3 Best Restaurants in Punta del Este, Uruguay

A shaded terra-cotta terrace gives way to a breezeway with arched windows at this restaurant, considered one of Latin America's finest, and opens onto a large split-level dining room with antique sideboards. French chef Jean Paul Bondoux is at the helm, and the food, served by impeccably clad waiters, is prepared with only the finest and freshest ingredients. Breads are baked on the premises (an adjoining bakery sells them by the loaf), while the herbs and berries are grown in the backyard garden. The desserts are sublime—choose the sampler to try them all.

People flock to this classic Punta spot at all hours for their piping-hot medialunas, which are crescent moon–shape pastries that taste like fluffy croissants and come brushed with a sweet syrup. Many patrons profess they're the best medialunas to be found anywhere. You can sit down or grab your medialunas (and other food, such as chivitos) to go.

Huella means footprint, and this now-legendary restaurant certainly has left its mark. Built right on the sand, La Huella takes beach dining to an unrivaled level with exquisite grilled seafood and meats—the octopus is not to be missed—as well as fresh sushi, pastas, and pizzas. The restaurant epitomizes the best of beach culture and spirit, and while celebrity sightings are common, everyone seems to be relaxed and easygoing. Because the place is wildly popular, reservations in peak season are necessary.