Must-try Dishes
Chivito - Local Sandwich (hearty steak sandwich) - A towering creation featuring grilled beef, ham, cheese, lettuce, and a fried egg, all layered in a bun. You’ll typically find locals enjoying it any time of day, but it’s a popular lunch choice after a night out.
Asado - Barbecue (traditional grilled meat) - A social feast consisting of various cuts of beef, pork, and sometimes lamb, cooked over an open flame. Locals often gather with family and friends on weekends for an asado, each person contributing a salad or dessert to share.
Gnocchi - Ñoquis (potato dumplings) - Soft dumplings made from potatoes and flour, often topped with a rich tomato sauce or pesto. Typically eaten on the 29th of each month, locals have a custom of placing money under their plates for good luck.
Fugazza - Onion Focaccia (savory bread) - A thick bread topped with a generous layer of sautéed onions and olive oil, delivering a wonderfully aromatic experience. This is a favorite street food item often consumed as a quick lunch or snack at bakeries throughout the city.
Milánesa - Breaded Cutlet (breaded meat dish) - A breaded and fried beef or chicken cutlet, similar to a schnitzel, usually served with mashed potatoes or salad. It’s a staple in many households, often enjoyed during weekday dinners for its comforting familiarity.
Picada - Charcuterie Board (mixed platter) - A sharing plate filled with various meats, cheeses, olives, and pickled vegetables; perfect for snacking or grazing while socializing. It’s common to order this with friends in the evening, transforming a simple gathering into a delightful feast.
Pascualina - Spinach Pie (savory pie) - A flaky pastry filled with spinach, cheese, and eggs, often enjoyed by families during the Holy Week. Many locals bake this dish to celebrate Easter, showcasing a seasonal tradition that flavors the springtime meals.
Empanadas - Stuffed Pastries (savory filled pastry) - Typically filled with beef, chicken, or cheese and baked to golden perfection, these are a beloved snack throughout Montevideo. You’ll see locals grabbing them on the go as a quick lunch option or during festivities.
Desserts & Drinks
Café con Leche - Café con Leche (coffee with milk) - A comforting blend of strong coffee and steamed milk, typically enjoyed piping hot. Best savored during a leisurely breakfast, locals often pair it with a pastry while catching up on the day’s news.
Té Baptero - Té Baptero (herbal tea) - This refreshing drink combines yerba mate with a blend of herbs like peppermint and lemon. Usually enjoyed cold during warm afternoons, it’s a beloved choice among those looking to beat the heat (and avoids the common mistake of ordering it too strong).
Fernet con Cola - Fernet con Cola (bitters and cola) - A mix of the herbal Fernet, a popular local bitter, and cola served over ice. It's a staple at social gatherings, especially during celebrations, and often mistakenly ordered without the correct ratio (aim for 1:3 Fernet to cola for the perfect balance).
Chajá - Chajá (traditional cake) - A delightful dessert made of layers of vanilla sponge, meringue, and peaches, topped with whipped cream. Typically served at birthdays and special events, locals love its light, airy texture and often joke about its namesake, a local bird known for its strange appearance.
Dulce de Leche Helado - Dulce de Leche Helado (frozen caramel dessert) - A creamy, rich dessert that captures the essence of dulce de leche, frozen into a delightful treat. Often enjoyed in the summertime, it’s a common cooling option at family gatherings, where it inevitably becomes the highlight of the dessert table (don’t forget to scoop some to share!).
