Sole Mare

We felt that this was just an average italian restaurant, but because our service was so poor, it was a total turnoff and ruined our night out. Things started off well in that we had 2 separate waiters approach our table as we sat down. However, neither one showed up for some time after that and it continued through dinner. Our order took a long time and our meals were served late. The waitress did realize this and tried to offer additional bread but we just waited for our dinner. I had ordered the fruite d' mare with the garlic sauce. It had a ton of calamari in it yet they were all overcooked and had a rubbery texture. We finished with a piece of tiramisu and it was just average too me. It lacked the strong coffee flavor and the sponge cake was not as moist as could be. Not a favorite of ours - we will not be eating here again.

We were a party of six. As soon as we walked into Sole Mare, we knew from the aroma of the sauce, everything would be delicious. We are from the New England area and frequent many fine Italian restaurants. Sole Mare did not disappoint. It is now one of our favorite restaurants in Aruba!

Good food but pay attention to the bill. They changed my order to the more expensive one. I ordered Rigatoni alla Vodka with shrimp and the waitress gave me Scampi Aglio e olio with extra $5 for the shrimp. And Scampi Aglio e olio, supposedly, the shrimp already included.
If you are going to change my order, it would be nice to let us know.

The original bill arrived and she overcharged us. The new bill arrived and still overcharged us with the $5 shrimp. WTH?

Como local mi a come 2 biaha na sole Mare! Prome biaha tabata na december 2010 y awor na september 2011. E servicio, cuminda, amambilidad, ambiente di e restaurant ta fabuloso!
Mi ta recomenda tur local cu ta desea di disfruta di un tremendo restaurant italiano cu un supr dushi menu, pa bishita Sole Mare!!!

This is our 2nd visit to The Sole Mare. and we will return as often as we get back to Aruba. I am planning our 7th and 8th weeks back in Aruba. Everything, absolutely everything was excellent. nothing more can or need be said.

We had been a long time customer of this restaurant even with the change in ownership and always found a reason to return. Unfortunately as is reflected from some of the other reviews, it has fallen into the pack with smaller portions, higher prices and food not as distinctly tasty.

While the "Early Bird" specials are probably still worthwhile, the regular dinner has probably moved this place from very good to above average. Examples, the Tomato Soup Pamadori was too salty, the entree protions were about two-thirds of their previous size, decent taste ut not especially tasty, and the prices went up noticably. All in all, it has become just a middle of the road Italian restaurant for those of us spoiled from being from the East Coast of the States.

The food is consistently excellent as is the service. My husband and I have been frequenting this restaurant since it opened and when on Aruba we dine there at least twice during our timeshare week.

This restaraunt was lovely and the hostess charming. We came looking for pizza which they did not offer. Instead I had a plate of spagetti and meatballs, my husband a Chicken Ceaser salad. The food was adequate but not overly impressive. When the bill came we found we had been overcharged for Chicken Alfredo instead of Chicken Ceaser the salad. When we called over the waitress she argued that the charges were correct. Finding we were getting no where we asked for the manager. The waitress called over another waitress to clarify the bill. It took 10 more minutes before we got the manager who promptly corrected the bill.

For years Sole Mare has been the palce we eat at the first night on the island. Although ownership has changed several of the same familiar and friendly staff remain. The prices have significanly increased over the last few years (same at many places on the island) but the quality and qauntity is still very good.

Our family loved this restaurant sooo much we have gone 2 times this week! It was amazing! The staff are wonderful friendly and inviting! The food wonderful! We had heard about the pasta made in the parmesan wheel.... ANd it was so good! Such a neat thing to watch! My daughter was amazed! They pour whiskey that is lit into the large Parmesan wheel and melt the cheese then pour in your pasta with this amazing sauce into it and toss it together...then twirl it beautifully onto your plate! It is to die for! So good! The brushettacaprise was great! Sangria wonderful!

GREAT restaurant!
AWESOME service!
FOOD was so fresh and delicious!
My husband said it was the best Italian he'd EVER had.

Tiramisu was SO different and GREAT!

Finding decent Italian in the Caribbean is not an easy task. This was our first visit to Sole Mar and we just walked in on a Sunday evening at the last minute.

Shrimp Cocktail - AMAZING

Everything else - decent. Growing up in NY and NJ, we have gotten used to top notch Italian food. While by no means was anything bad - it by no means compares to home.

We enjoyed our meal and would return if we had a craving for Italian while on the Island again.

With new ownership, there are new issues. Upon arrival with a reservation, we had to wait for a table for at least 10 minutes, and were told that they only wanted to use the front half of the restaurant. The new owner had a bit of a cocky attitude when we asked why we werent being seated. I remember in the past when this place was packed every night, but not now, so I guess they want to seat people in the front near the windows to look as if it is a full house.
I must say that the food was excellent, but the prices have definitely gone way up, which is probably the reason for the loss of customers. The wine list is ok, but the prices, if you know wine, are off the charts.
Rotini with broccoli rabe and sausage was delicious, as was the osso bucco and veal parm.

Sole Mare is by far our favorite Italian Restaurant in Aruba. We were sure when the ownership changed we would need to find a new favorite but much to our surprise it is as good if not better than before. On our most recent trip we ate at Sole Mare twice in one week. The food is delicious, served piping hot, the Sangria is perfect and the desserts and Lemon Cello are divine.

We never go to Aruba without a stop at Sole Mare anymore. The first time we all ate so fast we laughed at ourselves- we just couldn't stop. The pasta was wonderful. The music soft, the atmosphere warm and inviting. I can't wait until June and we get to Aruba again. Our Cab driver was right.

We went back. It was better than before. Everett took control of the parmesan wheel and it was the best pasta most of us have ever tasted. I had the carribean lobster (enough for four). Maine has alot of catching up to do. The group went back for the veal (they would eat it tomorrow, as well). Everett also helped us with two great wines. Chile does well. We will be back next week. I think of the many places we have gone, this is the best.

We picked the worst day to go: the Saturday after New Year's. We walked from church and saw the place (no reservation). They were crowded but still accomodated a party of 4. We had the best veal parm. The risotto with seafood was excellent. It was a very pleasant surprise and the group would like to go again before we leave. We watched the pasta being made on on the parmesan wheel and it looked amazing. Prompt and attentive service by multiple servers. Well done.

Got carry out, so really can only comment on the food.

Fantastic!!!! I had the veal parm, which was melt in your mouth tender and wonderful. 3 huge pieces with pasta for $30. Had lunch the next day and could not have been happier.

Wife had pasta with seafood in a white wine sauce - again, a ton of food for the $30 price. Plenty of calamari, clams, shrimp, and mussels in a delicious sauce. Plenty for dinner and lunch the next day, plus a little extra for me.

This will be a repeat visit on every trip.

Had a very nice dinner here. I ordered the Shrimp with hot sauce which was a nice sized portion and very good. Everyone was very nice and the service was good as well. Was a very nice night out.

We were a party of 12 service was very good food was mediocre at best we all had entrees, appetizers were split and desserts which all consisted of mainly ice cream and were split, very little alcohol and it cost $100/pp. There are better choices on the island for $100/pp. I had shrimp scampi it came swimming in sauce. 3 people ordered the tortellini special that came too mushy to eat. At $100/pp they should know when tortellini are done.

Our first visit to Aruba in 11 years. This restaurant was great. The kids loved it so much we went twice and enjoyed it. Price is reasonable, similar to NY prices.

I recommend this to anyone who wants a great italian dinner.

Our meal was nice, the special pasta in the cheese wheel a unique choice. The staff was polite and responsive. The decor was nothing special and verged on being tacky. In Aruba you expect more and certainly something special. Unfortunately, there was a large, very loud party going on in the same room with us and it made conversation impossible. Also, the singing guitar player was awful. Definitely NOT a return visit candidate.

This is my faveourite resturant in Aruba by far!

I've been going to Aruba for the last 13 years, and have enjoyed Sol de Mar every time I go.

I order Penne ala Vodka [ even though it is not on the menu, it has never been a problem to order ]

I have gone with my family, including small children, and they have always been accomidating.

We eat here everytime we go to Aruba, I still love it. We had the minestrone soup, Pasta Fagioli it was terrific.
My husband and daughter split the pasta in the cheese wheel it was excellent. My other daughter had the fusilli de vodka terrific dish. I had the chicken Marsala I still love this place the service was great although it didn't appear to be as busy as the last time we were there. I think Gianni's is taking a lot away from them it is in a great location right on palm beach. Overall its still an excellent restaurant.

We were regulars at Sole Mar, unfortunately, we stopped going due to the lack of service. We enjoyed their food, found the atmosphere a little tacky (plastic fruit as decour)but was a good place to go for Italian. Once Gianni's (their sister restaurant) opened the service was very poor. Food arrived very slowly and no attention was paid to us on a (even remotely)timely basis. We waited for a waiter for a very long time. We felt that the service had gone down since Gianni's opened up. In addition, the menu is almost the same but you can't compare the difference physically between the two restuarants. For the same money, I would prefer to go to Gianni's as the restaurant is much nicer looking and more pleasant than Sole Mar. If Sole Mar's prices were cheaper than Gianni's (baring poor service) that would be more of a draw to come back.
Having said that, we felt that this restuarant must really improve their customer service. Ironically, I would know say the same thing about Gianni's but that is for another review!