Coyhaique may be small, and Coyhaique may be remote, but the choices of places to dine out are far from either. Chileans pride themselves on being a diverse nation and that includes their dinner options. From pub grub, to asados, to seafood in the mountains — it’s all here so take your pick.
Patio Seating Courtesy of La Taberna D’Olbek
Mamma Gaucha
Cafe, Restaurant, Pizzeria, Chilean, $$$
Fresh produce, quality meats, and the Chilean take on the Italian classics with terrific pizzas like serrano ham and arugula, and great pastas like handmade stuffed ravioli. Plus they have artisan draught beers that are served all night long.
Just across the bridge that spans the Simpson River is the “x” that marks the spot if you are in search of a terrific beer, great setting, and juicy burger done just right. Also, perfect for early afternoon pints and grub while the sun is still up because they have a great front patio with a view of the forest.
Dinner Is Served | Courtesy of La Casona Coyhaique
The Big House (Casona) has a big menu and everything they do, they do right. For such a thin country, being ‘inland’ means nothing as the fish and clams are fresh, the juicy steaks are from the neighbouring fields and the food has that hint of love that seems to hit the spot a normal meal simply cannot.
Dinner Is Served | Courtesy of La Casona Coyhaique
An extensive menu, beautiful presentation and profound flavours, this is the type of restaurant you would expect to find in Paris, Milan, or Barcelona, not in Coyhaique, but here it is. Possibly the best fine dining in this small town, Dali has been featured in numerous Chilean gastronomy magazines for its dishes like the vicuña carpaccio, avocado octopus salad, salmon tartar and flambeed desserts to cap off a five star meal.
A fogon loosely translates to stove, in English, but that implies your mother’s Sunday roast, and there’s nothing wrong with that, but Fogon Patagonia are doing something a little more gourmet with a huge open fire to roast meat until its slipping off the bone. Succulent lamb shanks, tender smokey ribs, and even some salmon dishes for the pescetarian, and an all around great place.
Vegetarians beware, this is probably not the place for you. Although Chelenko love to accommodate any diet, they specialize in meat done a hundred different ways, each being of the highest quality. Moist pulled meat sandwiches, shish kebabs, lean mean beef burgers and even crispy fried empanadas stuffed with carne, this is the place for the mountain sized appetite.
Great food, equally delicious beer, and a vibe that attracts a fun time, this little hut is a must visit in Coyhaique even if you just plan to stop in for one of the craft, on tap, tasty Belgian beers. Stay long enough and you will see enough of the delicious pub food being served that you will put in an order for a burger, ceviche, or chicken and blue cheese sandwich!
Such a humble place, as they label themselves a cafe, but their food is not premade sandwiches behind a glass display, but instead juicy steaks with fried eggs, caramelized onions and fries, sandwiches, and mouth watering burgers. Come visit, or get it delivered as they will bring it to you.
Flavours of the South Restaurant aim to do exactly that, and give you a tasty reminder of the home style cooking of Southern Chile. They have a menu featuring seafood and meat dishes and almost always offer a menu del dia (menu of the day) displayed outside that will give you a beverage, starter, main, and petite dessert to cap it all off making your decision of what to order, very simple, and always right.
Rounding off this complete list is a little surprise, and a nice change from all the delicious meat restaurants — an authentic Japanese Restaurant that produces elegant, delicious, well-prepared, fresh sushi. Traditional basic salmon and tuna rolls, as well as nigiri and sashimi, or some of their own concoctions and house made rolls, and if you still want to take advantage of the meat in this area, they even have lamb and beef rolls.
