FOLLOW US

World Travel Guide > Guides > South America > Uruguay > Montevideo

Local time Montevideo

Currency

$U

Restaurants in Montevideo

Traditionally big meat eaters, Montevideo’s dining scene has seen a minor revolution over the past few years, with local staples getting a fusion food makeover in many of the city’s top restaurants. For a filling feed, try one of the many eateries that offer a lunchtime set menu, which usually includes a three-course meal and a glass of wine.

The Montevideo restaurants below have been handpicked by the guide author and are grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over Ur$600)
Moderate (Ur$200 to Ur$600)
Cheap (up to Ur$200)

These Montevideo restaurant prices are for a three-course meal with half a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person, including service charges and taxes.

Expensive

Arcadia

Cuisine: International

Right up on the 25th floor of the Radisson Victoria Plaza Hotel, with stunning views via the restaurant's floor to ceiling windows, Arcadia is a sparkling space decorated with crystal chandeliers and soft furnishings imported from Italy. Some may find it a little chintzy but the menu is adventurous and international, while the vistas of the bay and hills around Montevideo are breathtaking. Try the succulent pheasant terrine marinated in cognac or the confit of duck with strudel pastry.

Address: , Radisson Victoria Plaza, Plaza Independencia, Montevideo, 11100
Telephone: +598 2 902 0111.
Website: http://www.radisson.com/montevideo-hotel-uy-11100/urumont/hotel/dining

Cafe Misterio

Cuisine: Sushi, seafood

Cafe Misterio has clung to its crown as one of the city's most select eateries for almost a decade now, and with good reason. One of the first restaurants in town to serve sushi, this dimly-lit, orange deco eatery in the residential Carrasco district draws a posh crowd who come to sip champagne and sup on select dishes in the restaurant's cosy ambiance. Try the sirloin with truffle sauce or Chilean sea bass with smoked potato pasta.

Address: Carrasco, Calle Costa Rica, Montevideo,
Telephone: +598 2 601 8765.
Website: http://www.cafemisterio.com.uy

La Casa Violeta

Cuisine: Uruguayan

In a country of meat eaters, the capital's best steak restaurant is well worth a visit. With large windows facing out onto the charming Puerto del Buceo fishing port, this chic bistro also has a spacious veranda where patrons can sit out and enjoy views over the lively harbour whilst enjoying specialities like espeto corrido (juicy chunks of meat on long skewers). La Casa Violeta has an amazing meat buffet too, which serves everything from sweetmeats to Swiss sausages. As an aside, there's a well-stocked salad bar here as well.

Address: Buceo, Rambla Armenia 3667, Montevideo,
Telephone: +598 2 628 7626.
Website: http://www.lacasavioleta.com

Moderate

Es Mercat

Cuisine: Seafood

For fresh seafood that's served straight from the waves to the plate, you can't do better than Es Mercat. This charismatic little restaurant is hidden along a side street in Montevideo's old town, where its chef creates a daily menu based on the freshest finds from the Puerto del Buceo fish market. Depending what's been caught, expect dishes like calamari spaghetti or the seafood gnocchi served with a rich porcini and coffee sauce.

Address: Ciudad Vieja, Colón esquina Piedras, Montevideo,
Telephone: +598 2 917 0169.
Website: http://www.esmercat.com.uy

Pizzeria Trouville

Cuisine: Italian, Uruguayan.

One of Montevideo's most popular eating spots, this charming diner in the Pocitos district serves upmarket versions of local snack foods. Established back in 1978, it plates up the best pizzas in town, but also does well-loved, Uruguayan dishes including glazed chicken with pineapple, steak served with a creamy walnut sauce and a range of pastas and desserts. It gets packed at lunchtime so arrive early to get a table.

Address: , Gabriel A. Pereira 3151, Montevideo, 11300
Telephone: +598 2 709 36 19.
Website: http://www.pizzeriatrouville.com.uy

Punta Pocitos

Cuisine: Uruguayan

Enjoy riverside dining at Punta Pocitos, a chic restaurant along La Rambla with wall to ceiling windows and a terrace with outdoor tables and parasols. Renowned for its large servings of simple, yet excellently prepared, traditional Uruguayan food, stop by for snacks and beers in the afternoon, or indulge in a gourmet meal in the evening. Don't miss its morcilla dulce (blood sausage) or pastel del carne, a rich meat pie.

Address: , Rambla Mahatma Gandhi 630, Montevideo, 11300
Telephone: +598 2 712 6711.
Website: http://www.puntapocitos.uy

Cheap

Café Bacacay

Cuisine: Uruguayan

Just opposite the Solis Theatre, this character-packed little restaurant is housed in a 19th-century building and is popular with the student crowd who come here to drink, flirt and chat. House specials include a range of healthy salads, carefully prepared vegetarian dishes and tasty soups, but the sirloin steak in a Tannat wine sauce is the top stomach filler.

Address: , Bacacay 1306, Montevideo, 11000
Telephone: +598 2 916 6074.
Website: http://www.bacacay.com.uy

El Tinkal

Cuisine: Uruguayan

Wonderfully situated on La Rambla, this budget snack restaurant is a great place to watch the sun set over the river as you quaff a cool beer and munch on traditional local delights. Renowned for its chivito al pan, Uruguay's hefty traditional meat sandwich, El Tinkal's specialities include a luscious grilled beef blockbuster, where the sandwich is packed with slices of beef then smothered with tomatoes, mozzarella, pickles and mayonnaise.

Address: , Dr Emilio Frugoni 853, Montevideo, 11200
Telephone: +598 2 418 4705.

La Paponita

Cuisine: Uruguayan

The best value food in Montevideo has to be the traditional chivito (steak sandwich). These hefty stomach-fillers are readily available around town, but if you want to try one with a difference head for La Paponita, an atmospheric diner that serves a wide range of different chivitos. If you're stuck on what to chose, grab a Canadian chivito where the steak is buried under mounds of thick cut bacon, boiled egg, cheese and lettuce. If you've got room, follow with the creamy Peach Melba ice cream.

Address: Cordón, Avenida 18 de Julio & Minas, Montevideo, 11200
Telephone: +598 2 408 4840.
A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

SEE MORE

Caballo Loco Hostel

Centrally located, just a few metres from Plaza Cagancha in Montevideo's historic centre, this hostel offers between four and ten bed shared dorms. Basic and a little drab, the facilities are extensive and include a bar, cafe, bike hire, laundry service, free Wi-Fi and a communal kitchen.

Cala di Volpe

Guest rooms in this modern hotel, right on the waterfront, are tastefully decorated with dark wood fittings and white walls. Light, modern cuisine is on offer in the restaurant, and the pool and spa have pleasant views over the river.

Four Points

Cheaper and more central than its elder brother the Sheraton Montevideo, this hotel scores highly in all categories, although the competition is hardly fierce. There is a small indoor pool and spa, while guest rooms are modern and clean, if lacking inspiration. A full complement of business facilities makes this hotel a popular choice for those visiting the city for work.

Hotel Oxford

Recently renovated, but still with old-fashioned touches, this cheap Montevideo hotel is a popular bolthole for business travellers on a budget, though its city-centre location is good for tourists too. The restaurant is basic, but there are plenty of other dining opportunities nearby.

Hotel Plaza Fuerte

In the interesting, old part of Montevideo, this great-value hotel was built in 1913 and is a national monument. Each room has its own décor scheme and all are spacious, while some of the suites have gigantic Jacuzzi baths.

Hotel Palacio

With a great old-timey feel, this ageing classic is a favourite for travellers on a budget. Touches like original tile work, brass bed heads and a few sticks of antique furniture add to the appeal. Rooms at the front have small balconies but can be noisy, while those at the back have good views over the plaza.