Casa Las Cujas

Casa Las Cujas is a high-end address for Chilean seafood in a polished setting. It sits at Alonso de Córdova 2467 in Vitacura and was ranked number 14 in Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants 2025, one of the highest placings for a Chilean restaurant that year. It also won the Highest New Entry Award. The restaurant was founded by the brothers Juan Pablo, Max and Domingo Raide, and began more than a decade ago as a beachside kitchen in Cachagua, a small fishing village north of Valparaíso, which still operates as a summer outpost; Antonio Moreno now runs the pass in Santiago.

The concept is cocina de playa, beach cooking, built around Chile's marine ingredients. The dining room uses sun-bleached tones and nautical touches, a looping projection shows the beaches of northern Chile, and a glass tank of live shellfish at the centre serves as a living pantry. Oysters from Chiloé and scallops from Tongoy are among the signatures, and the dish the restaurant is best known for is Patagonian king crab, or centolla. The range of prices runs from modest starters to a whole king crab for the table, so it is possible to have a lighter meal of oysters and a glass of wine or a full seafood feast. Other dishes include Caleta Las Cujas, a platter of the day's freshest catch, king crab served two ways, locos in salsa verde, smoky rice simmered in crab stock, shellfish empanadas and a clam chowder flavoured with merkén, the smoky Mapuche chilli blend.

For visitors, this is a good introduction to Chile's marine produce. Ask the staff what has come in that day, as availability depends on the catch and on Chile's closed seasons, and consider sharing several dishes so you can taste more of the range.

Booking ahead is wise for dinner and at weekends, given the restaurant's ranking. If you would like a more traditional seafood meal, the Mercado Central in the historic centre or Aquí Está Coco, also in Vitacura, make good comparisons on another day.

Vitacura is easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing app from the centre. Check the restaurant's own channels for current hours and to reserve.

Casa Las Cujas suits seafood lovers, couples and groups celebrating a special occasion. Those who do not eat shellfish should look at the menu in advance, as it is the heart of the kitchen.