Greater Montevideo

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.

Meats are the specialty at this beautiful restaurant facing Puerto del Buceo, one of the prettiest spots in the city. You can opt for a steak tasting menu that is served in the method called espeto corrido, with meat brought to your table on a long skewer. There's also a salad bar, which not many restaurants of this type can claim. There's a big deck shaded with umbrellas and with attractive views of the port and surrounding homes.

This bright, upscale restaurant is a local favorite and always filled, yet the efficient, friendly staff manages to keep up. The menu is gourmet and extensive, ranging from sushi to paella to cuts of meat on the grill. Everything is high quality and innovative, but the seafood dishes in particular stand out, like the chipirones (baby cuttlefish) in a garlic and parsley sauce with grilled onions.

With Tandory, French-Uruguayan chef and owner Gabriel Coquel has created an intimate yet convivial restaurant with top-level service. Fusion dishes harmoniously blend Asian, Latin American, and European flavors, and the eclectic decor includes heirlooms and souvenirs from his travels around the world. Diplomats, tourists, and well-traveled Uruguayans seeking cuisine more inspired than steak and potatoes fill the tables here. The menu changes daily based on what's fresh and in season, and don't worry if you can't decide what to order. Coquel frequently pops by diners' tables to offer suggestions.

Argentina and Chile grab all the attention in discussions of South American wines, but Uruguay has a number of impressive wineries of its own. It's worth stopping by the Bodega Bouza outside of Montevideo for a tour and sampling; it's one of the few wineries open for daily visits. For a real treat (US$80), reserve the works: a tour, tasting, and extravagant lunch with, of course, wines to accompany each course. It's worth visiting the winery for its standout restaurant alone.

This park has a little something for everyone with two amusement parks, a number of decent eateries, and the National Museum of Visual Arts. The park also has an outdoor theater and hosts an open-air feria (fair) on Sunday.

This stretch of sand is the city's most attractive beach, and surprisingly tranquil. Throughout the day you'll see locals running, biking, strolling, and rollerblading along the rambla (boardwalk) here. Snap a picture with the sculpture spelling out "Montevideo" for a classic tourist shot. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; showers; toilets. Best for: solitude; sunrise; sunset; swimming; walking.