South America draws food-lovers from across the globe, but it’s best known for its carnivorous delicacies rather than its meat-free options. That shouldn’t discourage vegans and vegetarians, however. Despite preconceptions, the continent has a diverse range of restaurants catering to green lifestyles, and Santiago is no exception.
Chile’s capital offers diverse culinary experiences, featuring a glorious fusion shaped by indigenous culture and influences from Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. Consequently, the city’s bustling markets provide restaurateurs with a dazzling selection of ingredients for a varied offering of plant-based dishes – you just need to know where to look. Here we round up the best of Santiago’s vegetarian and vegan options, from superfood salads to supersized veggie burgers.
El Huerto
Situated on a picturesque leafy street, El Huerto is popular among tourists and locals alike for its ingenious take on veggie food. Try the seaweed ceviche – made with dried kelp from the local market – which is a delicious riff on its seafood counterpart. Don’t forget to stick around for dessert, such as vegan cashew nut cheesecake with red fruit coulis and a vegan fruit tart topped with seeds and dairy-free ice cream.
Location: Orrego Luco 054
Cafe Forestal
Cafe Forestal is a charming city center cafe, easily spotted thanks to the bunting strung across the trees. Coffee enthusiasts will be thrilled at this tiny rockabilly hangout, where high-quality roasts are served al fresco in the sunshine, with various milk alternatives available. Vegan lunch options include the A.P.V burger (an abbreviation meaning apta para veganos – suitable for vegans), featuring a juicy vegan hamburger with tomato, avocado, lettuce, and vegan mayo on sourdough ciabatta.
Location: Av. Ismael Valdes Vergara 490
Colmado Coffee & Bar
There’s a more extensive list of vegan options at Colmado Coffee & Bar, which you’ll find nestled in a lovely courtyard just off one of the busiest foodie streets. This bohemian hideout offers a wallet-friendly breakfast deal that includes sourdough bread topped with avocado or hummus, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a coffee of your choice (with almond or coconut milk). Visit a little later in the day to enjoy a tempting lineup of boozy options, including negronis, espresso martinis, and craft beers.
Location: Merced 346
Vegan Bunker
Don’t be fooled by the name – this isn’t a subterranean shelter, but vegans may well want to hideout at this 100 percent plant-based eatery. The sunny diner boasts a menu full of animal-friendly comfort food. Between homemade burger buns, you’ll find everything from barbecued tofu with palm heart and grilled onions to soya-marinated seitan with tomato and avocado. Moreover, the enormous selection of vegan cakes is sure to tempt anyone.
Location: Fresia 529
Original Green Roasters
They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so set yourself up for success with the generous portions at brunch and coffee specialists Original Green Roasters. Hearty breakfasts include chunky French toast, cascading with blueberries, bananas, and a lake of maple sauce. Vegan options are available too – like a generous portion of avocado and tomato on toast. There’s also a range of milk alternatives for a coffee fix that’s animal-friendly.
Location: Rancagua 040
Vegetarian-friendly Street Food
It’s not just specialist restaurants that serve plant-based dishes – street food in Chile is well worth exploring. Sopaipilla is a type of pumpkin patty that’s deep-fried and served with generous portions of spicy salsa and garlic sauce. In the Santiago city center, look for the stall near the Central Market, which has served sopaipilla to hungry commuters for over 20 years. When the temperature rises, seek out stallholders selling refreshing mote con huesillos. This vegan dessert combines cooked wheat and fruit in delicious ice-cold peach juice, making it the perfect way to cool off on a sunny day.
La Fraternal
Travel a little further out of town, and you’ll discover a vast array of veggie and vegan restaurants to explore. Open since 2011, La Fraternal operates on the more relaxed, bohemian end of the spectrum. The venue features an open-air restaurant surrounded by fresh herbs and adorned with bunting, as well as regular yoga classes and a health food shop stocked with delicious Chilean kombucha. Here, they serve organic and healthy dishes, the majority of which cater to vegetarian and vegan diets. Their sourdough pizzas come with a choice of milk or nut-based cheese, while raw salads provide a healthy alternative. Their tempting dessert bar features more raw options, including an indulgent pomegranate and coconut tart.
Location: Holanda 3362
Quinoa Restaurante
Located in the trendy barrio of Vitacura, Quinoa leads the pack with a substantial all-day offering and stylish ambiance. Inside, there’s ample comfortable seating and a charming courtyard where diners can enjoy a variety of vegetarian and vegan dishes. Salads are hearty and filling – the red quinoa salad is packed full with carrots, olives, avocado, tomato, and sautéed tofu. Bigger plates include burritos – available vegan – served with guacamole, black beans, and caramelized onions. To continue the health kick, savor a freshly pressed fruit juice or dive into a bowl of vegan brownie made with 70 percent cacao.
Location: Calle Luis Pasteur 5393
José Ramón
Craft beer fans will appreciate the bar at José Ramón, which also offers a range of hearty sandwiches. This modern take on a traditional sanguchería is not solely a veggie restaurant, but it does provide meat-free options, including the chickpea veggie burger served on a fluffy bun with tomato, rocket, sweet peppers, and olive mayonnaise. Don’t miss out on the homemade sauces; our favorite is the tangy red chili.
Location: José Ramón Gutiérrez 277
