Restaurants in Montevideo

Parador la Huella ranked #11 in South America on the Opinionated About Dining list in 2024 — a serious credential for a relaxed coastal parador in José Ignacio. Open Friday to Sunday only, with lunch the stronger service. The drive from Montevideo takes roughly two hours, but for a food-focused traveller, the combination of live-fire Uruguayan cooking and an Atlantic-facing setting makes the trip worth planning around.

A family-run asado restaurant in Montevideo's Carrasco neighbourhood, Manzanar operates out of a converted supermarket and brings international technique to Uruguayan grilling — rack of lamb with salmoriglio alongside classic chimichurri rib-eye. The kitchen collaborates with well-known chefs, which puts it a step above a standard parrilla. Book a few days ahead; the room fills and the experience rewards those who go deeper into the menu.