This is a very nice "barrio". The street Lastarria is filled with small cosy restaurants that are very well priced compared with their quality. There are also plenty of locals eating here.
Probably the biggest concentration of "Spanish students" living, attending classes in Santiago, reasonably priced restaurants of all sorts, awesome old-school movie theatre "El BIografo" playing the best of European and non-Hollywood movies.
From the cosy Pisco houses and regional food to the fanciest villa-like restaurants, the neighbourhood comprises one of the best eating areas of Santiago as I could see. Near to the Santa Lucia station, there is also the Gabriela Mistral Culture Center and the charming Cerro Santa Lucia. In saturdays, there is a flea market in one of Lastarria alleys.
If your hotel is near the Cerro Santa Lucia, try wandering through the Barrio Lastarria, which is a quaint neighborhood with outdoor cafes/restaurants, shops, and street performers.
We stayed at the Hotel Ismael, just a few steps around the corner from Lastarria in which there are several good restaurants. We would do all that again.
Leafy street with many good restaurants and lots of foot traffic - good for people watching. Sidewalk vendors are interesting also.
City workers sweep the street weekday mornings with hand brooms to clean up after folks who can't seem to find a garbage receptacle.
Lovely area with lots of restaurants with outside tables; nice place to people watch.Central to many sites of Santiago. Easy to walk to from Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, GAM (Gabriela A> MIstral) center, etc. Boutique hotels.
Neat walkaround area in Santiago. Saw lots of outlandish art, way out there fashion designs, a beautiful little church, fabulous building facades of neoclassical and beau arts design and so many marvelous restaurants!
I sampled a few neighborhoods during my three week stay in Santiago and this by far is best. It embodies history, art, good food, and most of all the Chilean culture which really isn't represented in too many neighborhoods because of modernization, tall buildings (towers) and heavy traffic. I found Barrio Lastarria to be that neighborhood I could go to and enjoy a coffee outside. It is that neighborhood I could see street performers everyday playing for tips. It is that neighborhood with street vendors selling nice jewelry and antiques. It is that neighborhood, I could get great gourmet food. Finally, it is that neighborhood where I felt safe in even at night. Barrio Lastarria is a must see if you are traveling in Santiago, Chile. Happy Travels!!!