Best Seafood in Valparaiso Chile: Where and What to Eat

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Valparaiso by the Pacific Ocean is a culinary destination not to miss in Chile. Valparaiso seafood is known throughout for the abundance of local treasures from the ocean.

In addition to being Chile’s second largest city, Valparaíso’s historic zone is also a Unesco World Heritage Site. 

While there is a lot to see and explore, Valparaiso seafood takes center stage.

Here is our guide to finding the best seafood in Valparaiso as you explore this charming city.

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Best Places to Have Seafood in Valparaiso

There are many options and places to have seafood in Valparaiso. To guide your culinary travels as you visit Chile, we have divided this article into three sections, each with the best seafood restaurants,

The best place to see Valparaiso seafood is at the farmer’s market. You’ll see the fresh seasonal fish and then know what to order at the restaurants in Valparaiso.

The second section covers the best Valparaiso seafood restaurants. Many of which we visited and some highly recommended by locals.

Finally, if you go off the beaten path to the “fishermen’s village”, we share our favorite spot for an authentic experience.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: With an abundance of fresh seafood and produce, we recommend taking a cooking class and learning to make some of Chile’s national dishes. This 5.5-hour Chilean cuisine cooking class with market visit, introduces you to Chilean food and culture as you learn to make a four-course meal.

Valparaiso Fish Market: Mercado Cardonal

Valparaiso seafood mercado
Mercado El Cardonal, one of the most popular markets

Mercado Cardonal is one of the most important farmer’s markets in the region. This popular market, which has been around for over 100 years, predominantly features fresh fish and seafood.

This Valparaiso fish market is divided into two main sections. On the first floor or lower level, you’ll fruits, vegetables, cheese, meat and poultry, nuts, and more.

The most impressive section on this level are the fish stalls which are filled with seasonal fish and shellfish.

On the second level are about 20 different local restaurants specializing in Valparaiso seafood.

Additionally, these restaurants also serve typical Chilean dishes, breakfast, coffee, and desserts.

The menus at all the restaurants are very similar. Once you get upstairs, be aware that the servers will be fighting for your attention, urging you to eat at their place.

We ate at the following restaurant and enjoyed a simple and delicious Chilean lunch. 

1. La Granja Marisqueira Restaurant

Valparaiso seafood granja
The popular La Granja seafood restaurant

La Granja Marisqueira has been a fixture at Mercado Cardonal since 1996. It is a basic small family restaurant with smiling and helpful staff.

What attracted us to La Granja Marisqueira was the friendly server and the high number of locals having their lunch there.

The menu was also highly focused on Valparaiso seafood, which is wanted we wanted to have.

Chilean Seafood at Valparaiso Fish Market

Merluza Chilean Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
Lightly fried merluza with rice and vegetables

At La Granja Marisqueira, we recommend the Menu del Dia, or menu of the day, the best choice for the freshest options. 

Here are some of the highlights of our menu. Merluza or Hake fish prepared lightly breaded and served with rice and salad.

Empanada de mariscos Chilean-style, a lightly fried seafood empanada that was not overly greasy.

Empanada de Marisco Seafood from Chile by Authentic Food Quest
Inside the empanada de mariscos

Other specialties you’ll find include seafood stews like paila marina, shellfish like machas, pomfret fish or reinata, cusk eel or congrio, and more.

Everything was very tasty and fresh. Rosemary enjoyed the fish more than I did. While the merluza was flavorful, I found the texture a little too soft for my liking. 

The seafood empanada was filled with mussels and white fish. This was an unusual, though wonderful, combination of flavors.

Valparaiso seafood AFQ
Rosemary and Claire at La Granja

For simple and enjoyable Valparaiso seafood, head to the second floor at Mercado Cardonal.

RELATED: 12 Most Authentic Chilean Seafood Dishes You’ll Want To Try

Best Seafood Restaurants in Valparaiso

Valparaiso seafood Panorama
Panorama view Valparaiso

Valparaiso is a tourist town attracting both local and international visitors. As a port town and due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, seafood in Valparaiso is the main attraction.

As such, many restaurants cater to tourists with higher prices and, in some cases, frozen and not fresh fish.

Valparaiso seafood street art
Vibrant street art everywhere in Valparaiso

After visiting the Valparaiso fish market, you will know what is in season. It will help guide your menu selection at restaurants ensuring that you get fresh and not frozen fish or shellfish.

For tasty and delicious Valparaiso seafood, here are our recommended best seafood restaurants in Valparaiso, Chile.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Depending on how many days you have in Valparaiso, you may consider taking a food tour to discover Valparaiso seafood and Chilean traditional dishes. This 4-hour gastronomic tour in Valparaiso takes you on an exciting culinary adventure to experience the breadth of Chile foods. As you visit different restaurants, you’ll also learn about the country’s culture. This food tour accommodates vegetarians and vegans.

2. Cocina Puerto

Cocina Puerto Valparaiso Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
A cozy atmosphere – Photo credit: Cocina Puerto on Facebook

This adorable little restaurant serves local Chilean food and wine. 

Cocina Puerto opened in 2010, and it brings all Chile’s flavors to the table, with the spotlight on traditional seafood dishes.

Expect a cozy atmosphere and friendly staff. The setting is simple, with wooden chairs and tables, and the portions are quite generous.

The seafood is outstanding and can be paired with a nice selection of white wines from the nearby Casablanca wine region.

Find vegetarian and vegan-friendly options also on the menu.

What Seafood to Eat at Cocina Puerto

Cocina Puerto Dish Valparaiso Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
Exquisitely prepared octopus – Photo credit: Cocina Puerto on Facebook

With generous portions, you want to go hungry or prepared to share a few classic seafood dishes.

Start out with appetizers like ceviche, mussels, and scallops, all exquisitely prepared.

You’ll not go wrong with any of the flavorful Chilean stews, like Curanto porteño, a recipe from the south of Chile. 

 And, if you want fish, the hake, eel, octopus, salmon, and others will delight your taste buds,

Be sure to leave room for dessert and savor classic desserts like leche asada, mote con huesillos, pear dipped in Carmenere wine, and more. 

Situated away from the tourist crowds, a short walk to this restaurant is definitely worth it.

RELATED: 15 Popular Chilean Dishes Worth Trying: Favorite Food In Chile

3. Tres Peces Valparaíso

Tres Peces Valparaiso Seafood Authentic Food Quest
Local catch guaranteed – Photo credit: Tres Peces Valparaíso on Facebook

Tres Peces restaurant is one of the most unique Valparaiso seafood restaurants focusing on sustainable fishing.

Buying directly from the fishermen while avoiding any intermediaries, you are guaranteed only the freshest and local catch.

Located in Cerro Concepción, this is a popular spot, in part due to their commitment and responsible fishing.

The menu changes weekly based on what the local fishermen catch. With a tight connection to the sea and marine life, the interior is decorated with fishing nets, boats, and other fishing accessories.

What Seafood to Eat at Tres Peces Valparaíso 

Albalone Valparaiso Seafood Authentic Food Quest
Delicious Abalone seafood in Valparaiso

Although the menu is relatively limited, it changes regularly and only features the freshest ingredients.

Anything you choose will be delicious and tasty. Start with parmesan machas or shellfish or congrio broth, a traditional Chilean fish soup. 

For more filling dishes, you can try seafood pies or seafood stews piled high with fresh fish.

Be aware that there are no reservations. Seating is on a first come, first serve basis and it is a popular spot.

No desserts or coffee are served here, but you can try the traditional Chilean Pisco sours.

For their commitment to sustainability, Tres Peces is one of the best restaurants in Valparaiso Chile.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP:  Chile is known for producing amazing wines. From Santiago, you can take a wine tour to Casablanca Valley near Valparaiso. This full-day tour takes you to 3 wineries for tastings and vineyard visits. Lunch at one of the wineries is also included. Discover Chilean wines and read more in our article about the different Chilean wine regions.

4. La Conception

La Conception Valparaiso Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
One of the best restaurants Valparaiso Chile – Photo credit: La Conception website

Located in the famous Cerro Concepción district, La Concepción restaurant is perched on a hill with fabulous ocean views.

The restaurant is in an 1880s heritage house with a large garden terrace for outdoor dining.

The menu features both traditional Chilean gourmet seafood delicacies and a Chilean-focused wine list.

La Concepción restaurant is consistently highly rated for its amazing views and delicious food.

What Seafood to Eat at La Concepción

Paila Marina Valparaiso Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
Paila marina is a traditional Chilean seafood soup

Weather permitting, we highly recommend dining outdoors in the quaint garden terrace.

Go for the house specialty seafood dishes, like fish stews, clams and scallops prepared as salads or dishes, and exquisite tuna steaks.

The wine list offers about 45 of the best Chilean wines to choose from.  If you prefer, you have other options like Pisco Sours, cocktails, craft beer, or cerveza.

We recommend making advanced reservations so that you can get a table and enjoy the port views.

RELATED: 6 Famous Chilean Drinks To Experience Like A Local

5. Cafe del Pintor

Cafe del Pintor Valparaiso Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
Painter’s cafe in Valparaiso – Photo credit: Cafe del Pintor on Facebook

Cafe del Pintor, which translates roughly to painter’s cafe, is a small space that will leave a big impression.

It’s located in Cerro Alegre, a picturesque neighborhood in the heart of Valparaiso. The walls are covered with paintings and murals done by students and local and international artists.

The talent and creativity is arresting as you enjoy the space and your meal.

What Seafood to Eat at Cafe del Pintor

Caldillo De Congrio Dish Valparaiso Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
Caldillo de congrio dish

This is not a pretentious restaurant, but you can be sure that you will eat well.

To be sure you get the best tastes at Cafe del Pintor, ask for the daily specials or recommendations.

You can enjoy a set menu with a soup or salad to start, followed by a main dish and dessert.

Alternatively, the a la carte menu gives you more flexibility, so you can try Chilean salmon, seafood chowder, reineta fish, and others.

There is a good wine selection and also Patagonian beer to try.

Indulge your sweet tooth with homemade desserts like passion fruit mousse, a delicacy worth every bite.

The coffee at Cafe del Pintor is quite good and a nice finish to your Valparaiso seafood experience.

RELATED: 3 Maipo Valley Wineries for the Best Santiago Wine Tours

6. La Caperucita y el Lobo 

La Caperucita y el Lobo Valparaiso Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
Eclectic restaurant – Photo credit: La Caperucita y el Lobo on Facebook page

Featured among the 50 Best Discovery restaurants in the world, La Caperucita y el Lobo is one of the best restaurants in Valparaiso.

In English, the name translates to Little Red Riding Hood and the Wolf. This picturesque restaurant is located on the Bellavista Hill of Valparaiso.

Focused on classic Chilean recipes made with local products, this place is also famous for innovative signature drinks.

The restaurant is a former home of the owner’s grandmother, and it features several cozy rooms with eclectic decor.

What Seafood to Eat at La Caperucita y el Lobo

Merluza Valparaiso Seafood by Authentic Food Quest
Popular Merluza dish

Local products and storytelling are at the heart of the restaurant experience.

The menu includes three acts, for appetizers, the main courses, and the desserts.

There is a Grandma’s Soup with smoked fish filet that pays homage to the place. In honor of Chile’s famous poet,  Pablo Neruda, whose museum is nearby, is an exquisite lemon conger eel dish.

Valparaiso seafood Neruda
Pablo Neruda’s house

Candied oysters with parmesan foam, smoked southern hake, crab salad, toothfish, and more are some of the other highly recommended dishes,

You’ll also find a wide variety of vegan options on the menu, including a range of delectable desserts.

Prior reservations are recommended if you wish to enjoy your meal with a view of Valparaiso on the restaurant’s terrace.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: From Santiago, take a day trip to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, with a stop at the Pablo Neruda Museum. Start in Casablanca Valley for a tasting and tour of a top winery. In Valparaiso, you’ll take a walking tour of the city and visit the Neruda Museum. Back-and-forth transportation to Santiago is provided in an air-conditioned bus. Please note, Valparaiso is a hilly city, so wear comfortable shoes. 

Exploring Seafood in Valparaiso at Caleta Portales Fishermen Village

Valparaiso seafood portales
The restaurant raw at Caleta Portales

To further explore Valparaiso seafood, head to Caleta Portales. 

Caleta Portales is a “fishermen village” or fishing cove located in the port of Valparaíso. 

Artisanal fishing takes place here with Caleta Portales fishermen focused on hake and conger.

More recently, Caleta Portales has become popular with tourists and now has many Valparaiso seafood restaurants.

When we visited Caleta Portales, we made it just in time to see a few fish stands with seafood that had been harvested earlier that morning.

On display was the local fish and seafood like pomfret, hake, salmon, crab, clams and scallops.

Mercado Caleta Portales Chile Seafoodby Authentic Food Quest
Freshly caught fish and seafood at Caleta Portales

After a tour of the market and totally tempted by all the fresh seafood, we checked out the different restaurants along Caleta Portales beach. 

RELATED: Top Restaurant in Santiago Chile: Borago with Rodolfo Guzman

7. El Timon Restaurant in Caleta Portales

Valparaiso seafood timon
El Timon restaurant at Caleta Portales

El Timón restaurant is one of the many seafood restaurants along Caleta Portales beach

As you approach this area, expect to find waiters from surrounding restaurants using tricks to get you into their place.

After surveying the options on the beach, we chose El Timon where the waiter was the most calm. 

Valparaiso seafood sea lions
Sea lions catching some rays

As we discussed the menu and daily specials, he sweetened the invitation by throwing in pisco sour and ceviche to start.

The vibe is very simple and casual, with a nice view of the ocean. It’s the kind of restaurant where you go for the food and not the atmosphere.

What Seafood to Eat at El Timon 

Valparaiso seafood ceviche
Ceviche with Chilean Pisco Sour

If it is not too busy, choose a table with a view of the beach. On our visit, we ordered daily specialties, which change regularly based on the seasonal fish and seafood.

After getting started with a delicious Chilean salad, we had grilled reinata fish with hand-cut fries. We also ordered empanada de macha con queso  or empanada with razor clam and cheese. 

Reinata Food in Chile by Authentic Food Quest
Our favorite Chilean fish, grilled reinata

We enjoyed great service, and the seafood was very fresh and excellent. The reinata flesh was firm and had a steak-like texture which we both enjoyed.  

While the empanada were tasty, the razor clams or macha were not as flavorful as we would expected. Perhaps the flavors were overwhelmed but the cheese.

Regardless, you’ll find a nice selection of Valparaiso seafood. It is worth the trip to the fishermen’s village for seafood so fresh that is practically still moving.

AUTHENTIC FOOD QUEST TIP: Valparaiso is vibrant and alive with street art. The city has been recognized as one of the best cities in the world for street art. Don’t miss a private walking tour in Valparaiso with a local guide. Visit iconic sites in the port city, learn about the local culture, and be mesmerized by the colors of Valparaiso.

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In Summary

Visiting Valparaiso should be on your list of things to do in Chile. It is a funky city with unique architecture and colors. 

The main draw is the seafood. However, the options will vary depending on the time of the year you visit.

Don’t expect a beautiful seafront. It is still very industrial, and some areas are not well maintained. 

Valparaiso restaurants, however, will transport your taste buds to the sea. The fresh flavors and pacific vibe decor will bring the flavors of the ocean to you.

Take the time to get lost in the hills. Enjoy the street art and experience the different elevators and stairs. After all, this is what makes Valparaiso unique.

Have you had seafood in Valparaiso, Chile? Please let us know your favorite Valparaiso seafood in the comments below.

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15 Comments on “Best Seafood in Valparaiso Chile: Where and What to Eat”

  1. Hi!
    I enjoyed reading your stories about seafood restaurants in Valparaiso. A friend of mine says that when he last traveled to Valparaiso, probably around 15 years ago, he ate conger eel there and said it was the best fish he’d ever eaten. Did you see any eel on the menus and did you try it? He lives in California and wants to import it from Chile. Practically no one eats it there.

    cheers!

    Reply
    • Thanks, Bruce, and we appreciate hearing about your friend’s experience in Valparaiso. Yes, eel is quite popular and on many restaurant menus. We did have it as well and enjoyed it tremendously. Great idea your friend has to introduce the US to it. Wishing him the very best in that endeavor. Thanks for stopping by.

      Reply
    • Glad you like the sound of the empanada. Chilean food is quite tasty, especially the fish and seafood. Hope you do get to travel to Chile soon, but in the meantime, check out our pan seared sea bass with Chilean Pebre sauce for a taste of Chile at home. Thanks

      Reply
    • Heading to Chile to eat is a great reason to travel there. That’s actually why we visited 🙂 Check out our resources for the food in Chile to help you plan your eventual trip. In the meantime, try our Chile recipes and bring the flavors home. Thanks

      Reply
  2. We have plans to go to South America next year. So are starting our research. I loved the chance to see a little of the barrios of Santiago and Valparaiso. We will definitely use the funiculars to get to the top of hills. I am certainly looking forward to seeing the colourful street art. Good to know we will be able to get our fill of seafood. Being more bland flavoured is definitely fine with us.

    Reply
    • You will South America Linda. Feel free to reach out for any tips about the food. Lot’s of fresh flavors and delightful combinations. If your travels take you to Argentina or Peru, we certainly recommend our Authentic Food Quest food guides. Have fun and can’t wait to read about your impressions.

      Reply
  3. I read with great interest the reviews of Claire and Rosemary . They have described briefly the most interesting places to visit in Valparaiso. But despite the brevity, his comments are accurate and authentic. Thank you very much for your visit to this beautiful city. Manuel.

    Reply
    • Hi Manuel,
      Thank you so much for your comments. We really enjoyed our stay in Valparaiso and wish we could have stayed longer. It is truly a beautiful city. Thank you for hosting us and for your wonderful suggestions that made our stay amazing. Please stay in touch.

      Reply

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