Restaurant in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina
La Trattoria
Cozy Ushuaia Italian restaurant with homemade pasta, pizzas, and seafood. Warm atmosphere perfect for End of the World evenings.
La Trattoria is a cosy Italian restaurant on San Martín 137, the main pedestrian and commercial street of Ushuaia in Tierra del Fuego, Argentina — the southernmost provincial capital in the world. The restaurant has established itself as one of the warmer, more reliable dining options in a city that can be windswept and cold even in summer, combining homemade pasta and pizza with Tierra del Fuego seafood to produce a menu that bridges Mediterranean comfort food with End-of-the-World ingredients.
The standout preparations are the handmade ravioli and the king crab pizza. Ravioli are prepared fresh each day and typically filled with ricotta and spinach, with a seasonal variant using centolla (southern king crab) when in season. The king crab pizza is a Ushuaia-specific creation that uses centolla caught from the Beagle Channel as its primary topping, layered over a tomato base with mozzarella. Centolla season in Tierra del Fuego runs from July through October, and during this window La Trattoria's centolla preparations are at their freshest; outside this period, the kitchen uses frozen centolla from licensed processors in the region. The seafood pasta offers a generous serving of mixed shellfish and fish typical of Fuegian waters, dressed with an olive oil and white wine reduction.
Service runs as two separate sittings: a lunch period from noon to 3 pm and dinner from 7 pm to 11 pm daily. Reservations are recommended for dinner, particularly for parties of more than two, as the dining room has limited capacity and fills quickly during the Southern Hemisphere summer tourist season from November to March. The interior is warm and deliberately domestic in character — low timber ceilings, candles, and close-set tables create a convivial atmosphere suited to the climate outside.
The wine list covers Argentine wines with an emphasis on Patagonian Pinot Noir and a Mendoza Malbec selection. The restaurant is within a short walk of Ushuaia's main port and cruise ship terminal, making it a practical dining option for passengers on brief port stops.
Signature dishes
- Handmade Ravioli — $16
- King Crab Pizza — $22
- Seafood Pasta — $20
Hours: 12:00 PM - 3:00 PM, 7:00 PM - 11:00 PM daily
Reservations: Recommended
Visit / Book / Contact
- Phone: +54 2901 433-909
Location
San MartÃn 137, Z9410 Ushuaia, Tierra del Fuego
-54.8050, -68.3050 — View on map
Highlights
- King crab (centolla) pizza using Beagle Channel centolla — a Ushuaia-specific creation rarely replicated elsewhere in Argentina
- Handmade ravioli prepared fresh daily with ricotta-spinach or centolla filling depending on the season
- Central San Martín Street location two blocks from the Ushuaia port, practical for cruise passengers on short port stops
- Warm low-timber dining room functioning as a genuine refuge from Tierra del Fuego's wind and cold
Tips
- Visit between July and October for the freshest centolla; outside this period the kitchen uses quality frozen stock but peak-season centolla is noticeably superior
- Lunch service (noon–3 pm) is quieter and slightly lower in price than dinner — a two-course lunch with wine represents strong value
- Book dinner in advance during the peak cruise season from November to March — the room fills quickly on evenings when multiple ships are in port
- The handmade ravioli takes longer to prepare than pizza; if time is short before a departure, pizza or pasta dishes are faster choices
FAQ
What is centolla and where is it caught?
Centolla (southern king crab, Lithodes santolla) is a large crab species native to the Beagle Channel and Magellan Strait. It is the premier seafood product of Tierra del Fuego, prized for its sweet, firm flesh, and is available in season from July through October.
Is La Trattoria in Ushuaia part of a national chain?
No. La Trattoria on San Martín 137 in Ushuaia is an independent operation. Several Argentine restaurants use this common Italian-origin name but have no affiliation with one another.
Does La Trattoria open for lunch?
Yes. Lunch service runs daily from noon to 3 pm. The dinner sitting opens at 7 pm. There is a break between the two services. Reservations for dinner are recommended during high season.
How far is the restaurant from Ushuaia Airport?
Ushuaia's Malvinas Argentinas Airport is approximately 4 km west of the city centre. La Trattoria on San Martín 137 is in the commercial heart of Ushuaia, reachable by taxi in 10–15 minutes from the airport.
Accessibility
La Trattoria is on the ground floor of a San Martín Street building with direct pavement access. The dining room has standard table and chair seating on a flat floor. San Martín Street is pedestrianised in front of the restaurant, simplifying approach for visitors arriving on foot or by wheelchair.