Marina Pirata

This place is surprisingly fantastic. We showed up without reservations on June 8, 2007 (a Friday night) and were promptly seated at a very nice table (there are even nicer tables, but they were reserved).

This was our last night in Aruba and we had gotten used to slow service - not here. The staff treated us like gold! Very attentive, thank you Juan Carlos!

The food was the very best we had on the island. I got something that roughly translates into Spanish Lagoon Treasure...and it was! Hubby got a catch of the day and shrimp meal that was to die for. Oh, and we split a shrimp cocktail...don't do this, get your own it is so good. This is the first place that did not overcook the shrimp. Again, this was great.

This place is a little hard to find, but worth it. It is right on the water and when the sun sets, they turn on a light on the dock and fish come and churn up the water looking for a handout!

My only regret is that we went here the last night instead of the first!

We ate here on May 30 - probably our 10th time over the past 15 years. Once again the food was wonderful, the deck over water dining romantic and the service attentive. On our next visit we will likely eat here for the 11th time.

We were in Aruba for a week and dined @Marina Parata our last night on the island, 02/24/05. I found this wonderful place the day before while looking for a snorkling beach just down the road.

After snorkling in crystal clear water for most of the after noon, we came to the restaurant dressed casually and without a reservation around 6:30pm. We were greeted graciously and enthusiasticly by Sheila, who arranged for a special table for 2 near the water with a wonderful view of the sunset. She was a charming and engageing hostess the entire evening and made us feel so welcome. The entire serving staff was terrific.

We both had soup and grouper,the fresh catch of the day, and it was very tasty. We look forward to returning to Aruba and Marina Parata.

When we first showed up, we waited at the bar while our table was ready. The music in the background was a beautiful Italian tenor vocalist. It abruptly changed to generic soft rock from "97.9,Aruba." Please, atmosphere is everything. No American rock music during a twilight dinner on the water, Please!

Great restaurant with VERY attentive, friendly and lovely staff. Sadly, there were fewer "local" diners as most seemed to be visitors just like us. Food was well-prepared and tasty. Good bread! Menu can be a bit confusing but just ask lots of questions, they're patient and happy to answer. Don't bother with the fried cornbread as a side. Creole sauce is quit good. Fun to feed the fishes but you'd better keep an eye on your little ones or they might just go overboard: there's no deck rail!

This was a great place to eat. It was our first time and we have been coming to Aruba for 12 times. We will be back. Kent

Whenever my husband I travel to Aruba we always end our vacation by visiting Flying Fishbones, NOT next time!
We loved this restaurant, the atmosphere was excellent couldn't be any more closer to the water (unless you were in it!).
Our taxi driver recommended this local favorite and said you will be able to see the fish jump out of the water, well, she wasn't wrong! It was rather entertaining.
The food was excellent, the best tasting fish on the island.
After coming here, my husband has insisted we will come here again and again, and end our vacation on a pefect note by coming to Marina Pirates.

This is almost a tie with the Flying Fishbone for our favorite outdoor or beach restaurant. The only two reasons it's not # 1 is the atmosphere is one notch below the Fishbone and, althought we always order seafood, the "meat" choices are limited. I highly recommend it to everyone.

Climb down the steps and enter one of the best restaurants in Aruba! We have been going there for almost 20 years. Best WHOLE RED SNAPPER on the island!!! The host and hostess/owners are charming and graciously welcoming!!

Located just south of the airport, the environment is fabulous as you sit on a deck right ON the water. Only downsides are it is NOT wheelchair accessible (steps down) and you must have a car as it is an expensive cab ride 2 ways! Call for directions but look for the (small) signs/arrows showing the way from L.G. Smith Boulevard. It is worth looking for and more than worth the trip!!!

WE've been dining at the Marina for over 10 years on every visit to Aruba. I agree with the other reviewer that suggests you not expect meat here -- only very fresh fish and seafood prepared in Aruban style.

I estimate 95% of diners here are local as first time visitors have to have difficulty just finding it. If, however, you might enjoy sitting at a table on a large wooden deck built over the water, with underwater lights so that you can watch the fish, a beautifully set starched white table wathching the sunset under the stars -- you find a way to get directions.

WE ate here Mar 31/04 and had a fabulous meal (again) the service excellent ( as usual) and the setting romantic.

This is a must for seafood lovers. If you do not eat seafood, be sure to ask you hotel concierge for a copy of their menu. There is a very limited selection of NON seafood items.

As we ended our meal two local fishermen pulled their little boat up to the dock. The cooks came out of the kitchen and picked and choosed which fish they wanted. Fresh fish does not get any fresher than this!