Buenos Aires, Argentina > Buenos Aires restaurants > El Navegante
El Navegante
Viamonte 154 (@ Bouchard) ; Tel. +(011.54.11) 4311-0641
Hours: M-Sa 7am - 1am
Price range: $$$-$$$$
Stories of mystery, adventure and lore are standard fare at El Navegante. Photo by Clare Nisbet
For those who find themselves strolling along the water in Puerto Madero or all shopped out near Florida, El Navegante is worth the few extra blocks to taste a piece of Argentine history. The restaurant looks and feels like it was opened in 1923 and has enough tables to hold its busy lunch crowd. The menu features plenty of minutas (short-orders) and mouth-watering parilla options ranging from about $8-$15AR. The real adventure is in the Spanish-inspired fish and seafood options.
The delightful Victorino Valenzuela has been running the restaurant since the 50's and proudly serves up platters of paella and cazuela de mariscos that could feed a small army for just $40-$60AR. If you are lucky or talkative enough, Victorino will share stories about Ari Onassis' visit in the 1940's and proudly explain the mural by Dubrovnik - known and loved by all true mariners. A traditional puchero (meat and vegetable stew) is on the menu in the wintertime to keep bellies warm. The building has been there since 1898 and the walls are pulsing with myths and legends of Buenos Aires. It is a welcoming and charming environment that should be visited before it is declared a national monument and everyone wants a piece.
—El Navegante review by Clare Nisbet
