Best Places to Eat King Crab in Ushuaia: Costs and Is It Worth the Experience?

The endpoint of a typical Antarctic adventure is Ushuaia. After stepping off the ship, make sure not to miss out on a must-try culinary experience: a sumptuous meal of king crab in Ushuaia [Pig Head R].

We spent two full days in Ushuaia, and the freshly caught king crab was at the top of our daily dining list. (Actually, the lamb chops were also quite a treat.)

Recommendation reasons:
[Grass Planting R] Fresh king crab (caught and served on the same day)
[Grass Planting R] Great value: one crab costs between 300-500 RMB, enough for two people, making it a delightful and affordable experience
[Grass Planting R] Convenience: The restaurants serving king crab are all located across from the main street by the dock, making them very accessible. After your meal, you can easily stroll down the commercial street behind for some shopping.

Recommended restaurants:
Based on online reviews and tour guide recommendations, we visited two places.
[Atmosphere R] [Old Captain] (Local name: El viejo Marino)
Just show the driver, and they will know exactly where to go. This is the most famous and often the busiest spot. The restaurant is cozy and can fill up quickly, and the king crab can run out fast. It’s best to visit at noon when there are fewer diners. If you plan to go in the evening, aim to arrive by 5 PM.

Advantages: The prices here are relatively low, the crabs are incredibly fresh, and the wine is reasonably priced. (I’ve attached a receipt showing that six people dined at the Old Captain, with each person spending only 280 RMB, including three crabs, champagne, and cod fish.)

[Atmosphere R] [TIA ELVIRA]
This place is less likely to have long queues, and the ambiance is more upscale. My sister, who is a connoisseur of hairy crabs in Shanghai, said the crab meat here is even more delicious (I’m not as sensitive to taste, so I can’t tell, but I trust her opinion). However, the prices here are a bit higher than at the Old Captain.

If the queue at the Old Captain is too long, TIA ELVIRA is a great alternative, located just a short walk away. (I’ve included a photo of the storefront at the end.)

TIPS
The price of the king crab varies depending on its size. Make sure to ask clearly.
Smaller crabs cost around 300 RMB, while larger ones are under 500 RMB (I can’t recall the exact price, but we usually order the largest one, which is truly impressive).