8 Best Restaurants in The Lake District, Chile

On the outskirts of town near the lake, this stellar restaurant serves exceptional steaks. The menu has good and generous barbecue plates (including wild boar, goat, and lamb); there is a nice variety of seafood and pasta dishes, too. Desserts like homemade ice cream and tiramisu are worth the extra splurge. Service, which includes the involvement of the owner, is also friendly and prompt.

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.

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.

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.

The menu at this local favorite has diverse offerings, but it is the colorful, exquisitely prepared fish and shellfish that deserve your close attention. They also have a special kids' menu.

Louisiana Cajun cooking in southern Chile is far from common, but this place pulls it off and has become a must-stop on the tourist trail. Excellent meats and seafood with a spicy, Cajun twist populate the extensive menu, like filete Mardi Gras or red curry shrimp. As noteworthy as the food, the service and ambience contribute positively to the whole experience.

Showcasing southern Chilean hospitality at its finest, this restaurant was actually constructed using wood from trees taken from the bottom of Lake Calafquén. The gregarious owners are on-site serving up stories and exquisite food, from diverse dishes using local trout and salmon to roast beef covered with a delicious mushroom sauce.

Get a table with an incredible view of the lake during the day if you can, and prepare to enjoy mouthwatering homemade bread and a delicious pisco sour. Then, go for one of their huge steaks, pork chops, or short ribs, along with the homemade French fries. If possible, and that's a big if, leave room for the spectacular desserts.