Top 23 Must-Try Restaurants in Montevideo

The historic Mercado del Puerto began its journey in 1868 as a bustling marketplace but has since transformed into a hub of competing parrillas. Among them, El Palenque has set the standard for service and quality in Montevideo for over 60 years. Founded by Don Emilio Portela, it is now managed by his descendants. The restaurant features a grill-side counter for a casual experience, two elegant dining rooms with white tablecloths, and outdoor seating. While renowned for its exceptional beef, the menu also reflects the Spanish heritage of its founders, offering a variety of grilled octopus, fish, and shellfish. — Marcela Baruch

Founded by Colombians Ana María Quintana and Julián Medina, Sometimes Sunday combines Asian flavors with Southern smoked dishes, making it a standout brunch spot. The compact, minimalist venue on pedestrian Pérez Castellano includes a café, cocktail bar, and open kitchen. Medina and Quintana source their coffee from Nariño, Colombia, roasting it alongside Antonio Gutiérrez and the owners of Café Gourmand. Highlights of the menu feature eggs, green curry, roasted grapefruit with sugar and chile, and a pulled pork sandwich with 12-hour smoked meat. Pair your coffee with local craft beer or a bloody mary. — MB

With training from the kitchens of Mallorca and the U.S., chef Roberto Connio boldly established a seafood-centric restaurant just steps from Mercado del Puerto, known for its meat offerings. He serves whole fish grilled or pan-fried, bones included; as Connio explains, 'the bones are part of the flavor.' The daily chalkboard menu might feature grilled anchovies, fried silverside, clams from La Coronilla, grilled octopus, piquillo peppers filled with brandade, or a tortilla. The average Uruguayan consumes only 15 pounds of fish annually compared to 220 pounds of red meat, making Es Mercat popular among tourists and Spanish expatriates. Connio also operates the more casual El Otro Es Mercat with his son Facundo. — MB

Chef Lucía Soria, a protégé of renowned Argentine chef Francis Mallmann, has been delighting diners in Montevideo’s Ciudad Vieja for a decade. Open throughout the day, her inviting restaurant is an ideal spot to recharge while exploring the area. Soria focuses on healthy, market-fresh dishes, crafting the finest salads in Uruguay with premium ingredients like arugula, burrata, goat cheese, and grapes. The dinner menu features small plates such as shrimp empanadas, grilled squid with radishes and tomatoes, and creative toasts made from campo-style bread from the restaurant’s own bakery. Soria’s culinary influence also extends to Rosa Pizzería in the Pocitos neighborhood, offering pizzas and traditional Uruguayan fare with an Italian twist, as well as Rosa Vegetal, a small Mytoury with a plant-based menu just across from Jacinto. — Nell McShane Wulfhart

Make sure to arrive before 1 p.m. or after 2:30 p.m. to grab a bar stool at this cozy spot, which tends to fill up during lunch with office workers and tourists. The daily menu features only a select few dishes, which may include paprika chicken served with truffled polenta and sun-dried tomato pesto, or the iconic Uruguayan chivito steak sandwich, elevated with ingredients like filet mignon, arugula, coriander chimichurri, and a poached egg, all deconstructed on a plate instead of served in a roll. Desserts are creatively crafted, such as a caramelized pear tart with pink pepper paired with crème brûlée ice cream. — NMW

Sofía Kim moved from South Korea to join her husband Duk Gyu ten years ago, and together they established Arariyo, a minimalist restaurant offering authentic Korean home cooking in the Old City, close to the port. Initially, their clientele consisted mainly of Koreans, but over time, locals and tourists began to discover them. Kim prepares dishes she learned from her mother and mother-in-law in a straightforward open kitchen, featuring excellent kimchi soup, mandu, noodle soup, fried rice, and outstanding banchan. During the pandemic, their son Martín started sharing the family recipes with social media followers and now assists his mother in the kitchen. — MB

Montevideo once had medio tanques (street barbecues) on almost every corner, serving as quick stops for taxi drivers and workers. Inspired by this tradition, producer Fernanda Rodríguez and her husband, chef José Luis Torres, launched parrilla La Tira in 2019, sourcing their meats from a local butcher and vegetables from nearby markets. Whether dining on the sidewalk, standing at the narrow bar by the open windows, or at one of the eclectic tables in the adjacent square, locals in the Palermo neighborhood have made La Tira a favorite gathering spot. Be sure to try the perfectly grilled strip steak, chorizos, and salads, and enjoy a vermouth or beer alongside your meal. — MB

This stunning bookstore features high ceilings and vibrant tiled floors, leading into a delightful café, perfect for a leisurely mid-morning coffee or a late afternoon craft beer (be aware that tables fill up quickly during lunch). The menu offers a selection of spinach tarts, soups, and hearty sandwiches on dense, moist bread (a rarity in a city known for its light baguettes), alongside a tempting array of desserts, including carrot cake and brownies. The owners also manage another beautiful café space, Cultural Alfabeta, and the kitchen for the upscale Hotel Montevideo. — NMW

Though Montevideo's craft beer scene is flourishing, finding a quality cocktail can still be challenging. Baker's, located on a nondescript corner in the largely residential Cordón area, serves the finest mixed drinks in the city and attracts a trendy young crowd nearly every night (reservations are available). Highlights include the Grito de Ascencio, a gin mix with grapefruit juice, tonic, cucumber, and bitters, as well as the Me Mataste, featuring Aperol, white wine, ginger syrup, and passionfruit. The owners have recently opened a second bar under the same name in Pocitos. — NMW

Belén Valverde and Matias de los Santos found love in Punta del Este before journeying through Spain and Mexico, eventually working with renowned Mexican chef Rosio Sanchez at Hija de Sánchez in Copenhagen. Two years later, longing for the flavors of lime, cilantro, and Mexican spices, they returned to Montevideo during the pandemic. They opened La Milpa, a vibrant taquería within Mercado Ferrando, where you can savor al pastor and barbecue tacos, along with their homemade hot sauces and tortillas. — MB

República Rotisería is a daytime Mytoury created by chef Mauricio Olivieri, pastry chef Florencia Tassino, and barista Federico Chafes. Drawing inspiration from Lele Cristóbal’s Café San Juan in Buenos Aires, they developed their own version of a rotisería, a laid-back, deli-style restaurant. They transformed a garage in the Cordón neighborhood into their space. Chafes, who balances graphic design with barista duties, crafted the nostalgic '90s branding. The menu, while retro, offers a fresh take. Be sure to try the Olympic sandwich made with house-cured ham, alfajores filled with dulce de leche and red fruit jam topped with fleur de sel, filo pastry spinach pie, crispy creamed potatoes, and carrot cake. Recently, they added a soft serve machine that enhances the overall experience. — MB

Manuel González Arnao, Santiago Perdomo, Diego Fernández, and Alfonso Cretenze first crossed paths in the kitchen of Montevideo’s bar El Mingus. After spending years working and exploring abroad, they decided to establish a quaint corner bar in the Cordón neighborhood, which was then a quiet area away from the city's dining hotspots. They quickly made a name for themselves with tables fashioned from overturned barrels and a small open kitchen. The simplicity of the venue led them to call it De Morondanga, meaning “minimal” in local slang. The menu features popular dishes such as stuffed mushrooms, prawns from Valizas (a coastal fishing village), and clams from La Coronilla, all served tapas-style. A dinner here averages around $25 per person. In 2021, they expanded by opening a second restaurant, Nueva Esquina, directly across the street, boasting a larger dining area and kitchen. Reservations aren’t taken, so it’s advisable to arrive early around 7 p.m. when they open. — MB

Originally from Argentina but now a proud Uruguayan, Irene Delponte began her career as a film producer. However, after the birth of her first son, she pivoted her path completely. 'I found myself cooking and taking photos. This was back when Instagram was just for iPhones and the community was much smaller,' she recalls. Delponte honed her pastry skills at the Cordon Bleu in Lima, crafting traditional sweets with her unique twist, and gaining a following for her dulce de leche-stuffed alfajores and a homemade Snickers bar. Recently, she has ventured into creating winter fruit pate and miso-infused salty caramel with dulce de leche. Her confections are available in various bars and cafes across Montevideo, but she primarily sells through social media and at food festivals. — MB

Since its opening in June 2018, Savarin has been a beacon of French culinary techniques blended with Uruguayan ingredients in Montevideo. This establishment marks the debut of chef José Pedro Cobas and his wife, patissier Sofia Rozas, who met while working at the esteemed Relais & Châteaux restaurant La Bourgogne in glamorous Punta del Este. Their expertise in utilizing seasonal produce shines, particularly with a focus on vegetables—be sure to try the asparagus and artichoke dishes if you visit in spring. The restaurant is renowned for its braised Uruguayan lamb paired with grilled seasonal vegetables, while the vegetable curry with coconut milk and fresh fish from local artisanal fisheries also receive high praise. The dining atmosphere is modest, and during warm months, guests can enjoy dining al fresco in a patio adorned with flowers and greenery. — MB

Baco, a French bistro, serves the finest steak tartare in Montevideo. This establishment is the first international branch of the renowned restaurant from Santiago, Chile. It is helmed by Sophie Le Baux, daughter of founder Frédéric, alongside her Argentinean husband Matías Fasolo. The ambiance mirrors that of the original Chilean locale, adorned with wine boxes and personal notes to patrons. Every dish is expertly prepared, paired with an impressive range of premium wines available by the glass. Don't miss the creamy bone marrow, steak with béarnaise sauce and pont neuf potatoes, beef bourguignon, and the diverse cheese platter. For dessert, the crème brûlée and house-made ice cream are essential. — MB

The sourdough bread trend in Uruguay began before COVID-19 but really took off afterwards, much like the global surge. You can find excellent loaves at several top bakeries, but Bertha is also known for its airy medialunas, brioche cinnamon rolls, and mortadella sandwiches. Owners Agustina Rodríguez and Virginia Olij are not professional chefs; they launched Bertha as a side venture that quickly gained popularity, leading to a dedicated space in Pocitos for dining. — MB

This beloved neighborhood parrilla is a local favorite and has attracted a few savvy tourists thanks to its premium cuts of beef and homemade chimichurri. Friendly staff serve a perfectly cooked entraña (skirt steak) for about $30 per person. The wine selection features some excellent Uruguayan vintages, and their flan, topped with the ubiquitous dulce de leche, is considered one of the finest in the city. — NMW

Since its establishment in 1910, Expreso has been a staple dining spot, undergoing renovations in late 2016 that transformed its vintage decor into a style reminiscent of an Olive Garden. Despite this update, it remains a top destination for chivitos, the hearty sandwich featuring steak, ham, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, and mayonnaise, with bacon added for the Canadiense twist — a must-try. Open until midnight daily, it’s perfect for late-night visits after bar hopping, as chivitos are excellent for preventing hangovers. — NMW

Pia Morosini, known as Lady Pixelita, is a talented cook and pastry chef who has collaborated with renowned chefs like Francis Mallmann and Ignacio Mattos, the Uruguayan chef-owner of Estela in New York. A passionate traveler, she honed her ice cream-making skills in Italy before launching her Pixelita brand of artisanal ice cream and sorbet in Uruguay. Her creations are free from preservatives, artificial colors, and flavors, available for order through social media and email, with a scoop shop located in the Nuevo Pocitos area. Alongside classic flavors like dulce de leche and seasonal fruit sorbets, Morosini has recently introduced cocktail-inspired options such as lemon and vermouth, grapefruit and Campari, and peach and amaretto. — MB

For many years, Uruguay was globally renowned for its premium meat, yet it remained largely unavailable to locals as most was exported. Eduardo Parodi, one of the owners, shares that García—originally established as a canteen in 1967 in Carrasco—found its true calling in 2000 when it began grilling export-quality meat for local diners, starting with lamb and later adding beef, along with an enhanced wine selection and more menu items. Today, García stands as a fine dining icon in the city. Staying true to traditional Uruguayan service, waiters still prepare salads at the table, and the ambiance is formal, complete with white tablecloths. Be sure to try the rack of lamb and the salads, but remember, the portions are generous, so sharing is recommended. A couple of years ago, the restaurant opened a successful second location in Punta Carretas. — MB

Nearly 30 years ago, businessman Roberto Behrens and chef Juan Pablo Clerici established Café Misterio, serving cocktails and snacks in the upscale Carrasco neighborhood. Over time, the restaurant evolved into one of Montevideo's finest dining spots, adding a sushi bar and hosting guest chefs from abroad. Although the venue has been renovated, it maintains its classic charm. Join the loyal patrons who have frequented this establishment for years to savor dishes like the classic truffled Milanese, gnocchi, daily catch with potato purée and verjus, and Nikkei tiraditos. Every year, Clerici collaborates with the Familia Deicas winery to create the house wines. — MB

Gustavo Barbero is a partner at the acclaimed Parador La Huella in the upscale beach town of José Ignacio. After years working in their father's restaurants, his daughters, Jimena and Victoria, proposed a fresh venture: a restaurant that would bring a new twist to Carrasco with a menu focused on wood-fired cooking and an enticing dessert selection featuring fruits. Manzanar opened in 2017 in a repurposed commercial building previously owned by a supermarket chain (hence the name). The atmosphere is lively and laid-back, as guests enjoy expertly crafted cocktails while watching the chefs at the wood-fired grills and pastry station. Though none of the Barberos are professional cooks, Argentinean Vanina Canteros and Colombian Danitza Natalia Suesca run the kitchen, delighting guests with a complimentary shot of house-made broth as an amuse-bouche. They were the first in the city to offer corvina (sea bass) ribs instead of the usual beef or lamb, which is a must-try. — MB

Nestled behind the stunning, French-inspired exterior of the Carrasco Hotel, 1921 is named after the year the hotel opened its doors. After sitting vacant for a decade, the building was revitalized in 2013 and transformed into a newly renovated Sofitel. The dining room carries a somber charm reminiscent of the early 20th century, yet the friendly staff and sommeliers warm up the atmosphere. Argentine chef Maximiliano Matsumoto, a protégé of Germán Martitegui in Buenos Aires, spearheaded the reopening at the end of 2021. Known for one of Montevideo's most modern menus, Matsumoto's dishes are refined and balanced, particularly those featuring produce from local organic farms. A standout option on the dinner menu is the 800-gram beef rib meant for sharing. — MB