What to try in Magallanes
Lamb, king crab and a good beer: that sums up the southern table. Before you choose where to eat, these are the flavours not to miss:
- Centolla (southern king crab): the great crustacean of the southern seas. Eaten plain with hot butter, or baked in a pie.
- Cordero al palo: Magellanic lamb slow-roasted on an iron cross beside the fire. The classic dish of the sheep ranches.
- Calafate: a purple Patagonian berry found in jams, ice cream and pisco sours. They say whoever eats calafate comes back to Patagonia.
Where to eat near the hotel
All of these are a few blocks from Armando Sanhueza 965. Distances are on foot from Hotel Almasur:
| Place | What to order | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| La Marmita | Local meats such as rabbit and guanaco; vegetarian and vegan dishes too | ~350 m · 4–5 min |
| Kiosko Roca | A city classic: choriqueso (chorizo and cheese sandwich) with banana milk | ~400 m · 5 min |
| Sotito’s Restaurant | Southern king crab served plain with hot butter | ~450 m · 5–6 min |
| Los Ganaderos | Cordero al palo, slow-cooked by the fire | ~500 m · 6–7 min |
| La Yegua Loca | Another team pick for a meal near downtown | ~600 m |
| Municipal Market · Puelpun | Fish stews and local cooking, upstairs in the market | ~800 m · 10 min |
| Restaurante Aima | Seasonal, ingredient-led cooking | ~850 m · 7–9 min (uphill) |
Some places are cash only and opening hours change with the season. If you want a reservation, ask at reception.
Surista, Almasur’s restaurant and bar
Southern cooking without leaving the hotel. At Surista you can have lunch, dinner or a drink when you get back from your excursion. Ask about the seasonal dishes and the signature cocktails made with Patagonian ingredients.
Almasur recommends: end the day with a signature cocktail at Surista. No coat, no taxi.
Bars and nightlife
For a toast after a windy day:
- La Taberna del Club de la Unión (~150 m, 2 min on foot): an underground bar in Palacio Sara Braun that feels like an old ship. Order the calafate pisco sour.
- Shackleton Bar (~200 m, 2–3 min): inside Hotel José Nogueira, under an iron-and-glass conservatory. Signature cocktails.
- Club K (~300 m, 4 min): a nightclub for dancing until late.
- Bar Lucky 7 · Casino Dreams (~650 m, 8–10 min): live music, comedy and shows inside the casino.
- Muchacha Restobar (~2 km north, 4–5 min by car): karaoke, DJ and dance floor on Av. Bulnes.
Nights are cold even in summer. If you are going further afield, ask reception to call a taxi.
Beer trail: beer from the end of the world
Seven stops to taste what is made here, from nearest to furthest:
- Birra! Cerveza & Buena Mesa (~100 m, 1–2 min on foot): local and imported beers with good food.
- La Cervecería HdeM Bar (~250 m, 3 min): Hernando de Magallanes draught beer and fast food.
- Cervecería Austral (~1 km, 12–15 min): the city’s historic brewery. It offers guided tours with tasting; book ahead.
- La Brewería (~1.2 km, 15 min): a home-brewing supply shop.
- Hernando de Magallanes Brewery (~1.5 km, 18–20 min): local craft beer with direct sales.
- Perro Ovejero Distillery (10–15 km south, 15–20 min by car): gin with native botanicals such as canelo and ñirre.
- Böckle-Bräu Microbrewery (~45 km south, 40–45 min by car): lager brewed with glacier water.
Tips for eating and going out
- In restaurants the bill usually suggests a 10% tip, which is voluntary.
- Carry some cash: not everywhere takes cards.
- In summer it gets dark around 22:00, so many people dine late.
- If you drive to the distillery or Böckle-Bräu, pick a designated driver or join a tour.
Pair this route with the historic centre walk or our list of things to do in Punta Arenas. And read our travel tips before heading out.
