The Old Man and the Sea restaurant

We dined at here while in Aruba and had a great experience. The staff Coco, Wendel and Z (bartender) were great as were everyone we encountered. The food and drinks were so good I am still thinking about it. The best meal I had on the island. Of course this location was stunning and we were able to sit on the water. The only tip I would have is to maybe try to get in around sunset as it was dark but that did not impact our experience. Should I ever visit Aruba I will definitely be back ❤️. We got some really nice photos here as well.

The grounds are absolutely amazing. I highly recommend going just to walk around and get a drink. The art is incredible, so may gorgeous walk ways, plants, mosaics, lights etc. The new bar Oliver’s is beautiful. But…… The food- no. The lobster bisque and vegetable soup tasted like they used ocean water as a base. Horribly salty. The red snapper was good the mashed potatoes were literally a block of dehydrated fake potatoes with no flavor. Their menu says Vegan, they do not have vegan dishes. It is not that hard to cook some tofu and veggies. The key lime pie was a small piece pretty sure it was frozen the crust was gross didn’t even taste like lime. The manager was very nice but begging for 5 star reviews WHILE PEOPLE WERE STILL EATING!! $200 absolutely not worth it. So disappointing because the place is incredible at night.

We had the most incredible evening at Old Man and the Sea in Aruba. From the moment you walk down the sandy path lined with palms and tiki torches, you feel like you’ve stepped into a scene from White Lotus — intimate, tropical, and effortlessly luxurious. The setting is truly unmatched. Private tables tucked into the sand under fringed umbrellas, glowing lanterns, thatched roofs, soft lighting reflecting off the water — it’s romantic, elevated, and completely transportive. The overwater villas and hammocks nearby make the entire space feel like a hidden Caribbean dream. But it’s not just beautiful — the food and service were exceptional. Every dish was fresh, beautifully presented, and full of flavor. You can tell there’s real intention behind the menu. The cocktails and wine selection were fantastic, and everything felt thoughtfully curated. We learned they recently brought in a new owner, manager, and chef — and it shows. The experience felt polished, warm, and genuinely welcoming. The manager was attentive and passionate, and the staff made us feel completely taken care of all evening. If you’re visiting Aruba and want a memorable, romantic, high-end dining experience right on the water, this is it. We went with another couple and couldn’t stop saying how special it felt. Easily one of the best dinners of our trip. We will absolutely be back.

An absolutely wonderful experience. The views are spectacular, especially at sunset—very romantic and intimate, perfect for a special evening. The food was delicious, and we heard they recently hired a new chef, which definitely shows. Manager Marilyn was incredibly helpful and such a genuinely nice person, making the night even better. After dinner, we grabbed a drink at the newly updated bar, which was beautiful and had a great atmosphere. Strongly recommended—when we go back to Aruba, we will definitely be back!

Make RESERVATIONS! This by far was one of the most romantic restaurants I have ever been to. The ambience, aesthetic, customer service was everything from the time I arrived. Everything was so top tier. The live music was so relaxing. I was there to celebrate a birthday. They came out playing the guitar and singing happy birthday was such a nice touch to the evening. I think they should have had something like writing on the plate or a smaller dessert for people celebrating an birthday or something special. They do have daily specials just inquire. After the surf and turf unfortunately my date was still hungry. Portions were small but they definitely made up for it by giving him shrimps to go along with his steak and scallops. The lychee martini was so good and tasty. I spent under $250 for two people and we both had drinks as well. NOTE: It is very hard to get the hut over water and it is also a $50 per person if you’re not staying at their property.

The most relaxing and memorable dining experience we have ever had. The private seating on the pier was better than we imagined providing the most exquisite and peaceful views of the ocean . Most importantly, the food was amazing! Everything we ordered was cooked to perfection and prepared beautifully. Service? Incredible! Everyone was friendly and attentive. The Manager, Marylynn was exceptional. A dining experience we will never forget.

The ambiance is only the beginning of this amazing restaurant. The view was beautiful and tied together with live music. Our waitress was attentive and continuously checked on us, but never once made us feel rushed. The lychee martinis were excellent. We were there celebrating my husbands birthday and they brought out staff to sing which is always appreciated. I got the catch of the day which was the red snapper and it was melt in your mouth delicious. Marilyn their manager was awesome, so kind and running such a beautiful restaurant. After dinner, we walked over to Oliver’s bar it’s the connecting new bar to the restaurant and the drinks were spot on! I come to Aruba 2-3 times a year and can definitely say we can’t wait to be back!

Our stay at AOV was a 10/10 and we will recommend to everyone! I was pleasantly surprised that the resort is unmarked- which made it feel even more special and secluded. The location was convenient to the airport and walkable to another beachfront resturant. AOV is unmached for charm and character. Every detail is intentional, so if you have an eye for design, you will love it here. The room was extremely spacious, luxurious, well-appointed, hand-picked details/decor, and had an very comfortable bed. There were many times we felt like the only people on the property- in the best way. The staff was friendly, available, attentive and helpful. Breakfast every morning was delicious and felt like an extra luxury to have delivered to our villa. The whole property was very clean. Housekeeping refreshed the room every day, making it feel like new. The onsite resturant had a special holiday menu when we were there and everything was delicious. Our couples massage was excellent as well! I would choose AOV again and again.