Santiago Street Food Guide: Completos, Empanadas & Markets

Chilean street food is unpretentious, filling and deeply loved — from the baroque completo hot dog buried under avocado and mayonnaise to freshly fried empanadas from corner bakeries, Santiago's street food scene tells the story of a country that takes simple pleasures seriously.

The Completo

Chile's national fast food — a hot dog in a fluffy bun, loaded with toppings. The classic completo italiano is topped with avocado (palta), chopped tomato and mayonnaise in the colours of the Italian flag. The completo cargado (loaded) adds sauerkraut, pickles, mustard and more mayo. Dominó is the most beloved chain; independent stands throughout the Centro and Barrio Italia are often better.

Empanadas

Baked or fried pastry pockets filled with pino (spiced beef, olive, egg, raisin), cheese (queso), or seafood. The best in Santiago: Empanadas El Hoyo (Barrio Brasil, since 1912), Las Vacas Gordas (premium, Vitacura). Sunday is empanada day in Chilean culture.

Mercado Central

Santiago's magnificent iron-frame Victorian market (1872) — the city's best seafood market and a Santiago institution. Fresh ceviche, conger eel (congrio), centolla (king crab) and caldillo de congrio (Pablo Neruda's favourite soup). Sit at the central restaurants for the full experience.