Puerto Montt The Lakes District, Chile Travel Guide
The region thrives on fresh seafood, including salmon, mussels (choritos), clams (almejas), oysters (ostras), sea urchin (erizos), crab (centolla), and hake (merluza).
Potatoes serve as a staple, prepared in various ways. Lamb and pork are common, especially in traditional curanto. Local cheeses from nearby farms offer a taste of the region's dairy production. Berries like murta, calafate, and maqui add sweet and tart elements. Smoked meats and fish reflect German heritage.
Lunch (almuerzo) is the main meal, usually from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM. Dinner (cena) typically starts from 8:00 PM. Some venues extend "once" (afternoon tea/snack) around 5:00-7:00 PM as a lighter meal.
A 10% tip ("propina") is customary and often suggested on the bill. Leaving this amount is polite.
Most restaurants serve bread (pan) with pebre (a Chilean salsa) as a complimentary starter.
A traditional dish featuring seafood (clams, mussels), various meats (chicken, pork, longaniza sausage), and potatoes or milcaos (potato pancakes). It is cooked on hot stones in a pit (al hoyo) or in a large pot (en olla).
Find at Angelmó market (many specialize in curanto en olla), some traditional restaurants in the city center.
A rich fish soup made with conger eel, potatoes, carrots, onions, and herbs. A comforting, flavorful dish, especially on a cool day.
Find at seafood restaurants in Angelmó and throughout the city.
A creamy, savory crab pie, often topped with cheese and baked until golden.
Find at seafood restaurants, especially in Angelmó.
Pisco Sour is Chile's national cocktail. Terremoto is a sweet, potent cocktail with pipeño wine, pineapple ice cream, and fernet or grenadine.
Chilean wines, especially Sauvignon Blanc and Carmenère, are available. Kuchen, a German-style cake, and Alfajores (dulce de leche cookies) are popular sweets.
Upscale restaurants presenting refined menus, often focusing on fresh seafood or contemporary Chilean cuisine.
Diverse menus and comfortable ambiance, popular with locals and tourists alike, serving Chilean and international dishes.
Simple, informal local eateries (picadas), often family-run, serving traditional Chilean dishes at lower prices. Also, street vendors with quick bites.
A popular and authentic choice for fresh seafood directly within the market area.
Specialty: Fresh seafood, local atmosphere.
Adjacent to the fish market, this area features not just crafts but also some food stalls with local snacks.
Specialty: Local snacks, casual bites.
Market offerings vary based on seafood abundance.
"Menú del Día" is an affordable lunch option at many eateries.
At Angelmó, select your fresh seafood for on-the-spot preparation.
Some restaurants in the city center have Italian, Peruvian, or other international options.
Awareness of gluten-free or other allergens is limited in smaller venues. Larger or modern restaurants may be more accommodating.
Direct communication with staff is recommended.
Learn phrases like "Soy celíaco/a" (I am celiac), "sin gluten" (without gluten), "sin lácteos" (without dairy). Focus on naturally gluten-free foods like fresh seafood, meat, rice, potatoes, and vegetables.
This will assist greatly in dining.
No specific Halal or Kosher restaurants or certified products are widely available in Puerto Montt.
Online search tools, like HappyCow for vegetarian/vegan options, might identify specific restaurants, though options may be scarce in smaller cities.
Some tour operators in Puerto Montt or nearby Puerto Varas provide culinary experiences.
Opportunities exist in the surrounding Lakes District to visit small farms.
These are typically organized as part of a tour from Puerto Montt or Puerto Varas.
At Angelmó Fish Market, you select your fresh seafood, and it is prepared on the spot, for ultimate freshness.
This market extends an immersive and flavorful experience.
Consider taking a small boat (lancha) from Angelmó to Isla Tenglo for fresh seafood cooked in simple, local restaurants on the island.
This provides a distinct local flavor and scenic views.
Learn to prepare traditional Chilean dishes, including seafood and potato specialties.
Visit dairy or berry farms in the Lakes District, tasting fresh local products.
Explore the Angelmó market, sampling fresh seafood and local delicacies.
Always check opening hours, as smaller establishments may have varied schedules. Consider making reservations for fine dining, especially on weekends.
