Neighborhood Bar · Palermo · Montevideo
CandyBar
A tiny corner of Palermo with vintage candy jars on the shelves, homemade food at lunch, and gin tonics that Tripadvisor reviewers call spectacular.
The Pitch
The Candy Jar Corner of Palermo
CandyBar sits on the corner of Durazno and Santiago de Chile in Palermo, the old quarter south of Centro, and takes its name literally: vintage candy jars line the shelves above the bar. Tripadvisor ranks it 33rd of more than 950 Montevideo restaurants on the strength of a tiny menu done well.
By day it works as a neighborhood lunch spot with homemade cooking; by night the gin tonics take over. Sundays bring a brunch service from noon to 4pm that locals book their week around.
Who would hate it? Anyone who needs space. The room is small, and that is the point.
The Room
Small Room, Big Character
Mismatched tables, groovy hanging lights, and those candy jars give the room its retro grain. Reviewers on Tripadvisor describe a cool little bar with really nice staff and very good value. A handful of outdoor tables catch the corner light on warm evenings.
The Drinks
Gin Tonics and a Homemade Kitchen
The gin tonic is the house order, called spectacular by Tripadvisor reviewers, with mains running under about USD 12. The kitchen leans healthy and homemade at lunch, and the tortilla de papas is the dish regulars name first. Sunday brunch runs noon to four and sells the room out; Mondays the bar rests.
The Crowd
Palermo Locals First
Lunch brings office workers and neighbors; evenings turn over to couples and small groups working through the gin list. The Facebook page carries a 96 percent recommendation rate across more than 270 reviews, the profile of a bar locals protect.
What regulars say:
- Tripadvisor reviewers call it a super cool bar with exquisite food and spectacular gin tonics.
- Facebook reviews run 96 percent positive across 278 ratings.
- Foursquare users file it among Palermo's essential corners.
Who it is for:
- A long Montevideo lunch that slides into evening drinks
- Sunday brunch with locals instead of tourists
- Avoid if you want a big late club night; Gran Sportman holds the classic café hours
The Verdict
Where It Lands
The Palermo corner that does everything a neighborhood bar should: short menu, strong gin tonics, and a Sunday brunch worth planning around. Go early, the room is tiny.
Good to Know
Visit Information
Getting there: Durazno 1402 at the corner of Santiago de Chile in Palermo, a ten minute walk from the Rambla and fifteen from Ciudad Vieja.
Timing: Tuesday to Saturday noon to 12:30am, Sunday brunch noon to 4pm, closed Monday. Outdoor corner tables go first.
Cost: Gin tonics about USD 7, mains under USD 12. Cards accepted.
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