La Maestranza — Restaurant in Montevideo

A Fantastic Experience at La Maestranza – A Hidden Gem in the Heart of the Market

During a day trip to Uruguay, as part of our incredible 22-day South America and Antarctica cruise, we had the pleasure of dining at La Maestranza in Montevideo’s bustling Mercado del Puerto. Our guide recommended the market as a great spot to experience authentic local food, and it certainly delivered.

The market itself was full of energy and excitement, with restaurant staff calling out from all directions to invite visitors to dine with them. We first sat down at another restaurant across from La Maestranza, but it was so crowded we decided to leave. That led us to La Maestranza — a fortunate turn of events. We were glad to find they had upstairs seating, which gave us a quieter, more spacious place to sit and enjoy our lunch as a family.

We were traveling with our two young daughters, and the restaurant staff couldn’t have been more welcoming and accommodating. From the moment we arrived, the service was excellent — warm, friendly, and attentive. One detail we loved was the very generous wine pour for my husband, which I even captured on video. It was one of those fun and memorable little moments that added to the charm.

We were served fresh bread with chimichurri to start, which was absolutely delicious and a hit with the whole family. For our main course, we shared a steak and a fish dish between the four of us — two adults and our two little girls. Both dishes were cooked over a traditional coal fire, and the flavor was outstanding. The steak was juicy and tender, and the fish was perfectly cooked, light, and full of flavor. Everything had that wonderful smoky touch that makes Uruguayan barbecue so special.

When we went to pay, we asked about leaving a tip, but the owner let us know it was already included in the bill. That level of honesty and transparency really stood out to us. Even better, the bill also included dessert — ice cream for all four of us, served right from the little shop outside the restaurant. Our girls were especially thrilled, and it was such a sweet and thoughtful way to end a fantastic meal.

La Maestranza was a true highlight of our short visit to Montevideo. The food, the service, the atmosphere — everything came together to create a memorable experience for our family. If you’re visiting Mercado del Puerto — whether on a cruise like ours or simply exploring the city — do not miss this wonderful spot. Highly recommended for families, couples, or anyone who appreciates delicious food and genuine...

Rude staff, below average food and overpriced. The very worst kind of tourist trap. I’d recommend avoiding this place if you can.

The food wasn’t awful but I’ve had better examples in Montevideo and Buenos Aires that cost less.

Atmosphere was non-existent. At least one of the staff members was actively rude. Her passive-aggressive style tipped over into being hostile. There are other, better places in the same market but for the best experience I’d say don’t eat at Mercado del Puerto at all. Real shame and...

There’s a lot of mixed reviews on this place and it does seem to be touristy but I have to say, this was one of the best asados that I’ve ever had. The food was delicious and sitting in the lofted area was a great vibe. It might seem like a place where they’re trying to sit as many people as possible but the food is great. Definitely worth the...