Uruguay
Uruguay's coffee culture is strongly influenced by its neighbor, Argentina, and also has roots in Italian immigration. While yerba mate is undeniably the national drink and a deeply ingrained social ritual, coffee consumption is very popular, especially in urban areas like Montevideo. The specialty coffee scene has rapidly grown in recent years, so you'll find a blend of traditional preparations and modern espresso-based drinks.
Here are the different ways to order coffee in Uruguay and what's in them:
Core Uruguayan Coffee Orders:
Café Solo / Un Café / Expreso: This is a single shot of espresso, strong and concentrated, served in a small cup. If you simply ask for "un café" in most cafes or bakeries, this is what you'll receive.
Café Doble / Doble Expreso: A double shot of espresso.
Americano: An espresso shot diluted with hot water. This provides a black coffee with more volume and less intensity than a straight espresso.
Cortado: This is one of the most popular coffee drinks in Uruguay, similar to Argentina. "Cortado" means "cut," so it's an espresso "cut" with a small amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. It's stronger than a café con leche but less intense than a café solo. You might sometimes find it served in a small glass.
Café con Leche: "Coffee with milk." This is a very common breakfast drink. It's typically a generous mix of coffee and hot milk, often in roughly equal proportions. The coffee component might be a strong brewed coffee or an espresso, depending on the establishment. It's similar to a latte or café au lait. You can often specify "más café que leche" (more coffee than milk) or "más leche que café" (more milk than coffee) to adjust.
Lágrima: Meaning "tear," this is a cup of hot milk with just a "tear" or a very small dash of coffee added. It's essentially milk with a hint of coffee flavor, ideal for those who prefer very little coffee.
Marrón: This term, sometimes used, translates to "brown." It refers to an espresso with milk, often implying a darker milky coffee than a café con leche, but with more milk than a cortado. The exact proportion can vary by place.
Specialty & Modern Coffee Drinks (Increasingly Common):
Uruguay's specialty coffee scene has boomed in recent years, especially in Montevideo, meaning you'll find a wider range of global favorites:
Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and a significant layer of foamed milk. In Uruguay, it's very common for cappuccinos to be topped with cocoa powder or cinnamon.
Latte: Espresso with a larger amount of steamed milk and a thinner layer of foam, compared to a cappuccino.
Macchiato: While cortado is more common, a true macchiato (espresso "stained" with just a dollop of foam) can be found in specialty shops.
Mocha (Moca): Espresso combined with chocolate (syrup or powder) and steamed milk, often topped with whipped cream.
Café con Crema: An espresso topped with whipped cream.
Café Frío / Iced Coffee: Iced coffee options are becoming popular. This is typically coffee (espresso or brewed) poured over ice, often with milk and sugar added.
Cold Brew: Available in many specialty coffee shops for a smoother, less acidic iced coffee experience.
Important Cultural Notes:
Sweetness: Uruguayans, like many in the region, generally prefer their coffee on the sweeter side. Sugar packets or dispensers will almost always be available on the table. Some traditional café con leche might be pre-sweetened, so if you prefer it unsweetened, clarify with "sin azúcar."
"Panaderías": Bakeries (panaderías) are incredibly popular in Uruguay and often serve as de facto coffee shops. You'll find a good range of coffee options alongside delicious pastries (bizcochos like medialunas).
Mate: Be aware that yerba mate is absolutely everywhere. You'll see people walking around with their mate gourds and thermoses of hot water. While not coffee, it's the dominant hot beverage.
"Para llevar" / "Para aquí": "To go" or "for here." While "to-go" cups are available, particularly in modern cafes, there's still a strong cultural preference for sitting down to enjoy your coffee.
Uruguay offers a delightful coffee experience, blending traditional South American preferences with a burgeoning, high-quality specialty coffee movement.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.