Palermo is Montevideo's most characterful eating and drinking neighbourhood, a few blocks south of Parque Batlle. The streets here are tree-lined and residential, with an unhurried atmosphere that sets it apart from the busier Centro. Small restaurants, wine bars, and independent shops occupy the ground floors of old houses.
The neighbourhood has a slightly artsy, left-leaning identity — you'll find record shops, second-hand bookshops, and cafes with live music alongside the restaurants. The Jacinta restaurant is a good example of the neighbourhood's character: an old house with a garden, good food, and a relaxed evening atmosphere. Palermo is best explored on foot in the early evening, when the neighbourhood comes alive.