Food & Groceries in Uruguay: Prices, Markets, and Supermarkets

Hi! I’m Julia, and here’s my honest take on food in Uruguay — from supermarket prices to local eating habits.

Grocery Prices

Food in Uruguay isn’t exactly cheap, especially compared to other Latin American countries. But the quality is great — fresh, flavorful, and usually natural.

Here’s what I usually see at the store:

• Beef – $10 per kg
• Pork – $5 per kg
• Milk – $1 per liter, and it comes in plastic bags
• Potatoes – $1–2 per kg, sold loose
• Cabbage – about $3 per head
• Bread – around $2 per loaf
• Fish – $5 per kg (live weight) when bought directly from fishermen
• Tiger prawns – $20 per kg
• Oranges & mandarins – from $1 per kg in season
• Chocolate (Milka, for example) – around $5 per bar
• Dulce de leche – $5 per kg, and it’s a local favorite instead of sweets
• Wine – Uruguayan wine can be found for $5 per 1.5 liters
• Lay’s chips – $10 for a large bag

Sweets here are pricey, so most people buy dulce de leche instead of chocolate. It’s eaten by the spoonful, spread on bread, or used in desserts. It's addictive — you’ve been warned.

Where to Shop

I usually shop at supermarkets like Eldorado and Devoto, but there are plenty of local chains too. Prices are similar across the board. Still, the best produce comes from weekend markets — farm eggs, herbs, homemade cheese, honey, and unpackaged veggies. Everything’s super fresh and full of flavor.

Uruguayans and Their Love for Meat

Uruguayans love their beef — it’s practically a national symbol. On weekends, everyone fires up the parrilla (grill). They cook up chorizo sausages, asado ribs, offal, and sometimes cheese or veggies. The smoky aroma of barbecues fills the neighborhoods every Saturday and Sunday. If you don’t have a grill, you kind of feel left out here.

Mate and Coffee

Now for the downside: good coffee is hard to find. Most places serve instant or weak espresso. As a coffee lover, I really miss strong brews. But Uruguayans don’t seem to care — they drink mate all day, everywhere. People carry thermoses under their arms and sip from a calabash gourd with a metal straw. It’s not just a drink — it’s a ritual and a lifestyle. At first it felt odd, but I’ve grown to enjoy it too.

Home Cooking Saves Money

Cooking at home is definitely cheaper. Especially if you shop at the markets. Eating out won’t break the bank either — a simple dinner for two at a café costs about $20. No frills, just good food.