After a long day of hiking, one of the best parts of a trip to Patagonia is sitting down for a great meal. Puerto Natales is small, but it has a surprisingly good food scene. You’ll find fresh seafood from the southern fjords, slow-cooked Patagonian lamb, and cozy places where the portions are as big as the mountains.
I’m the host at Casa Lenga and I’ve lived in Puerto Natales since 2020. These are the five restaurants I keep going back to and always recommend to my guests. They’re all in town, about a 10-minute drive from Casa Lenga.
The Short Answer
The best restaurants in Puerto Natales are Santolla for king crab, Afrigonia for Patagonian-African fusion and lamb, La Disquería for shared dishes cooked on an iron disc, Bahía Mansa for a varied menu that suits everyone, and Café Artimaña for hearty, good-value food after a day of hiking.
| Restaurant | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Santolla | King crab, a special dinner | Small; arrive when they open |
| Afrigonia | Lamb, fusion cooking | Pricier; book on weekends |
| La Disquería | Sharing, groups | Fish, seafood, meat and vegetarian discos |
| Bahía Mansa | Mixed tables, varied menu | Closed Wednesdays at the time of writing |
| Café Artimaña | Hearty food, good value | Sandwiches and pastas are the highlights |
1. Santolla: The Best King Crab in Natales
If you only have one special dinner in Puerto Natales, make it here. Santolla is a small, intimate restaurant built out of repurposed shipping containers. It’s entirely focused on centolla (southern king crab) and seafood from the region.
Everything is delicate and carefully prepared. In my opinion it’s the best place in town to try king crab. Order the crab legs or the king crab gratin and let the ingredient speak for itself.
Good to know: the space is small and fills up quickly. Arrive early, ideally right when they open for dinner, to get a table.
2. Afrigonia: Patagonia Meets Africa
If you want to try fusion cooking that still tastes of Patagonia, Afrigonia is the place. It’s run by a Zambian-Chilean couple who combine African spices and techniques with local ingredients. The result is creative, full of flavor and unlike anything else in town.
The star here is the lamb, which they prepare in ways you won’t find anywhere else in Natales. The ceviches are also excellent. It’s not the cheapest dinner in town, but it’s worth every peso.
Good to know: book ahead for weekends in high season.
3. La Disquería: Everything Cooked on a Disc
La Disquería has a concept all its own. Every dish is cooked and served on a disco, a large iron disc originally used on plows and now a beloved way of cooking in the Chilean countryside. The dishes come to the table sizzling and are made for sharing.
There are discos for everyone: fish, seafood, meat and vegetarian options. It’s ideal for groups or couples who like to order a few things and try everything. It’s also good value for the quality.
4. Bahía Mansa: When You Can’t Decide
Can’t decide where to go tonight? Go to Bahía Mansa. The menu is broad, with fish and seafood, meat and vegetarian dishes, so everyone at the table will find something they like. The kitchen uses regional ingredients and the quality is consistent. I’ve never had a bad meal here.
Good to know: check their opening days before you go. At the time of writing they were closed on Wednesdays.
5. Artimaña: Hearty Food After the Park
Coming back from Torres del Paine tired and starving? Café Artimaña is your spot. The portions are generous, the prices are fair and the place is warm and welcoming, exactly what you need after a day in the wind.
Don’t let the “café” in the name fool you: the kitchen is excellent. The sandwiches and pastas are my top picks.
Tips for Eating Out in Puerto Natales
- Dinner starts late. Many restaurants open for dinner around 7 pm, and Chileans usually eat between 8 and 10 pm.
- Watch out for Sundays. Many restaurants in Puerto Natales close on Sundays, so check opening days before you head out. If you plan a Sunday dinner, it’s worth confirming in advance.
- High season is busy. From December to March the popular places fill up, so arrive early or book when you can.
- Try the local classics. Don’t leave without trying centolla (king crab), Patagonian lamb and a Calafate sour.
- Tipping. A 10% tip is customary in Chile and is usually suggested on the bill.
Prefer a Night In?
Sometimes after a big hike (or on a quiet Sunday), the best dinner is the one you cook at home. Casa Lenga has a fully equipped kitchen, so you can grab local ingredients in town and enjoy a quiet evening with a view of the Patagonian countryside.
Staying a few more days? Check out my guide to things to do around Puerto Natales beyond Torres del Paine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do restaurants in Puerto Natales open on Sundays?
Many of them close on Sundays, and some also close one weekday. Always check opening days before heading into town, especially outside the December-to-March high season.
Do I need a reservation to eat in Puerto Natales?
For most places, no. In high season the popular restaurants fill up, so it helps to book ahead where possible or to arrive early, right when they open for dinner.
Where can I eat king crab in Puerto Natales?
Santolla is the place I recommend for centolla (southern king crab). It is a small restaurant built from shipping containers and focused almost entirely on king crab and local seafood.
Are there vegetarian options in Puerto Natales?
Yes. La Disquería serves vegetarian discos and Bahía Mansa has vegetarian dishes on its menu. Patagonian cooking is meat- and seafood-heavy, but the main restaurants in town all have at least one good meat-free option.
What time do people eat dinner in Chile?
Later than in most of Europe or North America. Restaurants open for dinner around 7 pm and locals usually eat between 8 and 10 pm.
About the Author
I’m Jorge Aguayo, host of Casa Lenga and an IT professional and photographer. I’ve lived in Puerto Natales since 2020, and every restaurant on this list is a place I eat at myself.
Last updated: September 2026.
Planning your trip to Patagonia? Check availability at Casa Lenga and let me help you make the most of Puerto Natales.