Central Market (Mercado Central)
Central Market (Mercado Central)
Central Market (Mercado Central)
3.5
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
6:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
6:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
6:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Unique architecture and street musicians accompany a plethora of dining options, where seafood is abundant in this South American food court.
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Top ways to experience Central Market (Mercado Central)
The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Santa Lucia
How to get there
- Puente Cal y Canto • 3 min walk
- Plaza de Armas • 5 min walk
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
2,516 within 5 kms
Attractions
450 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
3.5
6,130 reviews
Excellent
1,102
Very good
1,876
Average
1,912
Poor
773
Terrible
467
These reviews have been automatically translated from their original language.
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Anita Chan
New York City, NY52 contributions
Mar 2022
The market was run down and the aggressive touting from the seafood stall and restaurant workers were downright annoying.
We spent a few months in Spain before coming to Chile. The markets in Spain, whether in Seville, Malaga, Barcelona or Valencia were so much cleaner, brighter and the food was so much more alluring. The Santiago Central Market had the feel of a tourist trap rather than a real market.
We had lunch at a seafood restaurant recommended by our Airbnb host. The seafood was totally tasteless and overpriced.
Go if you are curious. Just don't expect a nice experience.
We spent a few months in Spain before coming to Chile. The markets in Spain, whether in Seville, Malaga, Barcelona or Valencia were so much cleaner, brighter and the food was so much more alluring. The Santiago Central Market had the feel of a tourist trap rather than a real market.
We had lunch at a seafood restaurant recommended by our Airbnb host. The seafood was totally tasteless and overpriced.
Go if you are curious. Just don't expect a nice experience.
Written 15 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
425seattletrekker
Seattle, WA52 contributions
Mar 2020 • Solo
Expected a lot from the Central Market because of the high ratings and the amount of reviews. When I visited twice, it was dead inside and the only things that were open were the fish stalls and restaurants. La Vega was soooo much better as it had so much more energy and you could experience the culture. Central Market felt like it’s hey day was years ago.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tourist36695619420
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • Solo
When I entered to know the place, they approached me to offer me their menu, they told me that they are worth from 5,000 pesos, when they gave me the menu the dishes were worth 15,000 pesos more, I went with a low budget so I paid what I eaten because I went with a low budget, but in the end they forced me to leave tip, the waiter started to raise his voice to the point that everyone gave how much I should leave tip, if they have a low budget I do not recommend it, the food is expensive. I don't know if they offer their food at a different price. I had a hard time, I'd never come back.
Automatically translated
Written 25 August 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Tato D
Montevideo Department, Uruguay20 contributions
Dec 2023 • Solo
When you enter, those who offer their places rush at you without giving you an inch to move, they don't let you see or move around. A very run-down place, a lot of dirt and neglect. The food was delicious but very expensive, I would not return
Written 6 December 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tjasse v
1 contribution
Apr 2023 • Friends
Absolute horrible experience. Would not advise to go here for tourists. A woman was robbed right in front of our eyes when we were having lunch there. The food was terrible and way overpriced. We also got ripped off, paying almost $20 for a pisco sour and they tried charging us almost dubble on the bill than what the price said on the menu. Worst experience so far in Chile. You won't miss out on anything
Written 1 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Felipe B
Pichincha Province, Ecuador52 contributions
Oct 2024 • Friends
Since childhood, one of the great fascinations my father had when we traveled was going to local places. These are not sold for comfort tourism, high alcurnia, and that maintain the essence of family, nature and identity reality. Markets in general have managed to preserve these aspects very well, although some are increasingly approaching places designed and prepared for medium-high tourism. The Central Market of Santiago orientates you a beautiful variety of places to eat cute and rich, with special emphasis on seafood and seafood, fresh fish on view are arrived in the early morning and the ritual of preparation for the visitor starts from the early morning. Restaurants start preparing everything they need to receive you with love and quite a bit of competition. You have to be prepared for the haul of customers and calmly go walking, listen to the various offers and make the best decisions.
Automatically translated
Written 30 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
sandy c
Copenhagen, Denmark673 contributions
Nov 2019
I know many restaurants will have guys outside trying to hustle customers in the door, but this place was ridiculous. They follow, yell, nag, and try to cajole you non-stop. I couldn't find the exit fast enough. This market is definitely not visitor-friendly. In any case, it's almost all seafood for sale here. If it's fresh fruit and veg, or maybe street food you are after, just head a block west to Paseo Puente and you'll find cheap food and friendly faces galore.
Written 20 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
marileenesantos
Porto Seguro, BA1,130 contributions
Apr 2024 • Couples
Very poorly maintained!
I love visiting the public markets where I travel, especially in the capitals, which are usually huge and filled with so many local delicacies. I was at MC in Santiago the first time in 2019. I've returned now and it looks worse than 5 years ago, very ugly, dirty, smelly, there are only half a dozen restaurants and a few fish, fruit and souvenir stalls, in fact. The store owner was very friendly, that's what saved MC, the souvenirs and her charisma.
I wanted to go eat local food on the last day of the trip, but it didn't happen, the feeling of dirt in the largest area of the market and the bad smell didn't allow me to stay there.
I love visiting the public markets where I travel, especially in the capitals, which are usually huge and filled with so many local delicacies. I was at MC in Santiago the first time in 2019. I've returned now and it looks worse than 5 years ago, very ugly, dirty, smelly, there are only half a dozen restaurants and a few fish, fruit and souvenir stalls, in fact. The store owner was very friendly, that's what saved MC, the souvenirs and her charisma.
I wanted to go eat local food on the last day of the trip, but it didn't happen, the feeling of dirt in the largest area of the market and the bad smell didn't allow me to stay there.
Written 29 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Summerasalifestyle
Malibu, CA3,609 contributions
Dec 2021
Central market— refurnished about ten years ago and still busy but much for available for tourists and locals. Good smells of a real Mercado. Waiters hustling you to dine at their place.
Fish, fruits and meat. Restaurants and outside lots of stalls nearby. Certainly Worth a visit. Don’t be overwhelmed. No, smiles and move along.
Fish, fruits and meat. Restaurants and outside lots of stalls nearby. Certainly Worth a visit. Don’t be overwhelmed. No, smiles and move along.
Written 5 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Elyse
Caledon, Canada250 contributions
Mar 2023 • Couples
This is a very old market where you can find lots of seafood restaurants and some tourist shops, but if you want fresh fish, come here.
However, this place is a kinda dirty and the area outside is a little busy with traffic. But watch your personal items and don’t be afraid of the pushy employees in the market and at the restaurants.
However, this place is a kinda dirty and the area outside is a little busy with traffic. But watch your personal items and don’t be afraid of the pushy employees in the market and at the restaurants.
Written 4 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Qual é o nome da lhama que fica na frente do Mercado em Santiago
Written 25 October 2021
Hola! Estaré parando en Santiago a finales de este mes, en una excursión nos ofrecen ir a comer al Mercado, vale la pena??? Como son los precios? Cual me recomiendan?? Solo pescados y mariscos o hay alguna otra cosa que se pueda comer??, ya que a todos no nos gustan los pescados. Gracias!!
Written 3 July 2018
Buenas noches Ailu, es uno de los lugares típicos dela ciudad, donde comes el pescado más fresco que hay. Los precios son de moderados a altos. Depende el resto, el más "conocido y famoso" es "Donde Augusto", muy caro. En los restos de los alrededores encontrará mejores y muy buenos. Hay uno llamado "Donde Anahí" o algo así y por 4.500 pesos comí bien desee el comienzo hasta el final. El mercado más que nada se especializa en frutos de mar. Desconozco si venden otra cosa. Saludos y buen viaje!!!!
Written 4 July 2018
Qual a média de preço da CENTOLLA?
Written 28 April 2018
Olá! Em março paguei por uma Centolla 59 mil pesos onde come mais ou menos 3 a 4 pessoas com acompanhamentos e bebidas ! Tem varios tamanhos e valores.
Written 28 April 2018
Which restaurant did you eat in Mercado Central Market?
Thank you for reply.
Written 26 February 2018
We went to "El Rey del Mariscal" located right at the entrance coming in from the main boulevard Ismael Valdes Vergara. Oddly enough, we selected this restaurant because the waiters were not "aggressively" hounding us to go eat at their restaurant. Their dining area is on the second floor overlooking the whole mercado from the corner so it was interesting to watch the people shop for fish. Both the fish and service turned out to be enjoyable so we were not disappointed, however, please remember that the whole mercado is a bit of a tourist trap so I don't think that you will find "gastronomy" here.
Written 26 February 2018
No recuerdo el nombre del restaurant donde almorcé. Puede ser Marisol ?
Written 6 September 2017
En el mercado central hay varios locales con nombre de mujer entre ellos Lalita; Clarita y en el que estuvieron MARISOL , existen otros como la joya del Pacífico ; Donde Augusto
Si vas de nuevo hay varios restaurantes atractivos y una buena carta de productos marinos
Puede llegar en el Metro estación Cal y Canto le deja muy próximo al Mercado Central
Written 7 September 2017
o mercado central abre aos domingos?
Written 29 December 2016
Abre sim. Tem que ficar esperto com os pontos turisiticos públicos, que não abrem às segundas.
Written 30 December 2016
Will the market be open on Christmas Day?
Written 11 December 2016
I think some restaurants, located in Mercado Central, will be opened on Xmas Day, for lunch. But you'd better email or call theml
Written 11 December 2016
estare parando en la calle san isidro en santiago y me recomndaron ir al mercado central para comer pulpo centolla y otros frutos de mar , me queda cerca para ir ?...puedo ir caminando,en taxi o en metro muchas gracias
Written 16 August 2016
Considero que se puede ir caminando tranquilamente. No se el valor de la centolla, pero los platos que servían y lo que almorzamos, sin palabras....
Written 18 August 2016
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