Pucón’s food ranges from simple regional cuisine and fast food—no greasy chain outlets, thankfully—to sophisticated international fare. A good example of both, at the western approach to town, is Los Hornitos de Pucón (Caupolicán 710), which specializes in oven-baked takeaway empanadas. Coppa Kabana (Urrutia 407, tel. 045/444371) serves sandwiches and plain lunches at reasonable prices.

Even if there’s no room at the inn, don’t miss the mostly vegetarian meals and lively tobacco-free atmosphere at Hostería ¡Ecole! (Urrutia 592, tel. 045/441675). For about US$6–9 for lunch or dinner, this is some of the country’s best-value food.

La Olla Chilena (Jerónimo de Alderete 402-B, tel. 045/441822) features freshly prepared, attractively presented versions of Chilean standards such as pastel de choclo in the US$5–7 range, plus a superb and inexpensive (US$1.50) consomé reina (chicken soup). The service is warm and friendly. Club 77 (O’Higgins 635, tel. 045/444597) has similar fare, while El Fogón (O’Higgins 480, tel. 045/444904) is a traditional parrilla.

Avenida Fresia has sprouted a gaggle of new parrillas—Argentine, Uruguayan, and Chilean—over the past couple of years. The one that’s drawn the most attention, though, is La Grilla (Fresia 315, tel. 045/444937), which grills slabs of varied beef cuts in the US$12–15 range, as well as pricier game dishes such as wild boar and venison. The service can be awkward, though, and the dessert menu is monotonous.

The Argentine-style Pizzería Buonatesta (Fresia 243, tel. 045/441434) is outstanding. Under the same ownership, a block north on the opposite side of the street, Buonatesta Pasta y Carnes (Fresia 124, tel. 045/444627) serves beef and very fine pastas with diverse sauces.

Opposite the plaza, Monte Vecchio (Pedro de Valdivia 311, tel. 045/444722) has a more ambitious but also far more expensive Italian menu; with both stuffed and dried pastas in the US$10–12 range, it’s drawn some praise, but it arguably has more style than substance.

Pucón has a pair of Mexican options: the upscale Puerto Pucón (Fresia 246, tel. 045/441592) and the more modest Arriero Tijuana (Ansorena 303). The Arabian Café (Fresia 354, tel. 045/443469) serves Middle Eastern specialties.

Patagonia (Fresia 223, tel. 045/443165) serves sandwiches, coffee, juices, and particularly exquisite desserts, including homemade ice cream and crepes, as well as artisanal chocolates. The Holzapfel Bäckerei (Holzapfel 524, tel. 045/441334) serves kuchen and similar regional specialties, as well as ice cream. Friatto (O’Higgins 136-B) also serves very fine ice cream.