Built along the strategic natural harbor of Montevideo Bay, the city of Montevideo continues to be a South American urban jewel and hub for culture and cuisine. What a better way to experience this than to shop at its famous markets. Towering enclosed spaces and open air strolls; these are not just ordinary markets. They are the hearts of the city.
Feria de Tristán Narvaja (Sunday)
Sunday markets fill an important communal role in city life. Montevideo’s Sunday markets are no different. Every Sunday afternoon, Dr Tristán Narvaja street and several side streets are closed off to traffic for the Feria de Tristán Narvaja. Here you can find anything you desire and more. Old collectable books, produce, antiques, clothes, and pretty much anything in between.
Walking here is difficult. People meander shoulder to shoulder through crowds, hoping to score something cool or just see what’s being displayed. Vendors joyfully sip their mates and chat with passing customers. Street performers stand in the middle of the street to play for the flowing traffic of people. Bohemian Rhapsody on violin? Sure. Need some healing vibrations from an Alphorn played by a man with a lit joint in his hand? You got it.
Street Food Paradise
Another draw for visitors at Feria de Tristán Narvaja is its street food. Food carts selling churros, grilled meats, and savory sandwiches are scattered throughout the fair. One particularly special truck is Maracuchos. Serving Venezuelan specialties and hand-held comfort foods, Maracuchos is a popular market staple. Their juicy patacón sandwiches are a particularly special treat. What makes them unique is the grilled plantain bun that holds the intense concentration of stewed meat, vegetables, and sauces in place.
Puerto Market (M-F)
Next to the city’s ferry terminal is the famous Puerto Market. When you enter, you step back in time. Concealed within a 19th century steel skeleton frame lies one of the city’s most famous homes for grilled meats.
Inside, you can almost see the newly arrived European immigrants crowding around wholesale produce stands and makeshift grills. The city’s wealthy and poor would collide in the market’s narrow passageways. Today, the parrilla (BBQ) stands are all that remains.
Some locals can’t help but trash the market. As if the endless lines of cruise ship passengers, insatiable carnivores, and foreign strays looking to experience what Anthony Bourdain described as a bottomless pit of smoky meat are reasons to stay away. The truth is that the market is an important legacy of Montevideo’s past. Even though you’re probably paying a bit more to eat here, it is still a delicious experience any first-time carnivorous visitor should enjoy.
Feria de Villa Biarritz (Tuesday and Saturday)
Every Tuesday and Saturday is the bustling Feria de Villa Biarritz market. Here you can come shoulder to shoulder with hustling vendors and some of the city’s most creative individuals. The market sprawls around the north end of Parque Villa Biarritz. Located just a few blocks from the sea, shoppers can cozy up and drink mate or enjoy a long beach walk in between shopping.
The Saturday Markets of Feria de Antigüedades and Feria de Calle Salto
Downtown’s Feria de Antigüedades antique market and Palermo’s Feria de Calle Salto are exciting places to find antiques, groceries, clothes, and any other type of goods you’re looking for. Feria de Calle Salto is especially popular with locals. While strolling the lanes here, you may rub shoulders with some of the city’s best chefs.
On the other hand, Feria de Antigüedades is, to its namesake, a place where you can find any type of classic antique. Curiosities abound as people of all ages peruse the old items. From weathered sailors’ jackets to rusty kitchen ware, Montevideo’s obsession for the old and classic is fully expressed here.
Explore the Rest
During the week and on holidays, a vast number of small markets appear throughout the city. Perfect for exploring by foot; these markets are some of the best ways to get to know the culture of this beautiful city. Although the famous wood-fired grills and antique cars, political progressiveness and legal weed all make the international headlines, perhaps the true soul of Uruguay’s capital is its love for face-to-face shopping. If you’re in Uruguay, put down the chunks of charred asado dripping in chimi-churri sauce and head down to the markets.
