who was in Uruguay for more than a decade, it has kept in memory people walking from there to here with a thermos bottle under their arm and a gourd of mate in their hand.
A habit that we see in the squares, in the markets, in the fairs, in the circles with friends, on the rambla… Every time it was mate time.
The reality has not changed: the drink continues to have a strong presence in the lives of Uruguayans, but 9 years ago, when the Coffee Worship appeared, some habits began to change.
Unlike Brazil, which, as a coffee producer, cannot import the green bean as a protective measure for producers, Uruguay has the permission and has been making good use of this possibility.
The main advantages of importing the beans are that, in addition to obtaining the product from a wide variety of countries, the local roasting allows for quality control and freshness in the process, resulting in a very high quality coffee.
To keep up with the rise in consumption of the drink, classic coffee shops now share the scene with modern places and well-kept cuisine. And new establishments keep popping up.
Here are some of my favorites in the three main tourist regions in the country: Montevideo , Colonia del Sacramento and Punta del Este.
Montevideo
Coffee Worship
A pioneer in importing coffees of non-Brazilian origin for roasting in Uruguay, the brand started with a tuk-tuk at events.
With two stores in Montevideo (La TostadurÃa, in Canelones, and another in Ciudad Vieja), today, in addition to distributing specialty coffees to other coffee shops and restaurants, they welcome customers in a large space and with a short, but well-executed menu, of snacks and snacks to accompany coffee and other drinks.
From the classics for breakfast to a snack or salad for lunch, everything always arrives at the table very tasty.
The coffee curation Cult, which currently has an average of 12 coffees of different origins per year, intends to reach 24 to supply its novelty club. And the best news for us Brazilians is that from August we will also have access to a part of this selection.
The brand arrives with an e-commerce bringing freshly roasted international coffees directly from the neighboring country to the Brazilian market, where you can now follow their Instagram: @culto_br.
Ciudad Vieja Unit: Sarandà 499, 11000 Montevideo, Department of Montevideo, Uruguay / Canelones Unit: Canelones 2154, 11200 Montevideo, Department of Montevideo, Uruguay.
six hills
THE six hills exists since 2018 and emerged not as a coffee shop, but with the proposal to expand the specialty coffee sector in Uruguay. In addition to importing and roasting coffee, it also imports equipment that involves coffee consumption, from equipment for other coffee shops to home use.
No food for those who go to Seis Montes, the total focus is on drinks. It is possible to have tastings and taste a little of what is currently imported. Among the origins: South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Indonesia.
In addition to supplying other coffee shops and also the final consumer, at Seis Montes it is also possible to take courses on barista or on different methods of preparing the drink.
Avenida General Rivera 2843, 11600 Montevideo, Department of Montevideo, Uruguay.
Cardinal Café
the toasters of Cardinal import several producers from Brazil. The brand, although younger than the others, also works with an exquisite selection, including micro-lot coffees such as El Dorado, naturally fermented for 130 hours.
The house has a cozy space and always offers, in addition to typical food from local coffee shops such as medialunas and homemade alfajor, a dish of the day.
If you’re lucky enough to come across the potato tortilla, be sure to ask. Take the opportunity to choose a wine from the menu to go with it, because in Uruguay, coffee shops are not just about coffee.
Pastor’s House: Blvr. España 2103, 11200 Montevideo, Department of Montevideo, Uruguay.
La Farmacia Café
Located in Ciudad Vieja, it is one of the most charming coffee shops in Montevideo. Behind the original facade of an old pharmacy, the counters and apothecaries of the time are preserved.
The careful decoration of La Farmacia does not overshadow the shine of the well-brewed coffee at Seis Montes, the unctuous hot chocolate and the delicious snacks that come out of the counter.
It’s a place to order a tostada or a scone and take a break before continuing the tour.
Cerrito 550, 11000 Montevideo, Department of Montevideo, Uruguay.
Cultural Alphabet
A cultural space that seems to have left São Paulo and gone to the pleasant neighborhood of Pocitos. Cinema, bookstore and cafe, the newly opened Cultural Alphabet It also has a beautiful roasting machine to remind you that coffee is always fresh there.
Opening extended hours, from 9 am to 11 pm, unlike most coffee shops, this is one of those places that makes you want to live nearby just to punch your card.
Miguel Barreiro 3231, 11300 Montevideo, Department of Montevideo, Uruguay.
La Isla Café
A small notable near Carrasco beach, overlooking the splendorous Sofitel, the La Isla has a close connection with surfing.
Inspired by Californian coffee shops, the menu supplies passers-by with high-quality coffee, specialty juices and rich, energetic food needed for long days of sport.
But if fresh fruits and vegetables between one wave and another aren’t your thing, a nice cappuccino accompanied by a medialuna on the house’s laid-back balcony is that classic that always pleases.
Avenida Alfredo Arocena, 11500 Montevideo, Uruguay.
Colonia del Sacramento
Colonia Sandwich Coffee Shop
Origin coffee is not restricted to Montevideo. For those who are in Colonia del Sacramento, there is one more little notable.
The Argentine Ezequiel Pirri started with a counter at General Flores 272, where he still serves sandwiches, cakes and coffee, with tables on the sidewalk facing the busiest avenue in the city (there is a certain irony here).
Business grew and a new unit came to supply coffee to tourists who stroll through the historic center. But the main store Colonia Sandwich Coffee Shop continues with that charm that will please those who like to see local life go by.
In tune with the market, Ezequiel also started to import coffee, having his microlot directly from Honduras and proving that, although mate is still the official drink of Uruguay, coffee has definitely conquered its place in the sun.
General Flores Unit: Avenida General Flores 272, Location 3, Colonia del Sacramento, Department of Colonia, Uruguay / Vasconcellos Unit: Vasconcellos 165, Colonia del Sacramento, Department of Colonia, Uruguay.
Punta del Este
Zinc coffee
The Punta del Este region already has a greater number of good coffee shops than Colonia del Sacramento, but how about visiting a hideaway in La Barra?
From the outside, it looks like a junkyard. The space, which started as an antique shop in the hands of the architect Aaron Hojman, also responsible for the beautiful accommodation Casa Zinc, divides the scene today between Café Zinc (@tradingpost_cafézinc) and the restaurant Salon N°3 (@salonnumero3comedor).
In this multiple space full of charm, let the nostalgia and the desire to lean back in one of the corners of the house while your eyes get lost and travel back in time accompanied by a good Seis Montes coffee with one of the delights in the window.
Camino Eguzquiza, corner Ruta 10, Punta del Este, Uruguay.
About Giuliana Nogueira
In addition to dividing her time between Uruguayan wines and gastronomy photography, Giuliana Nogueira also travels around the city looking for gastronomic experiences full of good stories. She is not an oenologist or sommelierè, but she is an oenophile, in which she maintains Instragram @Instannatspeaking more about Uruguayan wines than the Uruguayans themselves.
Source: CNN Brasil
