Absolutely delicious food. We asked the waitress to recommend a fish dish for us and we were not disappointed. The fish was the most delicious we have ever had and the portions were huge. One whole fish split for two people with a side of garden salad. The atmosphere is very hip and relaxing. It was our best meal in Montevideo!

The chef personally came and guided me on what to order , sat at the bar and had the best seafood meal ever . The Sea Bass and Octopus was awesome as was the squid . The service and atmosphere was very relaxing. Make sure you visit Es Mercat if in country it’s affordable and enjoyable!!! Thanks again chef

Beautiful place, inspiring. One of the best and amazingly well cooked beef stakes I have ever eaten! Also tiramisu was fantastic! 3 days at Montevideo, 3 times had meal here. Small detail, International jazz and fusion music on volume that you can discuss and also listen... Well done guys!

Fantastic sea food in a small restaurant with very attentive service. I never expected a restaurant with that amazing quality - highly recommend!

Very good restaurant, The owner/chef Facundo spent lots of time with us, great conversation and explained all questions. Food was very good, paella was awesome!. Cool atmosphere and building. We arrived late and were accomodated without hesitation. Make it one of your top choices in Montevideo!

I really wanted to like this place, but it really did not live up to expectations. This is some of the most photogenic food possible, but unfortunately looks can be deceiving. The lenguada was very overcooked and dry. I don't know how, but they also managed to dry out braised lamb. The greatest tragedy of all was the octopus, which was cooked perfectly, but had a bitter, charred taste that I didn't enjoy. The gambas al ajillo we're tasty but had a slightly mushy texture. One highlight however was the langostinos with egg yolk and caviar. That was amazing and maybe one of the best things I've had in Montevideo. The poached pear in wine was also quite good and came with fantastic ice cream. The service was also lacking (although not maliciously). The restaurant isn't very big and they have two waiters, but somehow they just kept forgetting stuff, neglecting us, or getting our orders wrong. We ordered one carbonated water and one still, but got two with gas. They asked if we wanted the dessert menu, and we said yes, but they never brought it. Later they just completely forgot a coffee. The reservation was also screwed up. I had made the reservation about a month in advance through Whatsapp. When we show up, they insisted they don't have it. Then I showed them the WhatsApp conversation, and they acknowledged that it was correct, but made clear it was not their fault that no one communicated it to them. Eventually we did get seated, but it was a weird exchange. Price-wise it couldn't be justified. The meal came out to about $278 for a group of 5. We had 3 appetizers, 5 mains, 4 desserts and a bottle of wine. I'm so happy to pay that price for great food or great service, but this place has neither. I would not recommend.

may be good seafood but so slow the service! if you dont have 2hours to eat dont come. the air condition is also poor at the summer.

El Mercat is exceptional. The comfortable and intimate ambiance, delicious food and knowledgeable service is everything one can ask for in a dining experience, from A to Z. Our many thanks to everyone at El Mercat and Kathy Higgs, the Guru'Guay for recommending this restaurant. We would have not been as happy had we not had this wonderful dining opportunity while visiting Montevideo. Bravo!!

The Merluza Negra was one of my favorite pieces of fish I have ever eaten. Pictures don’t do it justice and fail to capture scale as it is a large portion fit for sharing, or if you’d like to get lost in heavenly fish bliss completely on your own, it is what I did easily and didn’t even bother wanting to eat anything else for the night. Tasted my husband’s Cordero Confitado, cooked in dark beer for hours, which was extremely flavorful and rich, but for the beautiful summer night I was over the moon with the sea bass. Even as I was disappointingly sick and afraid I would be unable to fully appreciate the experience, it was already exceptional. Service was lovely and helpful in assisting us with wines. Even as the last to be seated for the night, service was no less attentive to us than the rest of the room that has been finishing up their plates. I would definitely come back! I would travel back to Montevideo just to have this fish again!

On a quiet corner near the port sits this little gem of a place. A colonial house with rustic brick walls and matching decor invites you inside with tango, milonga or jazz playing suave in the background. I was only the second table of the night, so no one stressed out and attention was good even from the half open kitchen where one of the lads cooking threw in his recommendations. The bread was top notch Italian country style and went down a treat with the cream cheese or olive oil. Ordered a bottle of Gimenez Mendez Sauvignon Blanc on the owners recommendation to go with my small cod (abadejo) with grilled veggies, all fresh and perfectly cooked and seasoned. Attention really friendly too. Scratching my head why only 5 of 13 tables were occupied at quarter to ten on a Saturday evening, the bill didn’t bring the answer as I was only set back 1.690 Uruguayan pesos (USD 38) when heading back to my hotel. It would be a mistake not to go even if you only have a few days in town.

Oh boy, one of the best restaurants in Montevideo. While in town do yourself a favor and go have dinner at Es Mercat. Amazing!!!

Had merluzza negra. Antarctic toothfish here for the first time here and was amazing. I will be bringing family back here to try a different dish it was so good. Great recommendation from the staff!

Food was great. Wine was great. We wanted tshirts w octopus. We were over charged for wine and after mentioning it, we got a refund but then they said we were undercharged and they would not refund credit cards but wanted more. Switch and bait???? We paid again an left but I am not sure what happened. Overcharge and undercharged. Is it incompetence or deliberate? Not worth the Hassel and who knows what is going to happen to credit card.

I was looking for a seafood restaurant that could accommodate my dietary restrictions. In my search online I noticed Es Mercat. I stopped by without a reservation. I was asked if I would mind sitting at the bar. It was the perfect place. I could watch the chef work his magic crafting amazing dishes. Not fluent in Spanish he asked me what I would like to eat. When I pointed at a dish saying how nice it looked as it was about to be served he suggested he create a tasting menu for me. It was an amazing five courses. It began with a Swordfish sashimi, and included shrimp, octopus, sea bass…and a beautiful white wine from Uruguay. He asked, after the fifth course what I’d like to eat next. I had to say enough-any more would have spoiled all that proceeded it. Not being someone who needs pudding after a meal, I ended with an Uruguayan dessert wine. This is an amazing restaurant. So unassuming. Exquisite food and wine. Not to be missed!

Our favorite restaurant in Montevideo. Such nice people, great food prepared with excellence, and generous portions.

The food was fresh and sublime. Every dish was perfectly prepared and the chef explained it very well. The service was good and the wine recommendation was spot on. We had the red snapper (whole fish) and it was cooked to perfection. Highly recommend!

You need to adjust to what's considered normal customs. After that you might enjoy everything. And food is excellent, that's true. The only thing I didn’t like was an orange juice - it already started to brew itself and get sour-ish.

The quality, preparation and execution is hands down Montevideo best from a USA perspective. Many eateries are near tasteless to a US taste pallet, this restaurant stands out as notable and on par with its level peers in NY, LA, etc. The chef and his staff approach a relaxed unpretentious perfection.

We had high expectations that were not met. The fish was overcooked at both our mains. Staff seemed preoccupied with each other, and the menu could use some variety. Overall food is fine, but nothing special.

This is one of my favorite restaurants near the Mercado. The space is very eclectic, the music is always interesting and there's always a little gaggle of regulars at the bar. It feels like Edith Piaf could turn around on a bar stool and start singing. The menu is always interesting and the food very fresh. Bring pesos because they don't accept credit cards.

Our best meal during our 4 days in Montevideo by far. I had the Sea Bass which was fantastic. My wife had the octopus which was equally as good. Eater was spot on recommending Es Mercat.

It's neat that you get to pick your order from the board which I assume is changed daily. Also it's it a great location for after lunch exploration. Was good, but taking into consideration the $50 meal for the two items pictured, I'm not sure how often I'd return. [For more reviews visit my Instagram @dannybooboo0]

Splendid food; we had a terrific paella, good wine, and all at very reasonable cost. The strolling guitarist was a special touch. Highly recommended!

This. The service I got in this place, the amount of free food, smiles and laughs, was the best I ever experienced in te world. Then, the food. Deliciously cooked fish fillet and meat, and amazing vegetarian food too.

Octopus was decent. (No English.)

Best casual dining restaurant in Montevideo. We had octopus which is their signature and black hake, then molten lava and dulce de leche cake for dessert. All was delicious. Waiter speaks Good English. Will definitely go back!

I think the words to describe my meal do not make justice... Só what i Will say is... One of the best fishes i ever had um my life! Go and find out for yourself... Ask for the black hake! A note to the chef... YOU ROCK!