Balbuena Wines – Wine tasting in Montevideo
Great little wine store is a mandatory stop for Uruguay wine tasting in Montevideo with a selection of 130+ Uruguayan wines.
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7pm on a summer’s evening. The sun will be going down in under an hour. Where’s the best spot to kick back and watch the sun go down over the city skyline? It’s time for deep-fried fish and ice-cold beer at El Morrito in Playa Ramírez.
El Morrito has a couple of tiny shacks selling sea food and drinks, overlooking the water to the left of the beach when you face the River Plate.
We recommend you ignore everything else and order the postas – fillets of fresh white fish caught earlier that day, dipped in batter and deep-fried until they are wonderfully crispy and deliciously hot inside.
The staff will try to sell you their Seafood Symphony. Don’t go there. It is expensive, huge, and looks greasy. We have never seen people eat more than half of one. Postas are one of the cheapest items on the menu (240 pesos).
Why aren’t I recommending the miniaturas? Miniaturas consist of fish cooked in the same way as postas and are ubiquitous to most Uruguayan menus*. The difference is that as the name suggests, miniaturas are bite-size pieces of fish.
However in El Morrito, I’ve noticed that the miniaturas are sometimes prepared in advance and reheated. Always go with the posta, it’s going to have less batter and you assure yourself a really fresh portion of fish.
Another thing to compliment: The beers are served in frosted beer mugs straight from the freezer. A great touch which doesn’t happen often here.
El Morrito is a great place to stop off before going to the Teatro de Verano to watch a show and is also just seconds walk from the Parque Rodó.
I have found that sometimes the postas not cooked right through Anticipate any problems by ordering them well-cooked. Say: “Una posta bien dorada por favor” (you’re asking for it to be “golden”). Don’t be afraid to send them back, even if you have eaten part of the fish. Perhaps if enough of us complain they will get the message 😉
Prices are not cheap given the humble nature of the restaurant. Check the menu before you order side dishes etc.
Open times are erratic Have an alternative dinner plan. The sunset will always be there though.
El Morrito, Rambla Wilson, Playa Ramírez, Parque Rodó, Montevideo is open in the summer from midday until after dark.
* Miniaturas are often the sole fish-based starter included on restaurant menus thanks to Uruguay’s meat-oriented cuisine.
Photos by Guru’Guay
[Update: When I first wrote this article January 31 2014 the postas cost 70 pesos, or 3 dollars – amazing value! They are not so cheap anymore and the fish is not so great but still a sunset with a posta and cold beer is one of my favourite Uruguay evenings. If you want AMAZING seafood, don’t miss Es Mercat in the Old City.]
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Balbuena Wines – Wine tasting in Montevideo
Great little wine store is a mandatory stop for Uruguay wine tasting in Montevideo with a selection of 130+ Uruguayan wines.
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9 Responses
Your blog is great and has been really useful while we explore Uruguay. Thank you!
Just thought I’d let you know that El Morritto had changed a bit since your post.
The postas have doubled in price to 140 pesos, and ours were served completely raw in the middle. When we got the bill, they had added multiple items we didn’t order and almost doubled the total.
I would avoid this tourist trap at all costs – despite the great view.
Hi Chris, thanks for the update. Seems like they got wind of my bargain find! Though the price for the size of the fish portion is no longer a bargain, it’s still a reasonable price. The raw centre… hmmm, not good. I hope you sent it back. I would be surprised if the problems with your bill were deliberate. Hopefully they were just an error. My family and I frequent this place fairly often (when we find it open!) so I will mention to them what happened to you. All the best, Karen
I went to El Morrito fish club yesterday and the postas were 730 UYU on the menu. The place was shutting down at 6ish as they were expecting rain / having a slow day, but at that price we probably wouldn’t have stayed.
Hello! My husband and I are “snow birding” in Montevideo escaping northern USA winter. Really love your blog and plan to rely on it for the next 2 months! Thanks!
BTW, we are apparently neighbors at 637 Sarandi, enjoying the area very much. Please keep posting!
Hey, great to hear from you! You will be interested in my Guru’Guay Guide to Montevideo. Oh, and are you checking out my daily entertainment recommendations? Good if you like live music. All the best- Karen
Hi! I’m Uruguayan, I lived in Montevideo for 10 years and then 4 in Spain and now I’m in USA. I go back to Uruguay every year and from now on I’ll be reading your posts for advice on where to go and what to eat. Apparently my friends should read to, because they never know where to go!
Fabi – it’s an honour for a Welsh person to be making useful recommendations to a Uruguayan about life in Montevideo – heh heh. Point your friends in this direction – I’m sure they’ll have some good stuff to share too. 🙂
I think this is the place my husband has been begging me to try! I will have to go SOON! Pictures look lovely! Thanks for sharing!
Amy
Pleasure, Amy! I’m happy to get them more business, they should be waaayyy busy than they are…