El Viejo Marino
Famous for its fresh king crab, El Viejo Marino is a beloved local spot in Ushuaia offering authentic seafood at great prices.
Highlights
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El Viejo Marino
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Famous for its fresh king crab, El Viejo Marino is a beloved local spot in Ushuaia offering authentic seafood at great prices.
Arrive Early to Beat Lines
Queue up before opening, especially for dinner, as this popular spot sells out of king crab quickly.
Lunch is a Good Alternative
Consider visiting for lunch instead of dinner to avoid the longest queues and secure your crab order.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Argentinian Seafood
Price
Mid-range
Address
Av. Maipú 227, V9410BJE Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Infamous Fresh King Crab
Savor the sweet, fresh taste of king crab caught right off the coast of Ushuaia. A must-try seafood experience!
Generous Seafood Stew
A hearty seafood stew brimming with scallops, mussels, prawns, and crab at an unbeatable price. Pure comfort food!
Local Gem with a Queue
This modest, family-run spot is highly recommended by locals, drawing crowds for its authentic seafood.
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Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Arrive Early to Beat Lines
Queue up before opening, especially for dinner, as this popular spot sells out of king crab quickly.
Lunch is a Good Alternative
Consider visiting for lunch instead of dinner to avoid the longest queues and secure your crab order.
Be Prepared to Wait
Reservations aren't taken, so expect to wait outside during peak hours. Bring a jacket!
Tips
from all over the internet
Arrive Early to Beat Lines
Queue up before opening, especially for dinner, as this popular spot sells out of king crab quickly.
Lunch is a Good Alternative
Consider visiting for lunch instead of dinner to avoid the longest queues and secure your crab order.
Be Prepared to Wait
Reservations aren't taken, so expect to wait outside during peak hours. Bring a jacket!
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
El Viejo Marino is celebrated for its incredibly fresh and delicious king crab, often cited as the main draw. Diners appreciate the generous portions and the restaurant's status as a local favorite, offering good value. However, some reviews mention issues with the quality of certain crab dishes and an unpleasant dining experience, suggesting inconsistency.
"This place was recommended by many locals we spoke with. We were also warned to get there early because the Chinese tourists love this place and fill it up completely at open doors time. We had to stand in line and wait about :45 minutes outside. The weather was perfect and the people in line were mostly tourists from the cruise ships. We grabbed some beers and enjoyed conversation until a spot opened. It’s all business inside. We were there for the crab experience. It was huge! Plenty of crab for two people. I only wish I asked for some melted butter, they don’t serve it that way. It was great without the butter though! It’s an excellent experience and I recommend you show up early! Come out and support these local restaurants!"
Mark Kahny Jr
"After reading the reviews, we gathered that it will be better for us to have lunch instead of early dinner here because of its popularity! We wanted to eat the whole king crab here and thus we came to queue at 10.45am before it opened for lunch. Was lucky to be the first customer of the day and we even saw them carrying the fresh crabs into the shop! The king crabs quickly sold out while we’re slowly enjoying our freshly steamed king crab. They’re really sweet and fresh and would highly recommend El Viejo! 🦀"
CN Ong
"High level, the restaurant knowingly served us old and bad snow crab that was grey and mealy. We only knew because we are from an area with a lot of fresh seafood. Please be cautious, especially if you’re not familiar with eating seafood.
We were very excited to come here after reading about how amazing this spot was to try the infamous fresh whole king crab (centolla entera). We waited around 20-25 minutes before they opened for dinner, since it’s common to queue up. Unfortunately, they had sold out on the king crab during lunch so we did not get to try that, but it sounds like it’s quite common.
We decided to go for the fresh whole snow crab (centollón entero) instead since that was recommended as an alternative, along with the seafood stew (cazuela de mariscos) and the seafood pink pasta (tallarines con salsa "El Viejo Marino").
The seafood stew and pasta were both good. However, when we received the whole snow crab, we were very puzzled. The body of the meat directly under the main shell (which was placed back on top for presentation purposes) was grey. Upon cutting open the first claw, it was a grey and mealy as well. We tried an initial bite and it tasted spoiled and somewhat soapy. We didn’t eat anymore than that bite. We’re from a coastal area in the USA where we have access to a lot of fresh seafood/crab, and knew immediately that the restaurant had knowingly served us bad and old seafood.
When we asked the waiter about the crab, he came back with another fresh steamed crab and cut it open to show us the new crab meat. It was the complete opposite of what we had received and looked like what fresh crab should look like, which is white and pink meat. We did not want it then, since it was after our meal and we had lost faith in all of the other seafood we consumed.
This was not a great experience and if we were none the wiser, could have gotten seriously sick from consuming the foul crab. It was a really unfortunate experience and I wish I didn’t have to leave this review."
Chianna Wang
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
El Viejo Marino is most famous for its fresh, whole king crab (centolla), a highly recommended local delicacy.
No, reservations are not accepted. Be prepared to wait in line, especially during peak dinner hours.
Arriving before opening time, or considering a lunchtime visit, can help you avoid long queues and ensure you get king crab.
While it's one of Ushuaia's pricier dishes, many find the quality and portion size offer good value compared to other local options.
Yes, they offer seafood stew, seafood soup, paella, and various fish dishes.
One review mentioned receiving old snow crab. It's advisable to be cautious and check the freshness if you're unsure.
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Ushuaia, Argentina
(Before we travel someplace, I like to create a list of restaurants in the area that look good or have good local food/reviews. I will also put a google map pin in google maps so I have the location saved. This way, I’m not stressed and scambeling during the trip to find good eats.) We took a taxi into town and walked into El Viejo Marino. Now as I mentioned, I had looked at reviews beforehand and folks said to get there early because a line forms almost instantly at opening.
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If you’re keen to try it for yourself, El Viejo Marino is the place to go. This super popular and well-reviewed spot serves the star of the show in many different styles from chowders and broths to whole crab and crab infused dishes. Plus, if you’re on a budget, they do have some cheaper options you can enjoy for the crab experience without the price tag.
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El Viejo Marino es un restaurante en Ushuaia, Argentina, conocido por su deliciosa comida de mariscos, especialmente la centolla y la merluza negra. El restaurante ofrece opciones sin gluten y cuenta con asientos cómodos, así como con sillas altas. Los clientes elogian la comida espectacular, los precios razonables y el amable servicio del personal.
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Recomendado por locales y turistas, El Viejo Marino es un bodegón frente al puerto que sirve, quizás, la mejor centolla de todo el país. El ambiente es pequeño y se llena rápido, pero el restaurante trabaja por orden de llegada; es recomendable asistir lo más temprano posible. Otros platos muy elegidos del menú incluyen el salmón y la merluza negra.
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In the evening, we enjoyed a big crab meal at the El Viejo Marino restaurant. Doors open at 7pm but you need to be at the door at least 15 minutes before to guarantee a table, yes it’s that popular. Slightly cheaper than the other big crab restaurants in town and well worth the wait.
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El Viejo Marino Restaurant is another fantastic, no-fuss option if you’re after seafood. This harbour-front restaurant serves fresh king crab dishes, as well as a range of other delicious fish and seafood. The king crab is well-priced, making it a popular option.
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El Viejo Marino is another great, hassle-free option if it’s seafood you’re after. This harborfront restaurant serves fresh king crab dishes, as well as a variety of other delicious seafood. King crab is priced well, making it a popular choice.
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It’s a family-run restaurant and highly recommended for centolla. Unfortunately, they don’t take reservations. Be prepared to wait in a long line if you are determined to see for yourself if their centolla lives up to its reputation.
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El Viejo Marino: Although many things are expensive here, seafood can be a real steal. At El Viego Marino, you can find fresh and delicious king crab. You can have them fresh or choose from a selection of delicious dishes.
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A must do when in Ushuaia is El Viejo Marino, or the Old Sailor (Avenue Maipu, 227) for gigantic king crab!. Be warned that there is often a line-up of locals because the prices are so darn good!. We waited almost an hour.
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VIEJO MARINO— This is one of the most popular (cheaper) restaurants in Ushuaia, and one of the most touristy too. Expect to find a line as they don’t take reservations, but service is quick. Food is plain but honest.
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For dinner in Ushuaia on the second day, we recommend El Viejo Marino, a great restaurant for seafood in Ushuaia. Its star dish is spider crab. It is advisable to go early as there is usually a queue to get in.
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El Viejo Marino: An institution in Ushuaia and a delicious seafood restaurant. Everything is incredibly fresh, as seen by the crab tank within the restaurant. The crab with a pink sauce is absolutely delicious.
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We first ate centolla at El Viejo Marino (Avenida Maipú 227) and loved the kitschy interior and friendly staff. It’s a family-owned restaurant and you pick your crab from the huge tanks in the front window.
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It’s no frills, affordable, and one of the most popular restaurants on the waterfront. The menu here focuses on the king crab and you won’t find much else (except a milanesa for the non-fish eating folk).
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El Viejo Marino: Specializing in seafood and fresh fish, this restaurant is a favorite among locals and tourists for its authentic flavors and reasonable prices. The king crab dish is a top choice.
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One of Ushuaia’s most iconic seafood restaurants, El Viejo Marino is famous for its premium centolla dishes. Using only the freshest ingredients, it delivers both traditional and gourmet options.
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They’ve got the live crab tank and everything so you know that your crab will be fresh. In order to avoid waiting in long lines, get there 10 minutes before they open around 6:50PM.
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