We absolutely adore that place. Dh and I have an Aruban friend who was born and raised there in Savaneta and now in her 20's just took her entire family for the first time. They too enjoyed their meal there very very much.

We were especially impressed the night we were eating dinner and the little Aruba fisherman's boat pulled up to the kitchen door. Orange building with low yellow wall below.

The 2 fishermen just began holding their fish up for the 2 cooks to pick and choose from the night's catch. Now IF that is not fresh fish......You also do not have to be a fish lover to dine there. I had a filet mignon the last time we were there. Admittidely it was not the finest beef I've ever had, but at a seafood restaurant I didn't expect it. We got what we paid for and I left satisfied. Our dinner was $98 for the 3 of us. We have a then 10 yo who adores calamari...Our meal-- Appetizers: Shrimp Cocktail, Fried Squid (Calamari) and Conch with Oyster Sauce, Entrees: Filet & 2 Squid (Calmari) in Garlic Sauce.

They have a new website http://www.marinapiratarestaurant.com/ They get a bad rap sometimes on slow service, but it IS Aruba. Dh, dd and I never rush through a meal and enjoy going there after dark when the water is lit and the fish come up to the top looking for snacks. The staff usually takes care of that with remnants off of customer's finished plates.

If you do decide to go, definitely make a reservation and request the corner table (will seat up to 4 I believe) on the kitchen side of the dining area.

Aruba Bound! ~ Hoosier Kitties ~ Our-Cruises ~ Blogging to Aruba
Back to paradise Trip #18
Christmas & New Years Aboard the Queen Mary 2

It's now on my list! Love that it's RIGHT there on the water, and how cool with the fisherman pulling up with the fish!

As many people have already stated, it depends on where you go to eat and how many "courses" you have.
I would say that $40 a person is about average at most decent places.
We tried Moomba Beach and Pelican's Nest this past May and was satisfied with both; also had dinner at Hadicurari, right next to Moomba Beach. Both of these last restaurants are located next to the Marriott Surf Club, and Pelican's is near Holiday Inn.
Check out "aruba discountcoupons.com" to get some discounts for meals as well as other purchases; we got a 25% off coupon for Red Sail Scuba lesson and dive. You just have to register for free. But we must have saved about $200 using their coupons.
Another site to visit is "visitaruba.com/plus" for another discount program. You have to pay a small fee (under $20) and you get a booklet with coupons that can add up to a few hundred dollars -depending on how much you use it. I used it a few times and must have saved at least $100 on the Let's Go Latin Show, Horseback riding, Amazonia, Pelican Nest, Moomba Beach, Salt n Pepper, Blossoms, Sbarro, Jolly Pirate's Snorkel trip, plus some shopping in town.

I read that the French Steakhouse still offers the 5 course dinner. The menu online does not reflect this. In fact all of the menus online led me to believe that you could not get a dinner in Aruba for less than $30 an entree. Are the online prices inflated?

Thanks to all of you. This is great information. We really appreciate all of your reviews and comments. Keep them coming! One more question for all of you....coming in February so when do we need to make our reservations for those "special" restaurants?

February is high season and Carnival. Definetly make advance reservations for your "special restaurants".

3 1/2 weeks in Aruba Dec. 16, '08 - Jan. 9, '09
Aruba since 1985