4 Best Restaurants in The Central Valley, Chile

One of the most traditional restaurants in town, the social club specializes in simple, hearty Chilean fare like conejo guisada (rabbit stew) and arrollado (rolled roast pork). In summer, the courtyard fills with locals lunching under the shady pergola.

If you’re looking for new flavor combinations, this fusion sushi bar is a great spot for creative cuisine and craft beers. A range of fresh ceviches, delicious octopus tacos, imaginative sushi rolls, and skyscraper burgers are just some of the regular menu items.

On the north-bound side of the Pan-American Highway, between the towns of Requinoa and Rosario, this well-loved Chilean diner caters to hearty appetites. It began as a humble truck stop in 1946 and established a tremendous reputation for its trucker-size portions of Chilean favorites—whopping steaks and ribs grilled over a wood fire, slow-cooked cazuelas, and stews that leave you wanting nothing more than a hammock and a long nap. It seats up to 500 people and fills fast on busy weekends. Stop in at noon or 6 to beat the local crowd, which tends to eat much later. One of the dining rooms overlooks a simple children's play area, which has a very large bird cage with many attractive species.

Offering Chilean à la carte and large lunch buffets, this hotel restaurant is an institution in Santa Cruz. The menu features typical Chilean dishes using local ingredients and producers, and boasts an extensive list of Colchagua Valley wines available by glass or bottle. In warmer months, the trellised terrace in back is a great spot for lunch.