Come to our weekly Santiago tasting discovering a variety of themes and topics in Chilean wines. Taste through the valleys and varieties that make up the exciting Chilean wine scene. Led by wine writer Amanda Barnes, and held at Barrica 94 in Patio Bellavista.
Every Thursday 7pm, $15,000 Chilean pesos
The Copa America is upon us! And as the host country, Chile is buzzing. If you are here in the capital and looking for the best places and sports bars to watch all the football matches and be part of the action, take a look at our essential guide of Where to Watch the Copa America in Santiago!
An Irish bar is practically a rite of passage for any big sports championship, and the Copa America is no exception. Head down to Flannery’s near Tobalaba metro station where you’ll find a crowd of thirsty expats, decent pub grub and plenty of ale to accompany all the goals.
Encomenderos 83, Las Condes
A dedicated sports bar chain that is packed to the rafters for this Copa America. Special drinks promos during matches, lots of fat foam fingers and inflatable props, as well as a few dozen screaming fans for each ball in the net. A proper sports bar to watch the game in with plenty of local fans.
Apoquindo 4761, Las Condes
Apoquindo 2965, Las Condes
Concha y Toro 1060, Puente Alto
Another popular Irish bar, this time in the Bellavista neighbourhood, with another chain in Peñalolén. A bustling bar with pints on tap and plenty of cocktails for the female fans (or maybe not!) A couple rooms with screens in different directions and a menu crammed with snacks, sandwiches, and pizza to soak up the inevitable booze.
Patio Bellavista, Constitucion 68, Local 72, Providencia
Mar Tirreno 3349, Mall Paseo Quilín, Peñalolén
A bona fide gringo bar, California Cantina is a regular hangout for expats and locals looking to chatter in English or pick up some gringas. Showing all the major sports games, the Copa America is a sure fire fixture here. For all the Chile goals, they say you get a shot of Chilean Pisco – score!
Las Urbinas 44-56, Providencia
When burgers and bars collide, sports are almost inevitable. Mr Jack is a burger joint/sports bar chain across Santiago that is not only playing all the games but preparing menu battles between the nations for each game. Chile vs Ecuador was a Hamburger with Chilean Pebre vs Ecuadorian Fried Prawns… If you can’t pick a winner – just eat both.
Patio Bellavista, Constitución 44 L 51, Providencia
Tabancura 1108, Vitacura
Av. El Bosque Norte 0145 L 2, Las Condes
Parque Arauco, Boulevard L 380, Las Condes
El Bodeguero
A classic grungy pub in Manuel Montt that shows all the games and serves up some of the biggest chorillanas (see picture!) in Santiago. If you do find yourself with a big appetite during the game, hold your plate steady when there’s a goal – these digs tend to pull in a hardcore fan base who will jump, sing and chant.
Av. Manuel Montt 382, Providencia
Plaza Italia
Each time Chile win a game, you’ll want to head to Plaza Italia to get in with all the action. Here is where the fans crowd and the streets get flooded with the beeps, the whistles and the cheering of fans celebrating their latest win. The further you get into the finals, the more raucous and fun it gets. As fans scale the sculptures and statues, beware of stray fireworks!
Do you have any Santiago favourites for the game? Add your suggestions in the comment box below!
Are you watching the game in Mendoza or Buenos Aires in Argentina? Check out our top list of sports bars there too!
Eating an abundant breakfast or indulgent brunch is just about everyone’s favourite weekend treat, so here are the top spots for the best brunch in Santiago. Saturdays and Sundays are of course the go-to days, but some of these will serve up breakfast during the week for those of us who just can’t resist Eggs Benedict on a Tuesday, and Eggs and Bacon on a Thursday.
The W Hotel (NOSO)
The king of all brunches in Santiago, you’ll pay the price but if you are a brunch extrovert – this is your castle. For around $50USD you’ll get a buffet of waffles, sweet treats, fresh fruit, sauteed shrimp, ceviche, an oyster bar, cheese and cold cuts, a salad bar, freshly-baked breads and muffins, muesli, cereals, yoghurt, and of course eggs exactly how you like them. Wash it all down with unlimited sparkling wine, Bloody Marys, juice and coffee. Brunch heaven. The W gets crowded so book ahead, and if you have come with a thumping hangover you might not take too kindly to the DJ.
Best Brunch for: Boozy gluttons and the ‘it’ crowd.
Stay in bed: If you don’t really have an appetite, or are broke.
Details: NOSO in The W Hotel, Isidora Goyenechea 3000, Los Condes. (2 2770 0000).
Coquinaria
This neat little chain serves up a good breakfast menu every day till 11.30am, with a set brunch menu at the weekends rolling out till the afternoon. The extensive menu has eggs done most ways, Croque (both Monsieur and Madame), a Full English Breakfast, waffles, croissants and smoothies. They have a good tea selection and decent coffee to boot. If you are brunched out you can pop in for lunch, afternoon tea and dinner or check out their deli filled with imported foodie goodies.
Best Brunch for: Yummy mummies, and serial brunches who need a good breakfast everyday.
Stay in bed: If you are indecisive, there are way too many options for you.
Details: Coquinaria, Isidora Goyenechea 3000, Local S101 (next door to The W Hotel), Las Condes; Alonso de Córdova 2437, Vitacura; Mall Vivo Los Trapenses in Lo Barnechea. Everyday.
The White Rabbit
If you’re coming down from a healthy Sunday-morning hike up Cerro San Cristóbal, or perhaps just finishing partying in the lively Bellavista neighbourhood, The White Rabbit is a cosy stopoff tucked in a pretty corner in this colourful barrio. On the weekends the brunch menu offers an attractive array of dishes from grilled artichokes and fresh oysters, to fancy BLTs and posh burgers, waffles, steak and chips, and Eggs Royale. There’s no set menu and the price quickly creeps up as you add coffee, bubbly or juice, but if you are looking for a chic brunch spot – this is your place.
Best Brunch for: Hipsters and those that like cocktails at Brunch
Stay in bed: If you can’t stomach the sight of oysters or well-heeled beautiful people.
Details: The White Rabbit, Antonia Lopez de Bello 0118, Bellevista/Providencia. (2 2503 4246). Sat & Sun 12 till 4pm.
Tea Connection
If you are more into your leaves than your beans, Tea Connection will be the winner in terms of what’s filling your cup. This South American chain has its outpost here in Santiago in Providencia and serves breakfast every day with brunch at the weekend. Think more scrambled eggs and toast with some inventive toppings, warm sandwiches, yoghurt and fruit, and a fridge filled with cakes to tempt you to finish on a sweet note. An adequate brunch, but a great cuppa.
Best Brunch for: British expats who just need a good tea please!
Stay in bed: If you are too hungover to sit straight and raise that pinky.
Details: Tea Connection, Av. Pedro de Valdivia 0129, Providencia. Open everyday from 8.30am till late, except Sundays when it opens at midday. (2 2234 0047).
Holm Ensaladeria
If you prefer your brunch to be on the healthy side, Holm will be your new home at the weekends. You can pick between the vegetarian and meat-eater Brunch menu, but either way you’ll get tons of fresh fruit, muesli and yoghurt, crusty bread, a salad, and fresh juice alongside your eggs. Coffee even comes separately, just to give you an indication of how healthy this pushes you to be. During the week it is a top salad bar and sandwich spot.
Best brunch for: Lively weekenders on a health kick
Stay in bed: If you were just looking for a greasy fry up
Details: Holm Ensaladeria, Padre Mariano 125, Providencia. Sat & Sun 10am till 4pm. (09 4227 4411).
Colmado Coffee & Bakery
As the name suggests, the focus here is on the coffee but on the weekends, this hidden away cafe in the centre pulls together a Brunch menu with scrambled eggs, doorstop toast, tomatoes and local cheese, chocolate eclairs and papaya juice, as well as their top coffee. If you are still a bit peckish, you can dig into one of the big muffins and order another one of the fab coffees. This is a top spot for real coffee in Santiago.
Best Brunch for: Bean addicts.
Stay in bed: If you don’t like coffee.
Details: Colmado Coffee & Bakery, Merced 346, local E2, Centre/Lastarria. (09 5734 3962).
Want to learn about Chile’s different regions and most important varieties? Come to a fun and informative wine tasting with our Editor Amanda Barnes at Santiago’s hottest wine bar, Barrica 94.
Starting Thursday 4th June, in a series of weekly wine tastings, the first session is dedicated to an introduction to Chile’s wine scene. Five great wines, five valleys to discover, and five new favourites!
Contact [email protected] for booking details.
