What to eat in San Pedro de Atacama? The local gastronomy

You will find some interesting restaurants in San Pedro and also in the hotels, many with international cuisine, but the local specialties are a very interesting. Taste some of them!

Patasca

It s typical preparation from the north of Chile, a spicy stew that denotes its highland origins with charqui, potatoes and peeled corn. It is part of the tradition of Chiu- Chiu, an Atacameño town that prepares it for typical festivals where the pachamama is thanked for the crops and livestock. This typical food is prepared with dried corn cooked for several hours, this tasty broth of beef, lamb and pork fried in garlic, onion and paprika is ideal for the cold temperatures and for recovering after a long day of hiking.

Llama Meat

The llama meat is part of every menu in Atacama region. With a soft texture and a taste similar to lamb, you can find it in stews, casseroles, pies and even in its popular chilean version “a lo pobre” with eggs and fries.

Quinoa

Basic ingredient of San Pedro’s food, available in three versions: red, white and black. The quinoa, is a flowering plant in the amaranth family. It is a herbaceous annual plant grown as a crop primarily for its edible seeds; the seeds are rich in protein, dietary fiber, B vitamins, and dietary minerals in amounts greater than in many grains

Picante de Conejo

A delicious opportunity to taste rabbit meat, which is cooked and fried in semolina and then cooked in its broth over low heat, together with a tasty sauce of puti carrots, onions, garlic and chuño, previously fried in egg. This unique local dish is usually served with white rice and other side dishes.