
We spent the rest of the morning organizing some excursions, so keep an eye out for some prehistoric caves and a visit to Torres del Paine National Park in the next episode!
For dinner that evening, we decided to try some classic Chilean dishes. We had dinner at Espacio Ñandú, which is a super interesting space combining a restaurant with a souvenir shop. Sam ordered the chilean ceviche which is traditionally prepared with salmon. Meanwhile, I got the corn pie which was served bubbling hot in a cast-iron bowl with beef, chicken and a hard-boiled egg. It was a delicious meal and a great introduction to Chilean food.
That's what we got up to on our first day in Puerto Natales. It was pretty relaxed, but we got a good feel for the town. We'll see you in the next episode where we visit Chile's most iconic national park.
#puertonatales #chile #chileanfood
🌅 Exploring Puerto Natales, Patagonia: Food, Waterfront Walks & Traditional Chilean Dishes | Chile Travel Vlog
🌤️ Arrival in Puerto Natales: Weather Surprises & First Impressions
Good morning from sunny (and windy!) Puerto Natales, Patagonia, Chile! Despite days of weather forecasts calling for rain, the Patagonian sun made a surprise appearance, setting a beautiful tone for our first day in this charming southern city. Patagonian weather is famously unpredictable, but we were thrilled to be greeted with blue skies and sunshine—perfect for a day of city exploration. Our plan for the day: enjoy a delicious brunch, stroll the scenic waterfront, get organized for upcoming tours, and dive into some traditional Chilean cuisine.
🏞️ City Vibes & Tour Planning: Getting Ready for Adventure
With the city’s colorful houses and energetic, pet-loving community, Puerto Natales immediately won us over. After our morning wander, we got down to business: planning our excursions for the days ahead. We arranged a full-day highlights bus tour of Torres del Paine National Park, perfect for travelers short on time or not quite ready for the region’s famous W and O trekking circuits (which can take up to two weeks!). We also penciled in an independent hike and a possible boat ride for the following day, knowing Patagonian weather would keep us on our toes.
🍷 Evening Delights: Chilean Wine & Local Juice
As the evening sun lingered high in the sky (the long southern days are amazing!), we ventured out for dinner. We kicked things off with local flavors: a natural raspberry juice and a glass of Chilean Cabernet. The wine was strong yet smooth, reminding us of tastings in the Balkans, and it set the stage for an authentic Chilean meal.
🍲 Chilean Classics for Dinner: Pastel de Choclo & Salmon Ceviche
Dinner was a feast of traditional Chilean flavors. We tried pastel de choclo, a savory corn casserole that’s a local staple. Served sizzling in a cast-iron pot, it featured a base of ground meat, chicken breast, a hard-boiled egg, and a thick, creamy corn topping—almost polenta-like in texture, and reminiscent of Korean stone pot dishes where the ingredients crisp up on the edges. The portion was generous and hearty.
On the lighter side, we savored a salmon ceviche loaded with big chunks of avocado and onions, served with fresh bread. The ceviche was bursting with acidity and freshness, and the avocado was a unique, creamy addition. We agreed it ranked among our favorite global dishes!
🍰 Dessert Indulgence: Decadent Chocolate Cake
We ended our meal with a knockout dessert: an ultra-rich chocolate cake layered with thick dulce de leche (manjar blanco) and chocolate. The cake was dense, sweet, and decadent—honestly, one of the best cakes we’ve had in years. It’s no wonder the restaurant is famous for its desserts; if you’re ever in Puerto Natales, stopping by just for cake and coffee would be well worth it.
Trying CHILEAN DISHES (Salmon Ceviche & Corn Pie 🌽) + First Impressions of PUERTO NATALES, Chile 🇨🇱
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