The best restaurants Uruguay

Timetable

In Uruguay, lunch is usually eaten around 1pm and dinner around 10pm, while most people have a snack (la merienda) around 5pm. Restaurants usually serve lunch from noon and close their kitchens around 3:30 pm. Evening service usually begins at 8:00 pm and continues until midnight, or until the last guests have left. In Montevideo, restaurant hours tend to be later than in smaller cities and rural areas. To prevent any inconvenience, it is recommended to check the opening hours of the restaurant you are planning to visit, by checking their website, their pages on social networks or by calling them directly. Finally, it should be noted that many beach restaurants in resort areas are only open from the end of November to February.

Budget & Tips

Restaurants offer a variety of options for all budgets, from inexpensive establishments to high-end restaurants. You'll find cheap meals in places like street stands, markets or cafeterias for a few pesos, while fancier restaurants can cost between $1,000 and $2,500 per person (US$30-60). Most restaurants in Uruguay accept credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard and American Express, as well as cash in Uruguayan pesos. As a tourist, when you use your international credit card in Uruguay, you automatically receive a 22% tax exemption in restaurants.

What costs extra

It is recommended to leave a tip of 10% to 15% of the total amount of your bill. It is important to mention that some restaurants add a cover charge (cubierto) to the bill, which can be a source of frustration for travelers who may not be aware of these additional costs. This fee usually covers the cost of bread and other similar items.

The local way

Smokers