Eating King Crab in Ushuaia: A Foodie’s Guide to Centolla in Ushuaia

Surprise. It’s not all steak in Argentina.

If you head to the deep south in Tierra del Fuego it’s all about centolla or king crab, in English.

This remote region of Patagonia is where the Andes clash with the sea. The Beagle Channel and the Atlantic Ocean offer a wealth of seafood and fresh fish.

Forget the beef of Buenos Aires, to eat like a local you need to try king crab in Ushuaia.

This post is a complete guide on where to find the best centolla in Ushuaia and authentic fishing experiences.

Where to Eat Centolla in Ushuaia

One of the best things to do in Ushuaia is eat and to eat well.

Which is convenient, considering the weather here can be very unreliable.

Is it raining, cold, and windy, despite it being the peak of summer?

Head into one of these restaurants for the best king crab in Ushuaia.

Centolla on the waterfront

These are the top three restaurants for a classic centolla on the port.

Typically you’ll order the whole crab to share with your table or get it au gratin (a la parmesana).

• El Viejo Marino: We went here and loved it. It’s no frills, affordable (in comparison), 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). Go before they open to assure a table in the small dining room.
• Volver: Only one block from El Viejo Marino, making it easy to compare both before choosing. Volver has a bit more ambience, located in the oldest house in Ushuaia. It also a more varied menu, which is good if someone in your party doesn’t like seafood.
• Tia Elvira: The third restaurant on the waterfront, all are within a stone’s throw of each other. Tia Elvira has great views of the water and has been serving centolla since 1978.
• La Casa de los Mariscos | Not on the port, instead this is a great option right on Avenida San Martin, the main shopping street downtown. You’ll find a lot more than just king crab on their menu with items like paella, squid, and more.

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Fine Dining & Innovative Menus

Looking for fine dining or an elevated experience?

These are the best restaurants in Ushuaia, run by modern and innovative chefs.

These are the best chefs in Tierra Del Fuego and they work to promote and utilize the wealth and diversity of ingredients that this seemingly desolate and wild province truly provides.

Seafood is the star but you’ll also find red meat options highlighting the Patagonian steppe on many menus.

Don’t miss these restaurants for an authentic Fuegian experience, to try ingredients and dishes you’ll find no where else.

• Kalma: Top chef Jorge Monopoli focuses on local ingredients from the heart of Tierra del Fuego, showcasing this province’s wealth in his modern and innovative dishes. This is the best restaurant in Ushuaia so make a reservation in advance.
• Crujiente: This small closed-door restaurant is in a residential corner of Ushuaia. Chef Leo Gimenez focuses on Tierra del Fuego’s diversity and wealth, showcasing local ingredients in an intimate setting. Reservations are required.
• Kaupe: With a menu featuring the classics, you can never go wrong with Kaupe. Their dining room also features epic views of the Beagle Channel.
• Asia Gourmet: A modern twist on the local cuisine with Asian fusion, featuring sushi with local Fuegian ingredients.

Our Experience & What to Expect

On our first trip, we chose El Viejo Marino, no frills is exactly what we love in a restaurant.

It’s important to keep in mind that the menu is basically limited to centolla but they do have a couple options for the seafood haters (think milanesa).

As you walk in, you’ll pass the tank of live king crab awaiting their fate.

Throughout our meal servers kept running to and from the tank, with fingers delicately pinching onto a single leg of a live centolla, holding it at arm’s length on their way to the kitchen.

The two most popular ways to try king crab in Argentina is fresh (al natural, served cool and the flavor untampered with) or a la parmesana (my favorite, warm with melted parmesan gratinated on top).

If there are two of you, I recommend ordering an entire centolla to share. It’s quite the experience!

If one of you is picky (I apologize, it’s me), then there are great dishes for one. My husband tried al natural and also a pasta dish. I was brave (pats own back) and had a la parmesana.

On our second trip, we ate in Puerto Almanza. In the time since first writing this article, I have made an effort to expand my tastes and eat more seafood. I also learned on this second trip that I love sea bass (robalo here in Tierra Del Fuego), and ate quite a bit of it.

We did not eat at Kalma in Ushuaia but were lucky to experience Chef Jorge Monopoli’s culinary experience at Estancia Las Loicas. This remote ranch on the northern coast of the province is spectacular and we spent an entire day with Monopoli, harvesting local ingredients and enjoying a decadent meal in private at the ranch.

While in Puerto Almanza, we opted for Alma Yagan, mentioned in more detail later in this article. It was a stand out meal that’s worth the drive.

Visit Puerto Almanza: A Centolla Fishing Village

Puerto Almanza is a tiny fishing village 90 minutes from Ushuaia.

Only about 40 families live here, all dedicated to fishing and mussel/clam farming (and restaurants serving the above).

This is officially named La Ruta de la Centolla.

What to do in Puerto Almanza

Basically, eat centolla.

But not all restaurants are created equal. Here’s a brief but helpful list of where to go.

• 🦀Eat IN town: The tiny town is littered with seafood restaurants serving up the day’s catch. The two most renowned are La Sirena y El Capitan and La Mesita de Amanza. But there’s something for every budget (we literally passed a kiosco by the police station selling the usual candy, cokes, along with seafood empanadas). Book this excursion to see Puerto Almanza and dine at one of its classic restaurants.
• 🏴‍☠️Puerto Pirata: This innovative restaurant is 20 minutes outside of Puerto Almanza. It’s finer dining but in laid back environment, there’s even a small playground for the kids to play in while you eat. Make a reservation for lunch (ask about their fishing experience to see how they catch their fresh centolla). No car? Book this excursion that includes Puerto Pirata as their lunch stop.
• 🦀Alma Yagan: We ate here on our second trip, it’s a gastronomic fairy tale come to life. Also about 20 minutes outside of Puerto Almanza, you’ll walk 500 meters through the forest to reach the restaurant, perched on a rocky cliff on the Beagle Channel. The menu is spectacular – we were served a creamy mussel soup, sea bass, a creamy king crab dish, and house made calafate berry ice cream for dessert. They only have two tables and two daily seatings, so reserve your spot (message them here) or book this excursion. For a reference price, in February 2026 we spent under 200 dollars for 2 tasting menus, two children’s menus, wine and drinks.
• 🥾Hike to Cascada del Duende: There is a very easy and short hike to a small waterfall. The trail is 1.3 kilometers each way, taking about an hour total. Most excursions allow the option to add this hike to your tour.

How to get to Puerto Almanza

At an hour and a half away, it’s bit of a trek to get to Puerto Almanza.

We always rent a car in Ushuaia so we can take full advantage of our days without relying on pricier tours. Check rates for your trip.

For example, Puerto Almanza is very close to historic Estancia Harberton (closed on Tuesdays). You can visit their fascinating marine life museum and tour the estancia in the same day if you have the freedom of your own car.

If you don’t have a car, then book this 4×4 excursion to see Puerto Almanza and have lunch in one of the village’s classic restaurants. They offer the option to add on a hike to Cascada del Duende.

This excursion is basically the same thing but instead of eating in town, you’ll eat in Puerto Pirata.

Read More About Eating in Argentina

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• What to Eat in Buenos Aires: 11 Traditional Buenos Aires Food Experiences
• A Beefy Guide to Eating Steak in Buenos Aires
• A Gluttonous Guide to Ice Cream in Argentina
• Traditional Argentine Drinks to Try