3 Best Restaurants in The Central Valley, Chile

This sun-drenched restaurant overlooking the vineyards and polo field serves local delicacies including fresh ceviche, Chilean asado (barbecued meats), seafood salads, beef jerky empanadas, an eclectic mix of tapas, and indulgent Chilean desserts. The wine list is all from the Casa Silva winery, of course, but it's an enormous portfolio and the prices carry attractive discounts. Whitewashed walls, large windows, colorful floral arrangements, and balconies overlooking the estate make this one of the most pleasant lunch spots in the Colchagua Valley.

Surrounded by vineyards, this ever-popular restaurant is a countryside culinary experience serving contemporary Chilean cuisine that celebrates native ingredients: seaweed ceviche, scallop and quinoa risotto, and carne mechada (pulled beef) among them. There's inside seating in a cozy country home, but most diners choose to take advantage of the clement Colchagua weather and the vineyard view from the garden.

It takes quite a drive to get here, but Milla Milla---the restaurant at VIK Hotel---is worth the trip. Fabulous valley views and monumental artworks are the only things pulling your eyes away from the colorful plates of contemporary Chilean cuisine. Dishes feature ingredients sourced from the nearby sea, mountains, and on-site garden. Head Chef Rodrigo Acuña Bravo is one of the most exciting on Chile's cuisine scene today. Set menus include VIK wine. Reservations are essential; if you have any trouble getting one, you can also have lunch at the equally superb Pavilion restaurant in the Viña Vik winery below.