Authentic Food Quest Authentic Food Quest Authentic Food Quest Authentic Food Quest
  • About
    • What is Authentic Food Quest
    • Work With Us / Media
    • Contact Us
  • Destinations
  • Eat
    • Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Street Food
    • Restaurants
  • Drink
  • Recipes
  • Shop
    • Food Itineraries
    • Books
    • International Food
    • Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Accommodations
    • Cooking Classes
    • Food & Wine Tours
    • Food Traveler Tips
    • People in Food
Authentic Food Quest Authentic Food Quest
  • About
    • What is Authentic Food Quest
    • Work With Us / Media
    • Contact Us
  • Destinations
  • Eat
    • Dishes
    • Desserts
    • Street Food
    • Restaurants
  • Drink
  • Recipes
  • Shop
    • Food Itineraries
    • Books
    • International Food
    • Cookbooks
  • Resources
    • Accommodations
    • Cooking Classes
    • Food & Wine Tours
    • Food Traveler Tips
    • People in Food
May 27
Top10 Montevideo Food Authentic Food Quest Part2

Top 10 Authentic Food Experiences in Montevideo – Part 2

  • Rosemary
  • 27 Comments
  • Uruguay, Dishes
0shares
  • Share
  • Tweet
  • Yummly

In South America’s smallest country, Uruguay, the culinary scene is diverse. The influence of European immigrants and the traditions of the indigenous people create a rich food tapestry.

Montevideo, the capital where over ⅓ of the country’s population live, is a great place to explore the local cuisine. In our previous article, we highlighted 5 of 10 Montevideo authentic and local food experiences to have.  

  1. Share a Mate and Visit Museo del Gaucho
  2. Try Morcilla Dulce At Mercado del Puerto – A Parrilla Experience
  3. Enjoy a Tarta from Confiteria Saratoga on La Rambla While Watching The Sunset
  4. Drink Tannat, The National Wine of Uruguay at Bodega Bouza
  5. Make a Stop For Lehmeyun, Montevideo Local Food from Armenia

Here, we highlight the other 5 experiences to have for a total of 10 Montevideo authentic food experiences.

Read on to discover what Montevideo has to offer culinary travelers.

Authentic Food Quest Page_Break

Table of Contents

  • 6. Indulge in a Chivito at Lo de Pepe
  • 7. Visit Mercado Agricola de Montevideo, A Foodie Haven
  • 8. Dig into The Beef at La Pulperia, The Best Local Parilla
  • 9. Sip on Medio y Medio at the World Trade Center
  • 10. Sample Tannat Wine and Yerba Mate Ice Cream
  • In Summary

6. Indulge in a Chivito at Lo de Pepe

The Chivito is the national sandwich of Uruguay. The history of this sandwich goes back to the 1960s. “Chivito” means little goat in Spanish. In the story, an Argentine asked a restaurant owner for a dish of roasted goat like the one she was accustomed to back home. The chef had no goat, but he slapped together a sandwich and topped it with a little of just about everything in the kitchen. It was a hit, and the Chivito sandwich was born!

The Chivito is huge and filled with loads of meat. It is made up of a thin slice of churrasco (filet mignon beef), topped with bacon, mozzarella cheese, tomatoes, lettuce, mayonnaise, ham, olives and a fried egg. It is served with french fries or baked potatoes. It can be prepared as a sandwich or as a dish. If you are still hungry from more, you might want to try the Canadiense, a variation of the Chivito sandwich with canadian bacon.

Montevideo Authentic Food Chivito Sandwich

There is no shortage of places to have a Chivito in Montevideo. Honestly, it is a difficult to pick just one places to have this sandwich. Restaurants take great pride in making this awesome national speciality.

Our advice is to have it more than once, at a couple of different locations. Lo de Pepe in the Trouville neighborhood, just a couple of blocks from La Rambla, serves huge portions with local wine. Our recommendation is to go there, share it and indulge.

Chivito Lo de Pepe Top 10 Montevideo Authentic Food AuthenticFood Quest

Where: Lo de Pepe, Roque Graseras 885, Montevideo, Uruguay.

When: Monday to Sunday from 11:30am to 12am.

What to order: Chivito or Canadiense.

7. Visit Mercado Agricola de Montevideo, A Foodie Haven

The Mercado Agricola de Montevideo (Agricultural Market) is an attraction and can be described as a foodie haven. Located just north of the Montevideo, it takes about 10 minutes to get there by bus from the city center.

Mercado Agricola Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest

This market is known for its sheer size and its early 20th century architecture. Once you enter through the main door you will notice the modern design and the cleanliness of the place which is quite surprising for a farmers’ market.

With more than 100 vendors, including speciality food stores and restaurants, you will find clean stalls, large selections of fruits and vegetables and organic and specialty stores. Visit the market when there is one of the many events scheduled at the end of the week.

Market Vendor Mercado Argicola Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest

You can make this market your place to buy vegetables or enjoy a meal at one of the many local restaurant options. Look for the different types of pumpkins, squash, gourds and zucchini sold that grow in Uruguay. You will be surprised at the range and variety of pumpkins and squash that exist.

Pumpkin Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest

Where: Mercado Agricola de Montevideo, José L. Terra 2220, Montevideo, Uruguay.

When: Monday to Sunday from 9am to 10pm.

What to order: Any of the following: Zappalo, zapallitos, calabaza.

8. Dig into The Beef at La Pulperia, The Best Local Parilla

Given the popularity of beef and the many places to eat it, it can be daunting to search for the best places to experience a parilla (steakhouse) in Montevideo. One place that stands out is La Pulperia in the Puntas Carretas neighborhood. La Pulperia is described as one of the best parillas, if not the best parilla in Montevideo.  

La Pulperia Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest

It is not a fancy place, but a laid back restaurant packed with locals. It has a simple menu, great service and unrivaled quality of meat.

From the menu, order a Pulpon (rump steak) or an Asado (short ribs), which are the most popular cuts of meat. They come served with a side of homemade fries and a salad. Get it with a lovely bottle of local Uruguayan Tannat wine. An assault of richness and flavor that will leave you wanting more!  

Meat LaPulperia Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest

Where: La Pulperia, Lagunillas 448 Punta Carretas,  Montevideo, Uruguay.

When: Tuesday to Saturday from 7pm to 12am and Sunday 12pm to 4pm.

What to order: Pulpon or Asado.

9. Sip on Medio y Medio at the World Trade Center

This is a traditional Uruguayan alcoholic refreshing drink. It is a unique sparkling wine made by combining 50% white wine and 50% sparkling wine (spumante). The name Medio y Medio means “half and half” in Spanish.

Medio y Medio Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest

This unique sparkling wine was first created in 1886 at a bar called Roldys which is at Mercado del Puerto. Today, you will find everywhere as a popular aperitif option.

This refreshing drink with a light and sweet-ish taste is incredibly easy to drink. You will also find some blends with red, rose and white wines to cater all tastes.

Choose from one of the many restaurants near the World Trade Center of Montevideo and enjoy a refreshing glass of Medio y Medio.

World Trade Center Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest

Where: Av Dr. Luis Alberto de Herrera, 1248, Montevideo, Uruguay.

When: Monday to Sunday 12pm to 4pm and 7pm to 12am.

What to order: Medio y Medio.

10. Sample Tannat Wine and Yerba Mate Ice Cream

Ice cream lovers will not be disappointed in Montevideo. You will find several local options where you can cool off with ice-cream. For an authentic experience, try ice cream flavors that reflect the pride of the country. Try ice cream made from Tannat wine and from Yerba mate, the two national beverages.

Tannat Ice-Cream Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest
Yerba Mate Ice-Cream Montevideo Authentic Food Authentic Food Quest

For a gourmet experience, the best place to try these flavors is at Heladeria del Abuelo. This locally owned store ranks high on creativity and innovation. The ice cream here is artisanal where all ingredients are natural and no additives or dyes are used. Go out on a limb and try these unique ice cream flavors.

 

Where: Heladeria del Abuelo, Almeria 4814, Montevideo, Uruguay.

When: Monday to Friday from 4pm to 12am and Saturday, Sunday from 12pm to 12am.

What to order: Tannat and Yerba Mate ice cream.

Authentic Food Quest Page_Break

In Summary

Uruguay’s capital has a lot to offer to the travelers seeking authentic food experiences. If your travels take you to South America, do not overlook Uruguay, which was named by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 countries to visit in 2016.

Open up to the tastes and delights of Montevideo authentic food. Taste the flavors and enjoy the local beverages in all forms.

Have you had any of these Montevideo authentic food experiences? Tell us which ones in the comments below.

 

Don’t forget to sign up for our monthly newsletter here and get your free ebook on The 5 Best Ways to Find Authentic Food While Traveling.

Savor The Adventure!

Rosemary

Rosemary, ex-marketing and advertising strategist, is a digital nomad and content creator at Authentic Food Quest. Since 2015, with her partner, Claire, they travel the world in search of the best local food experiences. Their mission is to help you enjoy the best local specialties on your travels or via recipes in your home kitchen. Favorite country for food: Peru. Favorite local dish: Bacalhau. Favorite way to keep fit: Running. Rosemary is the chief content writer and strategist on Authentic Food Quest. She is also co-author of Authentic Food Quest Argentina and Authentic Food Quest Peru, available on Amazon.

27 Comments

  1. Giulia Blocal
    May 28, 2016 at 11:18 am · Reply

    I love food markets, especially when I’m abroad, because I think that they are the perfect place to mingle with locals and enjoy a very genuine atmosphere. The Mercado Agricolo looks just like that, thank you for the tip! 🙂

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 3:51 pm · Reply

      Could not agree more Giulia, food markets do give you a unique insight into the local culture. Thanks for your comments.

  2. Sue Reddel
    May 28, 2016 at 5:38 pm · Reply

    Looks like the only problem I’d have is deciding where to start. It all looks scrumptious and worth trying. I’ll definitely take your advice when we visit Montevideo. Cheers!

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 3:53 pm · Reply

      Thanks Sue. The local food scene is surprising and interesting. You will not go wrong with any of the recommendations. Happy to be a resource for your trip to Montevideo. Cheers 🙂

  3. Elissa
    May 29, 2016 at 5:52 am · Reply

    That market looked beautiful, I think that would be my favourite on the list.

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 3:55 pm · Reply

      You would enjoy the market Elissa. Great fruit and vegetable stands as well as charming little restaurants to eat at. Appreciate your comments.

  4. Marteen
    May 29, 2016 at 8:02 am · Reply

    I loved reading part two ladies! I would definitely check out the Mercado Agricola de Montevideo. From the picture of the sign it looks like a beautiful building. I have a thing for architecture. While I don’t particularly like wine (please don’t hate me ?), the Medio y Medio sounds really refreshing.

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 3:56 pm · Reply

      Hi Marteen, no worries if you don’t appreciate wine 🙂 The Medio y Medio is a great alternative. Yes, the architecture is indeed amazing and one of the most unique aspects of the market. So glad you enjoyed reading the post.

  5. melody pittman
    May 29, 2016 at 9:38 am · Reply

    Definitely not familiar with most of these foods. Thanks for introducing us. Great pictures and descriptions. I cannot believe you can just buy those Chivito’s at fast food places. They look so gourmet. 😉

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 3:59 pm · Reply

      Thanks Melody and so glad you enjoyed reading about the authentic food experiences in Montevideo. Given that the Chivito is the national sandwich, it is made with pride all over the country:) Looks gourmet and tastes delicious.

  6. Arzo Travels
    May 29, 2016 at 11:32 am · Reply

    Wow, I would love to get some fresh fruits from the market and some ice for dessert 🙂

  7. Veronika
    May 29, 2016 at 4:24 pm · Reply

    Hi, thanks for your pactical tips. I pretty much love every town where it is possible to buy fresh and exotic veggie – even those bananas you have in the pictures must be so tasty. Just imagine the smoothie. So yes, Montevideo is a place for me.

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 4:02 pm · Reply

      In that case Veronika, you would love Montevideo. Interestingly, unlike most of the other South American countries we visited, Uruguay does not have a developed smoothie culture. Regardless, you can enjoy the fresh fruits and exotic vegetables. Appreciate your comments.

  8. Nathan
    May 29, 2016 at 5:59 pm · Reply

    Wow- Uruguay has never been on my radar but all of this looks amazing. The chevito is insane! It looks like a delicious heart attack on a plate. I want to try all of this.

    http://www.foodieflashpacker.com

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 4:03 pm · Reply

      Thanks Nathan. Yes, you would love the Chivito…it is a delicious and humongous sandwich. Add Uruguay to your radar, it is worth checking out the foodie culture in Montevideo. Cheers

  9. Tandy | Lavender and Lime
    May 30, 2016 at 3:21 am · Reply

    that market looks amazing!

  10. RaW | Ramble and Wander
    May 30, 2016 at 5:45 am · Reply

    Like before, my pick would be a market again, so Mercado Agricola de Montevideo would be it. Looking at its entrance, I already know that I’d enjoy taking photos of the building and the stalls inside it. Just wondering how long would I be holed up here if I were to visit Montevideo one day! 🙂

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 4:16 pm · Reply

      That’s great:) The good news about the Mercado Agricola de Montevideo, is that there is lots to do. You can shop there, eat there, be entertained and have a great time all around. Hope you can get to Montevideo soon and see the market for yourself. Thanks for the comments.

  11. Nisha
    May 30, 2016 at 12:11 pm · Reply

    Today I have read maximum no. of posts on food and it’s dinner time here. You can imaging how hungry I am now !
    Chivito sounds very interesting and so does Yerba mate ice cream. 🙂

    Sure, I want to try them out.

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 4:17 pm · Reply

      That’s funny Nisha. Always a challenge to read about food when hungry:) Yes, you would enjoy the chivito sandwich. The yerba mate ice cream is a great way to finish off the meal. Appreciate your comments.

  12. Vicky and Buddy
    May 30, 2016 at 1:47 pm · Reply

    I’d love to visit La Pulperia and have some great steak. When I was in Argentina there were a lot of steak places. I wonder if the flavors are similar?

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 4:19 pm · Reply

      Great question. We also spent time in Argentina and one of the biggest differences we saw was in the cuts of meat. For example, Argentina does not have morcilla dulce, yet in Uruguay that is a delicacy. In Uruguay, they have a cut of beef called “asado” and that is not the case in Argentina. We would say both offer amazing high-quality beef, but some of the cuts are different.

  13. Lindsay Nieminen
    May 30, 2016 at 3:48 pm · Reply

    For me, when traveling with my kids (who are only 4 and 2) we do not get to enjoy as much “food” as i like, since their wiggly butts limit where we go and how long we stay! i cannot wait for them to be a few years older so we can take advantage of the amazing cuisine that you can find around the world! One day we will make it so South America!

    • Authentic Food Quest
      May 30, 2016 at 4:23 pm · Reply

      Hi Lindsay, thanks for your comments. We recently wrote an article about dishes to enjoy with your family in South America. Check it out here for kid friendly cuisines for your future plans to the continent. https://travelwithbender.com/travel-blog/guest-blog/8-authentic-dishes-to-enjoy-with-your-family-in-south-america/ Happy to be a resource when you make the trip. Cheers 🙂

  14. Select Villages
    June 27, 2016 at 2:13 pm · Reply

    Such an informative post for me. Voted up for this post.

    • Authentic Food Quest
      June 27, 2016 at 9:42 pm · Reply

      Thanks for your support. We are so glad you enjoyed reading about the authentic experiences in Montevideo. Cheers!

  15. Top 10 Authentic and Local Food Experiences in Montevideo Part 1
    July 2, 2016 at 6:56 pm · Reply

    […] out these authentic food experiences in Montevideo. We share 5 in this article and the next article will have the second […]

Leave a reply Cancel reply

Post a Comment

We love to hear from you, so tell us what you think.

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked.

I accept the Privacy Policy

Claire and Rosemary Hi! Welcome to Authentic Food Quest. We are Claire and Rosemary. Our goal is to help you explore local culture through food. As digital nomads, we travel to share authentic food recipes and food guides from around the world so you can savor them during your travels or in your home kitchen. Learn More

Get Authentic Food Quest Books

Authentic Food Quest Peru Book Authentic Food Quest Argentina Book

CONNECT WITH US

Connect With Us

Partner With Us

To discuss ways to advertise or partner, please visit our media page.

Disclosure

Authentic Food Quest participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program designed to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER

Get local food and travel tips, recipes, inspiring stories and exclusive discounts.

Don’t Miss These Popular Links

  • Food and Travel in Mexico
  • Eating in Portugal
  • Get Tasty UK Snacks & More Delivered To Your Home
  • Make Chilean Pisco Sour at Home
  • Food in Vietnam
  • Recipes
© 2015-2021 - All Rights Reserved - Authentic Food Quest ™ | Terms | Privacy
0shares