7 Best Restaurants in The Lake District, Chile

Midway between Puerto Octay and Frutillar, this countryside restaurant next to the lake has an all-you-can-eat buffet, with dishes that combine German and local Chiloé gastronomy. One of the most noteworthy options on the menu is carne de jabali, or wild boar meat. But the entire menu is worthy, including homemade integral bread, organic fruits and vegetables, and other meat and chicken dishes done up with regional flavors like quinoa and merquen, plus a plethora of cakes and desserts. You are likely to be stuffed to the gills upon leaving. Reserve your table ahead of time on weekends.

This solar-powered, creative restaurant features fresh and organic ingredients. Breakfasts include homemade yogurt, free-range eggs, and Italian coffee, while lunch and dinner present everything from oversize empanadas and sandwiches to meat, fish, and pasta. You'll also find a few dishes from other places, like gnocchi stuffed with chickpeas and feta cheese. Vegetarians come here for the great salads and vegan plates too.

For a filling sandwich, a homemade küchen cake, and an espresso or cappuccino brewed from freshly ground beans, this longtime staple is the place to stop in Villarrica. Pull up around a table in front or slip into one of the quieter booths by the fireplace in the back. The lomito completo sandwich—with a slice of pork, avocado, sauerkraut, tomato, and mayonnaise—is one of the best in the south.

You can dig into a hearty American-style breakfast in the morning and burgers, sandwiches, and ice cream the rest of the day at this diner on the Plaza de Armas. It's most famous around town for its completos—Chilean hot dogs topped with gobs of mayo, guacamole, and whatever else you desire. The friendly, bustling staff speaks little English, but if it's clear you're foreign, an English menu is presented to you with great fanfare.

This wonderful café and restaurant is dessert heaven, with assorted pastries baked fresh every day, chocolates galore, and an excellent selection of ice cream. The restaurant also has a varied menu of sandwiches, pizza, and more, and an extensive wine list. In summer, sit at one of the tables outside on the sidewalk. 

Coffee and homemade pastries are the specialties of this café, but old-school (and big) sandwiches, excellent hot dogs, ice cream, and other simple dishes are also available. A classic stop in Temuco since the 1940s, it seems the whole town stops by for a quick lunch during the week, among the clattering of dishes and the army of waitstaff maneuvering their way around the tables.

This swanky café caters to Valdivian business executives who come here to make deals over sandwiches, decadent crepes, and desserts. In the evenings, the atmosphere feels less formal—the menu is exactly the same—as the Entrelagos becomes a place to meet friends who converse well into the night. Next door is the Entrelagos chocolate store, which is a good place to buy a gift or splurge.