Driftwood

We love this restaurant.

We have eaten here 4 times now and have never been disappointed. The seafood is fresh and we've tried every style of preparation that they offer, they are all wonderful. We also highly recommend the Red Sangria.

As we have said before, some things never fundamentally change and DRIFTWOOD is one of those things. If anything, things were so improved this year that we decided to eat here twice (on the insistence of spouse - who has training as a CHEF). Our expectation of consistency that we impose when we do so, was amply satisfied. DRIFTWOOD continues to provide very good food at very reasonable prices and is to be commended for doing that. As others have said, be sure to ask for their four course special - it is one of the best deals in ARUBA. We enthusiastically recommend DRIFTWOOD for your dining consideration.

Made a reservation for a birthday dinner with a small group of 8. We wanted to surprise the birtday girl with a cake. (We did brought our own cake) no fee was added for presenting the cake (while at another restaurant we had to pay for that service) all the waiters and waitresses sang the birthday song while presenting the cake. It was an amazing experience (eventhough it wasn't my birthday)
Not only the service was great the food was enjoyable. Definitely ask for their 4 course menu and try the escargot. The first time I've tried it and it was the best dish I've ever had!

I regularly visit Aruba and always visit my favorite restaurant on the island. As soon as I walk into the restaurant, I get greetings rom the lovely hostess and waiters. The service is truly excellent. The food is just to die for. If anyone is planning on visiting they should def try the "bread" which is called " pan bati". The main dishes, specailly the fresh fish are just perfectly seasoned. Talking about it, makes me wanna visit Aruba again just to have another deliscious meal at Driftwood. A MUST, if you are in Aruba.

good food but MAKE SURE YOU ASK FOR THE 4 COURSE SPECIAL MENU. THEY advertise it in the papers but never give it to you unless you ask for it. It is a good deal. (however, it is really 3 course. they count the coffee as a course). also, you can't use any coupons if you want this special. their house wine coupon is NO GOOD if you order this deal. they get very upset. even when you ask the waitress who says yes, you can use the coupon and still get the special then the boss (or pseudo boss) comes over and says,NO you can't order the special and get the free glass of burgundy. (about a $2 glass of wine). howver, the food was good and it was a good value. would go there again. MAKE SURE YOU ASK FOR THE 4 COURSE DINNER SPECIAL.

This restaurant, because of its downtown location (i.e., not close to the beach and doesn't offer sunset views), might get overlooked, but it shouldn't. The fish here(wahoo -- catch of the day) was outstanding -- fresher and more reasonably-priced than the fish dishes at several fancier restaurants. Not surprising, since the owner catches the fish dail., The atmosphere may be a bit tacky with its sailing motif, but if you want the best tasting fresh fish, this is the place to go.

Best restaurant in Aruba. We went twice when we were there. I would highly recommend it to anyone going to Aruba.

We've been to Aruba 5 times now and to Driftwood at least once every visit.
It is the best restaurant we have been to on Aruba - and we've been to quite a few - and the best fish restaurant we've been to anywhere in the world - and we've been to North America / Caribbean / Europe / Far East / Australia.
Food is always excellent and the 'Catch of the Day' is as fresh as possible as it is what the owner catches that day!

Excellent place in an out of the way square. Food was fresh and beautiful. We were told it had been pulled out of the sea that morning. Loved the treatment meted out to birthday celebrations. Their mojitos were to die for and following a really lovely night taxis were available right outside

Some things never change and DRIFTWOOD, of late, has been one of those things. It is a good seafood restaurant which serves good food at reasonable prices.

Good food, good atmosphere, good value. make sure you ask for the special menu. that is a 3 course diiner advertised in the paper but they conveniently forget to give that menu to you unless you specifically ask for it. that is a great value. good wine pour and good quality food. service is a bit rushed so tell them to SLOW DOWN if you are not in a hurry. or go on a weekday evening. overall good to go and we will be back.

Had Barracuda on our visit there - who knew. Was Excellent, as is every fresh catch of the day...
Don't really know why people complain about thsi place. El Gaucho and this place are among the best on the island and tops among any of the tropical locals (10 different islands)we've visited...

Eerlijk gezegd stelt het restaurant er van buiten weinig voor. Maar zodra je binnenstapt... WAW!!! Heel creatief en sfeervol ingericht en een zekere aanrader als voorgerecht: Coconut shrimp. Het enige dat tegenviel: na bij Driftwood vis gegeten te hebben, was vis elders zeer teleurstellend. Nergens konden ze aan de Blackened Fish van Driftwood tippen! In 2011 zijn we er weer!

We go to Aruba every year and always dine at Driftwood. One of the big draws to Driftwood for us is all the stories about how the owner personally catches the fish earlier in the day and then serves the fresh catch for dinner that night. When we went to Driftwood last year (2009) our meals were so-so and thought maybe it was a bad night. Unfortunately this years visit in August to Driftwood was the same as last year. The restaurant is starting to look a little run down as well. Sadly we won't be going back to Driftwood.

Just saw my last review on Driftwood from 2003. Been going here a long time, always a must-visit. Prices have gone up since 2003 :). But still very reasonable prices and large portions, great service, friendly staff. My favorite go-to place on the island. Best pan bati on the island in my opinion--great for breakfast the next morning. Best wahoo on the island when they have it, and great barracuda too.

We went fishing on kenny's Toy, caught several baracuuda. We asked Orlando,(First mate), which resturant would prepare our catch. He said the Driftwood would prepare it five different ways for us. have never eaten baracuuda before, we did'nt know what to expect. Only one word can describe the food, the service, the resturant. EXCELLENT Can't wait to dine there again on our next visit to Aruba.

Been going to Aruba for many years now and I do enjoy the meals at the Driftwood. Definitely its truly "catch of the Day", because i have also gone deep sea fishing with them. The values are good,the portions large and the meals are prepared well. The service is always excellent. I do also love other seafood and fish restaurants on the island but the driftwood always is a must stop for my wife and I. Enjoy Aruba !!!!

As in the name, DRIFTWOOD, over the years has "drifted" in various directions - good and bad. We have had relaly good meals there and we have had some so-so meals there. This year's "drift" was in a positive direction and we had a very enjoyable meal there. DRIFTWOOD focuses on its "catch of the day" - so if you have your heart set on "grouper" and only "wahoo" was caught - then guess what you are getting! Thereis no reason why the restaurant should not be able to accommodate those desiring "grouper" on such a night, but they haven't figured that out, yet. Despite that slight annoyance, DRIFTWOOD continues to provide quality food at affordable prices and they do so in such a fashion that even the "grouper lover" will find satisfaction n their "wahoo meal". All-in-all, the place is a ffine place to go to and should not be missed on any trip - even if you are a "grouper lover".

Our third visit to the Driftwood. We had the Catch of the Day which was Wahoo. Excellent taste, excellent service. Great place.

Catch of the Day always excellent.

Cozy restaurant! I had the catch of the day... the best fish I've ever had! Locals we met recommended the place. A must visit restaurant! you will not regret it.

I am very sorry to have read the previous review for I fundamentally disagree with the gentleman's remark.My family and I were staying at the Renaissance Hotel just overlooking the harbor and therefore I can testify to the fact that the fish that is served at Driftwood is brought in daily by the owners son (so we were told). So what you see is what you get. I have to say that the local people,especially the concierge and the taxi drivers were very fond and keen of making our choice for a local seafood restaurant enjoyable and this was pleasant for us to witness since who else knows the local gastronomy better than the local people?
I have nothing bad to say about Driftwood. The food was excellent and the atmosphere was phenomenal. I never felt that we were rushed during or after dinner and took literally the whole night to wine and dine in the venue. The staff was very cordial and attentive to our needs and the presentation was impeccable. After hearing that this establishment exists for nearly a quarter of a century, I congratulate the owners and the staff for keeping up with time and for meeting the needs of the customers and the repeated guests which reviews up here are terrific. Once again, make Driftwood a part of your experience while in Aruba and please do go and experience it yourself instead of (maybe) missing out on a lovely and enchanting evening due to other people's perceptions of the place!!!
I for sure will return and next time I may even join the crew to catch my own meal!!

We have been visiting The Driftwood since 1998 and go yearly during our vacation to Aruba every September. The Driftwood has changed for the worst. The staff could not have cared less about us. We frequently had to wave them down for the most basic of needs. After a very long delay, our food arrived and was not even warm, terribly seasoned and not worth eating. The service, food, and caring from the staff was the worst on the island and certainly a restaurant you'll want to avoid when you visit Aruba. We were there in September/October 2009 and could not have been more disappointed. Save your money and go elsewhere. We even told owner's son (the owner was on vacation) about our experience and he just shrugged his shoulders at us. Never again!

So delicious and different. Crableg soup was over the top and the swordfish was just perfect. Couldn't ask for better service.

I am shocked by the low scores for the food at this restaurant. I have been there many times over the years and the seafood is always exquisite. The owner has a fishing boat and does charters, so the catch of the day really is the catch of the day. They will prepare the fish for you just about anyway you can think of (even if it is not on the menu). The BEST barracuda I have eaten. Maybe not as fancy as some of the other restaurants on the island, but definitely some of the best seafood you will find.