Mariscos El Navegante - Watsonville

This unassuming little hole-in-the-wall offers fantastic food! My friend is vegetarian, so we opted for a vegetarian tostada and guacamole to enjoy with the tortillas. Wow, the guacamole was absolutely the best I've ever had! It was packed with big chunks of avocado, purple Vidalia onion, cilantro, tomatoes, and more. Everything was incredibly fresh and delicious, especially when paired with the Mexican ranch sauce. Given how fresh and tasty everything was, I can’t wait to come back for a great seafood meal, as I saw the dishes being served at other tables looked amazing!

During my first visit when the restaurant opened, the food was much better. This time, the clots in my aguachile negro were slimy and had a really strong odor, which was off-putting. The sushi was mostly rice with very little meat or garnishes. I even forgot to place an order for something else, and now I wish I hadn’t. The prices were outrageous—I couldn’t believe I paid for a dish that I hardly touched. I’m honestly surprised I didn’t get sick.

The food is excellent, the staff is polite, and the prices are reasonable! I would definitely go back.

We stopped by a Saturday night and t was almost empty. we had reviewed the reviews, but not much to go as most were high with one say, love it and give three and another only on one plate. we had four different articles. the aguachile very spicy as it should be, was the hit the night with the tostadas in the second and the caldo third. the Ceviche type dishes were really well made and tasted fresh. the caldo was also freshened, but something on the bland side. I think with a little more salt or spice it would have been great than it was full of fish. the pictures of the caldo were after it had been buried for a few bites. the service was attentive and made a change on the michelada to the green aguachile and they did. a great place that is ready to serve on a Saturday night. They said Saturday is their quietest day, but they are probably good every day.

Food had no flavor and the paloma was the worst one I’ve had in 23 years. If i could give it 0 stars i would.