Most Ancud restaurant menus are similar in content—fish and shellfish—and in price. The Mercado Municipal’s Sacho (Dieciocho s/n, Local 7, tel. 065/622260) has a longstanding reputation for enormous standard seafood portions at moderate prices—in the US$7–10 range for most items. Salads are easily large enough for two.

Similar fare is available at El Cangrejo (Dieciocho 155, tel. 065/623091) and the local favorite Chiloé (Pudeto 35). Slightly more elaborate seafood venues include La Pincoya (Prat 61, tel. 065/622613), Polo Sur (Av. Salvador Allende 630, tel. 065/622200), and Kurantón (Prat 94, tel. 065/622216), which also serves beef and pizza.

Until recently, the out-of-the-ordinary choice has been the Retro Pub (Maipú 615, tel. 065/626410), a pub-restaurant that dared to serve pizza and even some Mexican dishes. La Candela (Libertad 499), though, has a diverse international menu with items such as crab cakes, Peruvian ají de gallina, and sushi, plus Ancud’s best coffee. The menu varies according to the availability of fresh ingredients, but most entrées cost around US$7.50; the decor is eclectic and the music tends toward low-key jazz at a level that permits conversation.

Casa Mar (Costanera Salvador Allende and Errázuriz, tel. 065/624481) is both a restaurant and an events center, pricier than La Candela, but it has moderately priced lunches.