This wasnt a good restaurant for me. I thought the decor was dingy and felt somewhat unclean in there. They make you think you are surrounded by "12 large aquariums and one this 5000 gallons and all we saw were 20 gallon aquariums at each table and not much in each. I didnt care for the food either as my shrimp was overcooked. Prices are good but I wouldnt choose it again.
Food:
Dessert:
4
-
Presentation:
Environment:
5
1
Service:
Toilets:
10
-
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
-
Reviewed By
Steven Wilson, posted on
Mar 30, 2010
This restaurant was absolutely disgusting. The atmosphere looked as if it were plucked out of a National Lampoon's Vacation movie. It looked as if it were designed in the 70's and not updated since. We should have used our better judgment and left before dining but we didn't.
We sat in the lower level which looked like the hold of a ship. The lighting was dark, the tablecloths looked like bedspreads and we were surrounded by 50 gallon aquariums with fluorescent paint coral. The fish looked healthy somehow.
Dinner was revolting. The only thing on the menu I thought I could eat was the broiled shrimp. Everything on my plate was covered in cheese- including the vegetables and potatoes. The food was overly salty, overly breaded and laced with MSG. It had a vague smell of cooked chestnuts somehow.
I could only get through two shrimp and a fork-full of potatoes before I'd had enough. Since the service was poor, our plates sat on our table for an agonizingly long period of time. The smell was truly overwhelming.
I used the men's room which was in the back of the other (much nicer seeming) dining room. In this room, there was a very large tank full of sea turtles. I gathered this was the room reserved for large groups but the cleanliness of this room was alarming. At least in our dining room, it was so dark you couldn't see the stained carpeting.
The men's room was tiny and was railroaded off the room containing the sink. I'm not sure why they chose to make the room so confined but it was comical.
In all fairness, I live in Manhattan, NY and for that reason, my tastes and standards might be different than those of other reviews on this site and others. I give you fair warning though if you come from a civilized part of the world, avoid this place.
Food:
Dessert:
1
-
Presentation:
Environment:
1
1
Service:
Toilets:
3
1
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
6
-
Reviewed By
Toni and Bob, posted on
Feb 12, 2010
If you want to experience true island dining The Buccaneer is the place to go. After seven years of visiting the island The Buccaneer has been one of our favorite places to eat. The prices are great and the service is wonderful. It's a cozy relaxing place to escape.
Food:
Dessert:
10
9
Presentation:
Environment:
9
10
Service:
Toilets:
10
9
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
-
Reviewed By
Whipper, posted on
Jan 14, 2010
On our fourth visit to Aruba we dined at the Buccaneer for the fourth time. Wife and I split a turf and surf. Excellent. Just right amount for both of us. Again one of our favorites in Aruba.
Food:
Dessert:
10
-
Presentation:
Environment:
9
8
Service:
Toilets:
10
-
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
-
Reviewed By
Angie, posted on
Dec 28, 2009
This restaurant was recommended to us by a tourist we had met at another restaurant. It was the worst dining experience we have had on the island or off. The service was extraordinarily slow. We had to ask for water refills and we waited an excessive amount of time for our food. When the food arrived, it was overcooked. The restaurant caters to children to the point that they have free rein. They are allowed to run through the restaurant playing tag and screaming. If your goal is good food and good service, go someplace else. If you are looking for your children to burn off some energy, this is the restaurant for you.
Food:
Dessert:
3
-
Presentation:
Environment:
6
10
Service:
Toilets:
1
6
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
10
-
Reviewed By
Sharon, posted on
Nov 22, 2009
The Buccaneer was our first night in Aruba.
We has a five year old child with us. The people were so nice the food was so good at the atmosphere is so fun. There were nine of us and was no problem. Everything was wonderful.
Their scenery is delightful and we got placed next to the aquarium. Loved IT!
Food:
Dessert:
8
8
Presentation:
Environment:
8
10
Service:
Toilets:
10
8
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
10
-
Reviewed By
~Amy~®, posted on
Oct 21, 2009
Love their barracuda here which is usually their "catch of the day". I usually order it grilled and it came out pan-fried (which seems to happen at other restaurants as well.) Since I was eating with a couple of friends and didn't want to wait while they ate, I went ahead with the pan-fried barracuda - which was fine, just not what I ordered. I would have also liked more lemon for my fish and another glass of wine but we didn't see our waiter again until we were finished eating. All in all, a "so-so" meal this time around. I do, however, love getting a table next to the large aquarium and watching the turtles, lobster, etc. swimming around.
Food:
Dessert:
7
-
Presentation:
Environment:
8
9
Service:
Toilets:
7
-
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
-
Reviewed By
C VIncenzini, posted on
Oct 13, 2009
We have dined here on every trip as we love the atmosphere, the staff is very friendly, and the food superb! We tell everyone to make sure they visit!
Food:
Dessert:
9
8
Presentation:
Environment:
9
10
Service:
Toilets:
10
6
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
8
-
Reviewed By
Sue & Tom, posted on
Oct 5, 2009
I have dined at the Buccaneer at least once every visit I made to Aruba since 1982. The atmosphere is awesome and the food is always delicious. If you leave the restaurant hungry, you might want to check the sign on the front of the building, because you’re not at the Buccaneer. Our latest visit was great! Sue had the Poached Catch of the day “Barracuda” with crabmeat and shrimp stuffing, which was fantastic and was served with a stuffed potato, veggies (carrots and broccoli), cabbage and I believe plantain. I had the “Seafood Platter”, which came with the same sides and was just as delicious. No dessert this time, a little too much to eat, however…there’s always next time! We had three different servers and all were on the mark with their service. The atmosphere is FUN and adventurous and if you have children, they will surely be entertained the whole meal with the aquariums and sea life. They do charge the “Aruban Customary 15% service fee”, but I don’t mind paying it if I get good service. We highly recommend The Buccaneer.
Food:
Dessert:
10
-
Presentation:
Environment:
10
10
Service:
Toilets:
10
-
Childfriendly:
Wheelchair:
-
-
Reviewed By
Joe & Mary - NY, posted on
Jul 4, 2009
Tues 06/23 – Buccaneer
Service very, very slow (in room with small tanks) - I can’t blame the servers since the place was crowded and they only had 3 servers in that room. The 2 older male servers had more energy than the young female server. Drinks ok. Smoked salmon ok – quality not as good as other places – only a thin slice of lemon instead of a wedge – tough to squeeze a thin slice of lemon. We both had Barracuda which tasted very good, but we both felt extremely full – Wife couldn’t finish it. We spent over 2 hours there. Not sure if we’d go back soon.
