La Piojera, Traditional restaurant in central Santiago, Chile
La Piojera is a restaurant located near the Mercado Central food market in a two-story building with wooden tables and serves Chilean dishes and drinks. The menu includes traditional items such as empanadas and cazuela soup, as well as the house specialty terremoto cocktail made with fermented wine and pineapple ice cream.
The restaurant came into being in the early 20th century and received its name in 1922 when President Arturo Alessandri Palma humorously referred to it as a fleahouse during a visit. This moment became embedded in the restaurant's identity and continues to define its place in Chilean cultural history.
The restaurant draws workers, artists, and students who gather here to eat traditional dishes and socialize in a casual, welcoming way. The wooden tables and informal atmosphere make it a place where people from different backgrounds naturally meet and spend time together.
The place is open daily from morning through late evening and accepts cash payments without requiring advance reservations. Service moves quickly, so you can expect to be served promptly even during busy hours.
The terremoto cocktail, the house specialty, arrives in oversized glasses and combines fermented wine with pineapple ice cream into an unexpected blend. The generous size of this drink reflects the indulgent style that regular customers return for.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
