Cuisine of Montevideo
Encyclopedia
Cuisine of Montevideo refers to the food cooked and served in the city of Montevideo
, Uruguay
. The cuisine served in the city is similar to that consumed in the country as a whole with beef
being a staple of the diet and found in a range of foods and torta frita, a pan-fried cake. However, given the influx of immigrants and tourists into the capital over the decades and centuries, a range of cultural culinary influences can be found in the city.
In recent years the number of restaurant
s and diversity of cuisine has increased considerably, Lonely Planet
describes the Montevideo culinary scene as "just starting to get exciting" with the variety of restaurants springing up in the city from traditional Uruguayan cuisine
to Japanese cuisine
and Middle Eastern cuisine
. Restaurant Arcadia atop the Plaza Victoria on the 25th floor of the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel
is widely regarded to be the finest restaurant in the city.
is very important in Uruguayan cuisine and an essential part of many dishes. Many of the restaurants serve beef steaks, pork or chicken
dishes. Given that Montevideo is a coastal city, it is also provided by a plentiful supply of fresh fish which alongside beef and chicken is very important in the Montevideo cuisine. Some restaurants like Che Montevideo on the Rambla Gandhi in the Pocitos
area of the city on the coast specialize in fresh seafood.
is the Mercado del Puerto ("Port Market"). This complex contains a considerable range of restaurants and cafes.La Palenque restaurant serves Uruguayan and Spanish cuisine
with a variety of lamb, pork and cold meats dishes with vegetables, paella
, rice and shellfish. Additionally, the market is host to various cultural cultural events on Saturdays.
The Mercado del Puerto is the city's most famous area for parillas ("barbecues"). The open-aired building which houses the market was built in 1868. While originally a venue for fresh produce, it is now filled with parillas. The structure was built in the style of a nineteenth-century British Railway station. It is listed among "The Best Markets" in South America by Frommer's.
to Japanese cuisine
such as sushi
. Western fast-food chains such as McDonald's
, and Burger King
are evident in the city, showing the forces of globalization
.
The Restaurante Arcadia, on the 25th floor of the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel
is considered Montevideo's best restaurant.Arcadia is set in a classic Italian-inspired dining room and serves lavish dishes such as terrine of pheasant
marinated in cognac, grilled lamb glazed with mint
and garlic
, and duck confit on thin strudel pastry with red cabbage
.
El Fogon is more popular with the late-night diners of the city. Its interior is brightly lit and the walls covered with big mirrors. Officially a barbecue and seafood restaurant, it serves grilled meat dishes, as well as salmon
, shrimp
and calamari. Also of note is the Cru. Numerous restaurants are located along the Rambla of Montevideo.
Kokoro is a Japanese restaurant located on Viejo Pancho in the barrio of Pocitos
. It serves traditional Japanese cuisine, mainly dishes with meat and fish to suit the Uruguayan palette. Its dishes range from appetizers such as a dumpling of salmon
and nira
, to Sauteed whitefish with Teriyaki sauce and white rice to rolled sushi
and sashimi
and Japanese curry and rice with Wagyu (beef) or chicken. Deserts include green tea ice cream and apple rolls.
Kazbah is Middle Eastern restaurant located on the Bartolomé Mitre. It serves dishes suchas falafel
, schwarma (doner kebabs), couscous
and tagin.
Panini's is a notable Italian restaurant located in the Ciudad Vieja historical area of the city, just off the Plaza Independencia
, and is testament to the influences of some of the Uruguayan Italian immigrants. It is noted in particular for its "degustación de pastas", described as "a veritable smorgasbord of noodley delights."
Also of note is the Rara Avis in the east wing of the Solís Theatre
, a branch of the Uruguayan chain of restaurants called La Pasiva in the Centro area which serves pastas and meat dishes, and the restaurants in the Mercado del Puerto and the Mercado de la Abundancia.
Many of the notable bars in the city are located in the barrio of Pocitos near the sea. Amongst these pubs of note include the "Tibet Pub", "La Estada", "La Vuelta" and the "Rosh Bistró Bar". In the old area of the city or the immediate surroundings notable pubs include the "Shannon Irish pub" and "Chains Pub". The Shannon Irish pub in the Old City area of the city was established in 2001. It is located at Bartolomé Mitre 1318, 2 blocks from the Plaza Independencia
and 1 block from the Plaza Matriz. Bradt Travel Guides
says "An Irish pub on Montevideo's liveliest pub street, with a wide range of beers (although Uruguayans find it hard to understand why an Irish pub doesn't serve Irish coffee)." The pub is an important centre for Irish Uruguayans, often featuring live music. The pub serves traditional Irish whiskey by Jameson
(1780), Paddy
(1779), Powers Gold Label (1791), Bushmills
(1608), Redbreast
, Ballantine's
(1827) and others and mainly sandwiches and fajitas.
bested the previous record of 8 tonnes, which was set by Mexico
in 2006. Montevideo's record held until March 2011, when 13.713 metric tons (30,232 lb) of beef were grilled in General Pico
in Argentina
.
Montevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
, Uruguay
Uruguay
Uruguay ,officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay,sometimes the Eastern Republic of Uruguay; ) is a country in the southeastern part of South America. It is home to some 3.5 million people, of whom 1.8 million live in the capital Montevideo and its metropolitan area...
. The cuisine served in the city is similar to that consumed in the country as a whole with beef
Beef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
being a staple of the diet and found in a range of foods and torta frita, a pan-fried cake. However, given the influx of immigrants and tourists into the capital over the decades and centuries, a range of cultural culinary influences can be found in the city.
In recent years the number of restaurant
Restaurant
A restaurant is an establishment which prepares and serves food and drink to customers in return for money. Meals are generally served and eaten on premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services...
s and diversity of cuisine has increased considerably, Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet
Lonely Planet is the largest travel guide book and digital media publisher in the world. The company is owned by BBC Worldwide, which bought a 75% share from the founders Maureen and Tony Wheeler in 2007 and the final 25% in February 2011...
describes the Montevideo culinary scene as "just starting to get exciting" with the variety of restaurants springing up in the city from traditional Uruguayan cuisine
Uruguayan cuisine
Uruguayan cuisine is traditionally based on its European roots, in particular, Mediterranean food from Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, but also from countries such as Germany and Britain, along with African and indigenous mixtures. Many foods from those countries such as pasta, sausages, and...
to Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine has developed over the centuries as a result of many political and social changes throughout Japan. The cuisine eventually changed with the advent of the Medieval age which ushered in a shedding of elitism with the age of shogun rule...
and Middle Eastern cuisine
Middle Eastern cuisine
Middle-Eastern cuisine, West Asian cuisine, or in some place in the United States, Persian-Mediterranean cuisine is the cuisine of the various countries and peoples of the Middle East . The cuisine of the region is diverse while having a degree of homogeneity...
. Restaurant Arcadia atop the Plaza Victoria on the 25th floor of the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel
Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel
Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel is a hotel located on the central Plaza Independencia in the Old City of Montevideo, Uruguay, operated by Radisson. It is one of the top hotels in the city. The Radisson Montevideo has 232 rooms and contains a casino and is served by the Restaurante Arcadia,...
is widely regarded to be the finest restaurant in the city.
Cuisine
A torta frita is a pan-fried cake consumed in Montevideo and throughout Uruguay. It is generally circular, with a small cut in the centre for cooking, and is made from wheat flour, yeast, water and sugar or salt. BeefBeef
Beef is the culinary name for meat from bovines, especially domestic cattle. Beef can be harvested from cows, bulls, heifers or steers. It is one of the principal meats used in the cuisine of the Middle East , Australia, Argentina, Brazil, Europe and the United States, and is also important in...
is very important in Uruguayan cuisine and an essential part of many dishes. Many of the restaurants serve beef steaks, pork or chicken
Chicken
The chicken is a domesticated fowl, a subspecies of the Red Junglefowl. As one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, and with a population of more than 24 billion in 2003, there are more chickens in the world than any other species of bird...
dishes. Given that Montevideo is a coastal city, it is also provided by a plentiful supply of fresh fish which alongside beef and chicken is very important in the Montevideo cuisine. Some restaurants like Che Montevideo on the Rambla Gandhi in the Pocitos
Pocitos
Pocitos is an upscale beach barrio in Uruguay's capital city, Montevideo.This area is located along the banks of the Rio de la Plata. The barrio is known for its beach, Playa Pocitos, and the Rambla, or boulevard, that lies alongside it...
area of the city on the coast specialize in fresh seafood.
Mercado del Puerto
The centre of traditional Uruguayan food and beverage in MontevideoMontevideo
Montevideo is the largest city, the capital, and the chief port of Uruguay. The settlement was established in 1726 by Bruno Mauricio de Zabala, as a strategic move amidst a Spanish-Portuguese dispute over the platine region, and as a counter to the Portuguese colony at Colonia del Sacramento...
is the Mercado del Puerto ("Port Market"). This complex contains a considerable range of restaurants and cafes.La Palenque restaurant serves Uruguayan and Spanish cuisine
Spanish cuisine
Spanish cuisine consists of a variety of dishes, which stem from differences in geography, culture and climate. It is heavily influenced by seafood available from the waters that surround the country, and reflects the country's deep maritime roots...
with a variety of lamb, pork and cold meats dishes with vegetables, paella
Paella
Paella is a Valencian rice dish that originated in its modern form in the mid-19th century near lake Albufera, a lagoon in Valencia, on the east coast of Spain. Many non-Spaniards view paella as Spain's national dish, but most Spaniards consider it to be a regional Valencian dish...
, rice and shellfish. Additionally, the market is host to various cultural cultural events on Saturdays.
The Mercado del Puerto is the city's most famous area for parillas ("barbecues"). The open-aired building which houses the market was built in 1868. While originally a venue for fresh produce, it is now filled with parillas. The structure was built in the style of a nineteenth-century British Railway station. It is listed among "The Best Markets" in South America by Frommer's.
Restaurants
Montevideo has a variety of restaurants, from traditional Uruguayan cuisineUruguayan cuisine
Uruguayan cuisine is traditionally based on its European roots, in particular, Mediterranean food from Italy, Spain, Portugal and France, but also from countries such as Germany and Britain, along with African and indigenous mixtures. Many foods from those countries such as pasta, sausages, and...
to Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine
Japanese cuisine has developed over the centuries as a result of many political and social changes throughout Japan. The cuisine eventually changed with the advent of the Medieval age which ushered in a shedding of elitism with the age of shogun rule...
such as sushi
Sushi
is a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients . Neta and forms of sushi presentation vary, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is shari...
. Western fast-food chains such as McDonald's
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation is the world's largest chain of hamburger fast food restaurants, serving around 64 million customers daily in 119 countries. Headquartered in the United States, the company began in 1940 as a barbecue restaurant operated by the eponymous Richard and Maurice McDonald; in 1948...
, and Burger King
Burger King
Burger King, often abbreviated as BK, is a global chain of hamburger fast food restaurants headquartered in unincorporated Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The company began in 1953 as Insta-Burger King, a Jacksonville, Florida-based restaurant chain...
are evident in the city, showing the forces of globalization
Globalization
Globalization refers to the increasingly global relationships of culture, people and economic activity. Most often, it refers to economics: the global distribution of the production of goods and services, through reduction of barriers to international trade such as tariffs, export fees, and import...
.
The Restaurante Arcadia, on the 25th floor of the Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel
Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel
Radisson Montevideo Victoria Plaza Hotel is a hotel located on the central Plaza Independencia in the Old City of Montevideo, Uruguay, operated by Radisson. It is one of the top hotels in the city. The Radisson Montevideo has 232 rooms and contains a casino and is served by the Restaurante Arcadia,...
is considered Montevideo's best restaurant.Arcadia is set in a classic Italian-inspired dining room and serves lavish dishes such as terrine of pheasant
Pheasant
Pheasants refer to some members of the Phasianinae subfamily of Phasianidae in the order Galliformes.Pheasants are characterised by strong sexual dimorphism, males being highly ornate with bright colours and adornments such as wattles and long tails. Males are usually larger than females and have...
marinated in cognac, grilled lamb glazed with mint
Mentha
Mentha is a genus of flowering plants in the family Lamiaceae . The species are not clearly distinct and estimates of the number of species varies from 13 to 18. Hybridization between some of the species occurs naturally...
and garlic
Garlic
Allium sativum, commonly known as garlic, is a species in the onion genus, Allium. Its close relatives include the onion, shallot, leek, chive, and rakkyo. Dating back over 6,000 years, garlic is native to central Asia, and has long been a staple in the Mediterranean region, as well as a frequent...
, and duck confit on thin strudel pastry with red cabbage
Red Cabbage
The red cabbage is a sort of cabbage, also known as Red Kraut or Blue Kraut after preparation....
.
El Fogon is more popular with the late-night diners of the city. Its interior is brightly lit and the walls covered with big mirrors. Officially a barbecue and seafood restaurant, it serves grilled meat dishes, as well as salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
, shrimp
Shrimp
Shrimp are swimming, decapod crustaceans classified in the infraorder Caridea, found widely around the world in both fresh and salt water. Adult shrimp are filter feeding benthic animals living close to the bottom. They can live in schools and can swim rapidly backwards. Shrimp are an important...
and calamari. Also of note is the Cru. Numerous restaurants are located along the Rambla of Montevideo.
Kokoro is a Japanese restaurant located on Viejo Pancho in the barrio of Pocitos
Pocitos
Pocitos is an upscale beach barrio in Uruguay's capital city, Montevideo.This area is located along the banks of the Rio de la Plata. The barrio is known for its beach, Playa Pocitos, and the Rambla, or boulevard, that lies alongside it...
. It serves traditional Japanese cuisine, mainly dishes with meat and fish to suit the Uruguayan palette. Its dishes range from appetizers such as a dumpling of salmon
Salmon
Salmon is the common name for several species of fish in the family Salmonidae. Several other fish in the same family are called trout; the difference is often said to be that salmon migrate and trout are resident, but this distinction does not strictly hold true...
and nira
Nira
-Nira:*garlic chives*Nira, Maharashtra, a town in southwestern Maharashtra state in India*Nira, Israel, a village in Israel, today part of Beit Yitzhak-Sha'ar Hefer*NIRA Dynamics AB, a Swedish company...
, to Sauteed whitefish with Teriyaki sauce and white rice to rolled sushi
Sushi
is a Japanese food consisting of cooked vinegared rice combined with other ingredients . Neta and forms of sushi presentation vary, but the ingredient which all sushi have in common is shari...
and sashimi
Sashimi
Sashimi is a Japanese delicacy. It consists of very fresh raw meat, most commonly fish, sliced into thin pieces.-Origin:The word sashimi means "pierced body", i.e...
and Japanese curry and rice with Wagyu (beef) or chicken. Deserts include green tea ice cream and apple rolls.
Kazbah is Middle Eastern restaurant located on the Bartolomé Mitre. It serves dishes suchas falafel
Falafel
Falafel is a deep-fried ball or patty made from ground chickpeas and/or fava beans. Falafel is usually served in a pita, which acts as a pocket, or wrapped in a flatbread known as lafa. The falafel balls are topped with salads, pickled vegetables, hot sauce, and drizzled with tahini-based sauces...
, schwarma (doner kebabs), couscous
Couscous
Couscous is a Berber dish of semolina traditionally served with a meat or vegetable stew spooned over it. Couscous is a staple food throughout Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.-Etymology:...
and tagin.
Panini's is a notable Italian restaurant located in the Ciudad Vieja historical area of the city, just off the Plaza Independencia
Plaza Independencia
Plaza Independencia is the name of Montevideo's most important plaza. It splits Ciudad Vieja from downtown Montevideo, with the Gateway of The Citadel on one side and the beginning of 18 de Julio avenue on the other....
, and is testament to the influences of some of the Uruguayan Italian immigrants. It is noted in particular for its "degustación de pastas", described as "a veritable smorgasbord of noodley delights."
Also of note is the Rara Avis in the east wing of the Solís Theatre
Solís Theatre
Solis Theatre is Uruguay's oldest theatre. It was built in 1856 and is currently owned by the government of Montevideo. It is located in Plaza Independencia ....
, a branch of the Uruguayan chain of restaurants called La Pasiva in the Centro area which serves pastas and meat dishes, and the restaurants in the Mercado del Puerto and the Mercado de la Abundancia.
Public houses
Many of the notable bars in the city are located in the barrio of Pocitos near the sea. Amongst these pubs of note include the "Tibet Pub", "La Estada", "La Vuelta" and the "Rosh Bistró Bar". In the old area of the city or the immediate surroundings notable pubs include the "Shannon Irish pub" and "Chains Pub". The Shannon Irish pub in the Old City area of the city was established in 2001. It is located at Bartolomé Mitre 1318, 2 blocks from the Plaza Independencia
Plaza Independencia
Plaza Independencia is the name of Montevideo's most important plaza. It splits Ciudad Vieja from downtown Montevideo, with the Gateway of The Citadel on one side and the beginning of 18 de Julio avenue on the other....
and 1 block from the Plaza Matriz. Bradt Travel Guides
Bradt Travel Guides
Bradt Travel Guides is a publisher of travel guides founded by Hilary Bradt who was awarded an MBE in 2008 for services to the Tourist Industry and to Charity....
says "An Irish pub on Montevideo's liveliest pub street, with a wide range of beers (although Uruguayans find it hard to understand why an Irish pub doesn't serve Irish coffee)." The pub is an important centre for Irish Uruguayans, often featuring live music. The pub serves traditional Irish whiskey by Jameson
Jameson
Jameson may refer to:People with the surname JamesonIn places:* Jameson, California, former name of Jamesan, California* Jameson, Missouri, village* Jameson Islands, Nunavut, Canada* Jameson Land, GreenlandOther:...
(1780), Paddy
Paddy
Paddy may refer to:*Paddy , a World War II carrier pigeon*Paddy , a comic strip*Paddy field, a type of cultivated land*Paddy Whiskey, a liquor*Patrick , including people with the name*Padraic, including people with the name...
(1779), Powers Gold Label (1791), Bushmills
Bushmills
Bushmills is a village on the north coast of County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Bushmills had 1,319 inhabitants in the 2001 Census. It is located 95 km from Belfast, 10 km from Ballycastle and 15 km from Coleraine...
(1608), Redbreast
Redbreast (whiskey)
Redbreast is a pure pot still whiskey Irish Whiskey. The only consistently available expression is a 12-year although a 15 year old expression was released in 2010 as an ongoing bottling. Redbreast comes in a green bottle and the 12 year old is 40.0% ABV whereas the 15 year old is at 46% and...
, Ballantine's
Ballantine's
Ballantine's is a range of blended scotch whiskies distilled by George Ballantine & Son Ltd in Dumbarton, Scotland.The Ballantine's flavour is dependent on 50 single malts, four single grains and in particular the fingerprint malts from Miltonduff and Glenburgie...
(1827) and others and mainly sandwiches and fajitas.
Former world record barbecue
On the 13th of April 2008, twelve thousand five hundred cooks in Montevideo together grilled 12 metric tons (26,455.5 lb) of beef Montevideo, setting a new Guinness world record. The event required a grill nearly one mile long and 6 tonnes of charcoal. The barbecueBarbecue
Barbecue or barbeque , used chiefly in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia is a method and apparatus for cooking meat, poultry and occasionally fish with the heat and hot smoke of a fire, smoking wood, or hot coals of...
bested the previous record of 8 tonnes, which was set by Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
in 2006. Montevideo's record held until March 2011, when 13.713 metric tons (30,232 lb) of beef were grilled in General Pico
General Pico
General Pico is a city located in the north-east of La Pampa Province, Argentina. It has a surface of . Is located at above sea level and inside the region of the Pampa Húmeda Llana...
in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
.
Further reading
- Vamos a comer / Let’s eat, by The American Women’s Club of Montevideo. 1995.
- ARCIA, M. C. (1970). Food habits of a moderate income group of 50 Uruguayan women. Thesis (M.S.)--Pennsylvania State University.
- GARCÍA ROBLES, H. (2005). El mantel celeste: historia y recetario de la cocina uruguaya. [Montevideo, Uruguay, Ediciones de la Banda Oriental.}
- NÚÑEZ, T. (2008). La cocina uruguaya: orígenes y recetas. Uruguay, Placer, La primera revista uruguay del buen vivir.
- WIZO URUGUAY. (1991). Wizo cocina con Herminia. Montevideo, WIZO Uruguay.
- M. DE GINERMAN, S. (2002). El sabor de los recuerdos: cocina judía y tradición. Montevideo, Uruguay, Ediciones Trilce.