Pelican's Nest Seafood & Grill Bar

Great view...service needs improvement

This was our second visit to the Pelican's Nest. Our 1st visit was great...perfect views at sunset and food was awesome. It was a priority to visit the resturant again on this trip. The service at the resturant was very poor. The music that was being played was very inappropriate (parental guidance suggested) and the waitresses dancing were very inappropriate as well. The food was good, we ordered the whole snapper, but a bit pricey. We were a bit disappointed in this visit and don't know if we will return.

We have been going to Aruba for the past 8 years and luckily stumbled on The Pelicans Nest the first year. We have had various items off the menu including our favorite the grouper. All have been really fresh and prepared really great. The atmosphere over the water is fantastic especially during sunset. Some of the tables are right on the water (like don't step too far no ropes) I think that is really fabulous. The prices are really reasonable. I think most of the restaruants on the beach cost much more.
The thing that is a bit different and you are readin about in some other reviews is the 15% that is not counted as gratuity. It is something like a tax that the owner has to pay for renting on the water and passes it down to us. I don't like to assume it is a gratuity anyway as the servers rely on gratuities to live. They are all great by the way.
The way I defer that if to go on a website that offers coupons like "arubadiscounts.com" and this will give you a coupon to take off 10% of the bill. At least it takes care of some of that tax if it really bothers people. Otherwise I feel it is one of the best atmosphered restaurants on the island. Best food. Best people.

We were told we couldn't order burgers, that they stopped serving them at 6pm??
I thought the food and menu were pricey for the setting.

1st time to this place, can't figure out why.....what a place to have dinner... on a pier out over the water... THIS is what we come to Aruba for......... Had the grouper grilled, my wife had the grouper with coconut... both dishes were GREAT will be back again for sure.

The only good thing about this restaurant is the location and the really nice view since you are literally right on the ocean. The service here was horrible, the waiter forget half of our dishes, no apology or anything. When I needed more water I had to get up and go the bar because the waiter never came back to check on us and we couldn't flag him down. There were only 4 groups of people in the entire place so there was no excuse.

We went to Aruba for the 15th time last october. We had never tried the pelicans nest before. Some of the reviews were not favorable. We decided to try it this year because it was close to the Playa Linda where we were staying. I got a couple of the grilled grouper sandwiches for lunch one afternoon and took them to the PL pool. They were wonderful. Price was about $8 each. We decided to try dinner there that evening. We were seated by a very friendly waitress at a table on the waters edge. A perfect view of the sunset. We both ordered the grilled grouper dinner. It came with rice and grilled veggies and a roll. The fish portion was quite large. We did not order any apps or mixed drinks. This was an excellent, and filling meal and the price was $19 each. We went back a couple of more nights to eat here. The 3rd time we went the fish was a little overcooked, but that was the only complaint we had on the 4 visits we made there. We highly recomend it. I have seen people post here that said they spent $100s for dinner. They must have had the fresh lobster that is usually available or a lot of apps and drinks.
Best time to go is just before sunset and get a table on the end.

Stopped in for lunch while walking the beach. Awesome views, sitting right on the water. Food was average and prices outrageous. For lunch, we had 2 appetizers and 2 entrées and it was over $100 so be prepared for tourist food at tourist prices.

We enjoyed dining at Pelican Nest twice during our recent stay in Aruba. Food was wonderful. Sat of the edge of the pier next to the sea and wonderful sunsets. We love Pelican Pier

Ate here 9/5/10 on our first night. Pleasant atmosphere out on a pier...sat right next to the water. I had the Mermaid Trio(assort.fish/shrimp/lobster tail).It was good but portion could have been bigger. My husband had the Tenderloin which he enjoyed. Great service and a nice location. We walked to it from the Hyatt where we were staying.

Just had dinner there. Great view, caught the sunset. Not a lot of people here yet cuz still early, 6pm. Ordered the whole grilled red snapper, $30 each. Was very good & fresh! Thought the fried calamari at $7.25 was a good deal but you get what you pay for...only a small bowl with about 15 pieces on top of a lot of shredded lettuce & carrots! Iced tea was $2.60 in a small glass and NO refills (as per our waiter, Julius)!!?? Soda was $1.95. Good thing iced water was free refills! Also had the 15% service fee added automatically as mentioned in earlier reviews and they still expected a tip! Service was average. If it wasn't for the excellent whole red snapper, we would not be going back (will have water next time :-)).

The food at the Pelican's Nest is just OK. Good lunch spot. Warning - Take a good look at your bill. This place still includes a hefty service charge of about 15% which the staff does not call gratuity. When you ask them about they will say its for utilities or it is split amongst all of the staff (sounds a lot like a tip). Many restaurants in aruba use to charge this years ago. Most have moved away from the deceptive gratuity scheme.

We just stumbled on this place while walking the beach and it was amazing, we had the coconut shrimp and both got the grouper- both dishes were fantastic and the views from our table could not have been better to watch the sunset. I would highly recommend this place for lunch AND dinner!

We went there one evening as a last minute decision and got a table right at the front outside next to the water and watched the sunset and it was great. We loved it so much we back again before going home. The food was really good, wait staff attentive, and the view phenominal. I cant imagine anyone going there and not enjoying the whole experience and prices were very reasonable.

great view, food very good. what is this ta of 15% all about? bill states tip not included, but , what is the 15 % charge already added to the bill for? waiter says part goes to the owners and the remainder to the staff. we are clearly informed tip not included. i have eaten there on numerous times and have added 15-20 for tip, never having seen the 15% previously added to the bill. you end up paying 15% on top of the 15% tip. this is a rip off!

This place is so good that my wife and I ate there twice while we were in Aruba just a couple of weeks ago. Very good value also. Don't know how we missed it the all the times that we were there on vacation before.

Stopped here after a sunset cruise. We went in to satisfy a friends craving for battered shrimp and came out satisfied with all. We had GUILERMO for a server as well and he was very attentive. Recommend the Martin's Platter for a little of everything and very unique. Coconut shrimp was also very good. Prices were fairly comparable with what we found in the hotel district. Restrooms share the pier facilities which are OK but beware the light switch is on the outside so you better trust your groupmates :-) Overall a neat experience out on the water - dark when we got back but would be a beautiful view of the sunset. As added bonus you get to watch the party cruises return - we took bets on who was first to trip while trying to get back on the pier from the boats.

GREAT DINING. GUILERMO IS A WAITOR THERE AND IS THE BEST. ASK FOR HIM TO GET THE BEST SERVICE.

We have dinner here at least once each trip to Aruba. The food and service are great. The view at sunset is magnificant.

This is Aruba's hidden secret! We went there on a whim when at the last minute we couldn't get reservations anywhere else. It's not advertised a lot, but it is amazing! The service is fantastic, the food is unbelievably fresh, you can watch the chef in action, all the while you are sitting on a pier, the waves rolling in below you. It's small but they accommodated our party of 7 easily. Bring a wrap or shawl, after the sun sets it can get a little chilly if it's breezy! Definitely worth it, we'll be back next trip!

Staff were very friendly, the atmosphere was pleasant. Both my steak & lobster were over cooked and had little taste. The conch fritters were excellent. The Mahi Mahi and grouper were average.

I had the Mahi Mahi steak dinner and the tuna was excellent, very moist and melted in your mouth. Rice and veggies were cooked to perfection.

My wife had the Steak that was part of the Sunset cruise and dinner package. The steak was very tender and cooked to perfection. Very tasty and I enjoyed it as well.

Portions are sized perfectly, not too much and not too little, just right. Service was okay, nothing special but not bad either.

If in Aruba again, we'd definitely eat here again.

Last night 7 of us walked down the beach a short way from the Marriott Surf Club to enjoy a most pleasant night at the Pelicans Nest. We had various dishes, all wonderful! The Beef Tenderloins and Jumbo Shrimp were awesome (heads on the shrimp!) Great cocktails, excellent service and waitstaff. Fed the fish off the pier after eating...which was very much encouraged by the staff.
Too full for desert!
As for wheelchairs, a couple steps to get up onto the pier. As for the bathroom, well, I think the toilet flushes right into the ocean..I think so, so you place your "tissue" in a large waste basket next to toilet and this waste basket could surely be emptied more. Not stinky, just kinda icky having it right next to ya. But hey...its all good!

This was the best restaurant on the island....The GROUPER was amzing. The ambiance is the BEST. Rght on the water...Who could ask for more...

Also went for lunch. Mahi mahi, and otherhs had chicken and pasta salad. So good and so curtious and friendly...

Really great....Prices right in line with the 'normal' places...not cheap, but competitive.

Nothing special about this place, except having a table at the edge of the dock!! Great views, and the food was good. Service was good as well. We ate there for lunch. I had a Pelican burger and calamari, my wife had a cheesburger. Not spectacular, but not bad either. Toilets were in bad need of repair, and cleaning!!

I have been to Aruba a few times and this place is truely the best. The food is awesome, I love the grouper appetizer!! The atmosphere is spectacular and to have a drink in hand watching the sunset, there is no better place to be. I would recommend this place to anyone.