Gastro Tour: Where to Eat in Ushuaia

Gastro Tour: Where to Eat in Ushuaia

After traveling thousands of kilometers to get to Tierra del Fuego, you must be ready to eat! Fear not, Ushuaia has a great variety of delicious offerings.

From empanadas and pizza, to delicious seafood, tender steaks and Patagonian lamb, you’ll find a varied menu in the capital city. Take a look at this list of cuisines & recommendations to try a few of the delicious options Ushuaia has to offer.

EMPANADAS & PIZZA

These are one of the most popular Argentinian options an easy night in with friends, or out on the town. Sometimes you can’t make up your mind as what to choose due to the great variety of options!

For empanadas you can choose from: “de verdura”(veggies), “cordero” (lamb), “carne” (meat), “pollo” (chicken),  “choclo”  (sweet corn), “cebolla y queso” (onions and cheese), “matambre” and many other creative options depending on the place you choose! Pizza is also offered with many different toppings: you can have the classics Mozzarella or the Napolitana, or try the Fugazzeta (lots of onions), Alemana (with sausages), Ananá (pineapple) and even pizza with smoked salmon!

• TO GO: Doña Lupita (Don Bosco 341) & Pizza Bely (Av. San Martín 1306)
• SIT DOWN: Bar de Pizzas (San Martin 753) and Dublin Pub (9 de julio 168)

MILANESAS

The favorite food of many kids and adults alike, you may know milanesas as ‘breaded cutlets.” Meat, chicken, fish or veggie, these are delicious and usually moderately priced.  Milanesas can be ordered to go from most rotisserie shops, with a side of potatoes or salad. If you prefer to sit down, the classic El Turco (San Martin 1410) is a great place to try these. Also the new El Mercado (San Martin 1488) offers gargantuan size milanesas with various toppings – one milanesa is perfect for 2 people!

SEAFOOD

Tierra del Fuego is an excellent place to enjoy fresh, local seafood dishes. Try local river trout or the famous “centolla” (king crab). Check out the iconic Cantina de Freddy, a small joint with an aquarium in the window. You can pick out which king crab you want to eat! We also recommend Chikos (a Chilean restaurant), as well as Tia Elvira, both known for excellent and fresh seafood varieties.

Off the Beaten Track: If you are out to discover Ruta J and Estancia Haberton on your own, you do not want to miss “La Mesita de Almanza” in Puerto Almanza, which is about 70 km away from the capital city of Ushuaia. As this is a small restaurant and they do not open daily, it is advisable that you make a reservation before going! Check their Facebook page for details.

MEAT

You have probably heard a lot about Argentinian meat, Patagonian lamb and asados (barbeques). As you can imagine, there are also great places in Ushuaia where you can enjoy a delicious lunch or dinner, Argentinian style. In many restaurants you are offered “buffet style” where you can eat all you want, and in others you can order different cuts of meat. We love Maria Lola Resto for beef & lamb, and La Estancia for the “All you can eat” option.

 

Off the Beaten Track: Most Winter Centers on Route 3 have their own restaurants, and these are the favorite places to eat lamb during the winter or summer months. About 20 minutes outside of town you can find Llanos del Castor, a family-run center with sled dogs, miles of cross country ski trails, and an amazing lunch menu of lamb and “pollo al disco.” Set in a rustic cabin at the foot of the mountains, you get a real taste of the Andes! Check out their Facebook page to reserve before going.

 

SPLURGE MEAL

If you are celebrating an important occasion or want to go out for a nice dinner, Ushuaia has some wonderful options. Kaupe, which means “to be at home” is a family-run restaurant with incredible meat and seafood. Desserts are also homemade, including gelato, and you will be welcomed with warm hospitality of the Vivian family.

QUICK BITES: SANDWICHES

If you are out for a trekking day, sandwiches are a great option to go. You can choose from the traditional chicken or ham sandwiches or try “sandwiches de miga” with “huevo y queso” (eggs and cheese), “atún” (tuna), “primavera” (ham, cheese, lettuce and tomatoes), or “remolacha” (beet). Miga is a very thin bread with different fillings. You can find these sandwiches in any bakery, but the variety will vary depending on where you go.

We recommend Tante Sara or Panadería Eureka. Don’t forget to grab something sweet. You’ll be tempted to have an Argentinian merienda (afternoon tea)!

SNACKS & MERIENDAS

If what you are looking for is something to grab and continue your adventure day, you may be able to find a few options at the supermarket, but here in Argentina the “Dietéticas” are the places where you can find your favorite nuts and cereals, as well as other options of tea or juices.

If you plan to blend in and enjoy the merienda at 6pm, then you should try “facturas” (pastries) while you try a sip of mate! In the city center you can find the dietética “Madre Tierra” on San Martin Street and grab some delicacies at Tante Sara, Ana y Juana Bakery or Café Expresso on San Martin Street.