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!!

I'm visiting Chile in 12/20 and I chose this restaurant because of the name (blue is my favorite…read morecolor) and also because the interior design. But the true is we were happily impressed by the food and the service! Exquisite fish, exquisite wine and exquisite service! Food was so very good presented that I forgot to take pictures of all of the dishes! Anyway, don't forget to try the quinoa risotto or the Pescado a la Sebastiana or even the scallops a la parmesana!

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.

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.

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.

If you want an authentic, no-frills, family-run dining experience in Santiago's Central Market,…read moreMares de Chile is a gem. Yes, it smells like fish the moment you walk in, because it's surrounded by the day's fresh catch, but that's part of the charm I suppose. I mean it's literally next to the stalls selling fresh seafood. We ended up having one of the best, and cheapest meals of our entire trip here. The seafood was exceptional: the salmon, octopus, and calamari Fritos were incredibly fresh and perfectly cooked, each dish simple and full of flavor. The razor clams were fine, I wouldn't get this one again. Before our plates even arrived, they welcomed us with a free consommé, a warm, comforting touch that set the tone for the meal. What really stood out, though, was the service, they were humble, genuine, and full of warmth. The family running the place treats you with a kind of quiet hospitality that makes you feel like you're being invited into their home rather than just their restaurant. Mares de Chile isn't fancy, but it's honest, hearty, and unforgettable. The whole meal with a half bottle carmenere and beer cost us $40. This would have been a $250 meal in New York. For anyone looking for real Chilean seafood and heartfelt service without tourist-trap prices, this spot is an absolute must.

Food: very tasty and fresh, especially the snow crab! The calamari was also good…read more Service: is friendly and attentive. Our server Daniel was terrific! Ambiance: is family restaurant-like and not too big like some of the other places in the Mercardo fish market. Value: is great for all the fresh seafood you get!

El Ancla was well reviewed by Yelp, so I took the short walk from my hotel to check it out. I'm so…read moreglad I made the trek because the food, service and ambiance on the patio were excellent! The weather on the beautiful, quiet, plant filled patio was perfect. I enjoyed a delicious soup of octopus, shrimp, potatoes, tomatoes and various spices with warm fresh bread and butter. El Ancla is a beautiful restaurant in a quiet neighborhood that's easy to get to from the major street of Avenida Providencia.

Cozy neighborhood restaurant with amazingly fresh seafood. Fresh fish, Oysters on the half shell…read morewith a refreshing shallot/ cilantro condiment. Yum! Excellent service.