Travelers visiting Montevideo as a side trip from Buenos Aires will find Uruguay’s food scene similar to Argentina’s. There is a huge Italian influence. Beef is plentiful. And the dinner hour starts at 8PM and extends well into the night.
This list of gay-friendly food destinations in Montevideo includes some of the city’s best fine dining establishments and simple places to grab a chivito, the big-and-tasty national sandwich of Uruguay. Check out the VamosGay Google Map of Montevideo to navigate one of the most gay-friendly cities in Latin America!
Cafe Baracay
Bacacay 1306
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Mon – Sat 10AM – 1AM
Views of the majestic Teatro Solis make Cafe Bacacay a popular destination. They have a full restaurant menu and their steak & fries are as popular as the coffee & pastries. Simple decor. Friendly service.
Candy Bar Palermo
Durazno 1402
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Sun 12PM – 8PM
Tue – Fri 11AM – 1AM
Sat 12PM – 3AM
Ranked as the #1 destination for desserts in Montevideo, Candy Bar Palermo has much more than sweets. It is also one of the city’s best restopubs with great food and well-crafted cocktails. Sunday brunch from 12 to 4 is highly recommended, but beware the space is small and may be crowded.
El Tinkal
Luis de la Torre 502
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Mon – Sat 9AM – 12AM
Not really gay or straight … just a great restaurant at the top of the list of the places to try a chivito, the national sandwich of Uruguay, which consists primarily of a thin slice of filet mignon, with mozzarella, tomatoes, mayonnaise, black or green olives, and may often include bacon, fried or hard-boiled eggs and ham.” El Tinkal is located near the Rambla (Montevideo’s waterfront) and is a good place to fuel up for a long walk.
Francis
Luis de la Torre 502
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Sun – Sat 8PM – 12AM
Fine dining at one of the best restaurants in Montevideo! Browse the Francis website and work up an appetite for seafood, salads, and their parrilla menu of grilled steaks, ribs, barbecued chicken and lamb.
La Fonda
Perez Castellano 1442
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Tue – Sun 12PM – 4PM
Thu – Sat 8:00 pm – 11:00 pm
One of the top 10 places to eat in Montevideo is also gay-friendly … and an excellent option for vegetarians and vegans in a city full of carnivores. (But, don’t worry, La Fonda’s menu includes a few options of chicken, fish, and red meat to keep everyone happy.) Make a note of the restaurant’s hours for lunch and dinner above. La Fonda has a tendency to open a bit later and close a bit earlier than advertised.
La Pasionaria
Reconquista 587
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
With a small menu of salads, sandwiches, and sweet treats similar to what one might find at the cafe of a museum, La Pasionaria is a charming place to have a snack and browse its boutique of items from Uruguayan artists.
La Pasiva
Avenida 18 de Julio 1350
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
This traditional diner with a full menu is famous for its hot dogs. Gay travelers can’t resist taking selfies in front of the restaurant’s logo La Pasiva (Spanish slang for “the bottom role in gay sex.”) The restaurant’s logo also includes a cartoonish boy ready to swallow a gigantic sausage! The restaurant chain has several locations. La Pasiva on Avenida 18 de Julio is the most iconic and sits at the center of gay Montevideo.
La Cocina de Pedro
Av. Gonzalo Ramírez 1483
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Mon – Fri 12PM – 3:30PM & 8PM – 12AM
Sat 12PM – 4PM & 8PM – 1AM
Sun 12PM – 4PM
One of Montevideo’s best parrilla restaurants with great grilled meats and Italian dishes is also one of the city’s longtime gay-friendly dining destinations. La Cocina de Pedro stellar menu is matched with exceptional service.
Philomene Cafe
Solano Garcia 2455
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
Mon – Sat 12PM – 4PM
Lunchtime delicacies and pastries. Philomene Cafe is the place to enjoy tea-for-two with your pinky finger extended.
Theo
Canelones 1985
Montevideo, Uruguay Google Map »
⛔ Update 3/3/2016 Currently closed with no status on when it will re-open. We will update this listing if more info becomes available.
Theo is a gastropub with solid menu featuring creative daily specials. Aside from the food, Theo has cultivated a crowd of attractive young gay guys. (Is the masculine bearded logo of Theo trying to tell us something?) Check the Theo Facebook page for events like live music on Thursdays.