The Mercado Centenario is Iquique's central market, a noisy two-storey hall of fishmongers, fruit stalls, and small comedor restaurants on the upper floor. The picadas upstairs are where locals come for a cheap lunch of fresh fish soup, fried congrio, or arrollado de huaso. Most places serve a set menú del día for less than CLP 10,000.
Come hungry, sit at a counter, and order what the next person is having. It is best at lunch — many of the stalls close in the afternoon and stay closed in the evening. Cash is preferred.