4 Best Restaurants in Montevideo, Uruguay

This classic and beloved diner-style establishment has been around for more than a century, and it is clear that some of the customers have been frequenting it for almost as long. Many congregate here for a coffee or beer, and the chivito, which is made with fresh, fluffy bread, is considered one of the best in town.

The bookshop is classic, with floor to ceiling books, and a nifty rolling platform to browse the upper shelves. The café, though, is airy and serves innovative dishes such as beet and goat cheese pie, and grilled polenta and veggie gratin, along with fresh baked breads and sinfully delicious desserts. If the weather is unkind, dine inside, but the sunny, vine-covered outdoor patio is the place to be.

The painted white brick helps make the café bigger than it is, but the food and vibe are so good that size hardly matters. Open for lunch on Thursday through Sunday, and breakfast on the weekend, Sometimes serves up super sandwiches, such as brisket, pulled pork or avocado, salads and other dishes with international influences, along with freshly baked breads and great coffee. Tasty veggie options can be made vegan.

What draws the post-theater crowds to this friendly, but plain restaurant near Plaza Cagancha are gargantuan portions of smoked pork chops and fried potatoes.