Vegan travel in Chile can take you from riverside cafés to coastal restaurants and hillside bakeries. In Episode 252 of The World Vegan Travel Podcast, Brighde talks with Chilean content creator Natalia Rojas about three destinations worth exploring: Valdivia, Pichilemu, and Valparaíso.
Natalia is the creator behind La Rata Vegan, where she shares vegan food discoveries and travel experiences. In this conversation, she introduces some of her favorite places to eat, alongside the nature, culture, and local experiences that make each destination memorable.
Meet Natalia and La Rata Vegan
When Natalia became vegan, finding places to eat helped her make the transition. She created La Rata Vegan to share that information and show others how enjoyable eating vegan could be.
As she began traveling more, her recommendations expanded beyond Santiago. Today, her content brings together food discoveries from Chile and other destinations she has visited.
Natalia also shares a vegan map and helped create the Vegan Passport. This booklet offers restaurant promotions and discounts, encourages people to discover businesses, and supports animal rescue through donations from sales.
Valdivia: Vegan Food, Rivers, and Forests
Valdivia is one of Natalia’s favorite cities in southern Chile. She describes a place where rivers, forests, university life, and a strong beer culture come together.
For food, her standout recommendation is Enki Vegan. Natalia appreciates its varied menu, including vegan ají de gallina, inspired by the Peruvian dish, alongside other international flavors.
She also recommends Sabor a Verde for cakes and coffee. Its carrot cake is a particular favorite, and the business supplies vegan cakes to other cafés around Valdivia. Meanwhile, El Buen Querer is her recommendation for vegan and gluten-free treats, including alfajores with manjar, the Chilean name for dulce de leche.
For drinks and an evening out, Natalia mentions Nothus Beer, El Growler, and El Regreso. She also enjoys Pinda, a local kombucha brand.
Beyond food, Natalia shares her enthusiasm for the Valdivia International Film Festival and FungiFest. Both offer ways to experience the city’s cultural life and connection to nature.
She also recalls a peaceful stay at Hotel Puerta del Sur, particularly enjoying the forest surroundings and hot tubs. However, she felt the vegan breakfast options needed improvement.
Pichilemu: Coastal Days and Nearby Wine Country
Pichilemu appeals to Natalia for its relaxed atmosphere. Although the destination is associated with surfing, she prefers watching the sunset from a coffee shop and spending time in nature.
During a visit with her family, Natalia enjoyed the vegan options at Cúrcuma. She also mentions La Planta, a vegan restaurant she hopes to try. At the time of recording, she had not eaten there herself, so this was a recommendation based on what she had heard from others.
Nearby Cáhuil adds another dimension to a coastal visit. Natalia talks about its salt-making traditions, birdlife, and a memorable coffee stop.
The conversation also explores combining time on the coast with a visit to the Colchagua Valley. At Rayuela, a restaurant at Viu Manent winery, Natalia particularly enjoyed a mushroom dish with cashew cream. For her, it showed how simple, seasonal ingredients can create a memorable meal.
If you plan to visit wineries, check which wines are vegan and confirm food options when booking.
Valparaíso: Hillside Walks, Art, and Vegan Pastries
Valparaíso offers a different experience again. Natalia describes a port city with steep hills, colorful streets, and places to discover as you wander.
Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción are central to her recommendations. Taking a funicular uphill gives visitors a starting point for exploring galleries, cafés, and views across the city.
For cultural stops, she highlights the Museo del Inmigrante and Palacio Baburizza. Each offers a different way to spend time exploring the city’s history and art.
When it comes to food, Medialuna is one of Natalia’s strongest recommendations. She loves its vegan pastries, including medialunas, croissants, and Danish pastries, served in an old house used as a café.
Other places mentioned include Malizioso for pizza and La Boca del Oso for Chilean favorites such as completos and empanadas. Natalia also discusses Oui Oui and Bar del Tío for visitors interested in local nightlife.
Planning Your Vegan Travel in Chile
Natalia’s experiences show how much there is to discover beyond the best-known stops on a Chilean itinerary. Each of these three destinations offers a different combination of food, scenery, and culture.
Use her recommendations as a starting point, then check current menus, opening hours, festival dates, and dietary options before visiting. For accommodations, ask specifically what a vegan breakfast includes.
Listen to Episode 252 for the full conversation, including Natalia’s personal experiences and the places she hopes more travelers will discover.
Follow Natalia
Find Natalia on Instagram at @laratavegan for more vegan food and travel recommendations. Her profile also directs visitors to her maps and information about the Vegan Passport.
Learn More About What is Discussed on the Podcast
- Natalia’s vegan travel resources: Explore her vegan map and The Vegan Passport for food discoveries and restaurant offers.
- Vegan food in Valdivia: Discover Enki Vegan, Sabor a Verde, and El Buen Querer for meals, cakes, and gluten-free treats.
- Valdivia’s beer culture: Natalia’s recommendations include El Regreso, El Growler, and Cerveza Nothus.
- Eating around Pichilemu and the Colchagua Valley: Explore Cúrcuma, Planta, and Rayuela. Natalia shares her dining experiences at Cúrcuma and Rayuela; Planta was still on her list to try.
- Vegan flavors in Valparaíso: Find pastries at Medialuna, Chilean favorites at La Boca del Oso, and pizza at Malizioso Pizzeria.
- Culture and nature: Hear about Valdivia’s film and fungi festivals, the salt-making traditions of Cáhuil, and exploring Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepción, the Museo del Inmigrante, and Palacio Baburizza in Valparaíso.
Other World Vegan Travel Content Connected With This Episode
- Vegan Travel in Chile: Naomi & Felix’s Journey and Tips
- Vegan Lima Guide | Markets, Ceviche & Local Life
- Albania Van Life | A Vegan Traveler’s Hidden Gem | Ellie Larkins
- Exploring Argentina as a Vegan Destination | Julian Macraigne
- Vegan Solo Travel | Seeking Peace Across 11 Countries
- Vegan Travel in Peru | Food & the Amazon | Ben Riddle
- First Solo Vegan Trip | Australia & New Zealand Adventure – Part 2
