Two blocks south of the plaza, the Casino Cuerpo de Bomberos (O’Higgins 119) is almost always a good bet for reasonable lunches and dinners.
The chain restaurant Bavaria (Colón 357, tel. 043/315531) serves sandwiches and standard Chilean dishes. Cafeteros (Colo Colo 458) is no longer the only reliable place for espresso; German-run Tu Café (Colo Colo 378, tel. 043/325814) has both good coffee and European-style pastries.
Julio’s Pizza (Colón 452, tel. 043/314530) serves pasta as well. The Centro Español (Colón 482, tel. 043/311669) is a traditional club-style restaurant. Likewise, the Club de la Unión (Colón 261, tel. 043/322218) has prix-fixe lunches and dinners for US$5–7.
El Alero (Colo Colo 235, tel. 043/312899) is a parrilla, while Donde Anitamaría (Colón 782, tel. 043/315812) specializes in seafood.
Cielo Mar y Tierra (Rengo 378, tel. 043/340336) has added a touch of creative fusion, in subdued surroundings that include a small patio, to L.A.’s restaurant scene; the lunch specials (US$5) are an excellent value. The à la carte sandwiches, seafood, and pastas, though, are more interesting and only slightly more expensive.