Mercado Central de Santiago

Magnificent iron market hall from 1872 in central Santiago — famous for fresh Pacific seafood and traditional Chilean cuisine.

The Mercado Central is the culinary heart of Santiago de Chile — a magnificent iron-frame structure from 1872 in the city centre, near the Cal y Canto metro station. Its cast-iron framework was manufactured in Scotland and assembled in Chile, and the building is now a protected landmark. Inside, almost everything revolves around fresh seafood: vendors offer fish, shellfish, and crustaceans from the Pacific, while restaurants serve traditional Chilean fish dishes right alongside. The market functions both as a neighbourhood food source for locals and as a popular destination for visitors wanting to experience authentic Chilean cuisine.