Montevideo offers a great diversity of dining options, as many international as Uruguayan. It is our habit, given our Italian heritage, that meals extend up to two hours after the lunch or dinner while we chat and enjoy each other’s company. Uruguayans are a people that like the night, so we never dine before 9pm.
The meal that characterizes the River Plate culture is the asado; a slow grilling process, which allows the meat to be very evenly cooked. The flat Uruguayan landscape allows livestock to graze without strain, creating very tender meat. These are the foundations for which our asado is one of the best in the world. Beef is generally the feature dish, although an asado may also include chicken or pork. Different cuts of meat are used for an asado than for empanadas, stews and sauces, etc.
The most modern restaurants and bars are in the areas Pocitos, Buceo and Malvin, where high dining and more casual meals are both on offer. It is also possible to enjoy excellent meals in the historic setting of the Ciudad Vieja, in the peace of Parque Rodó or in the exclusive area of Carrasco.
The Italian influence impacts on many different areas of our cuisine, from classic dishes like pasta to our delicious ice creams.
A growing number of vegetarian restaurants and organic food stores have opened in recent years, and are increasingly popular.
Local wines, especially the Tannat, are very popular for their excellent quality and reasonable price. A drink of Uruguayan invention is the Medio y Medio, a combination of white and sparkling wine.
Mate, the traditional gaucho drink, is a representative item of Uruguay, although it is also drunk in Argentina, Paraguay and southern Brazil. The stereotypical image of Montevideo is of people coming and going along the avenue 18 de Julio or walking along the Rambla, with a thermos under one arm and a mate as continual company.
Dulce de leche is characteristic of Uruguay, although it can be found in different forms throughout Latin America. It is a kind of spread made from milk and sugar. The most popular snack, a tourist favourite, is alfajores – a sweet biscuit paired with dulce de leche and/or chocolate.
