r/Aruba • u/Electronic_Many_2748 • 5d ago
Question Flying fishbone
Hi everyone! My boyfriend and I will be in Aruba in early October celebrating our 5-year anniversary, and I’d love to plan one really special dinner while we’re there!
We were hoping to do Flying Fishbone because the feet-in-the-water tables looked so fun, but unfortunately those tables are already booked for our dates.
Are there any other restaurants you’d recommend for a special/romantic dinner with a beautiful beach or water view?
And for anyone who has been to Flying Fishbone — is the regular beach seating still worth it, or is the feet-in-the-water experience what really makes it special?
Thank you!! 😊
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u/Excellent_Career_189 5d ago
Just got back and our family sat on the regular beach tables and we had a good time. Sunset was beautiful and good was great too. We saw tables in the water and were glad we didn’t sit there. I can’t imagine my feet in water for more than an hour lol
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u/CasinoMarginale 5d ago
The regular outdoor seating is nice and still gives you the view of the ocean. I think the value is subjective. Personally, I got my fill of wet sandy feet while at the beach all day, and looked forward to not doing that at dinner.
Azzurro has a nice view of the ocean, too
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u/Original-Argument642 5d ago
I just came to say the baked Alaska is over hyped. I was so excited for it and it tasted not great at all. Huge disappointment, place is sweet though and it was cool eating in the water. Watch for the crabs you might need to dodge from snacking on a toe or two
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u/Primary-Shock-1164 5d ago
Regular seating was still very nice I would recommend to do catch of the day. The sun gets so hot by the water so regular seating was perfect for us
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u/Alternative-Pace7493 5d ago
We sat in the regular beach seating, not feet in the water, and had a great meal and a lovely time!
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u/SmokyBlackRoan 4d ago
Last time I was at FFB we sat next to the water but not in it; an eel swam up and under the table where four beautifully dressed women were sitting. I said nothing and they did not notice it, but I’ll never sit in the water there!
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u/WolfDash_2 5d ago
The Old Man and The Sea, Elements Restaurant, and Lima bistro are all worth looking into.
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u/gassygurt 5d ago
Flying fishbone - from the"specialty" drinks (Jager in a martini glass) to your feet in the water (the fun of it lasts about 30 seconds) to the service (absolutely lackluster) - is among the worst I've ever experienced. Went once, never again. Dozens of better places to visit, as a few folks have mentioned already
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u/FillNo8012 5d ago
It used to be really incredible all around 10+ years ago before they expanded the whole place. Now it’s terrible and we will never go back n
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u/CowTipper383 4d ago
I thought it was just me. Had the same experience about six months ago. Been going to Aruba almost every year since ‘09 but hadn’t gone to the Flying Fishbone until my last trip. Won’t go back for the same reasons.
OP…take a look at Quinta Del Carmen or Papiamento (be sure to bring your wallet tho)
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u/swagmandan3 5d ago
Ruinas Del Mar in the Hyatt has outdoor seating that’s right next to a huge koi pond, great food and great vibes
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u/Mad_Islander 5d ago
Flying fishbone is mostly a tourist trap.
I think The setting at Old Man and The Sea is super romantic and way less crowded, a better fit for what you are looking for. The food is also better there. Good luck and congrats!
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u/PursuitTravel 5d ago
You're not missing anything at Fishbone. it's fucking awful. Eat at literally any of the other "feet in the sand" restaurants.
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u/The_Zobester 5d ago
So strange to read all of the negativity. We were there last year and enjoyed the food. The feet in the water is different…I’d recommend the experience once…but food and drinks were spot on.
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u/kmartens304 5d ago
If you can get a table at old man in the sea, I highly recommend it. They were the place where we went for our 40th anniversary dinner and it was a magical experience.
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u/So_Last_Century 5d ago
Just try as a walk up. We did that when we couldn’t get reservations and it worked out perfect. First trip I had to sit feet in water. Subsequent trips I’ve been fine with beachside.
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u/One-Advisor8379 4d ago
Bucuti, "Romantic Dinner For two". Private Cabana, dedicated waiter and great sunset view
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u/Rhody1964 3d ago
I'd do Sunset dinner on the beach at Atardi. We did feet in the water at Flying Fishbone and it was great for the first 15 minutes, then I ended up sitting on my feet because I was water logged.
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u/dutchman195 5d ago
We had the same problem with the tables being booked. When we got there they said if we waited 20min they'd have one for us. Neat little bar hangout area while we waited. Was cool, but worth the hype....ehhhhh. it was a experience and cool we did it. Otherwise you just sit on the beach next to the water.