El Viejo Marino
Argentina
Try visiting during weekdays to enjoy a more relaxed dining experience with fewer crowds.
Located in Ushuaia, the southernmost city in Argentina, El Viejo Marino offers visitors a genuine Patagonian dining experience focused on seafood delicacies. Situated on Av. Maipú, this restaurant presents a straightforward, no-frills approach to cooking, allowing the freshness of its local ingredients to shine. Known for its rustic charm, El Viejo Marino is designed to reflect the seafaring heritage of the region, providing a cozy and inviting atmosphere for all who step inside.
The interior decor is understated, with a nautical theme that pays homage to the maritime culture of Ushuaia. Guests can expect a relaxed and welcoming environment where the focus is on enjoying hearty seafood meals. The menu features a variety of dishes that highlight the abundant seafood of the area, catering to both locals and travelers seeking an authentic taste of Tierra del Fuego.
This establishment suits those who appreciate a straightforward dining experience, combining quality food with a friendly service. El Viejo Marino is particularly popular among seafood enthusiasts who are eager to sample dishes made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients. Whether dining solo, as a couple, or with a group of friends, patrons can enjoy a satisfying meal that celebrates the culinary traditions of Argentina's southernmost regions.
Reviews
The best seafood I've ever had. It was so fresh and good, I had to order to main course for just thr crab meat and prawns
I expected to queue up but turned out there was no lineup at all. Perhaps it was because they had adjusted up the price to a more deserving level. Two of us had a king crab and a hake fish. Both were delicious. Then we heard the guests sitting at the table next us praised very much their seafood soup, decided to give it a try. Wow, that was fantastic too. Also, the staff were friendly and helpful too.
I was super excited to try the crab here since it had such great reviews, but honestly, I was disappointed. I was prepared to wait the 50 minutes to be seated, even though we arrived right at opening. However, for the expensive price, I expected more food. I asked the server if we would each get a crab for our two-person dinner. He seemed to indicate that one would be enough for two, so I was hesitant - but then he pulled two crabs from the tank, which put me at ease. Unfortunately, we were actually served only one medium crab with two small bowls of sides. The rice was bland and barely enough for one person, and the salad was just lettuce with a few thin slices of tomato. For such a high-priced meal advertised for two people, I expected better sides. They don’t offer melted butter, which I found odd since it’s a common dipping sauce for crab, and there wasn’t even a wedge of lemon. We paid $118 for our meal and left hungry. Honestly, I would have preferred to spend that money at a nicer restaurant with a more comfortable setting and attentive servers. This felt more like a tourist trap than a fine dining experience. The crab was fresh but nothing spectacular.
We had dinner at El Viejo Marino and the food was excellent, very typical, full of flavor, and truly well prepared. It’s clearly a classic in Ushuaia, and you can feel why. That said, it’s definitely not cheap. For a place that looks like it should offer fair, traditional prices, it’s actually quite expensive, probably another restaurant that became a bit of a victim of its own success in a very touristy area. But despite the high prices, everything was perfect for us, so we’re still giving it 5 stars.
Fantastic local waterfront spot where fresh seafood is the star of the show. We particularly enjoyed the centolla (large fresh crabs available to crack open yourself; we chose the meat-only option) and black hake. The stir-fried seafood appetizer and centolla stew were also winners. We went 2 consecutive days for dinner and were lucky to have no wait for a table. Service is no-nonsense but friendly, attentive and efficient (they remembered us from the day before and welcomed us back). No frills place but great value for the price with generous portions. The natural taste of the seafood shines through. Highly recommended.
