By Leandro Infante
Punta del Este is one of the most paradisiacal places in Latin America, chosen by Argentines, Brazilians, Americans and Europeans, each year, these beaches offer new gastronomic options and places to discover.
José Ignacio, Garzón, La Barra and Manantiales, are the places that impose themselves every summer. That’s why in Le Banana we make a guide with everything you should know if you visit Punta del Este.
GARZÓN
Hotel & Restaurante Garzón, by Francis Mallmann & Bodega Garzón:
Francis Mallmann is the renowned Argentine chef, who has made his name a legacy within the world cuisine, thanks to his particular style and exquisite taste. He recently inaugurated his hotel Garzón, located in Pueblo Garzón, a few minutes from José Ignacio.
Mallmann’s cuisine is based on all regional products and fish from the coast. The fire wood, one of the characteristics of Mallmann, gives character to the dishes using the clay oven, the grill and the wood-burning stove. The main dining room overlooks the fires, overlooks the square and the long covered railings where you can rest and eat. The cava has an important presence of Uruguayan wines, as well as Argentine wines.
Contact: info @ restaurantegarzon T: +59844102809
JOSÉ IGNACIO
La Huella:
It is the place of José Ignacio. It is the highest restaurant in the east, visited by celebrities and businessmen from all over the world. Located on the beach, with a rustic atmosphere, excellent cuisine and the constant presence of its owners, it became one of the best restaurants in Latin America.
Everything you ask for is exquisite but you to have try the octopus, the fish miniatures, and the sushi. For dessert is infallible the dulce de leche volcano.
Where? Calle Los Cisnes 20402, José Ignacio. T: +59844862279
Marismo:
Federico Desseno thought for his restaurant a wild and natural environment surrounded by pine trees, eucalyptus and acacias that refresh and oxygenate the place, making it a special and mystical corner. The motto of Marismo is to dine with your feet in the sand, under the stars and the shelter of a warm stove. The unique Tiki Bar has a view of the outdoor dining area that is a popular attraction in summer.
Our recommended of the kitchen are the rosti potato with salmon and the lamb marismo baked, braised with sauce demiglace. For dessert, the burnt cake of dulce de leche is a must.
Where? Route 10 km 185 José Ignacio. Open in high season. T: +59844862273
El Mosatrador Santa Teresita:
This summer is the fourth season of this place that is already a reference of Jose Ignacio, commanded by the renowned chef Fernando Trocca. As its name indicates, it is a counter where every day offers a different menu for all tastes. During the afternoon, the counter displays the most tempting and varied cakes for tea time, and enjoy the delicacies of the place at the community tables or pull off.
Where? Calle Las Garzas 20402, José Ignacio. T: +59844862861
Casa Lobos:
A new proposal with New York airs came this summer to Jose Ignacio. Fueled by five Argentine and Uruguayan friends who each have their restaurant in New York. Casa Lobos suggest us to enjoy the place throughout the day. Start with a brunch at noon, then continue with an after beach, where you can enjoy delicious drinks, smoothies and fruit dishes, and during the night the menu offers different options with organic ingredients worked by the farms of the place with a bar of drinks and music, to dance under one of the most imposing skies in the world.
Where? Camino Sainz Martínez corner Los Lobos, José Ignacio. T: +59844862833
Jardín by Sarava:
The Mediterranean style landed in Jose Ignacio, with one of the busiest restaurants of the season: Jardin by Sarava. Headquartered in Mallorca, this restaurant offers a varied menu of excellent quality.
Our recommended: avocado carpaccio and fideua paella. For dessert the Catalan cream is a delight.
Where? La Farola, 20402, Arenas de José Ignacio. T: +59844862826
La Susana:
Relaxed lunches in La Susana stretch until sunset where you can enjoy the best sunsets on these coast. An invitation to immerse yourself in a true gastronomic experience, in a natural environment, located on the Mansa beach of Jose Ignacio.
La Susana offers typical Uruguayan cuisine with a contemporary twist, including the renowned Uruguayan roast, complemented by a select wine list and unique cocktails.
Where? 20402 José Ignacio. T: +59844862823
El Almacén el Palmar de Jean Paul:
Located in front of the main square of Jose Ignacio, with a rustic and chic style, El Almacen, of the prestigious chef Jean Paul Bondoux, offers gourmet dishes with a French imprint, in which the garden and the clay oven are the star of the place. The cheeses and the pastry are not to be missed. Ideal for lunch, dinner or tea.
Where? Las Garzas s n José Ignacio. T: 44862102
Shops
Magma:
It is one of the locals that enhances the shopping experience during the summer, where you can find designs by Marni, Missoni, Kenzo, Moschino and Maison Margiela.
Where? Los Cisnes, and Las Golondrinas José Ignacio.
Anushka Elliot:
Anushka Elliot, is one of the main shopping attractions within Jose Ignacio in the Sentidos space. Anushka Elliot, does not obey any trend. Each collection is part of Anushka’s own personal universe, passion for travel, summer, fun and the place that saw her grow, creating unique and timeless pieces.
Where? Los Cisnes & the ocean. T: + 598-4486-2749
LA BARRA
FLO:
A corner to try and enjoy at any time of the day, whether for breakfast, lunch, coffee or dinner. Nice and warm, the restaurant has very summer options, such as salads, pizzas, sandwiches with gourmet touches, light options such as egg white omelettes and for breakast or tea, pastries, variety of cakes, fresh fruit juices and delicious coffee.
Where? Calle 27 between Av. Gorlero and Calle 24 in La Barra. T: +59896441001
REX:
Best Chivito in Town, pray your slogan and that’s it! A bar that is characterized by its cheerful and youthful atmosphere.
Rex’s proposal is very varied options: chivitos, hamburgers, salads, rabas, and for breakfast or tea it offers smoothies, sandwiches, waffles, milkshakes and delicious sundaes.
REX, is open 24 hours, which is why they choose before or after the beach, leaving a party or as a meeting point before going to dance.
Where? Avenida Eduardo Victor Haedo 20001, La Barra. T: +59842771504
Narbona:
A gastronomic experience that transcends thanks to its surprising corners perfumed by the air of sea and field. In the best Mediterranean country style, surrounded by vineyards, Narbona, by the chef Jean Paul Bondoux, offers a menu with fresh products of the place in which the homemade ravioli, the scrambled grass and the risotto of the forest stand out. It also has a warehouse where you can buy products produced by them.
Where? 104, Camino Del Golf, La Barra. T: +598 4410 2999
Shops
Casa Chic:
The house of decoration founded by Cynthia Kern, creator of Kosiuko, landed in La Barra, where she promises to fill the neighborhood with magic and joy. For this season, Cynthia invites each person to exploit their creative side, encouraging them to play with the different proposals of Casa Chic.
MANANTIALES
Mistura:
From the school of Puglia, Philip, Olivier and then Mallmann, Sebastian Araujo has reaped a great experience in the kitchen. In Mistura he commands a very successful cookery in which the Gravlax, a classic of Swedish cuisine, is highlighted, consisting of raw salmon marinated with salt, sugar and pepper and green curry lamb.
Where? 18 de Julio Street at 500 m. Of route 10 at km 163. T: +59842775711
La Linda:
The ideal place to close a beach day and enjoy a rich tea. La linda is one of those places that perfectly blends the style of an old village bakery with the chic of Manantiales. A simple but very rich menu!
Where? Julio and Montevideo, Manantiales. T: +59842775224
Shops:
Ginebra:
The store of Micaela Tinelli and Romina Pigretti, landed in Manantiales with a Flagship Store that promises to highlight the style of the Ginebra, with garments dominated by elegance and design, and are made for all kinds of occasions. One of the most pop places of summer!
Where? Route 10, esq. Sarandí, Manantiales.
These are some of the places that Le Banana recommends you to visit on your way through Punta Del Este. Happy Holidays!