KOAL Restaurant

KOAL is an absolute must-visit in Aruba! From the moment we walked in, we were greeted by a wonderful host who made us feel so welcome. The atmosphere is relaxed and comfortable, perfect for enjoying a nice evening without feeling rushed. The food was outstanding—every dish was full of flavor and beautifully prepared. You can really tell the chef puts passion and creativity into everything that comes out of the kitchen. It felt special without being pretentious, which we really loved. Overall, it was one of the best dining experiences we’ve had on the island. Great food, amazing chef, and such warm hospitality.

What an experience! Tom and Chef Albert are the ultimate hosts. How can I describe our evening there? It’s like part dinner party, part cooking class demo. All of the food was prepared to perfection and tasted delicious. The wine pairings were spot on. They rotate the menu multiple times a year. We look forward to retuning again to see and taste the new offerings.

I had the absolute pleasure of dining at KOAL while in Aruba, and it was a fantastic, one of kind experience from start to finish! This is a chef's table restaurant with a prefix menu where each course is prepared, explained, and served directly by the chef. Tom, our host, provided exceptional hospitality, making us feel welcomed and well-cared for throughout the evening. His suggestions for wine pairings were spot on, and everything he recommended was absolutely delicious, perfectly complementing the flavors of each course. Albert, the chef, truly outdid himself with a spectacular 5-course menu that left us speechless. Every dish was amazing, thoughtfully crafted and bursting with flavors that were a pleasure to eat. The attention to detail in both the presentation and the taste of each course was remarkable. It was clear that Albert's passion for culinary excellence shines through in every dish. It was also nice chatting with Albert at the end of the evening, learning about his experience and time on the island. The atmosphere of KOAL is warm, inviting, and perfectly complements the incredible dining experience. This restaurant is a must-visit for anyone looking for a memorable culinary experience in Aruba. I cannot recommend KOAL enough—an absolute gem! We will definitely be back.

Incredible Chef's Table experience in a fast-growing neighborhood in Aruba. There is a ton of history here. From my understanding, this is an older Dutch/historic building that has been transformed into one of Aruba's premier destination restaurants. I am from the Northeast USA and have done a handful of tasting menus in New Jersey, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and even Washington DC. KOAL can stand amongst even them. Tom, our host, I must say, it felt like by the end of the dinner we had become close friends. Imparting to me his story, his passion, and how he came to be involved with Chef Albert—who, also, felt like he was becoming my close friend. Incredible food, but I must say that that hospitality I experienced here is among the very best of any fine dining experience I've ever had. When I return to Aruba, Tom and Albert will certainly be receiving another reservation request from me.

Tom and Albert blew us all away last night. A luxurious and delicious 5 course meal satisfied every craving I had. The short rib was fantastic and the tenderloin was one of the most tender I have ever had. For me, the star was the soup. Hands down the best soup of any kind I have ever had. I can't recommend Koal enough. This is a must try spot in Aruba.

This is of the finest meals I have ever eaten. Albert and Tom were tremendous hosts. The food was so good I would say each dish may have Ben the best thing I ate while I was in Aruba. If you want a fine dining experience book this. No questions asked. Reservations are needed and fill up way in advance.

Having been to Aruba four times, Koal was truly our best dining experience to date. From the moment we walked in, Chef Albert Raven and Tom Rensen made us feel like welcome friends. Chef Albert's mastery of his craft is incredible. His work is so intentional, and it's not just about technique; he thinks about how each dish will have the perfect taste, texture, and presentation while also telling a good story. I loved hearing him speak about his dishes. The salmon mosaic, for example, was a work of art. The way he subtly hinted at a sushi roll, with the delicate, non-raw salmon beautifully formed and a green miso puree that resembled wasabi, was brilliant. It was clever without being pretentious and showed a level of culinary storytelling that we haven't seen before. Tom's warm and down-to-earth hospitality, combined with Albert's passion, created a truly unique and intimate atmosphere. My husband and I left having made great connections with other diners and had so much fun. It felt less like a restaurant and more like an unforgettable dinner party. We will always go back to Koal on every trip to Aruba.

This is one of those rare reviews where 5 stars just doesn’t seem like enough. The Koal restaurant is not just a restaurant, it’s an entire EXPERIENCE that knocked my socks off and that I have a feeling will remain in my top 3 culinary experiences for a really long time. We were a large party celebrating a friend’s birthday and made the reservation months in advance. From the moment we reserved, the restaurant remained in contact with us to check on food allergies and to ensure the menu being served was something everyone could enjoy. The establishment itself is set in a very unassuming area (you can totally think you’re in the wrong place but the Koal sign tells you otherwise) and is nestled within an old Aruban building near the downtown area. Yet when you are welcomed in by the head chef you’re immediately transported to a venue worthy of a Food Network show being filmed in. The kitchen and dining area are all one and there is a quaint courtyard out back where you are invited to sip complimentary bubbles and enjoy the beautiful evening weather before dinner service begins. The chefs do a spectacular job of explaining the service - menu, recommended wine pairing options for each course and the flow. When I tell you the explanation of each course made my mouth water it’s not a lie … but my mouth wasn’t prepared in the least bit for what each and every morsel of this food would taste like … HANDS DOWN THE BEST FOOD I’VE HAD IN MY LIFE! There’s honestly nothing I did not absolutely LOVE! Everything was PERFECT! And if that’s not enough, the chefs have personalities perfect for this type of dining experience as they are able to organically engage with everyone, have witty senses of humor and are pretty easy on the eyes too. If you’re in Aruba and looking for a unique experience this is it! We can’t wait to visit again on our next trip.