waiters are always super attentive - especially when you come with kids they will sometimes even give the kids a juice or treat to keep them entertained. Tip: It is always full on any given day so call in the morning to make a reservation -- especially during the weekend.

This place was AMAZING. The VIEW IS TO DIE FOR! You overlook the shores where you can watch the…read morewaves violently crashing against the shore and rocks. The food was really good and the service was top notch! You HAVE TO GET THE CRAB!!! A server will stand by you for 5-10 minutes and break the crab for you.

Food and views here were awesome. Try the crab cakes. So good. Serving sizes were a bit big, but…read moreall the food was great. Wait staff was very friendly!