A Neighborhood Guide to Ñuñoa, Santiago: Nightlife, Classic Bars & Local Food

The area around Plaza Ñuñoa has long been one of Santiago’s premier destinations for nightlife, culture, and entertainment. The plaza is synonymous with outdoor terraces where groups of friends enjoy relaxed evenings over beers, as well as a number of live music venues and restaurants. Read on for a guide to some of the best places to visit in this classic area of the city.

Fuente Suiza

Since 1954, this legendary establishment has been serving up some of the finest lomitos and completos in the city. It is an emblematic fuente de soda, a Chilean version of the classic ‘soda fountains’ of the US serving giant sandwiches and hot dogs, which have become a key part of the national cuisine since they were brought over by immigrants from Germany and Switzerland.

For both the lomito (pork tenderloin sandwich) and the completo (hot dog), the traditional styles are either the italiano (topped with diced tomatoes, avocado, and mayonnaise) or the completo (topped with diced tomatoes, sauerkraut, and mayonnaise). My personal favorite here is the lomito a lo Pablo, a simply massive sandwich topped with cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, and housemade mayonnaise. Order a side of French fries and, of course, a schop (draft beer) to wash it down.

Las Lanzas

Another classic neighborhood establishment, this bar opened its doors in 1964 and quickly became a favored haunt for beer-drinking students and intellectuals, symbolizing Ñuñoa’s leftist tilt. They close early, but it’s a perfect spot for an afternoon outside on the terraza.

La Batuta

This concert venue opened in the 1980s and quickly became the epicenter of Chile’s budding rock scene. The venue has hosted many legendary names over the years, such as the Chilean bands Los Tres, Los Bunkers, and Chico Trujillo as well as the Argentine musicians Charly García and Luís Alberto Spinetta.

El Dante

Another long-standing bar, open since 1949. An excellent spot for drinks outside.

La Finestra

Follow the long, narrow hallway off the street and you’ll enter this charming Italian restaurant in a lovely garden. They have a large menu of pizzas and pastas as well as a wide variety of wines from Italy, but I recommend that you look no further than the carbonara—it’s seriously one of the best I’ve had anywhere.

La Vinocracia

An excellent wine bar with an ample selection of wines from Chile and abroad. Pair your glass with a tasty cheese plate, and visit their shop next door if you’d like to take a bottle home with you.

La Destilería Bar

This bar is located in a charming old house very typical of Ñuñoa. Sit outside on the lively covered terrace, or head inside and grab a table in one of the cozy, wood-floored rooms upstairs.

Kunstmann Craft Bar

This beer garden is operated by Kunstmann, one of Chile’s most famous craft breweries, located in the southern city of Valdivia. The south of Chile has a strong tradition of beer production, thanks to its legacy of German immigrants as well as its ample water supply. The bar has sixteen Kunstmann varieties on tap—the most famous is the Torobayo, a pale ale with a deep amber color.

Barbudo Beer Garden

Another beer garden with a large, outdoor terrace, and a huge selection of beers. This is a great place to try some beers from other Chilean breweries like Kross and Austral.

Looking for more tips on what to see and do around the city? Visit our Santiago page here.