There are plenty of decent restaurants in Punta Arenas, most of which serve local fare such as lamb, king crab, and shellfish. The best strip of tourist-friendly restaurants is along O'Higgins. The major hotels have decent restaurants, if you feel like dining in. For a quick bite, head to a local favorite, the slightly overpriced diner-style El Mercado, Mejicana 617 (tel. 61/247415). For pastas at a good price, try O Sole Mio, O'Higgins 974 (tel. 61/242026). With a big menu and a lively bar, La Luna, O'Higgins 1017 (tel. 61/228555) is laid-back and friendly. The liveliest cafe for drinks or sandwiches is the Pub 1900, at the corner of Bories and Colón (tel. 61/242759); it is the social center for townsfolk here and it has giant windows for people-watching. The best casual spot for dinner and a pint of beer is Santino, Colón 657 (tel. 61/710882), a spacious pub/restaurant that is the happening spot at night; they have sandwiches and simple Chilean dishes such as lomo a lo pobre, that heart-attack-on-a-plate dish of steak, fries, and a fried egg.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
