Verified Facts
When visiting Uruguay, you should try the country's renowned asado, a traditional barbecue dish, as well as other local specialties like choripan and chivito, which showcase the country's unique blend of Spanish, Italian, and indigenous influences.
Quick Facts
Food Culture Overview
Uruguayan cuisine is defined by its strong Spanish and Italian influences, as well as its indigenous heritage. The country's gauchos, or cowboys, have played a significant role in shaping the national cuisine, with their traditional asado barbecues and parrilladas (grilled meats) remaining popular to this day. Regional variations can be seen in the different departments, or provinces, of Uruguay, with the coastal areas specializing in fresh seafood and the inland regions focusing on meat and dairy products. The country's cuisine is also known for its merienda, a mid-afternoon snack that typically consists of coffee, tea, or mate, a traditional caffeinated drink, accompanied by sweet or savory pastries.
The key influences on Uruguayan cuisine can be seen in its use of pasta, pizza, and other Italian staples, as well as its empanadas, tortas fritas, and other Spanish-inspired dishes. The country's ferias, or street fairs, often feature traditional foods like choripan, a grilled sausage sandwich, and provoleta, a melted provolone cheese dish. Uruguayan cuisine is also known for its postres, or desserts, which often feature dulce de leche, a sweet caramel-like sauce made from sweetened condensed milk.
Uruguay's food culture is also shaped by its estancias, or ranches, which offer traditional asado experiences and cabalgatas, or horseback rides, through the countryside. Visitors can sample local specialties like carne asada, or grilled beef, and chorizo, a spicy sausage, while learning about the country's rich gaucho heritage. The country's vino, or wine, is also worth trying, with many bodegas, or wineries, offering tours and tastings.
Must-Try Dishes
| Dish | Type | Description | Where to Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chivito | Sandwich | A large sandwich filled with thinly sliced steak, mayonnaise, and eggs | Restaurants and cafes in Montevideo |
| Asado | Barbecue | A traditional barbecue dish featuring grilled meats, often including carne asada, chorizo, and morcilla | Estancias and restaurants throughout the country |
| Choripan | Street Food | A grilled sausage sandwich, often served with chimichurri sauce | Street fairs and food stalls in Montevideo |
| Tortas Fritas | Snack | Fried dough pastry, often sprinkled with sugar or dulce de leche | Bakeries and cafes throughout the country |
| Empanadas | Pastry | Meat or cheese-filled pastries, often served as a snack or appetizer | Restaurants and food stalls throughout the country |
| Provoleta | Appetizer | A melted provolone cheese dish, often served with chorizo and pan | Restaurants in Montevideo and other major cities |
| Milanesa | Main Course | A breaded and fried cutlet, often made with carne or pollo | Restaurants throughout the country |
| Fainá | Side Dish | A thick, flat bread made from harina de garbanzo, often served with chorizo and morcilla | Restaurants and food stalls throughout the country |
| Arroz con Mariscos | Main Course | A seafood rice dish, often featuring camarones, calamares, and mejillones | Restaurants in coastal areas |
| Alfajores | Dessert | A classic South American cookie sandwich, often filled with dulce de leche | Bakeries and cafes throughout the country |
Street Food & Snacks
- Choripan: a grilled sausage sandwich, often served with chimichurri sauce, $3-$5 USD
- Tortas Fritas: fried dough pastry, often sprinkled with sugar or dulce de leche, $2-$3 USD
- Empanadas: meat or cheese-filled pastries, often served as a snack or appetizer, $3-$5 USD
- Provoleta: a melted provolone cheese dish, often served with chorizo and pan, $5-$7 USD
- Fainá: a thick, flat bread made from harina de garbanzo, often served with chorizo and morcilla, $3-$5 USD
- Buñuelos: fried dough balls, often sprinkled with sugar, $2-$3 USD
- Churros: fried dough pastry, often served with chocolate or dulce de leche, $3-$5 USD
- Picarones: sweet potato doughnuts, often served with chancaca, a type of raw sugar cane syrup, $3-$5 USD
Drinks
- Mate: a traditional caffeinated drink, often served in a guampa, or hollow gourd, $1-$2 USD
- Vino tinto: red wine, often made from tannat or merlot grapes, $5-$10 USD per bottle
- Cerveza: beer, often made by local breweries like Pilsen or Patricia, $3-$5 USD per bottle
- Jugo de naranja: freshly squeezed orange juice, often served at breakfast or as a snack, $2-$3 USD
- Agua con gas: sparkling water, often served with a slice of limón, $1-$2 USD
- Licuados: fruit smoothies, often made with frutas frescas like banana, manzana, or mango, $3-$5 USD
Dining Customs
- Eating etiquette: it is customary to keep your hands visible on the table, with your wrists resting on the edge
- Tipping: 10% of the total bill is customary, but not required
- Reservation culture: reservations are not always necessary, but can be helpful during peak travel seasons
- Dress codes: dress codes vary by restaurant, but ropa informal is generally acceptable
- Meal times: breakfast is typically served from 7-10 am, lunch from 12-3 pm, and dinner from 8-11 pm
- La cuenta: the bill, which is often presented at the end of the meal, can be paid in cash or with a credit card
Where to Eat
- Restaurants: restaurantes often serve a variety of dishes, including comida típica, or traditional cuisine
- Food courts: centros comerciales often feature food courts with a range of options, including comida rápida, or fast food
- Markets: mercados often feature fresh produce, meats, and dairy products, as well as prepared foods like empanadas and tortas fritas
- Estancias: estancias often offer traditional asado experiences and cabalgatas, or horseback rides, through the countryside
- Cafes: cafes often serve coffee, tea, and pastries, as well as light meals like sandwiches and salads
Food Markets & Food Experiences
- Mercado del Puerto: a historic market in Montevideo featuring fresh seafood, meats, and dairy products, as well as prepared foods like empanadas and tortas fritas
- Feria de Tristán Narvaja: a street fair in Montevideo featuring traditional foods, crafts, and live music
- Estancia El Charabón: a ranch in the countryside offering traditional asado experiences and cabalgatas, or horseback rides
- La Feria de Maldonado: a street fair in Maldonado featuring traditional foods, crafts, and live music
- Mercado Agrícola: a market in Montevideo featuring fresh produce, meats, and dairy products, as well as prepared foods like empanadas and tortas fritas