Things to do in Puerto Madryn
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Mr Jones
With a wealth of yummy stouts and reds, homemade pot pie and sausages, Mr Jones will satiate your appetite for all things German. The food is good and reasonably authentic.
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Ecocentro
Celebrating the area’s marine treasures, Ecocentro is a masterpiece of interactive displays that combine artistic sensitivity with extensive scientific research. Exhibits explore the area’s unique marine ecosystem, including the breeding habits of right whales, stories about dolphin sounds and southern elephant-seal harems, a touch-friendly tide pool and more. The building itself is equally impressive. The three-story tower acts as a library, with the top story – all glass and comfy couches – a great place to read, write or contemplate the fragile ocean community. Bring your binoculars: whales may be spotted from here.
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Museo Provincial de Ciencias Naturales y Oceanográfico
Feeling up strands of seaweed and ogling a preserved octopus are part of the hands-on approach of this museum in the 1917 Chalet Pujol. A winding staircase leads into nine small rooms of marine and land mammal exhibits and preserved specimens, plus collections of Welsh wares. The explanations are in Spanish and geared to youth science classes, but it’s visually informative and creatively presented. Twist up to the cupola for views of the port.
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Plácido
This sleek new addition to Madryn’s waterfront serves beautifully presented versions of traditional dishes such as shrimp in garlic and cordero patagónico (Patagonian lamb) in a minimalist setting. Try the shellfish sampler paired with a bottle of white from Bodega Fin del Mundo.
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Los Colonos
Depending on your perspective, the design of this corner restaurant – resembling an old wooden ship, complete with a mini lighthouse near the entrance – is either corny or festive. We vote for the latter, but maybe that’s just because the seafood is fresh and classically prepared.
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Lizzard Café
This popular corner cafe and eatery draws a young crowd in the evenings for beer, pizza and sandwiches. Hit your daily vegetable quota while you can (fresh produce is often hard to come by in Patagonia) with the salad heaped high with egg, bell pepper, pineapple and olives.
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Taska Beltza
For a big night out, try the Basque cooking of Chef Negro, who expertly steams fish and crafts tasty pastas. Portions are small, leaving room for homemade banana ice cream drizzled with dark chocolate and dulce de leche (milk caramel). Reservations are advised.
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Ambigú
With a focus on fresh ingredients and creative combinations, Ambigú masters a gamut of dishes, including seafood – try the langostinos (prawns) in sea salt – and pizza. The setting is an elegant renovation of a historic bank building, backlit by warm colors.
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Estela
The sweet smell of garlic sautéeing in the kitchen will stop you in your tracks if you’re outside. Billed as Puerto Madryn’s best parrilla (steak restaurant), Estela also does pasta and fish in an intimate, unpretentious setting often packed with locals.
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Scuba Duba
With interesting shipwrecks and sea life nearby, Madryn and the Península Valdés have become Argentina’s diving capitals. Scuba Duba is one of the quality PADI-affiliated operators. Dives start at around AR$150.
reviewed
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Mar y Meseta
Colorful and cozy, this elegant seafood restaurant dishes up clever creations for a handful of tables. While the service is great, the food can be hit or miss: you can’t go wrong, however, with the spaghetti in squid-ink sauce.
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Cantina El Náutico
This popular nook offers old-fashioned ambience, from the polished bar to the white linen. If you share with a friend or two, the paella de mariscos (rice and shellfish) is also practically budget friendly.
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Vernardino Club de Mar
With unbeatable beachfront atmosphere, Vernadino’s white-linen tables are a hot spot for drinks and wok dishes. Take a seat on the patio in the early morning and you’ll feel like you’re having breakfast on the sand.
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Ocean Divers
Most of the balnearios have operators offering diving, including Ocean Divers. Dives start at around AR$150; some agencies also offer courses, night dives and multiday excursions.
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Vernadino's Bar & Restaurant
With unbeatable beachfront atmosphere, Vernadino's white-linen tables are a hot spot for drinks and dinner. Tempura vegetables and wok dishes are some of the savory offerings. There's patio seating too.
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Mariscos del Atlántico
You might expect a bit more from the only seafood restaurant in town stocked by artisan fisherman, but there is good local ambience. It is hidden behind Club Nautico, 20m past the arches and upstairs.
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La Barra
Fashionable but somewhat overpriced, La Barra feels like a date destination offering fussy service and a wide selection, including parrilla, thin-crust pizzas and heaping salad bowls.
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Rancho Cucamonga
This up-all-night club has long been a hot spot for local partygoers. Twentysomethings fill the place to capacity in the wee hours of the morning when well-known DJs are spinning.
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Golfo Azul
With interesting shipwrecks and sea life nearby, Madryn and the Península Valdés have become Argentina’s diving capitals. Golfo Azul sells diving equipment.
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Margarita Bar
With a trendy edge, this low-lit brick haunt has a laundry list of cocktails, a friendly bar staff and live music (such as jazz, bossa nova or drumming) on Wednesdays.
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Huellas y Costas
Guide service Huellas y Costas offers coastal hiking, mountain biking, kayaking and camping adventures in small groups with bilingual guides.
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Flamenco Tour
Offerings range from standard whale watching and snorkeling trips to stargazing 4WD journeys along the coast (telescopes and bilingual instruction included).
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Takos
With a hearty dose of rock nacional (Argentine rock) and pool tables, this hotspot offers a casual atmosphere for the twenty-something crowd.
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La Oveja Negra
This intimate bar is decked in burlap and revolutionary paraphernalia – long live rock and folk – which keep the crowd bubbling at this fun bar.
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Havanna
This smart, smoky café can cure your energy slump with sugar-bomb alfajores (cookie sandwiches) and specialty coffees.
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