Hidden away on a residential back street (look for the life preserver out front), La Olada embodies José Ignacio's casual-chic vibe. People play ping-pong on the open-air front patio, while inside, candlelight and wood-burning clay ovens cast a cozy glow on diners noshing on grilled meats and fish, toothsome fresh-baked bread, chipirones (squid), homemade ravioli, pizza and local wines.
La Olada
Uruguay
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
22.73 MILES
Gleaming white in the sun and cascading nine stories down a cliffside, Uruguayan artist Carlos Páez Vilaró’s exuberantly whimsical villa and art gallery…
18.13 MILES
Punta’s most famous landmark is this monster-sized sculpted hand protruding from the sands of Playa Brava. Constructed in iron and cement by Chilean…
19.79 MILES
Boats leave every half hour or so (daily from December through Carnaval, weekends rest of year) from Punta del Este’s yacht harbor for the 15-minute trip…
18.54 MILES
About 10km offshore, this small island is home to the world’s second-largest southern sea-lion colony (200,000 at last count), along with colonies of…
25.37 MILES
An ecological reserve protected under Uruguay’s SNAP program, this vast and beautiful wetland 10km west of La Paloma has populations of black-necked swans…
19 MILES
In summertime, Punta del Este's busy yacht harbor overflows with beautiful people, who come to see and be seen at the surrounding restaurants and clubs…
17.85 MILES
This beach on the eastern (Atlantic Ocean) side of Punta del Este's long peninsula has rougher water, as reflected in the name Playa Brava (Fierce Beach).
18.94 MILES
On the Atlantic Ocean side of the peninsula, this is the southernmost of Punta del Este's many beaches, and a favorite with surfers.
Nearby Uruguay attractions
17.85 MILES
This beach on the eastern (Atlantic Ocean) side of Punta del Este's long peninsula has rougher water, as reflected in the name Playa Brava (Fierce Beach).
18.13 MILES
Punta’s most famous landmark is this monster-sized sculpted hand protruding from the sands of Playa Brava. Constructed in iron and cement by Chilean…
18.16 MILES
This calm river beach straddles the western (Río de la Plata) side of Punta del Este's long narrow peninsula.
18.44 MILES
This small beach on the eastern (Atlantic Ocean) side of Punta del Este's peninsula gets good waves, making it popular with surfers.
18.54 MILES
About 10km offshore, this small island is home to the world’s second-largest southern sea-lion colony (200,000 at last count), along with colonies of…
18.94 MILES
On the Atlantic Ocean side of the peninsula, this is the southernmost of Punta del Este's many beaches, and a favorite with surfers.
19 MILES
In summertime, Punta del Este's busy yacht harbor overflows with beautiful people, who come to see and be seen at the surrounding restaurants and clubs…
19.79 MILES
Boats leave every half hour or so (daily from December through Carnaval, weekends rest of year) from Punta del Este’s yacht harbor for the 15-minute trip…