FoodyChile

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Is there a better way to see and live Santiago than on a bicycle? We don’t think so. Whether you got a fat tire equipped Trek, a rustic street cruiser or you rented La Bicicleta Verde’s stylish green tandem, moving by bike is our preferred method of transport and good times in this city.

Now this is not to say it’s like riding in Germany where the bike lanes are respected by cars and pedestrians, and well designed. In fact there’s been a fair amount of controversy lately over where exactly bikes belong (Want to know more? visit this site).

Plus you will eventually have a breakdown, flat tire or loose hand break thus bringing up the rather difficult task of finding a trustworthy and decently priced mechanic. And when you do, what of that lingering moment where you have to wait for a payment, a new tire or to drop it off. If you go to a dealer you can dream a bit about buying a USD 10,000 Cannondale.

But in Ñuñoa a Chilean couple has another alternative: a café with a bike shop. They aren’t bike dealers, but they fix bikes and have a passion for bake goodies and soup, all offered under the same roof.

Now the bike café concept is catching on worldwide (see this article). But that was news to Café La Bicicleta owners Alberto Bravo and Romina Valdes. They were previously restaurant owners in Valdivia. But after a nasty motor accident over a year ago Alberto wasn’t able to work and they had to close shop. Looking for a new project they came to Santiago and decided to do what they love: For Romina that means bake and cook and for Alberto that involves working on bicycles. Only after they opened did they learn of this global trend.

The place feels less like a café with bikes and more like a shop with café. But it is homey and comfortable and located right along a ciclovía on Simon Bolivar near the intersection with Brown Norte. (Map).

Apart from a cup of coffee and pastries they also will be launching a soup night that is cuchara libre (translated directly means free spoon..or in other words all you can eat) starting May 7 and running every Saturday at 8:30 pm.  Spots are limited so you have to make a previous reservation. The entry costs 4500 pesos per person. We are looking forward to getting our soup on.

Additionally they have art expositions and the occasional acoustic guitar performance and a special room where you can park your bike so it doesn’t get up and walk away with a new owner.

Contact

Café la Bicicleta

www.cafelabicicleta.cl

Simon Bolivar 3742, Ñuñoa

Tel: 2052709

Open Tuesday –Saturday 12.00-10pm

Note: We stopped by uninvited but the coffee we tried was their treat. As soon as we have a bike emergency we will be testing their mechanic skills.