Chipe Libre - República Independiente del Pisco — Restaurant in Santiago

A bold little republic of pisco-fueled flavour and freedom.

Walked into Chipe Libre expecting a tourist trap, walked out fully converted. The place is big—but doesn’t feel commercial. It feels curated. Think moody lighting, old-world maps, polished timber and the low hum of people actually enjoying their food. Ambience? Nailed.

Service? Slick, warm, and unfussy. They know what they’re doing and make you feel like you do too. Not cheap, sure—but every peso earns its keep.

I ordered the grilled steak, swapped out the fries for sautéed vegetables because I was full of bad decisions from earlier in the day. The steak came out medium-rare perfection, seared with confidence, no nonsense chimichurri, and a clean, earthy plate that let the meat shine. No flourishes. Just skill.

And then… Orange cake with rocoto ice cream. Yeah, you read that right. Spicy. Cold. Sweet. Like a tango between a Peruvian grandma and a Michelin-trained madman. The cake was soft, citrus-zesty, restrained. The ice cream? A spicy slap in the face—in the best way. Unforgettable.

Would I come back? In a heartbeat. Or a pisco heartbeat....

Awesome! Awesome! Awesome! To the point that we went back there again on a 4-day city break to Santiago! Simply the best! The concept is very original! The Pisco Republic of CHI (Chile) and PE (Peru). So, the menu is all about piscos from North to South! If you are a pisco virgin then this is the place for you! A great versatile menu, there is something for everyone! From the ceviches, carnivorous platter to sandwiches as a main course. For dessert, try the assorted dessert platter. Everything is tasty and delicious! The service is perfect. Our hostess Alba, took us through the whole menu explaining everything very clearly. Back to the piscos, you have pisco flights, pisco sours, pisco cocktails. Not a fan a pisco but you like a great dinner experience in the courtyard, then you can try wine or beers!! The place: three different areas, the courtyard, the bar and the inside space. You get it, CHIPE LIBRE is a must do in Santiago! And remember (like most restaurants in Santiago) to book a table to avoid...

It was the last evening of our trip to Chile last October, and throughout the trip, I had not had a Pisco Sour yet, so of course, we went to Chipe Libre!

The bar area right past the entrance is dark but opened into an airy, light dining area with interesting decorations. Our server was kind and attentive. Not that we noticed, but EVERY server in this place was very handsome. While not why we came and certainly shouldn't be the draw, it was a perk for us.😆

The Pisco Sour was delicious, and the empanada appetizer was tasty. Our mains were good - a vegetarian mix for my friend who had had too much meat in this meat forward nation - and a seafood platter for me. The dishes were fine, but, if I ever return to Santiago, I would stop by drinks...