Aruba Beach Cafe Menu

  • Hot Appetizers
  • Soup
  • Salads
  • Entrees
  • Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Desserts

Healthy Meal suggestions for Aruba Beach Cafe

  • Hot Appetizers
  • Soup
  • Salads
  • Entrees
  • Sandwiches
  • Sides
  • Desserts

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  • Jim B.

    Having a splendid time at Aruba Beach Cafe with its great view of the Atlantic and superior service behind the bar. Keagan and Jessy rock! Fun, friendly, courteous and good at their jobs. I highly reco going there. Tell the Jimmy B from B-Lo says hello !

    (4)
  • Vivanna T.

    Service was excellent. Everyone was happy friendly smiling and engaged. Food was delicious. Had a non typical dish for this restaurant and it was superb... chicken teriyaki can't wait to go back.

    (5)
  • Patricia S.

    I love this place. When I come here I have to visit the Aruba Cafe. The staff was friendly, the sea food soup is delicious. Live music. I had a fun evening.

    (4)
  • Glenn D.

    This place is awesome. I spent two weeks in south Florida and went there three times. It's a perfect location right on the beach. The decore is great and atmosphere was very lively. Live music and nice crowd. I loved the food especially the seared Ahi Tuna. There were three bartenders, Keagan, Kristen and another but I forgot her name. They were all business running around helping all the bar patrons, at the same time being very social. They made great recommendations for food and drinks as well. Great place for lunch and some drinks.

    (5)
  • Erica N.

    We had a good time at this place until it was time to pay. The food was great. The service was great. But when it came time to split the bill, the manager was really rude about us splitting. He told us to pay cash. They gave us a lame excuse any that only a little old lady runs the cash register and it's too much for her to handle. like really? Last time I checked we were in the 21st century. A place as large as that should have better technology. Also they were out of the Bimini bread that I heard so much about! They said they were out and couldn't make more. Complete BS. Will not come back. I will try the other nice, UPDATED restaurants on Lauderdale by the sea.

    (2)
  • Gina C.

    Came here for Sunday lunch with a big party and was seated right away. Service was decent, but didn't think the food was anything special. Ordered the Lobster Club Sandwich. It was okay. Not dying to go back, but if I'm in the area may go back for the view.

    (3)
  • Daniel F.

    Seafood quesadilla was full of all types seafood not just a couple of tinny shrimp like othe places. Scallops wrapped in bacon were crispy and beautifully presented. The side house salad was almost like a dinner salad...with shredded raw beets a first and will certainly a new item at salads at home. The bimini bread is huge! But overall location location location. Will be eating here more often when we come to Lauderdale by the sea beach.

    (4)
  • Ted S.

    I am not one to write bad reviews unless it was just bad so please don't think I am one of those people. Ohhh Aruba how I want to give you a better rating. I have held off on this review for a couple visits just hoping things would be different the next time around. First let's start with trying to get a drink. Two couples sitting at the middle bar so I decided to grab a drink while waiting for my table. I stood there for 15min before someone even looked at me even though the bartender walked by me twenty times at least. Well by the time she asked me of I would like a drink my table was ready... Got to the table got my drink and ordered and appetizer of the crab cakes and half order of the sweet bread. Sweet bread was out in just a few short minutes. The crab cakes never came. When the sweet bread arrived I went ahead and ordered the special which was steak and lobster. Sounds great right?? Well I am still waiting for the crab cakes and here comes my dinner. Ugh what a way to ruin my dinner but an over cooked steak and the lobster tail was even over done. I only ate half of my steak and one bite out of my lobster tail. The reason I am giving this place even two stars if for the view. Can't beat it. I have been here before and have had great food and great service but not sure what is going on the last couple times I have been. I prob will not chance it again unless it's someone's bday and they ask to go there

    (2)
  • Teresa D.

    Awesome atmosphere, food and service! We had the ahi tuna and the cabo fish tacos. Everything was very fresh and tasty. The service was hands down amazing. Our server, Mike M. was probably one of the best servers we have ever experienced. He was extremely attentive and professional. We highly recommend this place and you can't beat the view!

    (5)
  • Renee R.

    It was my birthday again and I was on the hunt for the place I wanted to enjoy some good food and company. After much yelping and asking around I decided on Aruba Beach Cafe in Fort Lauderdale. Aruba Beach Cafe is located in Lauderdale by the Sea which is known for it's night time activity. It offers Caribbean, seafood and pub food menus. We attempted to get there for 8.30 on a Friday night, hoping to beat the early dinner crowd and beat the late dinner crowd. I called before and was informed that they do not do reservations, it is a first come first serve basis. Not too bad since the group was not over 6 people. We got there later than expected and the area was already crowded. Fortunately, the restaurant offers Valet parking for $5. The restaurant was packed. It was also a cold night so no one really wanted to be seated outside. Though it was full it did not take them more than ten minutes to get us seated. I was a bit disappointed that as we were being seated the band was packing up but the house music was also entertaining. We quickly dived into ordering some drinks. I got the pomegranate martini. It was very strong but not that great of a drink. My sister had a margarita and that was very good. Another good drink was the Bahama Mama. Our orders came out rather quickly, as I said the place was full to capacity. So that was good. After chatting for a bit we opted to start with some appetizers as all of our party was not there yet. We decided to try the conch fritters, coconut shrimp and the bimini half loaf. I am not usually a fan of coconut shrimp as most times there is way more coconut than shrimp in the batter, but these had a nice balance. It was not oily or had that over powering coconut taste. There batter also complimented and not hid the shrimp. The key lime sauce though was a No!! Conch fritters are another dish that is a scary try. Again this was good. The outside was crunch but the inside was very moist. They did not skimp on the conch. There was a nice balance of conch and batter and flavor. The Bimini bread wasn't any different to me than any normal homemade bread. It was good though but nothing special. I did not try it with the garlic butter they provided and as I do not eat butter (I can see you making that "you are weird face") Then it was time for dinner. The restaurant really offers a range of dishes for you to choose from. There were soups, salads, burgers, Asian infused, Caribbean, Italian. There was no reason someone could not find something they wanted. One thing to note is that the kitchen closes at 11pm. I find that very strange considering that the place seems like it stays very lively until late into the night. I had the seafood quesadilla and it was amazing!! I was actually very surprised when I divide in. It was packed with seafood and seasoned very well. I stole some of my sisters stir fry and it was amazing. Somewhere under there is some rice. The flavor of the sea food with the ginger is to die for. I was very happy that she was unable to eat all of it and I got to take it home with me. It is surely a try. The pizza was ordered as an appetizer because it is listed as such, but when it came out it became my friend's entree because of the size. She had no complaints. By the time we were done eating and chatting and getting ready to stand we realized that the place was packed even more. Another live band had set up at the front and people were partying. The atmosphere at this place is no way a come and dine quietly, but the noise is not overpowering to the dinner crowd. I was very happy I selected Aruba Beach Cafe. The service was good, food was tasty, portion sizes were big, drinks were decent. Some may find it a little pricey but as I mentioned portions are large. Service was very good. Our server Sam was very very pleasant. I have now added this restaurant to my list of returns. I need to experience outside on the deck and see the water

    (5)
  • Kelly H.

    This is a great spot for when friends come from out-of-town and they want a restaurant on the beach. I definitely enjoyed my experience here more than at Angelin's which is next door to Aruba. We went later in the evening on a Monday and had no problem getting in. Our waiter was great - very helpful, always available and extremely friendly. He also was very accommodating to what we wanted to do - 3 friends split an entree and all order sides. There was live music - it was great! It wasn't too loud and he was a good entertainer. We ordered the seafood trio and the serving was HUGE. I'm not sure how one human eats the entire thing, but they said it happens all of the time. We had delicious scallops, shrimp and two large filets of fresh fish. It was a little over seasoned, but it was still good. It was served with veggies, rice and black beans. We also ordered house salads, which were great in comparison to other restaurants. My friend got the Key Lime pie and said it was amazing - the presentation was beautiful. I ordered some of the bread - not that impressed. Especially when you have to pay for it. The bread itself was soft and not bad, but the butter was hard and tasted more like a freezer than butter. I think my biggest thing with Aruba is their prices - obviously I know seafood is more expensive, but their drinks, sides, desserts were all pricey. You are definitely paying for the view, not the food. I guess that's understood, but for the price I just expected a little more. I'm sure I'll be back at some point though!

    (3)
  • Yvette R.

    I love this place !would have to say its not five star but it is a grill type of atmosphere so I would definitely say don't order the quesadilla that's kind of not a good choice but there's coconut shrimp is really yummy and there B me bread is really delicious and the atmosphere is really nice they've got a variety of ages and everybody just fits in perfectly the waitresses all seem very attentive the music is very good and well played they have live bands I think throughout the day and at night the weekends is really happening and they have breakfast the same as well and they have valet parking and it gets really crowded on the weekends it faces the ocean so if you want to get good seats with a window seat to the ocean and people watch because the beach is right there that'd be your best bet overall I gave it 4 stars because of the location the atmosphere and the food is you know so so but im telling you those shrimps are really good the coconut shrimp. Try that and I've tried some others things I'd say stick to the seafood they also have dancing on the weekends maybe even during the weekdays I'm not sure

    (4)
  • Lydia L.

    My favorite place on Lauderdale by the Sea. Great menu, happy hour. The ambience is amazing. Popular hangout for local.et many great locals. Great live music evening and dancing. Try the Bimini bread, delicious!

    (5)
  • Cristina W.

    This restaurant is literally, right on the beach. You can actually kick away sand on your toes, as you munch on yummy bar food. It was great. The music, atmosphere, food, etc. Definitely very touristy, but worth it. I loved the location and the ambiance. Drinks were very good as well.

    (5)
  • MICHELLE C.

    What is not to love about this place. Located right on the beach, live music daily, fun crowd, and really good food. When I lived in Broward we came here often. Even Miami Beach does not have anything right on the beach like this. They often have events tied into the restaurant on the beach as well. This past weekend for Memorial Day they had a pig roast. What fun! I did not make it out for it but I am sure it was a blast. Plenty seating both inside and out, nice sized bar and very clean restrooms. My only disappointment were the cocktails, I felt they were on the weak side. They were good just light. I had a margarita and vodka blueberry lemonade. We started with some coconut shrimp that were excellent. Breaded to perfection, good size shrimp, oh yes they were delicious. Then I had the crab cake sandwich and my friend had the bacon salmon sandwich. His sandwich was huge and he loved it. My crab cake sandwich was fresh, good flavor, slightly overcooked but good flavor. The fries are very good. Service was very friendly and attentive. This place is always so much fun. Great live music, fun crowd, reasonably priced. Yes it's not Miami prices that's for sure. Parents with small children, not really a place for young kids. It is a bar with sun, alcohol, and people getting rowdy having fun so maybe go to McDonalds. Put some more alcohol in those drinks next time Mr. Bartender. Great place!

    (4)
  • A W.

    I had a very good experience going to this place. Its right on the beach and the view of the ocean is simply breathtaking. The place was packed on a Friday evening for happy hour when I went with a group. The drinks and appetizers for the happy hour are awesome and the portions are huge. I would recommend the seafood, its delicious. Wait staff is nice and friendly and they were always checking on our tables. There is also a live music band playing. The only thing that I would recommend to get to this place is pay the $10 parking on the private lots around this place as you are most likely going to have a great time here and not leave wanna this place.

    (5)
  • Cynthia G.

    I think the previous reviews were either under a different chef or the people who reviewed have never had really good food before. (Sorry) I had a (tiny) mojito that was below average and barely had alcohol in it. I had the fish tacos as my entree. They were basically tacos you make at home with the shredded cheese from the bag, the soft tortilla from a box, and just 2 huge chunks of fish that had absolutely NO flavor. Super disappointing. The Bimini bread was ok... I wouldn't go here again at all. Ever. Sorry.

    (1)
  • Jenna B.

    The experience was wonderful! Special thanks to Mark! He was a fantastically accommodating for a group that is in the businesses of service. Thank you.

    (5)
  • Mindy B.

    I know, I know, it's too "touristy." In fact, I discovered this place AS a tourist vacationing here from Los Angeles. But living here 9 yrs now, I bring MY out-of-town guests here all the time, and they (& I) LOVE it! I love the huge cocktail selection, the lobster roll, & the bimini bread (a MUST have). But the real reason we go is the view during the day. Smack dab on the beach with an endless ocean in view from most of the tables. You do have to deal with the "what were they thinking?" men wearing speedos & tanning, but just look past them, to the ocean ...

    (4)
  • Jordan V.

    The 4 *'s is for acknowledgment of mistake made, and rectification of the fact. An unexpected these days. Aruba was recommended to us and we went on a busy weekend night, due to circumstances, otherwise I would have preferred a weeknight. Place packed, service was attentive but our waitress was a bit slammed, understandable. We ordered a app to split and two mains + drinks. I had read from other reviews prepare to wait but food is worth it. Waited, and waited. Mains arrived but no appetizer. CXLED the app and accepted the mains. My food was pretty tasty: fish, husband's looked like what it was... a sandwich. The MOD Carlos was very professional and apologized for the oversight and made up for the mistake. Waitress stressed her apologies as well. We will return for the food and knowing the staff can take care of the clientele, however will try on a weekday next time around.

    (4)
  • Chelsea K.

    You can't get any better in Florida than a seafood restaurant that's LITERALLY on the beach. I always tell people, "Take commercial until you hit sand; it's on your left." Parking is always an issue here, but let's just face it... that's always the case when you go to the beach. Bring $5, and just valet. I've never had an issue with their services, and they are pretty quick with getting your car back (unless it's a Friday night). The view is great. If you can swing dining during sunset, it's just gorgeous - great for a date night. They almost always have live music. So if you like to dance, this is a great place. The food is great, in my opinion. Is it a tad pricey? Yes. Again, it's seafood and you are ON the beach; it comes with the territory. The Lobster Salad is wonderful. They don't scrimp on the Lobster. The Lobster Bisque is wonderful - great lobster flavor. I absolutely love their seafood quesadillas. They come with shrimp, crab, scallops, etc. with guacamole, jalapeños and sour cream. So yummy and only $14! My mom's favorite is their seafood alfredo... and she is a VERY pick eater. And if you can, order a side of fries. They have a great texture to them. Their drinks are OK. Honestly, it depends on who makes them. Prices are OK. Not cheap, but not too expensive. To my knowledge, I cannot remember ever having bad service. Most of the time, the servers are very knowledgable and accommodating. Definitely check it out, especially if you have family in town. It's a great way of showcasing Florida - the food, fun and the beach!

    (5)
  • Suzanne K.

    This place just didn't do it for me. We waited over half an hour for a table (the balloon system is novel but flawed- especially on a very windy night) and the food was just ok. And rather pricey. Wouldn't go out of my way to eat here again.

    (3)
  • Natalie R.

    I must say I was very impressed! I called to get an estimate for the wait time for a party of two. I was told 15-20mins. When we got there the place was jammed packed. The hostess advised me it would be about a 30 min wait. We actually waited 15 mins. Service was quick and great. The food was delicious. A place I'll eat at again.

    (5)
  • Diana B.

    The blackened mahi sandwich is perfection. Love the ambiance and the view of the beach and pier. Such a fun time , always.

    (5)
  • Victor A.

    Aruba is Awesome. ;)

    (5)
  • Lauren P.

    Can't beat the view here. Went here on a Saturday night in October and had no wait to be seated outside even though the place was packed. They had live music which was nice but pretty loud, which is why we opted for outdoor seating. The server was nice and the food came quickly. All four of us ordered quesadillas, two chicken and two seafood. It was average, but nothing that warranted the price they were charging. I guess you're mostly paying for the view/atmosphere. We'll probably try the other places in the area instead of making a return trip next year.

    (3)
  • Ellie M.

    The music was loud, very hard to communicate with everyone at the table. The food however, was very good an the service was excellent

    (3)
  • D M.

    Use to come here with family while in Lauderdale. Aruba hasn't changed much but area has def picked up. Sat at back bar where it is dark and cooler (temperature) plus better bar seats. Bartender was very nice and attentive. Had the conch soup (good) and the jerked mahi sandwich which was tasty and plentiful. French fries were the fake ones so they should upgrade. Great bar/restaurant to watch people and the beach (which is right out the door). The also had live music. Wednesday afternoon and place was packed. Perfect place for beach area. Plus the pier and area have been upgraded with colorful chairs/benches. Usually music at night.

    (4)
  • Manny N.

    Good food on the beach, great vibe. They have one of the best spots on this beach. Bit pricey and tourist infested but worth it, for sure.

    (4)
  • Andres A.

    Came in for lunch after a day and the beach and had the Black Forest sandwich which was amazing and huge! The services was great. The view of the water to die for! I will defiantly be coming back here during my next stay in Florida.

    (5)
  • Dominique H.

    Father's Day breakfast and it was the most revolting disgusting buffet I've ever experienced. Actually spat out scrambled eggs they tasted so bad. The rest was just slop with no effort to presentation. Hash browns were slop, cheese blitzes were a mound of congealed slop. So many people gorging on slops it was nauseating. We left and went to Athena's up the street. They offered no a la carte. Last time we were here we had a good meal and fabulous cosmos. Avoid the buffet at all costs. Zero quality

    (2)
  • Dennis F.

    Aruba's is a great place to bring out of town guests or just have a great meal right on the beach. The menu has something for everyone and we always leave happy as a clam!! (See how I worked a seafood pun in there?) Anywho, we love coming here. Last time, my son went fishing on the pier while we ordered apps.

    (4)
  • Gabby Z.

    The seafood soup is delicious and they also do.a great job with the drinks. Also very delicious escargoes, mahi tacos, coconut shrimp.

    (5)
  • Sheila H.

    We ordered the bread (super yummy), nachos, quesadilla, kids chicken tenders, and fried shrimp. Everything was delicious! Would have liked to have had more vegetarian options such as a veggie burger or add tofu to the nachos. Everything was tasty!

    (4)
  • Bella S.

    I really liked this place, beautiful location, we sat right by a very large window overlooking the beach, great food, lots of laughs, I like that is was loud and obnoxious and everyone in the restaurant seemed to be having a good time. You ever been to some restaurants where its so quiet someone busts out laughing or a kid cries and everyone looks around. Well, this isn't like that! LOL. I ordered the crab cakes for appetizer and the shrimp dinner was my entree everything was yum. My husband ordered the blackened mahi maui with scallops and shrimp and everything was delicious. Everyone at my table enjoyed their food, except my cousin but thats because he ordered chicken at a seafood spot I mean where they do that at? LOL jk :-) Try it, it's good!

    (5)
  • Jessica M.

    Went here last night and it was awesome! There are multiple bars inside and we got seated right away with a gorgeous view of the ocean. Our food came literally in 5 minutes. Great place to chill and grab some drinks!

    (5)
  • Gina P.

    Awesome spot. Amazing beach views. They always have good music and great drinks. The Bimini bread is delicious as well as the escargot (I know that seems weird but they are good). My complaint: parking is a serious pain I always park down the ways and pay at a meter or the have valet that charges you $5. A must go if your in the lauderdale by the sea area.

    (3)
  • bhanu V.

    Lovely location no doubt. But. The food tasted much better than what the others had said. We had the calamari for appetizers, muscles and the seafood Alfredo , they were all good. Be careful when you sit outside,often the birds in the tree take a dump and they did that to me twice.

    (4)
  • Joseph N.

    I saw a friend check in here on the book of faces about a month ago. I've wanted to come and check it out ever since. I finally got my chance today. It was a quick lunch. But we both wanted an ocean view. For the view - there isn't any place I've been to in So. Fla that is better. So beautiful and right on the beach. Fantastic. I have two issues that were really annoying. Parking. Parking sucks here. Sucks for everyone. They have a lot that I was totally okay with paying $5 for. Oops, apparently I have an oversized car - so $8. For lunch? No way! I drive a Toyota Prerunner - an old one - so it's much smaller than most SUVs these days. It was extra obnoxious because there were plenty of spaces in their lot unused. So I drove out of the lot for street parking. $3 for 3 hours. If you can find one - it's worth it. And insult to injury there's a huge sign asking you to tip on top of the high cost of valet for a restaurant. Boo. So I park. I go in and ask for a table. There are TONS of open tables. TONS. Lots along the windows. Lots on the patio. The place has definitely not hit it's lunch rush yet. BUT - my friend hasn't arrived and so I have to wait. I really hate this policy. I get it when the restaurant is busy. I get it when the place is small. But it makes no sense when the place is empty and everyone is waiting for people to arrive. Seat me. I would have ordered a drink and an appetizer and what's wrong with that? So I'm pretty grumpy at this point over parking and not being seated. So I'm sitting at the bar and order my drink. The bartenders were fantastic. Friendly, warm, conversational. AND there's this great thing where you get HALF OFF at the bar during lunch on any food up to $12.99. Anything over is $6.50 off except for the expensive stuff (which you're probably not getting for lunch anyway!). That's a great deal and not well known. We just did appetizers. Jerk Chicken Wings, Pork Dumplings and a Blacked Chicken Quesadilla. All excellent. Thanks to the half off food at the bar this was a very cheap lunch!

    (3)
  • Scott F.

    I've been going to Aruba's for awhile now and it's my favorite place on the beach by far! The staff is amazing, just recently my sister was in town and we sat at the middle bar and ordered Sunday fun-day morning drinks from Jessy, one of the bartenders and had a great time. Jessy was great as usual (she's served me many times) but so is their whole staff! I think they are all great and it shows that management is on point too. Cheers to Aruba's and I look forward to many more great times! p.s. The food is amazing! :)

    (5)
  • Barry M.

    Be prepared to wait for your food but honestly it is worth the wait. Our party got the seafood Alfredo, blackened trio, seafood quesadilla, teriyaki salmon, & Mahi Mahi . The consensus vote was the teriyaki salmon was the best. our party also got apple pie, pineapple upside down cake, key lime pie, lava cake, coconut rum cheesecake, keoke coffee and the aruba beach coffee. The apple pie was the consensus winner. Best apple pie I have ever had & I typically don't care for apple pie. Of note, our waitress was not on her game. Not sure if we got the typical or not but we went for the food and my review focuses obviously on the food.

    (5)
  • Roberto B.

    This place is a mixed bag of goodness but all that glitters is not gold. Its number one appeal is it sits right on the cozy little beach in the hamlet of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea; which even though it's smack in the middle of metropolitan Fort Lauderdale, is quite small townzy in feel and appearance. Aruba's is the local beach shack where you get traditional bar food but be forewarned, with so many other mom and pop places abounding on Commercial Boulevard with abundant and tasty portions, Aruba's food to me tasted more reconstituted, previously frozen and smaller than the other establishments plates when it comes to substance. The food tasted OK, but it wasn't run back to and try again - despite the beautiful beachside view of sand, sea and waves. Oh, and by the way, I don't know if it's a standard there, but they wanted to charge my guest and I extra to sit outside near the beach - as if.

    (2)
  • Maria C.

    Fabulous cheeseburger, great service, awesome band, and a great crowd on a Friday night. Overall, a nice atmosphere. The stained glass fish chandeliers are whimsical and fun. Glad I came to this spot during my vacation!

    (5)
  • Linda Z.

    As a South Florida local and a foodie I highly recommend Aruba Beach Cafe. The food has been consitent ever since I first discovered the restaurant over 10 years ago. The fresh ingredients make all the difference in every dish. I have so many favorites, from the seafood soup to the Jamaican Jerk wings, to the best burgers on the beach. The chef is truly amazing.... just try some of his daily specials! This is the only restaurant that is directly on the beach. So the view is outstanding. After spending the day on the beach you can walk to have lunch or dinner only a few steps away. And then return to your spot on the sand. The happy hour is indeed "happy"!! .. music included! You just can't loose with great food and a fantastic view. I brought my relatives from England there on their last visit.. and they absolutely loved it! I am bringing them back to Aruba Beach Cafe in September to enjoy one of the best beach cafes in South Florida!

    (5)
  • Pat S.

    This review is for their memorial day party. We loved their deal of getting a free pass through the buffet with every drink purchase. I only bought water bottles but still got buffet ticket. For a free buffet we were pleasantly surprised with the variety and quality of food. The beach was of course packed but the music and buffet made our day. We took a stroll down the pier and went back through the buffet later and while quantities were running low still got filled up. Thanks Arubas for a fun beach party!

    (4)
  • Melanie A.

    Helllllloooo Aruba's! A bunch of us came in here on a Friday night and were seated immediately (yesssss). I ordered a martini which was ehh and I had the seafood fra diavolo. It was pretty good but I mean not the greatest quality of fish. What can I expect from Aruba's though? This is a traditional Florida restaurant. It's right on the water and a hot tourist spot. Can't expect much from this place. They had live music and it was definitely a packed house. Our server was great and all & all it was not a bad meal.

    (4)
  • Diana N.

    I have enjoyed a wonderful dinner at Aruba a few times. This has got to be one of my favorite places- EVER! The restaurant is located right on the sand, with beautiful beach views. Each time I have visited they have had a live band, and a small group of happy people dance while waiting for a table, or enjoying a drink. Their food is phenomenal. Seafood cooked to perfection. Once your tummy is satisfied, you can take a nice romantic walk down the large fishing pier which is steps away from the restaurant. This is the perfect place for a date night in Ft. Lauderdale Beach.

    (5)
  • John-Michael Q.

    Me second time visiting Aruba and it was amazing! On the recommendation of our bartender Jessie my friend abd I had the oysters. They were incredible, so fresh, so good! The service was outstanding. The bar was quite busy, but the bartenders Jessie and Katie never missed a beat and made us feel right at home. We tried a couple shots they suggested and feel in love with them. Jessie is the master mixologist! We will most certainly be back very soon!

    (5)
  • Victoria S.

    Great spot right by the beach area in Ft.Lauderdale. Order the nachos with melted blue crab! Very good! Their salads are not as fresh, ordered the shrimp Louie and they put imitation crab when it says in the menu fresh seafood?! Overall fantastic place by the beach with great music.

    (4)
  • Andy T.

    My food was fresh and tasted good. There is a wonderful view of the beach from almost every seating. There are lots of servers and busboys so you get quick service and the wait staff is very attentive. By the way, the male servers are nice eye candy if that interests you. The one annoyance that dropped them down one star are the hostesses. They are real Bulldogs. They will absolutely not seat you before official opening time. The doors are open and you can stand around inside but they will not seat you. They also will absolutely not seat you unless your entire party is there staring them in the face. Sunday brunch I wanted brunch and my friend wanted lunch. They have no overlap. They almost wouldn't seat us because he wanted lunch which didn't begin for another 20 minutes.

    (3)
  • Kevin C.

    Well that was an awesome time. Shout out to Laura for being so awesome for all of us on my bachelor Party weekend. Cheers, we'll be back.

    (4)
  • HB B.

    Fantastic location, fantastic view and even better service. All of the staff is extremely friendly, and our bartender Keagan was exceptional. Knowledgeable and her food and drink recommendations were spot on. Thank you to everyone at Aruba for making our day a great experience.

    (5)
  • Marvin C.

    A total fword disaster. From walking in to getting out food, over 30 minutes. We were talking so we barely saw the time go by. We tried to flag a waiter and we get "that's not my section, i'll get you someone" When that never happened, we moved on to the bar hoping the bartender would provide faster service. Indeed we got faster service but the bartender had NO idea what was on the menu or even what to recommend. When asked how come, we get "I don't eat here" Bartender was very athletic unlike us so we assumed that was why. As we waiting for our food the couple next to us returned their plate which had shrimp in it that we saw the smelling moments earlier. I ordered a mojito, came in the smallest glass I ever had a mojito which to me was a rip off. Wasn't impress with the drink itself either. As we're waiting for our food there were bugs hovering over the lemon/lime box over the bar. Food came out, my quesedilla was ok. I don't recall what plates the others had but no one was impressed at all. We left very unhappy.

    (1)
  • Kevin C.

    The pineapple upside down cake is absolutely amazing, even my wife who shy's away from deserts thought it was great! The food here is a nice 3.5 but included with the view it's a solid 5! Not to many places surprisingly in South Florida that offer a view of the ocean while you eat but this one offers it and even better is the fact that your not over looking any roads! The $5 valet is worth it especially if you have guest and you don't want to hassle with parking a few blocks away.

    (5)
  • Chris P.

    Best view in town -great service. Get the muscles with or without linguini. Seafood soup is killer!

    (5)
  • Seena K.

    One of my favorite local places. Perfect seafood dishes. My favorite appetizer there is the Ahi Tuna. From entrée menu I highly recommend the stir seafood fry. The only issue with this place is finding a parking spot.

    (4)
  • Cari F.

    This restaurant sits literally right on the beach. The doors were open and we watched the ocean and the boats. It's beautiful. The food and service was excellent!

    (5)
  • Pamela D.

    If I'm asking if the white chunks in my seafood quesadilla is chicken or fish, there is a problem. I'm not even sure the waiter could hear me over the rumble of the low quality live music...although, it is "season". Drinks and good are better across the sands at Anglis. On the positive, margaritas are strong.

    (2)
  • Eric L.

    Loud, crowded, and on the beach with a great view. Service folks are working hard to please. Food was ok, nothing unexpected either way (which is totally OK). Fries are a standout. After lunch , five steps to the beach.

    (3)
  • Laura Z.

    My husband and I LOVE this place! It is our go-to date night locations and it is not close! We are willing to drive for the great service and food! We usually eat outside so we can enjoy the ocean view. The bacon wrapped scallops are amazing!

    (5)
  • Robin L.

    Another fabulous dinner with Kenny Lerman, the food for a busy, busy night was fantastic! The atmosphere was very loud and the band was great ! Good food, good people and great company!

    (4)
  • Emilia L.

    We had just finishing laying out at the beach, had about 40 minutes on the meter before it ran out and the girls were in the mood for seafood. What to do? We checked out the places around the beach and came across Aruba. Everyone got the peel and eat spiced shrimp and side salads except for me. I wanted something really light and opted for the goat cheese salad. I received a colorful fresh salad with a huge wheel of goat cheese in the center. The other girls got platters of huge shrimp. Our server was so sweet and constantly checked on us. I haven't gotten such great service in a long time. I am sorry to say I did not get her name but she was an older Caucasian lady who liked to make conversation. We managed to gobble down our food, pay the bill (we had to get our server to separate our checks but she was very sweet about it) and book it to the car just in time for our parking to expire. Great quick meal and wonderful service.

    (5)
  • Herman G.

    Let's face it, you're not coming to Aruba's for the food. You are here because it's on the beach and has a great view. It's perfect for a beach day, where all you need to bring is a towel and your wallet - so you can easily grab a bite or drink at your convenience without having to pack anything. I've been here over 15 times - the service is usually pretty good, the food is ok (not terrible, but nothing great either). The other potential issue is parking - this little corner in Lauderdale By The Sea gets slammed with people, so arrive early or be open to parking a couple blocks away if needed.

    (3)
  • Rey F.

    Fantastic on the beach eating, that is far to rare in South Eastern Florida. The location is right on the beach at Lauderdale By The Sea, very good view. Now for the stuff that matters 1. Service: The service overall is good. I have been going here for three years and there have been times it has been outstanding, and mediocre and just bad. But overall it is good service. 2. Food: Fantastic. The only issue is that when you order something well done or medium well they burn it. I don't know if it is the chefs and cooks sending a message but they will overcook your burgers and steaks if you ask for anything with, "well" in it. 3 . Drinks: I don't drink alcohol but they have a full bar and folks are always at the bar having a good time. 4. They have seating inside and out. 5. I like the seafood. Stick with the seafood entrees if you go here. The other stuff is all right but not as good as things that com from the water. ' 6. Bimini Bread is great. They have a good butter they serve with it and it is very good. Not as sweet as Bimini Boatyard's bread, but still good.

    (3)
  • Nicky J.

    The service is pretty bad here and the happy hour specials are non existent. Not sure why it gets so ridiculously crowded but I'm going to avoid it like the plague from now on

    (1)
  • Emily B.

    Best place on the beach for great drinks, fun atmosphere, and fast bar service.

    (5)
  • Jim D.

    First time here, came for lunch and sat on the beach side overlooking the ocean. Very prompt and courteous service by Andrea V. Andrea was very pleasant and attentive, which made us feel comfortable. Conch chowder with Bimini bread to start was outstanding. Fish tacos and seafood stir fry were excellent. We also had some drinks which were tasty. Desert we shared a caramel sea salt cheesecake which was delicious.

    (5)
  • carol p.

    Bullet points: 1. diavalo pasta was spicy good, shrimp overcooked 2. Diffinite tourist attraction, kinda Bubba Gumpy 3. Cover band Wed night plays classics 4. Party of 6, no one liked the conch fritters. Mushy 5. This is NOT the place to dress up, classier cleaner and more original menus in the area to explore. Summary: would've rather paid the 29$ for a more imaginative plate and better atmoshpere. KITSCH

    (2)
  • Natasha C.

    What a great view of the ocean! That alone makes this place worth the visit. Although it was very busy & the employees were like busy bees, our waiter was very attentive. They lost a star because the food was cooked well but could use a tad bit more flavor, the alcoholic drinks are fun but they are a bit tiny & the bathrooms are way to small for such a huge restaurant.

    (4)
  • Gaieshan D.

    If you come here and don't have Keagan serve you, then you have missed out on a spectacular experience. Her personality and level of expertise is astounding. I find service such as this very rarely, and am very thankful to have been able to be a part of it.

    (5)
  • Pamela P.

    I can only score this place based on their Expresso Martini.... the BoMb Diggity! Great view right on the water, happy crowd, nice American menu. I will update review when I go back and try the food.

    (4)
  • Kathy L.

    Aruba Beach Cafe is located right on the water and has a great view of the ocean. It's a good place to enjoy a drink and watch the waves. It is not a good place to go for dinner. The waitress seemed like she wanted to be somewhere else and barely managed a smile. We ordered Bimini bread, jerk chicken wings and little neck clams as appetizers, all were mediocre. The bread was nothing special, the jerk wings were overly spiced and the clams were in a white wine cream sauce that we thought was good until we saw that our shrimp scampi entree was served in the same sauce. The dinner entrees all seem to be served with the same over cooked rice and vegetables. The meals were very "mechanical"; all served the same way with the same unenthusiastic formula. There are so many good restaurants in South Florida, this is not one of them.

    (1)
  • Shannon A.

    The food was fabulous!!!! Great atmosphere too!!! Took out of town guest here and the seafood is fresh, the crab legs meaty and the baked escargot has a wonderful smokey flavor with Italian spices.

    (5)
  • Tony W.

    Must have hit this on the wrong day!! Went in there last Saturday lunchtime, Our server came to get our order, anyway our first order came ,.I had the snails, which were like a gum shield and then there was one missing from the plate (must have dived off the plate! my wife had a chicken kebob thing, no shortage of chicken but they were swamped in Asian sauce and were luke warm, then just as we put our first fork in our mouths an another server turned up with our main course!!. After we pushed our food around and it was taken from our table, guess what?. Back came the same food that they had tried to serve us with while eating our starters some 20 minutes later!!!.. My wife fish and chips came back, warm and the batter were soggy and the chips under the fish were warm and again soggy!! my Mahi sandwich was now dry as I guess it to had been sitting around under some hotplate lights, my coleslaw was also almost hot and had a crust on it from being left grilled under lights. There were other things that went on, but my typing is slow and I am bored. Bottom line.. Complete crap!! And I will never go back and have told everyone we about this. Oh by the way our server did smile as she handed me the check must have been a smile for a tip I think!!

    (1)
  • Heather S.

    Love this place! Great location right on the beach with indoor and outdoor seating. Valet parking (for a fee) or metered street parking is available. Nice beach casual atmosphere. Generally they have live music in the evenings, but it's not overpoweringly loud, so you can still hold a conversation without shouting. The best things on the menu are the raw oysters, the raw tuna appetizer and the Florida seafood soup. Mmmmm. The Bimini bread is good, too. Service is generally pretty good and reasonably fast as they're typically pretty busy.

    (4)
  • Jacquelyn M.

    Looking for an amazing view and a plate full of seafood, then you reached the location that can provide this. However, this does nothing for me. I came here one Sunday evening with my sister to meet her friends. Starting with the aruba bread, this place seemed to hit a nice note for myself. Then for my entree, I went with the strawberry salad. It was good but maybe lacking something. It is a great location for drinks and seafood meals with that tropical ambiance. It just wasn't for me.

    (3)
  • Jessi M.

    So I went to this place because it is one of my mom's favorite restaurants. Clearly, I can't trust her for good restaurant advice lol, as she has steered me wrong in the past. This is a beautiful location but I wasn't very impressed with anything else. The menu is very over priced and the atmosphere isn't ideal. I went on a Friday after work and apparently there was some sort of deal at the bar and there was a HUGE line of tourists waiting for their free buffet or whatever was offered. I sat at a table outside because it was so crowded inside. There isn't a very extensive menu so I ordered the Seafood Soup, which was good but not worth the price. We also ordered the peel and eat shrimp which had like no flavor and there were only 11 shrimp, not 12. My boyfriend got the seafood quesadilla, which was blah. Overall, I don't anticipate a return visit as there are plenty of other restaurants to choose from in the area. Also, be prepared for a parking fiasco or paying for valet. We decided to avoid it and just pay for valet.

    (3)
  • Rick M.

    A great location in Lauderdale By The Sea just north of Fort Lauderdale Beach, Aruba Beach Cafe has a couple of indoor bars plus outdoor seating near the pier if the weather is not too humid. Nice ocean views from either inside tables or outside. Great staff, exotic cocktails and amazing seafood dishes! The Shrimp Scampi rocks as well as the fresh broiled Mahi Mahi. I almost ordered Seafood Fettucine Alfredo. Next time!

    (4)
  • John H.

    Literally on the beach at the end of commercial blvd. One step out and you're in the sand. Awesome ocean themed atmosphere Started off with macho nachos with blue crab meat. Melted cheeses, guacamole, sour cream, jalapeños and salsa. Also got some Bimini bread, fresh baked daily until they run out. Served with room temperature honey butter, the GF loved it. For our meal the girl went with a caprese salad. I went with some blackened mahi mahi sandwhich(no bun) and French fries. She's picky when it comes to fish and loved mine. Both were very good. Service was a little slow but overall good lunch. This is probably one of the better places in Fort Lauderdale to bring out-of-towners. We'll be back. :)

    (4)
  • Reixa C.

    5/30/15- WOW! I need to come back here. That's what I was thinking as I left Aruba. This was my first time in Aruba and in Lauderdale by the Sea. What best way to leave an impression than to have lunch here on a beautiful sunny perfect beach day. We came here around 1:30p.m., it was pretty busy but we were able to be seated right away. Because of the heat, we decided to sit inside. As you walk in you are immediately transported to the islands. They had live music and the atmosphere was great too. We sat in a small high top near one of their many bars. Even though it wasn't a table by the window, you could still get a clear view of the ocean. Our waiter was awesome, he was very attentive and fast. We ordered some a glass of Chardonnay and a glass of Sauvignon Blanc. They have a great list of cocktails but we decided to go with wine. Lunch was spectacular, so fresh. I had the Ahi Tuna, the pieces were so big I had to cut them in half, and in four pieces. Came with a seaweed salad. My friend had the Goat Cheese Salad with Mahi. The piece of fish was plenty and the goat cheese came in a round cut pieces. My friend couldn't finish the whole thing. I am definitely coming back with a few friends. This place seemed really fun and had a great vibe. The parking was very easy to find and cheap. Highly recommended!

    (5)
  • Alina V.

    Came on Saturday night of Memorial Day weekend after spending an entire day at the beautiful beach at Lauderdale by the sea. My friends who had been there before said great things about this place so we figured it was perfect since it was nearby. Aruba is situated in an awesome location. Right on the beach w/ gorgeous views of the ocean and perfect for people watching as well. The wait time wasn't too bad since we came around dinner time. I assume during lunch time, it's much busier as ppl are more likely to go for a quick bite while enjoying their day at the beach or the boardwalk. We started off w/ the lobster and crab bisque, crab cakes & coconut fried shrimp. The soup was to die for! It was so good I seriously could have just eaten that and be satisfied. The crab cakes were ok, nothing too special but the portion was perfect for sharing considering most restaurants serve one piece of crab cake. The coconut shrimps were very tasty but the portion was very small. For entrees, I had the special fried snapper w/ mash potatoes and my bf had the broiled seafood platter. Wowzers! The fish was so fresh and perfectly crusted. My bf's plate had to be the highlight of the night. His consisted of lobster tail, salmon, shrimp skewers and the catch of the day plus rice and beans. It was huge!! But so delicious! You can tell their seafood is prepared on the spot because everything was so fresh. Nothing was greasy and all the fish was cooked to perfection. You definitely want to come eat at Aruba when you're in the area. Service was a little slow but the food and location make up for it. Perfect for dinner after a day at the beach.

    (4)
  • Linda L.

    Right on the beach, the location of Aruba really stands out. It is a big restaurant with outside patio and inside seating. We sat at the bar for happy hour 5-7pm on a Thursday night. There was live music entertainment and it was hopping with people the whole time. The bartenders were friendly and nice. Between my coworkers and I, we had beer, margaritas, wine and mixed drinks all at happy hour pricing $3.95-5.95 and appetizers $4.95. I had the crock of escargot and the blue point oysters. The escargot is made with garlic butter but what's unique is the tomato they add into the mix. It really made a difference. Very good! It comes with a side of bread for dipping. Good deal for the price. The oysters were fresh and a good size. It came two to an order. Overall good environment good food.

    (5)
  • Kristina D.

    This is my first non 5 star review BUT I was disappointed with all the things here. The hostesses were incredibly rude, like I've never experienced before. Did not greet us (awkward), one sent me back to the other when I asked for a window seat (it's on the beach, obviously people will want to sit by the window and I did not mind being patient for that at all), went back to the second hostess who did not acknowledge me until she was done with her text (cool story bro). Maybe I'm too accustomed to southern charm, but all that rubbed me the wrong way. Naturally we were put at the tiniest table near the exit that was so cramped every waiter and customer that walked by kicked my seat. So fun! I ordered the only crab they had on the menu, it was $40 which seemed a little steep but this was the only place within walking distance that had them so I didn't mind paying that. They tasted just fine but I worry that they were not truly fresh... The fries were nice and crunchy though, I totally dig that. The only reason this place is getting three stars is due to a relatively nice waitress, Bimini Bread, and the nice bathroom. Nice bathrooms are a hot commodity in beach towns! I also don't believe in using yelp as a weapon, so I don't want to ruin their rating, but I definitely won't be back. Sad times, Aruba, sad times.

    (3)
  • Fox S.

    The ambience of this place is probably its best feature. You can walk right out onto the beach and dip your toes into the warm beautiful Atlantic before returning to your main entree. Though their are a lot of bad reviews for this establishment which made me hesitate to cancel my evening to celebrate my birthday here. However, We were sat immediately when we arrived, we were a party of 10. Our server was friendly, efficient and attentive in his service, which is not easy having other tables and a party of our size to work with. The Cocktails came fast and often. The meal itself was ok. I had the shrimp scampi which I found the shrimp a bit over cooked and dry. My nephew order the lobster which had to be send back for being under cooked, when the lobster return the second time from the kitchen it was dry and chewy. It had a texture as if the tail was frozen but can't say this with certainty. Other than that, the deserts was fine and a good time was had by all, again more by the service we received and view of the Atlantic bellowing you to go dip your toes in her. I give it 4 stars for its location and the service we received...

    (4)
  • Christina M.

    Aruba Beach Cafe is definitely where it's at. I came here on a Saturday afternoon with a few girls and we figured it would be crazy packed and wouldn't be able to get a seat, and we were very wrong. We were seated immediately and brought back to our table and our view is the perfect Lauderdale by the Sea beachfront and ocean with the pier. It was amazing. Our waiter was very friendly, he was attentive, and despite the fact that he was bombed busy with tables he answered all of our questions and even made a few suggestions as what to order. We decided to order the conch fritters as an appetizer and it came out within minutes of us ordering it. The conch fritters were very good, a little burnt to be honest but nonetheless it was an excellent choice. I decided to be a little adventurous and I ordered the crabcake sandwich and I was so glad I did. You can tell that this was made to order, and it wasn't too deep fried. The flavors popped and it was soft, warm and delicious. I definitely recommend it. My sister ordered the seafood quesadilla and it was HUGE! And when I took a bite I had a burst of scallop shrimp and cheeeese. Oh my. All in all, this place exceeded my expectations for being right on the beach. The service was above average, not amazing, but the food was excellent and came out fast despite their full house. I recommend anyone coming to Lauderdale by the Sea to check out Aruba's. Definitely worth it and I will be back!

    (4)
  • Kelli K.

    We love Aruba's!!!! Fish Tacos and swordfish are wonderful! Great atmosphere and fun happy hour!

    (4)
  • Vianka A.

    Saturday date night!! There was no wait time for four! We had the nachos for appetizers amazing,great size for four. We ordered the seafood trio, shrimp scampi, fried shrimp, stir fried seafood. It was all amazing as well as the drinks were really good! There was live music and the scenery was great on the beach! The guys did break a sweat, they said it was hot, but I didn't find it hot. Also great for kids! Chill place!

    (5)
  • Elizabeth H.

    We usually go here when we visit. As everyone else has said Bimini bread is great. I've always had very good food here and they have decent happy hour specials during the week. It's an excellent location we've always had good service and next time we visit lauderdale-by-the-sea we will be back.

    (4)
  • Brand O.

    Chrissy, at the main bar is disrespectful, suspicious, and paranoid. Great location, terrible service. Insulting, Chrissy is the worst bartender in all of south Florida based on her accusatory attitude. She told my guests that we were stupid because we didn't know what to order. She poured the wrong drink and over charged us. She combined two checks of people Who didn't pay. Watch yourself.

    (1)
  • Sandy C.

    Ate lunch here today - beautiful view of the ocean. Had a great salad - wedge with steak tips. Everything was fresh and tasty. Liked it so much brought my husband back for dinner! Meals are reasonably priced and very tasty. I had the seafood stir fry and hubby had the seafood quesadilla. Everything came out quickly and was very tasty. Would come again! Oh and the drinks are yummy too.

    (4)
  • Rachel M.

    Stopped in for some lunch with some friends on a Sunday afternoon. It gets busy, save yourself the hassle and go ahead and valet park. Trust me! The view is awesome, sit outside and enjoy it!! Ordered the blackened fish sandwich with fries. The sandwich was good, not the best but definitely good! I would recommend it after a day on the beach.

    (4)
  • Lenya S.

    There are very few times where the food/scenery/location and ambiance is completely PERFECT ! This is the perfect location. From the outside it looks like nothing but from the inside it's huge. With very large windows over looking to the ocean, this restaurant has the feel of a tropical gateway. At first you may think a place so big will most likely have terrible and slow service, but on the contrary, well trained staff with great food results. Our server was friendly and knowledgeable of the menu. For appetizers we had French onion soup and oysters very fresh! For dinner I had fish tacos, nice chunks of fish !!! With crunchy lettuce, spicy mayo and cilantro. My husband had key west fried shrimp. Good size shrimps with a yummy batter with two sides corn on the cob and cole slaw. Must have Bloody Mary!

    (5)
  • Alyssa K.

    This is a cool place in an area of town I hadn't checked out before. I typically don't venture up this far north, but I'm glad I did-the vibe is awesome. The "street fair" atmosphere that was buzzing around this area on a Friday night with live music, street performers and all the lights was amazing. Didn't sit down and eat here, but stayed for a few drinks and enjoyed the ambience. The two bars that I could see were pretty and beachy in decor-not overly dive bar but also not so stuffy you feel the need to wear heels or a collared shirt. The ocean view was awesome-even at night. I found it odd that there was an amazing patio with a panoramic view of the ocean yet it seemed like there was nobody allowed out there and there were no tables with diners out there either. On such a gorgeous night it really seemed like a total waste. We ended up taking our drinks and standing on the side patio which did have tables out there to get the same effect, but it doesn't do it the same justice. I hear that this is one of the better seafood places in the area, but I have a pretty discerning taste for seafood :D I'd love to come back and give it a whirl. This seemed like a great late night, date night, adult type place-I'm not sure this is a family place, but then again it was 10pm when we got here, so that explains the lack of kids. For the bar experience, 4/5. For dining-TBD.

    (4)
  • Vanna T.

    2.5 stars: poor service and food was okay. We ordered the crab and lobster bisque, strawberry salad with blackened mahi mahi, and the seafood fet. alfredo. The soup was cold; my fish was uncooked in certain sections (when I told the hostess that I wanted it recooked, she responded that it depends on how I like my dog cooked...well I certainly didn't want it raw! To say the very least, she was very unhelpful). The pasta was a bit bland. Finally, the sangria was average. Nothing spectacular...will not be returning here. Avoid sitting outside next to the door because the birds constantly make droppings...which was pretty gross.

    (2)
  • Samantha R.

    This review is based purely on the experience I received from the staff here trying to book my birthday dinner. I had every intention of bringing 20 people to the restaurant to eat and drink, but apparently the restaurant staff was more concerned with being incredibly rude and unaccomodating. First, I called yesterday around 5:30. The woman who picked up was incredibly rude, told me they only take reservations for 15-25 people. When I told her I had 20 people, she put me on hold for 3 minutes and then told me "we are not taking reservations tonight, call back another day" and hung up on me. Then, today I called again and was yet again greeted by an incredibly rude woman on the other line speaking to me as if I was annoying her and wasting her time. The call ended with her telling me I needed to pay a $200 deposit to make a reservation. RIDICULOUS. I understand being unable to accommodate a large party, but as someone who used to work in the service industry I cannot understand being incapable of having a polite and pleasant conversation with a recurring customer who had wanted to celebrate her birthday in your establishment. No worries Aruba - I will gladly take my business elsewhere and will NOT be returning.

    (1)
  • Nerissa H.

    Great ambience! Great view and live band is awesome!! Food was great ( i would definately have the Bimini bread!) ..it's a must visit if you are in the area!

    (4)
  • Rachel M.

    Great place to go while you are on vacation or staycation. You most likely will have to wait, but grab a beach chair outside, and take in the awesome sights. What's weird is that they give you a colored balloon, and they select a word and write it on there. That's kind of like your buzzer where they look for your balloon, and call you and let you know your table is ready. We ate right next to the beach, so we had a great beach view. I ordered the Lobster Club Sandwich. I didn't like the bread. It would have been nice if it was not just regular bread and untoasted. I got it with cole slaw. Others in my group got the burgers, and the fries were the best part of that. My drink was good, frozen, tropical, and small. Would have loved it bigger, but hey it's touristy, and they want you to buy more. I just love it here being so close to the beach, and totally being that it's Florida beach life at it's finest. Make sure to check out the beach, and check out the surrounding cute stores all around.

    (4)
  • Alejandro P.

    Good restaurant. Service is friendly and fast. Ambiance is great, you have the Ocean right in front of you and their is live music at a very reasonable volume. The food is good, but not incredible, reason as to why I'll give it 4 stars and not 5. Overall, I'll be back if I'm in the area and I will recommend it.

    (4)
  • Audrey J.

    What makes this place so great are the views, and location. The actual food is alright, not the best I've ever had. But it's definitely a pretty cool place. My boyfriend and I met up with another couple, and my friend and I split the crab nachos and the seafood quesadilla. I really liked the crab nachos, decent amount of crab. Very tasty. For the quesadilla, I wouldn't get that again. It had scallops, shrimp, some kind of fish... I really can't remember. It was not that memorable. I wish I would have gotten the mahi mahi sandwich, it looked so good. I was tempted to ask my friend's boyfriend for a bite, but I don't know him well enough to do that haha... I did get a strawberry daiquiri, and that was really good. All in all, an A-OK kind of place.

    (3)
  • Dee S.

    Had the raw osters (very fresh, this was my favor part of the meal), the fried conch fritters (not enough conch, too much filler, over fried, would not order these ever again), the lobster salad sandwich (it was ok, much better at Joe's Stone Crab, small pieces of lobster and over dressed, I had to add lemon and hot sauce to give it flavor, and it's served on regular wheat bread, but it wasn't terrible), fries (not fresh cut), and a piña colada (all I tasted was milky sweet rum, no coconut or pineapple flavors at all). I saw a few things on other people's table that looked good and I would go back to try them. The view of the ocean and pire was beautiful from our table and the service was great.

    (3)
  • Krizia L.

    First time here, went on a Saturday night with a group of 18. This place is at a very good location, bring cash handy for valet coz parking is limited, and literally on the beach!!! Very busy but nicely decorated ocean jungle ish theme kind of like Margaritaville. They have live music too. Menu they have a lot of Good choices from appetizers to entrees. Ordered appetizers: Fried coconut shrimp, house bread and bacon wrapped scallops. The shrimp wasn't my kind of taste, the scallops were good but pretty small. Now, the bread. It was good and it literally is a big whole loaf of bread lol. But very good even with the butter. Ordered entrees: Seafood fra Diavolo, shrimp scampi, fettuccine Alfredo and steak. Entrees are $13+. Their portions are actually huge! That seafood fra Diavolo is spicy, lobster meat was not a lot, and if you don't eat much, it's better to share this plate with someone, seriously. shrimp scampi was good. Steak was almost as big as my face. But my favorite was my order, the fettuccine Alfredo. It consisted of shrimp, scallops and catch of the day fish. I'm an Alfredo and seafood person but not much on fish, especially if they're put together eh I was skeptical. When i ate, I actually loved it! And the funny thing is, the best part was the fish! Love at first taste plus it wasn't even the most expensive thing on the menu. Food came at a reasonable time and they did good with a large party. Our waitress I think her name is Vanessa was the best! She accommodated us very well with no attitude, very nice and helpful. I really like this place and no question will come here again to try their brunch since I heard it was good. I give 4.5/5. Definitely recommend!

    (5)
  • Mischita H.

    First, I'll start with saying that I didn't read the reviews before stopping here. If I had, then I might would have passed it by. It looks like the experiences here are very hit or miss. The service was lack luster and I most likely wont return here. My friend I stopped in because she wanted a drink and I wanted water. Easy enough right? Well, when we walked in the hostess stand was empty. After a minute or so my friend flagged someone over and asked if we could be seated outside. "Sure no problem" and we were seated immediately. Shortly after we were given menus and a couple was seated after us at the table next to us. After a few minutes someone came to take their order. Hmmm...they were seated after us... Should we stay? We did A few more minutes passed then we were asked what we would like. To which my friend replied she would only like to order a drink. At this time we were told that outside seating was dine in only and requires us to purchase a food item. Ok. I asked if it would be ok if I ordered the key lime pie packaged to go (why get a plate when I already know that I'm going to box half of it for later?). Anyway. I was told this would ok to meet the food item purchase requirement. After I said ok then, I'll have the pie with kiwi drizzle to go, she tells me that she's just taking the drink orders to help out the girl that is to wait our table. What?? So we can order a drink and get water but I have to wait to order pie? Ok Should we continue to stay? We did. Once I ordered the pie, it took about 10 minutes for a different girl to bring the pie...on a plate. I let her know that I had asked for it packaged to go. I suppose was expecting her to leave the plate and return with a box but that's not what happened. She turned and handed it to a guy at the bar (not sure if he was a server or bar tender) while she moved on to the cash register. He just stood there with the plate until our server walked by then he handed it off to her with a shrug. When she asked the girl at the cash register about it, she was told that I wanted it to go. I heard her mumbled something about dine in only as she headed to the kitchen. About this time my friends drink was arriving. I no longer wanted the pie mostly because I didn't like watching my food being passed around like that. I told the girl with the drink to cancel the pie order because I no longer wanted it. Now I'm not staying. So I got up from the table and removed myself from the outside dining area of the restaurant. My friend was a minute or two behind me. By the time she came out, our shuttle van was pulling up so we got on and headed back to the hotel.

    (2)
  • Johnny G.

    Arubas resturant is beautifully located in lauderdale by the seas with a beautiful backdrop of the beach and pier. The restaurant and atmosphere were amazing! Our server was top notch and she recommended the Mahi blackened (excellent )!!!! The only complaint for me would be that the mixed drinks are weak.

    (4)
  • Chiyon Y.

    I absolutely love Aruba Beach Cafe. I've been coming here for about 10 years, and I can't believe this is my first review. - Long overdue... I know. So here it goes... It's a bit far, but the location and view is totally worth it. Spotless glass planes cover the ocean front dining room; you can literally step out onto the sand. I haven't tried much of the food, as I keep going back to my faves: * Bimini Bread w/honey whipped butter -- a MUST have. Always fresh and mouthwatering. * Fish Dip -- not on the menu, but they always have it. About a cup or more of dip and veggies, all for $9.99 * Baked Escargot -- A huge fan of escargot, will have them whenever they're on the menu, and these do not disappoint. * PEI Mussels -- cream sauce is sooo good * Oysters -- always fresh and delicious, another must have. * Crispy Crunchy Sandwich -- Atlantic Cod, American cheese, lettuce, onion, tomato (tartar sauce and fries on the side) Cod was fried flaky perfection. Not a regular menu item, but a daily special. As for the drinks, meh. Their beer is never as cold as I'd like. I ordered a mojito once and returned it as it lacked mint, rum, and sugar. I stick to beer and wine. The prices are very affordable. They're on the low side compared to other restaurants with similar food/location. Probably one of the cheapest oyster prices in all of South Florida. Service is good. They're always busy and throughout the 10 years of coming here I can't say I've had bad service.

    (4)
  • Coco G.

    Good option to just satisfy a quick meal. Overpriced and not fresh ingredients. View is awesome from the beach but will be better to have a better menu options. We ordered chicken teriyaki and was terrible. Our daughter is a rice lover and she couldn't eat even 2 spoons. The chicken quesadilla was a little lower than OK. Be careful when they serve plates are extremely hot!!! And you know why?? Cause they cook earlier and they just heat it up... Will pick another option when in the area.

    (2)
  • J M.

    I was miserable at this place. But we were too hungry to leave and I had to try my best to put on a happy face for my fiancé. Hostess, manager, floor staff, they all were angry, snappy, and annoyed, including the guy played steel drums and sang. No one was smiling. One of the reasons we came here for was, to check and see if this place was worth taking guests from out of town for casual lunch and/or refreshing cocktail. It's not. My favorite Pier 66 or Coconuts would still be the places for this purpose. Food wasn't bad, but nothing to come back for. Not an ounce of originality on their menu. Stars are for the location.

    (2)
  • Anthony I.

    A week in Lauderdale by the Sea and we were locals here. We love the location, sitting outside on a nice day cannot be beat! Some really nice dishes on the menu, a good selection of beer and they often have live music. One of my favorites was the grilled mahi sandwich, a real winner.

    (4)
  • Tamara C.

    Food, live music and location are enough for 4 stars but service almost made it 3 stars so giving benefit of doubt.

    (4)
  • Harvey D.

    Do you want to have Sunday brunch in a vacation and beachy atmosphere? If so, this place is for you. My wife and I decided to try their Sunday brunch for Mother's Day and we were not disappointed. We arrived when the brunch was just finishing up and the manager allowed us to get into the brunch line before they start clearing it away. The line did move kind of slowly; however, they have food (bread, muffins, desserts) that you can munch on while you are waiting. They offer you plenty of food options including scrambled eggs, sausage, bacon, grits, fresh fruit, danish, pecan rolls, prime rib and shrimp. They also have several different kinds of bread. The food was average which is the only reason I didn't give them 5 stars. The desserts are what makes the brunch. They have a lot of desserts and plenty of them. One nice aspect of the brunch is that even when they began to clear the brunch items away, they left the desserts and didn't clear them away. The service was excellent and the atmosphere is incredible. It's located right on the beach and you get a fantastic view of the ocean. They had live Caribbean music which added to the vacation-like feeling. I definitely plan to try the brunch again although I want to get there earlier since a lot of the food items were gone. This restaurant is really fun and I can't wait to go back.

    (4)
  • Rachel S.

    Aruba Beach Cafe is located in a beautiful spot; Lauderdale by the sea ; with picturesque ocean views from the dining area, and a beach area crowded with tourists. It would have been easy for Aruba Beach Cafe to get away with serving crappy food and with poor service. But they don't. Each time I've been here I've been served fresh tasty food. Not the typical tourist menu either. I try something different each time I come here and it is always delicious. The service here is attentive. They frequently have live bands playing. Their prices are fair too.

    (4)
  • Edward V.

    FIRST of all let me start with the food. My father ordered the Grilled Sword fish with a side of rice and veggies. Sounds pretty good right? Well it started of the fine piece of fish but when it got to the rice that's where it went downhill. The rice was slimy, mushy, and had a sour taste to it. Gross right? After my father noticed he told our waitress that and then she came back out with the manager. Sounds about right how they dealt with the problem right? WRONG the manager made an excuse blaming the chefs say that "sometimes the steamer is put to high, that's why it was mushy." Last time I checked you aren't supposed to make excuses to the customer, just apologize and get them a FRESH plate of food right away. I believe this place still has a lot to work not only with the food but with the customer service. C'mon now we're in 2015 now. Can't be messing up like that.

    (1)
  • Sammie R.

    This review has been a long time coming! I live in Lauderdale by the Sea and this is my local go to place when out and about in town. Why? Alot of the local places like to deep fry everything and I cant stand that!!! At Aruba's the seafood is always VERY fresh, and I always have had wonderful service. The Ahi Tuna is a must have, it melts in your mouth & the Seafood. Quesadilla is definitely for the bigger appetite!!! The drinks are freshly made and always right on the mark. Happy hour prices are really cheap, approx $5 for select items from their main menu (smaller portions but well worth it) Here's a tip... If they are busy seat yourself at one of the bars you will get served quicker, and the bar staff are really attentive. 5 stars!

    (5)
  • Rob K.

    Ate at Aruba on a Saturday night... definitely a happening place as we had to wait about 40 mins. The bars are cool though for you to chill at or outside with the ocean view. Food wise the yellowtail was really good and the blackened was seasoned well. The key lime pie was also good... overall good experience and I'll be back. Also, had nice live music playing in the bar... some girl was tripping on something while we were there so minus that it was a great spot.

    (4)
  • Ivan B.

    Always crowded Always good No matter how many times I eat there I am surprised at the noise level We had nine for dinner last night. Thankfully we were seated in an alcove far from the useless Un needed loud music Great variety in the menus We received our food fast and hot. But after our waitress took our order we never saw her again until she dropped the check off. Sadly they dropped 1/2 chicken from the menus selections. Also their signature salad "crab Louie" no longer uses real crabmeat. I wish they would do away with the loud annoying music. But we always have a great meal their.

    (4)
  • Carmen H.

    If you're looking for a restaurant directly on the beach, then this is the spot for you. The service was attentive and polite, the food was typical touristy beach fare, but I enjoyed it. I ordered chips and salsa and the Lobster Salad Club, I was overall pleased with my choices. The sandwich was so large, that I was only able to eat half. It's a good spot to relax, sip a cocktail and people watch.

    (4)
  • Cheryl K.

    Beach Front dining, drinking, music, fun! We dined here for brunch on Sunday. The food was decent but for $14.95 with unlimited mimosas and bloody marys right on the beach front, you can't go wrong in my opinion. Service was good. Hostess very young and a bit cranky - like she was annoyed to be working. My friend checked in prior to us arriving and they wouldn't seat her - which was totally fine - but then when we arrived she asked her twice if she was sure we were there - um, hello i'm standing in front of you. Then when we were seated we noticed a table closer to the beach - "hey - can we have that table for 4 over there?" - response " someone's sitting there" - oh ok - for the record NOBODY sitting there for at least 30 minutes). IMO - these restaurants need to realize that the hostess is the ONLY first impression they get to make - when you're not welcomed to a restaurant pleasantly, it leaves a bad impression. On to the food - for brunch buffet they had scrambled eggs, corned beef hash, sausage, eggs Benedict, fresh fruit, waffles, lox platter with raw onion and capers, bagels. All were good except the bagels were unable to be toasted and the butter and cream cheese were in those annoying little packages.

    (3)
  • Vannaly R.

    Stopped for lunch a few weeks ago with a group of girls for a bachelorette party. The restaurant was referred to us from a friend and figured we'd go check it out. As soon as we walked in, there was live music, the ambiance was fun, festive and perfect for the mood we were in. Our server was attentive and gave us many helpful recommendations. We wanted to sit outside, but the wait was too long and were taken to a table with an ocean view, which was fantastic because it started to get really windy. The food portioning were big enough to share and the menu had many options for every taste bud.

    (4)
  • Candice S.

    I love the location of this restaurant. Right on the sand on the beach. That's pretty much the best part...The food wasn't anything to rave about. They didn't serve anything you can't find anywhere else. There was no special take on anything either. The Caesar Salad was just that. The Italian Sandwich was just that. Your basic Italian Sandwich you get everywhere else. From the looks of other people's food we weren't really missing out on anything either. It's good for ambiance. The beach is there, there's live music, food, drinks...there you go. Nothing special.

    (3)
  • Michael M.

    I hate to leave a negative review but I was pretty disappointed with this place. They were having "water issues" so they charged us $3 a bottle for generic bottled water that would normally cost $3 a case. Food was really pricey and menu was limited to menu only (no substitutions) location is great because it's right on the beach but the outside dining area fills up for birds looking for fallin food.

    (1)
  • Brian M.

    Great fish tacos. Another good deal is the Greek burger; 1/2 pound made to order in pita bread with fresh agreed Salad. Great views of the beach and the steel drums are low volume so you don't have to yell. Cool vibe

    (4)
  • Julia T.

    This restaurant is great- we loved sitting by the window, just a stone's throw from the beach. Our drinks were delicious, as was the bread we ordered. It has some kind of glaze on the top which makes it sweet and sticky... Oddly satisfying after a day in the sun! The coconut shrimp was good and hot, as were the seasonal steamed vegetables. Our only complaint would be the lack of friendliness of our waitress, although her service was quick and sufficient.

    (5)
  • Sheila X.

    Love Love the food here!! My boyfriend and I visited Florida in December 2013 and had dinner here the night before we were going to leave. Wish we would have visited sooner! It as DELICIOUS!! I had the muscles in cream sauce. BIG size for an App. LOL I was so full after it, but I had also order the lobster. It was my first time having lobster... I'm not a big fan of lobster, but it was good. I prefer shrimp. Weird, I know. All the food was fresh and delish! We sat outside in the patio. The walk area where we sat was really tight, but food was good, so it was worth it. We are going back to Florida in December 2014 for the Dolphins vs Vikings game and will definitely stop by here one or two times during our visit!

    (5)
  • Michele J.

    Beautiful setting and fun atmosphere. Had a special menu put together for rehearsal dinner. I & guests were very happy with drinks and food. Very well priced and nice selection. I wasn't happy with the timing of the food and manager (Guy) reached out to me, refunded some of the money spent and invited me and family back again. Not many would follow up like this and it goes to show he cares about reviews and word of mouth advertising. Smart manager. Thank you see you when I'm back in the area.

    (5)
  • Edith W.

    We go here quite often. Love the view and we always choose to seat close to the beach. The food is just ok but we love to go because its just fun. Relaxed atmosphere, ok food, cool drinks, cool live music. Most of the waitresses and waiters are nice, the hostess in Sundays are RUDE but not enough to make me dislike this plc

    (3)
  • Shantaya D.

    We came here for Mother's Day after reading the reviews ! It's a great location and the wait wasn't as long as we expected! The drinks were good and the food was just okay. But our server wasn't friendly at all. He seemed in a rush to put our order in and I insisted on asking the chef about making more bread since he said they ran out (it was only 3pm) and after asking him 3 times he kept forgetting to get back with me. He never checked on us after we got our food and never cleared our table even after we received boxes. Overall it's a nice restaurant, I'm sure if we had better service our experience would have been better.

    (3)
  • Cathy H.

    Disclaimer we did not eat here. We wanted to sit out on the patio and enjoy a few adult beverages in between site seeing. Since we weren't interested in "food menus" they advised us we could only be seated at the high tops at the front entrance which has a view of parking. No other restaurant in the area treated us this way. We spent $50+ at each location but I guess we weren't worthy of their view.

    (1)
  • Anthony S.

    What a great place! Friendly service and first class food. I had the best swordfish that I've ever had and my wife tells me the fish taco was the best she ever had. Wonderful drinks and our server Katie was splendid.

    (5)
  • Caren N.

    I love this place....not only is the view the best in Fort Lauderdale, the food is equally exceptional. One of my favorites is the Seafood Louie with fresh dill and lots of seafood it's a really light refreshing lunch. When I'm in the mood for a Mexican type dish, the Seafood Quesadilla is another fav, fresh salsa and guacamole tops it off perfectly! Jamaican jerk wings are the best in town, nice spice , not too hot and roasted in the oven so you don't have that oily fried flavor. The catch of the day is always great, I usually like it lightly blackened, it is always moist and extremely flavorful, it is obviously fresh and really reasonably priced for the portion size and quality of the fish!! If you like fresh fish this is a must! And do not miss the Bimini Bread with the honey butter....the perfect accompaniment. I can go on and on but if you are in this area of town, don't miss Aruba Beach Cafe....a relaxed, fun place to dine with a heavenly view!!

    (5)
  • MIchael R.

    Ok it close to/on the beach..that is great., The rest? Not so much... Dont really know where to start.. Parking situation a disaster,service adequate for a tourist trap,food unimaginative and expensive,smells like chlorine/bleach and still feels dirty Seems like they might have live music in the evening so go there for a drink and treat it for what it is: a dive bar on the beach which is why you will spend a lot more than in any other dive bar..

    (1)
  • Charmie P.

    Aruba's location can't be beat, right on the beach at the end of Commercial Blvd, right next to the pier, in beautiful Lauderdale by the Sea. Aruba's has been around for a while, offering great ambiance, food and drinks by the beach. The food is ok, I have yet to be blown away by the food options, service is friendly and drink specials are pretty reasonable. The main draw for Aruba's is most definitely the location, and the lively ambiance, they usually have live music, and on busy nights they will even have people dancing. It's definitely a fun place, so my 4 stars are for location, ambiance and liveliness, food is not terrible but mostly just ok.

    (4)
  • Monique H.

    This is one of my mothers favorite restaurants so we decided to go there for lunch on Mother's Day!! The ambiance was nice and relaxing. I felt like I was on vacation with that gorgeous view of the ocean! I loved the guy on the Steel Drums as well!! The food was good. We ordered the Bimini Bread and I honestly didn't know that bread could taste so good!! It was a party in my mouth ! The drinks were not the best, I've had much better Pina Coladas but it wasn't the worst I've had either. My hubby loved his food, he had Key West Shrimp. It was kind of pricy but a really big portion, so it was worth it. My only complaint would be the wait staff. They were not the friendliest but perhaps because it was so busy (it was Mother's Day after all) they were a little flustered... Also, the parking could be a bit of a headache if the lot is full, we ended up parking about a block away. Also, just know you have to pay to park at the restaurant... Bottom line, I'd go again...

    (4)
  • Lee J.

    Love it there. Place is nice and comfortable. Might be crowded because must be that good. Also while you eat or wait there for food. Can look at out the glass windows, can see the beach scenery. Went there about March 2015. Foods was excellent. Order the Jamaican wings and butterfly fried shrimp, conch fritter. Was good to eat. Wish had try their famous bread they make there. Maybe next time when I come back. I try it.

    (5)
  • Mary C.

    Excellent food on the beach. We ordered the 1lb of little neck clams and though there're weren't no more than 7 clams total the cream sauce made up for the lack. Ate with garlic bread. Delicious!!! My friend ordered the portobello angus burger and she couldn't stop raving about the taste. The fries were perfect tasting and fried to perfection. I will return now that I've moved to Ft Lauderdale.

    (5)
  • Ricardo B.

    Great place, but I don't understand knowing the bad cell phone reception at Aruba's why don't they have wifi? If you are expecting a call or an important text do not go there you will be in a dead zone!!!

    (1)
  • Derek D.

    If you like people watching, go here, it's loud ( guitar player at happy hour). Food is OK, a little different, but not great, ( tasty and spicy conch chowda, tomato based, New England boy sez, WHAT, not much conch tho...), fried coconut shrimp (plz change your fry oil), very tasty lime yogurt sauce. Son had Burger, whatevs, Daughter had goat cheese salad, 1/2 log of goat, not even crumbled up, bottled Balsamic Dressing. Blackened chix wings were a bit dry. Service was good, checked back often. It's right on the water, but don't think you can walk out that really long pier, unless you want to pay the owner next door. Read: Tourist Trap... I wanted to love, but had a hard time. Now not so good, very dark, people w/ phones using light to read, not because of font size either, very LOUD! Very busy, and waiter told me it's slow..... It's what I call typical beach fare, not food I typically like, and I knew that going into there. Most people will like, but Hey, I am a chef and this is NOT a complaint.

    (3)
  • Christine K.

    My boyfriend and I love the mussels in white sauce I am pretty sure I could go there and eat nothing else and still be perfectly content. Beautiful location right on the beach and the service was great

    (4)
  • Ali M.

    Food was delicious - I had the strawberry salad with the blackened salmon and also tried the house bread. Menu was a little pricey but would definitely come back for a special occasion. You definitely can't beat the location!

    (4)
  • Justin S.

    Great lunch! Mahi mahi sandwich was great and the location is perfect! Will definitely be back!

    (5)
  • Alyscia Z.

    My parents raved about Aruba's when they went on vacation to Fort Lauderdale so this passed weekend I had to try it out while visiting. Its right on the beach which is a plus and its great to look outside and you can look right into the sea. We didn't go during happy hour but I think that the food was over priced and just average. I got the coconut shrimp and maui maui sandwich. The sandwich was very good but the shrimp was nothing special. I wouldn't order it again. I would try it out again for a happy hour but don't think I would come here for just a regular meal again.

    (3)
  • Carrie H.

    Arubas is a fun place located right on the beach. The workers are very nice and always make you feel welcome. The food is consistently good. This part of town has job been renovated outside and is just a great place to hang out in general. The parking is not great and if you want to eat at Arubas and go to the beach it's twelve bucks to park. I don't get that part of it. Seems like if you're going to eat at their restaurant I should get a discount. I can park across the street for ten. I think that they should adjust the price on that, their only downfall Fun and active place every day of the week. Bathrooms could be kept cleaner - I'm a bathroom fanatic

    (4)
  • Natlie G.

    I hated everything but the view. The jerk chicken wings were so disgusting. They were burnt and didn't taste anything like jerk chicken. I'm from the islands so I know jerk when I taste it and this was NOT it. The rice and beans was the worst i have ever tasted in my life. The beans smelled spoiled. Ugh I will never ever ever go back for anything.

    (1)
  • Daniel N.

    Our experience started out bad with a rude hostess. Our party was 8 and we were given 2 separate tables when we asked to be seated together. On the hostess list was 2 partys of 7 which were seated together. When we asked why we were skipped over she answered "they just came in and took the tables." After speaking to the manager they finally put the tables together. The hostess was clearly not happy and very rude to us. Our waiter was not much better (I think his name was John). I asked about a coffee drink and was his reply was "I never drank it." Another question asked was if the Bimini bread could feed the entire table. The answer was "Well it is a whole loaf." The food itself was mediocre although the Bimini bread did taste very good. Needless to say we will not be coming back.

    (1)
  • Tracey W.

    The strawberry salad with either Tuna or Salmon is awesome! The service is great too. I really liked the ambiance as well. I would come back here for sure.

    (4)
  • Elizabeth G.

    Boss sent me to Coral Springs for a week to learn a new module on our electronic health record. In doing this, she said "Go to Aruba Cafe. Eat some Bimini Bread." I took her advice and did. On my last day of training, we finished up around 11 am, so I drove to the shore to grab a bite and enjoy the beach. I sat outside and ordered nachos and some bimini bread. This was nothing too exciting. I enjoyed the butter more than the bread. But it was an incredible view of the ocean and very relaxing. Will I check it out again? Sure! We are slated to go to the User's Conference in May and it is almost a given that we will hit up the beach cafe. I imagine that it will be a far better time when I am with a group rather than alone though. It just isn't as fun by yourself.

    (3)
  • Sherry W.

    This place has a great ambiance and live carribean music. It's self seating at the high top tables outside. We ordered Bimini bread and they kept saying it was baking but never received it. I had the Greek burger which is served in a pita and set on top of Greek salad. It had good flavor and was topped with feta. Service was slow for our party of 8. I will return to try the Bimini bread.

    (3)
  • Lacey C.

    Tourist trap. Ok food .. Ok decor .. Always overflowing with tourists, even though it's huge inside. Nice location (which is probably why it's so popular), and nice live music every now and then. But overall just meh. Anywhere with a breakfast buffet is just not my kind of place!

    (2)
  • Roger M.

    We arrived at 1 PM on a off season Wednesday...and the joint was jumping. The building looks like it's been perched on the beach for a hundred years, but don't get me wrong...it had that funky beach vibe that I think anyone would love. There is also outdoor seating, but it was over 90 degrees out. Our party of four were seated at a beach front window and service was prompt, friendly and professional. The menu offers a large variety of items. Our party went from quiche Lorraine to fish and chips, and an italian style hero sandwich. Portions are quite generous. The hero could easily be split by three people. The food was fresh, tasty and we enjoyed it very much.

    (4)
  • Kathy O.

    Great seaside dining and a great vibe Thought is was really packed for spring break. We got seated in a timely manner. Server was great. Food delish!!

    (4)
  • Jorge L.

    Came here after dinner on Friday night for some drinks. Had some friends from Costa Rica here. Everyone enjoyed it the crowd was having a good time and were all pretty buzzed. The live music was good and the beer selection was solid. Overall a great place to go have a drink beach front.

    (3)
  • Daniel N.

    Resturant with great view right on the beach. The food was ok. No children's menu. Too expensive for the quality of the food.

    (3)
  • Shelly H.

    We really enjoyed dinner here. The staff, view and food were excellent. Highly recommended the blackened mahi mahi sandwich and fish tacos. SO good!!

    (4)
  • Tanya C.

    I had a great time here with 2 of my friends from high school. I don't get back to South Florida as often as I would like to, but when I do it is a FUN time! We all enjoyed our meals and drinks....the conch fritters were DELISH!

    (5)
  • Sarah M.

    Great location. Went for dinner which was sadly nothing to write home about. We did decide to stay for drinks and dancing because the atmosphere was great. Friendly staff, live music, and lots of people young and old enjoying the night. Drinks were strong and good. Will definitely return for a night out, just not for dinner.

    (3)
  • Jeff H.

    I read a lot of reviews regarding this place however I must caught them on a good day. We had the grouper sandwich and the fish tacos. The fish tacos were outstanding! The fish was cooked to perfection! The tacos were stuffed with fish and all the toppings. It was a nice touch to have fresh grilled jaliipanos. The grouper sandwich was above average. The view was great will have to come back again soon

    (4)
  • Stanya T.

    Happy Hour was great!!! Dinner was nice too!! Very reasonably priced!!! One of the bartenders was an ass but other than that, I loved this place!!!!

    (4)
  • Jason W.

    Great location great food. Right on the beach. This is a must stop location and we then hit kilwins for outstanding ice cream. The comments about the food are completely bogus. My son thought the burger was terrific. My teriyaki chicken wad great with veggies and rice. And this place isn't expensive. Good value.

    (5)
  • Natty B.

    Great atmosphere, right on the beach and usually have live music! What's not to love?...the food is terrible. Major let down every time. If you're looking for a place to grab a drink with a view this is a good spot, but if you're looking to have a meal go elsewhere.

    (2)
  • Howard H.

    Well, lets start with the positive first. The location is GREAT. We sat in the outside patio area which is right off the beach and the view was fantastic. Now the not so well. The service was okay. Our server was friendly but she did not check with us very often and see how our food was. Also the time for us to get our drinks was pretty long. Now the bad...I ordered the mojito and it was probably the worse mojito I ever had. I did not taste any rum or sugar in my drink. All I can taste was the sour taste of the lime juice. The fish taco I ordered was very undercooked. I'd have send it back but I knew how long that might take and I hardly see our waitress anyways. I'd probably come back again but for drinks on a nice day only.

    (3)
  • Andi A.

    I come here every time i am in ft launderdale it is my grandma's favorite restaurant. I get scallops rumaki which are amazing and the key west shrimp is also delicious and HUGE

    (5)
  • Joshua N.

    I have to admit the food is good and so is the view. But after getting yelled at by the manager and rudely spoken to for questioning drink prices was unacceptable. I was there with an out of towner for lunch when they had a special going on. There was a flyer hanging up that stated "half price lunch with the purchase of a meal from 12-4 while at the bar" then at the bottom of the flyer was "$4 margaritas" It was around 3:00. We ate, had our lunch, then closed our tab. Literally after leaving the table to the front door it started to downpour so we made our way back to the bar to have a $4 margarita. After ordering and getting the tab for 2 margaritas the total was close to $17. I questioned the total to the bartender who said that the special was only when you are having lunch. I pointed out the flyer behind her that didn't say anything about that special needing to purchase a lunch to get $4 margaritas and tried to explain to her that we just had spent $50 on lunch and closed out or tab a few moments prior. She was not giving me the time of day so I asked for the manager. While waiting for the manager the patron next to me said good luck he just went through the same thing. The manager came over. I explained everything to him that I explained to the bartender and his response was , "well and..?" I pointed out to him that the advertisement was misleading by the placement of one special on top and the other on the bottom making it look like they were separate specials. In a rude tone he says, "look i'm not going to sit here and argue semantics with you." I told him I didn't want the drinks then. Which he said "Fine with me!" and snatched off the bar and threw into the trash behind him and walked away. It's now around 4pm, the bartender walks over to give me a receipt for the cancelled transaction. I asked the bartender if there were any different specials after 4pm, which she smirked and said $4 margaritas. I've lived in FL for many years now and have brought this place much business. But after my last experience with this place I will no longer be bringing any tourist here or recommending it to anyone. $4 cost this place a few hundred a year. What a Joke!

    (1)
  • Susan J.

    We made reservations for Mothers Day they over booked and we had 1.5 hour wait Dont make Reservations here

    (1)
  • Joe G.

    Very busy night at Aruba's. Went in for a quick drink and appetizer, had a full mean. Seafood quesadilla was very good, the Floridian Cocktail was adequate and the ambiance was fantastic. Service was excellent,mother waitress (I didn't catch her name) was very attentive, asking multiple times about the quality of the food and offering her suggestions for what to eat. I always enjoy Aruba Cafe, will definitely be back. I suggest trying the Mahi Sandwich as well. I didn't have it, but a friend did, got a small sample, very good!

    (4)
  • Shelly S.

    So, I would actually write a 3.5 review! This place is very hip, but at certain times of the year, the age range curve is a little high! I think I was the youngest! Lol Ordered the ahi app and the coconut shrimp! Great healthy portions and was super delicious! Never had stone crab, as I am from the northwest, ordered a plate, and it was delicious! For dinner we ordered the mahi mahi and the teriyaki chicken, awesome! Cooked just right! Dessert. Ordered the key lime pie, it was ok. My first, popped my cherry, in florida! #wheninflorida #keylimepiefirsts Overall service was great, would recommend. Live music included!

    (4)
  • Jessie L.

    Apparently, this place has been here for nearly 40 years, and I just went here for the first time this past weekend for lunch. It had live music and a good atmosphere, and it's right on the beach, so not to mention a great view, (besides for the over-weight women prancing around in the sand in bikinis in which their gut hangs over, right outside of your window where you're trying to enjoy your meal). If you can ignore that and just look out at the ocean, then you are good. It was packed and extremely hard to walk and all of the tables were pretty much right on top of each other, that's the only down-fall. The service was decent and the food was great, but pricey. We started off with the Bimini bread with the Aruba glaze, and it was sweet and awesome! For my lunch, I ordered the spicy lobster salad sandwich, at a market price of $16.00. I think that that's crazy high, since the waitress informed me that it was a mix of artificial and real lobster. It was delicious, though. I substituted the fries that it came with for a sweet potato, which was also delicious.

    (4)
  • Ashley C.

    A cool little place if you are looking for a place to eat near the beach. They have outdoor seating, and live music which was great, but if you sit outside you can't hear the music! Every day there is a happy hour, it was margarita night when we were there. Our server was super busy so things took awhile, but he was working at it. We had the kids, and the items were typical on the kids menu, and they were satisfied. Very large serving sizes. It would be nice of guy had something for the kids to do, like coloring. Our food was great, we got the cheeseburger and fries and oysters. The oysters weren't the best I've ever had, but that might just be the season. We left full and happy and would gladly go back, next time maybe sit at the bar so we can hear the music!

    (4)
  • Ernesto M.

    Good food great atmosphere and good drink specials. The view is amazing located right on the beach. Seafood selection is good and taste fresh. I haven't been disappointed by any dishes we ordered.

    (4)
  • Bob S.

    Came in expecting to eat a nice view with some great food, while the view was nothing short of what I expected, the food along with the staff was subpar. Taking a scroll at the menu, it seemed to be repetitive and lacked some variety in the limited options you had, I ended up settling for a dish which I do not recall the name of, the only memory I had of it was "diavolo" and it was linguini with a spicy marinara sauce and your standard seafood delicacies like shrimp, scallops, mussels, etc. The food turned out to be decent, not worth the price tag of $30, if anything you're paying for the view essentially. The waiter never cared to ask us for refills or checked up on us, in fact, what I assume was the owner/manager of the place had to do if for him instead(considering the man did not have the work attire every other member did) To top it off, our server pet a dog that a lady took in the store, not sure as to what rules they have regarding pets, but employees should definitely not touch animals considering they are working with food products.

    (3)
  • Jackie C.

    Food was delicious!!! I ordered the seafood quesadilla - delicious!!! We ordered the glazed Bimini bread, warm, a bit sweet but delicious. We also ordered the conch fritters. Beach views from every table. Even though they told us 40 minutes to be seated, they seated us within 20 minutes on a busy Mother's Day. Great atmosphere, food and service. I cannot wait go back!!!

    (3)
  • Holly S.

    One of my absolute favorite places. I have been here for lunch, dinner, brunch on sundays and just for drinks as well. Such a beautiful view of the ocean. My favorites are the pizza (that is on the appetizer menu...it's HUGE) the goat cheese salad and the burgers. The Ahi tuna is really good as well. There are bars inside which makes it so much easier to get a drink than instead of having one bar for the entire place. When I have someone visiting from out of town I always take them here. They have never been disappointed.

    (5)
  • Lori P.

    Fresh seafood menu. Service was excellent. Almost every seat has a view of the ocean.

    (4)
  • Camilo V.

    Good food, good server. I got the fish quesadillas and the coconut shrimp. My wife got the Havana skirtsteak with rice and beans, which was very good.

    (4)
  • Ashley M.

    Location, location, location. If you are looking for a breathtaking beach view, Aruba Beach Cafe is your answer. Ask to sit at one of the tables along the beach windows - you will have all the benefits of air conditioning along with a fantastic floor to ceiling view of the ocean, almost as if you had the sand in your toes. Usually a restaurant with a location like this wouldn't worry about good food - but our experience was anything but ordinary. The Bimini Bread with their honey butter is fantastic, and also a humongous portion even in the half. Think brioche Caribbean style. I had the portabello burger, which is angus beef topped with a huge slice of grilled portabello mushroom. Juicy, cooked perfectly and very tasty. Hubby had the blackened mahi-mahi sandwich, also very tasty. Prices are reasonable considering the location, our bill was about $80 including an appetizer, two entrees, alcohol and tip. Drinks are VERY reasonable compared to Miami prices, less than $10 for a mojito - on the beach! They have a very unique way of handling a wait - BALLOONS! They assign you a phrase at the hostess stand, which corresponds with a certain balloon color/phrase (actually written on the balloon). You then hold that while walking around the bar area until the hostess finds you when it's your turn. Highly recommended for beachfront dining.

    (5)
  • Mike G.

    Fantastic place :we had 5 adults 4 kids and service and food were great. Every dish was delicious. Highly recommend

    (5)
  • Debora V.

    My boyfriend and I visited this place to meet up with some of his friends who came in from out of town. He had spoken very highly and I was looking forward to going here. The view is amazing! We got a seat next to the window. I was staring out to the beach all evening. And their food was delicious. We got the conch fritters and I got a grilled chicken salad. It's a bit pricey but it's a very laid back and beautiful place to go to.

    (4)
  • Michael C.

    I have been a customer for a very long time. Long before moving to FL..the food is great..but don't go with someone who is picky or doesn't like seafood. The food has big flavor and is really well done. If you go with someone who doesn't like this and doesn't like that.....they may annoy you...hmm does it sound like maybe I'm speaking from personal experience? :-) ..Parking sucks...but the entertainment and atmosphere are great. Right on the ocean..nice area to walk after..and a great ice cream place just steps away....all in all that ocean vibe with music and good food will make you Happy.

    (4)
  • Samantha E.

    This place is great for sharing seafood and having a good time. The service is excellent and our waiter Jake was super helpful and so much fun, for my first time in Florida, he told us what to try on the menu and what to see on the coast. This place had a great ambiance and had other items on the menu for those who are not keen on seafood... You have to come eat by the sand.

    (5)
  • Tom L.

    Just went to Aruba's we frequent there a lot managers Carlos or Frank could care less that we are good customers very bad customer service. Be aware it's a tourist trap!

    (1)
  • Raquel J.

    This place is like a temporary escape from reality. Let's say you don't want to make the effort to go to the beach, perhaps because it's too hot or you just don't feel like getting in a swimsuit, this is your alternative. We were seated at the full length windows that make you feel like you're on the beach while enjoying the air conditioning and taking in the steel drum music provided by a live one man show. We had the Sunday buffet brunch which was excellent. The highlights, lox with capers, blintzes, biscuits and gravy and the Mimosa's! The service was good, our server was very attentive and courteous. I'm already planning my next Sunday beach day to head up to Aruba and enjoy the scenery as well as the great eats.

    (5)
  • Nafeesha P.

    This was my second time here. I love the mussels in garlic & wine sauce. It's served with a really nice bread that goes well with sopping up that delicious sauce. The last time I was there I had he broiled seafood platter. It is a HUGE portion of food & I ended up having to leave the majority of it because I was leaving the following day & could not take it on the plane. At any rate, I really wouldn't have taken it anyway because I didn't enjoy it much. The lobster & shrimp were over cooked & bland. The salmon was dry & tasteless. The rice & beans were mehhhhhh. The vegetables were vegetables. I tried the seafood Quesadilla as well. It was decent. I would go back there for the mussels. I might also try something else on the menu. I really want to like this place for more then just the mussels so i'm going to give it another go. The service both times was good.

    (3)
  • Michael C.

    Good sea food and a nice, clean casual restaurant with an ocean view. Not many restaurants like this left.

    (4)
  • Brooke K.

    A group of three of us went here for dinner last week. We ordered the jerk wings (YUM!) and they were well-seasoned and crispy (I like them a little more well-done, but my cohorts were very happy). For entrees, my friend and I split a goat cheese salad and the seafood quesadilla. The salad was delish, and the quesadilla was massive and really good - although I would argue the giant scallops were almost too rich for me. We drank a bottle of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and it was well-chilled and crisp. Our server was really nice and attentive, and she was FAST! The only drawback: LOUD. This place was definitely busy and fun....but REALLY loud. Live music and lots of dancing people...it was fun!

    (4)
  • Michon Z.

    I was there three times in a week last month. I slow danced to live music. I had drinks practically right on the beach with a view that practically brought me to tears, I was so happy to be on a beach in shorts in October! And I had the seafood soup and bimini bread and I STILL dream about it. I would love the recipe for that seafood soup. The bowl was bigger than my head and every single bite had a huge piece of fish or seafood in it. It had a tomato fennel base with garlic and spinach. Amazing food. Got seared tuna as well that was really good but it just had a weak soy sauce with it - would have been much better with ponzu sauce or eel sauce. I would definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Ula H.

    The scenery is great. The only good thing on the menu are the appetizers. The staff is also good.

    (3)
  • Jim M.

    A few months back we had a very dramatic and quit disturbing incident here. (My friend posted a review their version of the review on here as I was unable to write one at the time). We had been in contact with the management of Aruba Cafe and spoke with Guy who was very apologetic. He asked us to come back when were were back in town so he could make sure we got the service that we should have got the first time. We were back in town over memorial weekend and decided to take Guy up on his invitation. We went inside and were seated in Shannon's section. Without knowing who we were or what previous service we had, she came up to our table and greeted us with professionalism and a great attitude. We placed our drink orders and then asked if we could speak with Guy. Guy came over and greeted us and again was very apologetic. He also brought over the other managers. They took care of us and I am happy to say that the service was wonderful and as always the food was very good! Our experience this time was night and day from our previous time here. Since the removal of the bad element Danielle the server, who was our waitress the previous time, we are happy to say we will be back. Especially since this is such a great location.

    (4)
  • Tara J.

    I'm VERY happy to write an updated review. Following my previous review, a manager (Guy) contacted me to discuss the details of what happened. He was very apologetic, did not make excuses, took responsibility and fired the server who harassed our group. He also invited us back to Aruba Beach Cafe to experience it the way we should have been able to experience it the first time. We met three of the managers during our most recent visit. They were all extremely apologetic at how we were treated a couple of months ago. We visited during the Memorial Day Beach Bash, which was packed with people enjoying the sun, sand, beverages, and a buffet out on the beach at Aruba Beach Cafe. We opted to dine inside and enjoy some AC while people-watching the folks outside. The location really can't be beat. Right on the beach, with good food and good service, it's hard to beat this. Our server this time, Shannon, was a professional, continually smiling, refilling our drinks, and happy to serve our table. This visit was like night and day when compared to our visit in March. I applaud Aruba Beach Cafe management for making the smart decision to part ways with Danielle S, and invite us back for a nice meal to enjoy their restaurant the way it should be. If you're in the area, check out their beachy vibe and enjoy this spot on the beach. (I only deducted a star for the parking situation. It's so packed down there that valet seems to be the only option for pretty much any place in that area.)

    (4)
  • Kat O.

    Greatly disappointed! We came a bit late due to my flight. They recommended Basa grilled fish which came with Greece salad. Small portion of salad soaked in vinaigrette and oil. Small Fish was also soaked with oil. I wasn't full so I asked for break and they gave me garlic bread then slapped me with the bill over $50 for the fish, 1 glass of house wine and garlic bread! Do not go here!

    (2)
  • Maria P.

    Stop in after checking out of hotel to kill time before I needed to head to airport... Delicious drinks and such fresh oysters on a half shell, I had to order another dozen!!! Also the bacon wrapped scallops were great! Staff was super friendly and the man playing on the Caribbean drums put everyone in a great mood!

    (5)
  • Daniel A.

    Slow inattentive service...I'm staring at a few wait staff "hanging" out while I write this review. Continue... Decided to walk out after 10 minutes since no one walked by to even say hi. But the were more than happy to give the bill to the people on both sides of us. It seems to be popular due to it's location on the beach but service shouldn't be that bad...

    (1)
  • Joseph L.

    My wife and I were on vacation and decided to try the breakfast buffet here. Going in I tried not to have too high an expectation as I've read mixed reviews of this place. I was hoping for a good experience but sadly this wasn't the case. Pros: Breakfast buffet - food was ok Nice view of the beach Cons: First off, be prepared to pay for parking - limited to no street parking forcing customers to park in the Cafe's parking lot but why charge $5 valet? I can easily park myself. Seated pretty far away from the food, but at least got window seat and view of the beach Ordered coffee and orange juice, coffee came but no oj. Had to ask twice before finally getting it. And don't expect to get any refills. Saw the waiters and waitresses and bartenders constantly socializing amongst themselves not noticing any of the customers. Saw one waiter actually scratch his ass. Staff constantly checking their phones. Selection of food at the buffet was par, what upset me was that the trays were half the time empty or close to empty. I was left to scoop scraps. Overall: I would not recommend this place unless they seriously train their staff and rethink their valet policy. I would rather tip someone to park my car, but why force $5 to park at your restaurant for breakfast?

    (2)
  • Jennifer O.

    Great view but that's about it. We went on a Sunday for brunch. Kids could play in the sand while we watched. Food was ok. The brunch portion looked like a tornado hit it, nothing was re-filled. Pricey for what was provided. We had to fight for our waiter to come over and fill our waters. Valet parking guys were rude and un-accommodating. There are other options with better service in the area. Go there instead!

    (1)
  • Tricia S.

    Wow. I am so disappointed. The reviews I read on here were so good! I am not having any luck wuth restaurants lately! Drinks were watery. Servers did not notice when drinks were out and did not really care when I sent my conch fritter appetizer back when it was so greasy and burned it was inedible. Never asked if I wanted it remade or if I wanted anything else. I ordered crabcake sandwich and asked if it was greasy...server said no, but when it came out it was drenched in grease. I tried it and it was so bland and greasy that I could not eat it. My husband got mussels and the broth was so salty he could not eat them... we dri 've around for 49 mins trying to find parking to go here. So extremely disappointing. We definitely will not be back.

    (1)
  • Kimberly S.

    Esteysi is the best server there. I have always requested him for years and he is very attentive and funny. I love coming here for the food, service and you can't beat that it's on the beach. Overall, great times!

    (5)
  • Shelley B.

    Went here for a work lunch on a Monday. We were seated immediately and had a nice view of the beach. The whole place seamed dated and kind of dark, which made it feel a little yucky to me. I thought it was overpriced for lunch with many items $18-25. I was not paying and I tend to be more sensitive to price in that case. I tried to order a Greek burger with the pita on the side but was told the hamburger was already in the pita so that wasn't possible. That comment makes no sense to me but anyway I ordered the tuna wrap which was a lunch special instead. It was mediocre. It was huge but very plain with tuna salad tomatoes and shredded lettuce. The one shining star was the salted caramel cheesecake which was also a special for the day. It was delicious!!

    (2)
  • Crystal W.

    I have been here several times in the past. I always get the same thing. I love the chicken quesadillas. They can't screw it up and it's cheap. I came last week when I stayed at the beach. I had my usual chicken quesadilla for lunch. My server was friendly, even though she was a bit slow. She said she was new, so I expected her to be a bit slow. No big deal. I ordered an apple martini. It wasn't that great. The bartender (a guy - not sure of his name??) put too much apple pucker into it. So, it did not taste as it should. I also had tiramisu for dessert. Yum yum! You have a very nice view of the Ft. Lauderdale beach. If you choose, you can walk down the Commercial Pier. It is $2.00 to access the pier though. I don't mind paying, after all - it's only $2.00. Some people think it's absurd to pay anything to walk down the pier. It can get extremely crowded here at times, so I would try to come during downtimes if you want to avoid the madness. You can valet your car with the restaurant or you can try to find metered parking. The parking near the pier gets crowded quickly, but cars cycle in and out frequently. Personally, I hate fighting for parking, so I walked from my hotel. Overall, it's an okay place to eat. I don't get anything expensive because I think this restaurant is a bit over-rated. I would rather go elsewhere for steak or seafood. That's just my personal choice though!

    (3)
  • Bill L.

    Worst tourist trap around. Valet parking staff are rude and obnoxious, food is mediocre at best. Try The Village Pump or Mulligans when it Re-opens soon

    (1)
  • Tully R.

    There are not many restaurants that can boast this view. A bustling, fun, attractive place that served us excellent fresh oysters, and lobster salad. Good place to people watch and enjoy the ambiance. The Bimini bread is yeasty, doughy bread served warm with sweet butter.

    (4)
  • Hanh N.

    nice location right next to the beach. Came here for a quick bite to eat with my cousin before he dropped me off to my gfs in South Beach. They asked us whether to sit outside or inside and we choose outside. WORD OF ADVICE- if you don't have sunscreen on- SIT INSIDE. Oh bloody hell.... after 45 mins of being outside, my shoulders were burnt :( Get their clams in white cream sauce!!! SOOOO YUMMIES.

    (3)
  • Cori S.

    Wow does this place get packed!!!!! Only went at night so I never got the chance to see how nice the view was out by the ocean but I'm sure it's amazing. The live music was fun but so many people were trying to dance and there's not really a dance floor area so it was challenging trying to get by to a table. The decor was cool-the stain glass fish lights were awesome!! We ordered a bottle of wine & the night before we had piña coladas -those were so damn good and addictive!!! For dinner I got a chicken quesadilla and it was gigantic!!! Me and my friend ordered a side of rice & beans & I wish the server had told us how large it was because that side was a meal in itself & we ordered 2 on top of out dinners!! Needless to say we had a lot of leftovers but we didn't mind. The prices are a little high but they definitely give you a ton of food!! If i am in ft lauderdale again I will be going back for sure!

    (4)
  • Patricia L.

    Stopped by Aruba Saturday night for a drink , had a wonderful experience. My waiters name was Jake, new to Florida from the Carolinas. What a wonderful waiter.

    (5)
  • Suzanne S.

    Worst service EVER! Management needs to replace staff with professional help or they will be doomed to fail. Will not return or recommend.

    (1)
  • M S.

    We came here twice during a recent vacation to the area. The food and drinks are excellent, and are moderately priced. Expect to spend at least $40 including tip for a couple. We tried coconut shrimp, chicken caesar salad, and bimini bread with honey butter. The bread was just average, but the shrimp and caesar salad were both very tasty. Drinks were adequately strong and well made. I knocked off one star due to service. It seemed that servers' sections were too big, so we were often left waiting for quite awhile. The indoor area is LOUD during dinner because there is a DJ and live music, so the patio might be a better bet if you don't want to shout over the music.

    (4)
  • Kay C.

    Second time here, and as usual it was good good good. We went for dinner on Sat night. The guy at the hotel recommended the crab nachos, but we didn't get them. We had chicken nachos - huge serving and I had seafood pasta... very good and the drinks were strong. :) This area is real cool as well.

    (5)
  • Cindi W.

    I recently had a party at Aruba's!!! What a great time we had. The food was out of this world and delicious. The service was off the charts! Service was a 10 plus. The bartenders were the best!!! Guy the Manager was phenomenal. Thank you for making our day so special, one we will never forget!

    (5)
  • G. V.

    Beware of this place. I have been there twice and both of the times I've gotten extremely sick ( I am not going to get in details). This is such a turist place that is always packed just because they are lucky to be ocean front otherwise in my opinion this place will be shutting down. I normally dont lime to trash places, but too much coincidence i got sick both time. Never again.

    (1)
  • Laura B.

    Worst hamburger EVER and mediocre service. I specifically asked the waiter to.make sure my fries were hot, they were warm at best. Sent them back for hot fries, he brings me a plate to put the fries on. One minute later he came back with the same plate and said the fries were just out of the basket. They were the same friends I sent back. I live in South Florida and will never eat at this restaurant again.

    (2)
  • Devon A.

    Always sucks me in, but ends up sucking. Its right on the beach, so the location is great. They do make a mean cocktail/colada/daquari. Also, steel drums and the bands are fun. That's the good. The food is never good and there is no reason for it to be this bad. I think, with minimal effort, you could make better food. Nachos had half the plate with plain chips and no toppings, other half had every single thing on top of it. The sea food is never good, always just generic and bland. And with this location, it is a waste. Eat at any of the other places in the area, much better food there.

    (2)
  • Tom S.

    Great place for seafood, and right on the beach! The sauteed flounder was wonderful. Salty atmosphere.

    (5)
  • Bethany C.

    Great salads and burgers for lunch that come with large serving sizes. Try the fresh strawberry salad or pineapple burger sometime. Also, the fresh bread and honey butter is delicious. Not to mention the view is beautiful out on the deck; it's right off the beach! You must experience this place when at lauderdale by the sea. I plan to take my parents here when they come to visit. Great service and the food/view is worth the price!

    (5)
  • Joshua H.

    A good place to walk off the beach to for a cold drink from the bar. Very nice beach-side restaurant. I used to frequent this place when I went to the beach. Prices are a little steep, but great location if youre not wanting to go very far from Lauderdale-By-The-Sea.

    (3)
  • Ryan W.

    The view is great. The multiple bars inside is cool. The live acoustic music last night (tues) was incredible! the drinks are skimpy the food portions are LARGE but the food itself is blah. Go for the experience and the atmosphere not for the food and drinks

    (3)
  • Genevieve M.

    This place is pretty good. It has been very busy each time I have visited...which is usually a good sign. It is a very laid-back, and casual atmoshere. Occasionally they have live music...a cool reggae band. The food is pretty decent...although I have only had a few items on the menu...the goat cheese salad is great!! They have a fun bar...and a dining are that looks out onto the beach. Stay away from the calamari...it was obviously frozen, and gross! Makes me think that have other frozen items, lame... :( Especially since they are right on the beach! Ultimately, I have gone back for the atmosphere..and the drinks, and not necessarily for the food.

    (3)
  • Kimber S.

    I never write reviews. My experience here was so bad, I needed to share... My friends and I went here for drinks on a Thursday night and it was lovely. Not too crowded, good service, live music--however smoking is permitted on the patio, which sucks for nonsmokers. The next night we went back for a late dinner and it was a VERY different environment (this is where, Aruba loses 3 stars). It was MOBBED. Very crowded, tough to move around, loud, and smokey. We were actually seated within 10 mins (without a reservation), but once seated, we waited...and waited....and waited. We looked around and saw that the tables around us were also waiting extensively, while other tables seated 20+minutes after us had ordered and gotten their food. Our waitress was young and friendly, but she clearly struggled to multi-task and prioritize. We were seated around 8:15 pm. It took her 15 mins to even bring waters/drinks and 25mins to TAKE our orders. It was about 9pm at that point. Some in my party ordered a salad for an app. After they finished eating that, the waitress came back and "clarified" our dinner orders, AND THEN submitted them to the kitchen, knowing there was a 40min back-up already (WHAT?!?!?!). We ended up waiting for our, mediocre at best and very expensive, dinners for 90+ mins--did not get our food until 9:50pm--and they got my order wrong to ad insult to injury!!! Once they came, we immediately requested the check and still had to wait 15+ mins after finishing our meals to pay. THIS WAS THE WORST SERVICE I HAVE EVER EXPERIENCED. No manger was present to help with the back log and pick up the slack. No one apologized or explained the wait. We were left hangry and confused. It's such a shame because the ambiance with the water, the indoor-outdoor set up, and the live music should make this place awesome--butttt I will never return here. period.

    (1)
  • C T.

    I don't know what happened to this place...it used to be great. Went last night and had to send the salmon back ...it was covered in a sickeningly sweet sauce. It just wasn't edible and I had to send it back.. The mashed potatoes tasted like they weren't from potatoes, had no flavor, and tasted like they had been made with water. My husband had the Key West fried shrimp. The breading on the shrimp was really bad...I've had much much better fried shrimp elsewhere. Our dining experience there last night was bad...real bad!

    (1)
  • Sergio F.

    Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take you... I stopped by with a friend the other day, during my explorations of the 954. Located next to the famous Commercial Blvd pier, the real estate and ocean view are an automatic extra star to this restaurant. We came in on a busy weekend afternoon and the hostess found my friend and I seats with an ocean view. Service was pretty fast, and drink refills were on point. While most of the menu is seafood, there are few gems of "normal" ;) dishes. I enjoyed their generously portioned teriyaki chicken with a substantial spread of sauce, pineapple slice and an assortment of red peppers, snap peas and rice. It was large enough that I have leftovers for tomorrow! One thing that pleasantly surprised me was their dessert menu. Although lacking in apple dishes and creme brulee, and being full from my dinner, I had to sample it as my Dessert Snob supremacy was challenged! That being the case, I was pleasantly surprised with their chocolate bomb. Beautifully presented with a whipped cream and chocolate drizzle garnish, the chocolate itself was rich, sweet and with slight notes of mint. With the live reggae cover band and sunset views, the plave has a very romantic vibe as well. However, there are plenty of TVs to watch the Dolphins thru yet another brave effort :/

    (4)
  • Nick A.

    Bar has been set low for any place by the beach but heres the least you should know:: Suprisingly not a tourist trap despite all signs saying otherwise mahi sandwich was damn good, mkt price tho ($16) frles taste like the ones they served at Pete Roses (highest compliment u can give fries) live music plenty of outdoor seating with big fans blowing too but smokings allowed fish tacos, featured on travel channel, are only available in day time best beer they have is available is sam adams seasonal (octoberfest) inside is very nice too

    (4)
  • Nina C.

    Great place!!! Omg!!! The view was amazing today ( and I'm sure everyday)!!!!! I had the crab cake and I was good, some said great, but I'm very very picky with crab cakes!! In my opinion you have to goto Birmingham Michigan to a place called 220 for the BEST crab cake!!! I was drinking a drink called the painkiller and umm yea I was feeling no pain at all!!!!!!

    (4)
  • Doug R.

    On a busy night in the middle of season, we walked right in and found a seat. The food was excellent and the live band was a nice touch. I wish I had more time to enjoy the waterfront setting.

    (4)
  • Chris S.

    Good food. Had the seafood trio, the mahi was delicious. I thought the interior of the restaurant was a little outdated. The view was nice even tho there were tons of people outside the glass.

    (4)
  • Steve M.

    Had a huge sandwich. The Italian combo. Fresh and tasty ingredients. Awesome ocean view. Really popular place.

    (5)
  • MaryBeth O.

    My friends and I went around 5pm. They had live music which was great. We sat outside and enjoyed the beach view. I am from Maryland and I ordered the Chesapeake crab cake with a little skepticism. It was wonderful and could be served anywhere in Maryland. My friend had the fish tacos and said they were great. Overall the food was tasty and the ambience was nice. We had a fun time!

    (4)
  • Marie O.

    I have been eating for years. Well prepared seafood dishes. Summer lunch special Monday thru Thursday. Half price lunch at bar. Sit at front bar and visit Ruth. Today I had the crab cake sandwich. Last week I had the blackened salmon,cooked perfectly

    (5)
  • Cherir C.

    My uncle and I stopped in for lunch. Not my first time here. The view is out of this world. I had a piña colada that was small and seemed like it had no rum but tasted great. Turkey club was so so but my Uncle loved his crab cake sandwich. The prices are fair considering it is a tourist area. It is my brother and his wife's favorite. I will go again.

    (3)
  • Kristin C.

    The feel is a little too (strangely) tropical for me (not tropical in a neat way). I guess as others say the location is prime, and good luck finding quality food with as good of a view. It gets 3 stars because I had two special requests about my dish, and they messed up on both. Then, the waiter was nowhere in sight to get it fixed, and starving me is staring at my dish forlornly. Maybe I wouldn't have been as starving, but I was already in a starvation haze, and I couldn't seem to find anything appetizing on the menu. But back to my special requests. I described in several ways how I wanted the veggies cooked soft, and they still managed to come out crispy. I also asked for extra sauce on the side, and there was only a measly amount of sauce and none on the side. They did finally make things right after a while, but since the rest of my party had already finished their food, I really was almost to the point of sending it back and finding food elsewhere I was so frustrated. However, I did request they make things right, and they did. I guess the food was okay in the end. The tropical veggies were definitely an interesting mix. We might be back for the location, especially with out of town visitors. I will probably tag along begrudgingly, though, and try to think of other ways to get the same purposes accomplished (i.e. see the view under a different mechanism and eat at a better restaurant).

    (3)
  • Kelly S.

    $billion$ dollar view. Awesome location right on the sand. Friday Happy Hour that just does backflips over every other happy hour I've been to EVER. When we went, they had 2 for 1 drinks at the bar plus a free pig roast buffet with sides like potato salad and beans. They also had hot dogs. So, our total for 6 draft beers plus pork sandwiches, sides and barkeep tip? FREAKIN' $17!!!!!!!! Oh, forgot to mention live music to boot!

    (5)
  • Eva V.

    I ordered the lunch special - blackened cobia with rice, black beans and vegetables. It was a big serving. The fish was cooked perfectly. It melts in your mouth. Im giving this a 4 star because i havent tried the other food from their menu.

    (4)
  • Torrey R.

    Slim pickings for beach front dining in this neighborhood brings you Aruba's. Amazingly it is not terribly easy to find tropical style beach side water front dining in the SE FL area. This is an aright place to take your out of town visitors to have a fruity drink right on the beach. The food and service are alright for your standard bar environment but with this location they could do so much better.

    (3)
  • Cindy D.

    Real great place, fun to be in. Music was great and on weekdays its not so crowded to go on in.

    (4)
  • James G.

    The view and location basically makes up for the ok food and the bad parking. The steel drum player is a nice touch.

    (4)
  • Drew C.

    Tourist "trap" CRAP How to ruin a completely perfect evening/restaurant experience. The Aruba location is in a 1/2 block area filled with tourist trap shops, and next to the pier on the Ocean. They advertised; music and best 200 restaurant in the Area, what a joke! The music was barely recognizable and so bad we asked to be seated near the back. An older couple playing keyboards and guitar generating cords and "noise". We ordered some drinks and the shrimp cocktail appetizer and it was all down hill from there. We ordered the blackened red snapper, we were going to split this dish but it was covered/smothered with rice and beans to the point that they were drenched with the rub where I could not eat then. Blackened Slop! Also the menu stated fresh veg. with the plate. They were also covered by the blacken fish rub and soggy, boiled to a pulp. Again edible. The service was extremely slow, it took 45 minutes to order after appetizer came. The table next to us came 10 minutes after, ordered and got their food before we actually ordered. My mistake was not to make a scene, and or call the manager over, but I followed up with a phone call to the restaurant general manager to explain all, thought he would like to have some feedback and know. He stated that he would be following up the next day, well two days later I had to called him up to follow up. He stated that there was nothing he could do at this time, big mistake. If you desire a tourist trap experience, crap food, poor service and lack of restaurant management response. I highly recommend ARUBA's.

    (1)
  • David L.

    Return visit our previous bartender was no where to be found. After not receiving any feedback from the establishment we assume they terminated her in house, as should have been handled. We are happy to have enjoyed our time with Ruth as our bartender and look forward to seeing her again!

    (4)
  • Olena K.

    Such a great and fun place! My family has a condo a few blocks away and every time we go to Lauderdale by the sea, Arubas is a must! Love the live music and all the bars. Happy hour has incredible deals. My favorite is the fish tacos and the mahi mahi sandwich, it's the best!

    (5)
  • Hilda H.

    (update to my last review) OKAY...... So coming to Aruba for the third time I wanted to try their Florida seafood soup. The weather was crappy and it was windy. Perfect excuse to come up here; have something to perk me right up from all the gloominess. Though the day didn't scare away the surfers, and thank god it didn't.... for it was great eye candy. My server as always very nice and attentive brought me my soup. The bowl was very big; honestly I hadn't had such a big bowl of soup in any restaurant. Most of the time when I do get to have a large bowl is when I make my own at home. This soup I had let me tell you something not only could it annihilate any virus, scare away a fiercest cold, or bring anyone's libido right to par but I swear by this it can cure broken hearts. It is seafood soup for the soul guys. It's freaking fresh, amazing and absolutely incredible. The soup is infused with a special seafood and tomato broth. It contains about eight shrimp, calamari, giant scallops, fresh white fish, salmon and basil. The taste it's indescribable. A MUST TRY.

    (5)
  • Jason B.

    Amazing food with an amazing view. Aruba really is a great place to sit back, kick it, and enjoy some R & R. Without getting too much into specifics because that seems to have been covered by many of the previous reviews, I'll keep it short. The valet parking is worth the few bucks... finding parking is rough around this area. My favorite dishes here are by far the Conch Fritters and the AMAZING Lobster Salad Sandwich. Tons of conch in the fresh made fritters that have great flavor and aren't too doughy like you often find out here. The Lobster Salad is the best I've ever had. Packed with what seems to be pounds of fresh lobster meat, this sandwich is HUGE and worth every penny! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!! Recommend eating outside, but just know that if you're a party of two, they are pretty stingy about seating you at a 4-top as they reserve those tables for parties of 3 or more.

    (4)
  • Mxxxx R.

    As a Native Floridian, I know good quality seafood. We are regulars at Aruba's, but we just went again Friday, January 23, 2015 and one thing was different and that was Ms Sandy. Great food, but sometimes the customer service lacks.. However, Ms Sandy catered to my Bratty ,14 year who walked in grumpy and walked out with a smile....MUAH! I suggest you start with the oysters and conch fritters then order the Seafood Alfredo, Broiled Seafood Platter and Chicken pesto pasta and suddenly you have a party for 3!!! Vay Kay on a budget a must do!

    (4)
  • Maureen M.

    Usually love this place but today's evening service was not good. Evening waiter was rude. I asked for manager and they never came. Was very disappointed. I hope this was a one time situation

    (3)
  • Melody M.

    I went there for my friend's party. After surveying the menu for non-meat options I asked the waitress what she would recommend for a vegan. She told me that they had portobello mushrooms so I could order a sandwich without the beef. This sounded good as I eat mushroom sandwiches at other places. The sandwich was awful. It had no flavor. I felt like they heated up some mushrooms and slapped them in a bun without any seasoning. I ended up eating the mushrooms without the bread because the whole thing was so bland. The french fries were not so good either. They tasted like they had a coating on them. I could not figure out what was going on. I only give two stars because they are on the water and the view was nice...except the drunk lady who was dancing with her umbrella.

    (2)
  • Susan S.

    Great atmosphere, but this is the second time I was disappointed. My shrimp scampi was excellent, but the rice on the side was lukewarm. The kitchen needs to get it together. The last time I ate here the linguini was awful - broken into little pieces and cooked to mush. The chef needs to pay attention to the people on his team.

    (3)
  • Bob M.

    I've been here a few times over the years and I keep making the same mistake, I order the nachos, they are probably the worst nachos I have ever had. After I order them I remember I didn't like them last time. The service is good and it's right on the beach but I'm going to try someplace else next time.

    (2)
  • Renee M.

    I am giving them 2 stars because the food was really great!!! We went last night (Sat night) and we knew it would be busy so we didn't not mind waiting :) there were 8 of us and 4 of us were from out of town. We ordered drinks and the waiter didn't write anything down and was wrong on one, which was fine it happens. Then we ordered 2 loaves of Bimini bread (which rocks!!!!) and the waiter said he would give us one and bring the other out if we really needed it, at first I was like awesome he wanted to save us $ but someone at the table said "I can eat a whole one my self" then laughed. The waiter actually mad a smart a** comment "I work here so I would know better" we were all like "OK". Then we ordered our meals and of course he didn't write it down again. We received 7 out of 8 meals, we then tried to flag him down (I will cut him some slack there it was busy) when he finally came over he acted like it was on the way (Which he never put it in) 10 mins later he brought her a totally different meal. When he brought her the correct meal he just put it on the table and walked away, like we did something wrong cause she didn't want the wrong meal that he brought her late the first time. The bill was $200.00 and we thought since he was rude we would only leave 10% so we left a $20.00 tip, he proceeded to come back to the table and leave all the money and point out we should have left $39.00 because that is the recommended tip amount. I always tip 20% or more if the service is great (Which most are) but we didn't think he deserved it for being rude then he comes to the table to ask for more!!! I found this to be extremely rude!!!! He was rude and inattentive, and we were there less than an hour (Kitchen was Rockin and food was flying out) The guy should have been happy we left 10% considering... The food is amazing but I won't be back, there are too many good restaurants in the area!!!!

    (2)
  • P A.

    Surprised .... Would be the word I'am looking for....food was very good .,,.service at 1st a little cold but warmed up nicely... All and all a very nice lunch .,... I'll be back ! !

    (4)
  • Ann M.

    The wait was long on Mother's Day which was expected, but the thought process behind seating large parties was non-existent. Why seat two 6 or 7 party tables one right after the other and next to each other while making a larger party wait over an hour without even asking if they would be ok with 2 tables next to each other. The food was ok, nothing was particularly memorable. The service was mediocre at best and when a server lies about serving me decaf, I see red. The orange carafe is always decaf; brown is regular. All over the dining room servers are refilling with a brown carafe, mine was the only server (Michael S) that found it appropriate to lie to me about the coffee. I needed regular and asked for it, he lied as he poured from the orange carafe and said it was regular, then when I flagged down another server to ask for regular coffee, Michael S came out and made a comment that this was regular just like the other one was. He has ensured I will not be back. So, well done Michael S. Next year's wait for Mother's Day brunch is one large party less, and my husband and I will never stop by again for dinner or drinks on the weekend.

    (3)
  • Shurla S.

    Amazing location right on the beach but that's about it. My family and I went here after church and decided to have brunch. By the time we parked and waited for a table they were serving lunch. We sat down ordered drinks and the bread which was very good. I felt for breakfast but knew they were serving lunch so I selected the turkey club and ask the waitress if they can make it a hot sandwich with cheese and put a fry egg in the sandwich. She immediately replied no we don't do that. I told her I ate here before whenever I am in town and she responded again without checking that the chef won't do it. Everyone else ordered I told her I didn't want anything else and I am good with the bread and drink. I ask her one more time if she could forget about the egg and warm the sandwich up with cheese and she said no we don't do that. How much effort does it take to warm up turkey on the grill with cheese. I ask to speak to the manager he came over and addressed me very casual "dude we don't make fried eggs here". What happen to the customer is always right? I told him I have gotten that here before and he said no way we don't do that here. I told him we are leaving let me get the check and he had an attitude of we don't need your business. He brought the check and never apologize. After we paid the check then he came back and said the chef does remember you but he is too busy to accommodate my request for a fried egg. He should have checked with the chef first instead of giving me an out right no. Like most of the reviews over priced and poor service tourist trap. Lots of better and cheaper places to eat at. Will never go back.

    (1)
  • M.M. K.

    Great location. The staff could be nicer. No need to get mad because I am single and don't come with 6 ppl. Appreciate the locals, we are here even off season. The Caesar salad is amazing btw, very fresh.

    (3)
  • Eric T.

    Had a nice dinner with a group of 12, everyone enjoyed their food, the service was attentive, and the drinks were fairly well priced for a place right on the beach.....

    (4)
  • Justin P.

    This is where the denture-wearing crowd goes to get hammered. It actually has decent ambience, due to being right on the beach. When I was there, it had live music and a lot of the people were dancing. (This may or may not have been a good thing. After all, it's all fun and games until somebody breaks a hip.) As a person in my 30's, I was a little too young for this place, but I can see why so many people like it. If your parents are in town and looking for a place to party near the beach, then this might be a good place to take them. However, if you do, stay close to them. Otherwise, a much older woman may want to grind up against you all night. Trust me, I know.

    (2)
  • Dominique M.

    A very cute beachfront restaurant along Lauderdale by the sea beach. Great views!!! During my week long stay in beautiful South Florida I was happy to visit this cute beachfront restaurant facing the beach in Lauderdale by the sea, not once but twice. First thing, I noticed was that this place was packed which I later found out that the majority were indeed locals which says a lot about this restaurant in a major tourist attraction area. Second thing, the lovely views facing the beautiful turquoise atlantic sea were something to see. My first visit was indeed most memorable and I had two of my wonderful whom are both locals to thank for the experience. First... We all shared the stone crab, which is not available on the west coast at all. First time trying the stone crab and let me tell you!!!! Amazing. Aruba served us 4 large claws but that wasn't enough it was so mouth-watering I do believe it was the best thing I tasted while in Florida and let's say I had some darn good food! So we order more ;) Secondly, the seafood salad... Very tasting and yet simple. Imagine a very fresh and hearty seafood salad piled on top of a bed of greens Whaaa Laaaa! SIMPLE AND DELICIOUS! Lastly, I had the blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich, which came along side coleslaw and french fries. It was cooked well but I was not extremely impressed with the seasoning used and the so called "blackened" flavor which was lacking completely (I will say that the Mahi Mahi menu options in South Florida is very plentiful) So I must have had Mahi Mahi 5+ times during my stay week long stay. lol On my second visit I got take out and had lunch along the beach. I got the crab cake Sandwich and it was great, not too fried no extra filler, it filled up with tons of crab just like I love for a decent price. I shared with my friend and in the end had hoped I had gotten my own. All in all great good, superb ocean views, and A-ok wait service. $80 including an appetizer, two entrees, 4 drinks alcohol lastly they give you a balloon with a name on it and let you walk around outside to the shops and they'll come find YOU when your table is ready.... LOL Some might not like this, I thought it was funny, unique, and dorky to be found that way! 4 stars baby!

    (4)
  • Jason A.

    Typical kind of touristy beach bar with slightly above average food. Drinks are weak, food is good, view on the patio is fantastic.

    (3)
  • Anthony R.

    I recently visited this location while staying nearby during Spring Break. My time started off bumpy because we were not greeted by our server in over 5 minutes. I got up and spoke to the manager about it and he immediately ensured that it was rectified. The food here was great (my gf ADORED the goat cheese salad) and the cocktails were potent and tasty. Additionally, after the initial snafu, our server was very attentive and did a great job. Lastly, even though we didn't make a big stink about the excessive wait at the beginning of our visit, the manager comped our beverages. That was kind and totally unexpected. I assume that the issue at the beginning is an outlier because the rest of our visit was great. Additionally, it's impossible to beat the view that you get while eating outside! Great experience. I'd highly recommend this beachside location.

    (5)
  • Sue C.

    Really fun place with good food

    (4)
  • Wade M.

    MIXED BAG -- The dish I had was tasty, but expensive for such a casual place. My date's salad was not tasty nor beautiful, like a bag of greens you buy at Publix. The restaurant is on the beach, which must be beautiful during the day, but if you go at night, you'll have to cup your hands against the window to see a few lights on the pier. The bar was full, and there was a good one-man band until 9:30, and one drunk couple dancing. The music was loud enough for a rock concert, so we asked to sit where we could attempt a conversation over dinner. Finally, I always object to paying to park in a restaurant's own parking lot ($10), and you have to factor this into the overall cost of going out. I won't rush back, but I wouldn't mind having lunch there if I happened to be in the neighborhood.

    (2)
  • Gary G.

    Great location and high energy spot, but food and service were average.

    (3)
  • Bradford S.

    Ambiance: What an amazing location!! This place is located right next to Commercial Pier and right on the beach. They have an outdoor patio area which is a great place to dine at night provided the entertainment isn't trying to play for passengers aboard passing cruise vessels half a mile out at sea (they were obnoxiously loud and not very good when I was there). Minus said band, this is a very romantic setting. Next time I go will be with my girlfriend. When I was there last they had candles on the tables and there was a full moon and slight breeze coming off the ocean. Food: Aside from the obnoxiously loud entertainment the meal was great. Three of us ate for about $60. The crab nachos were absolutely amazing. In fact, they are the best blue crab nachos I have had which is saying a lot for a guy who lives here. The Mahi-Mahi (a.k.a. dolphin) sandwich was perfectly cooked and can be made to order. I recommend getting it coconut fried or seared. Service: I thought that the service was exceptional. How to Get There: This spot is located right on the water on Commercial Blvd in Lauderdale by the Sea (a.k.a. basically Northern Fort Lauderdale). Best ways to access it are either by taking A1A to Commercial and heading a couple blocks east (most scenic) or taking Federal Highway to Commercial and heading east. Business Review: Good place to meet with cohorts whether or not they enjoy getting sauced. Promotes casual conversation (its not too pretentious and has you wanting to talk about life instead of work) and leaves a good impression of our city. Not a spot for bloody nosed negotiating or as a closing venue. Tip: Grab a cup of coffee and dessert at the end of the very long Commercial Pier after dinner.

    (4)
  • Cara P.

    The drinks are O.K., but the food tasted so horrible! I just come here for the view and fresh ocean breeze.

    (1)
  • South Riding M.

    I use to live near this place and went there often. Since I have moved I visit Florida often and absolutely LOVE this place. It a must visit each time I am in town! Food, view and service is wonderful. Can't wait to go again.

    (5)
  • Aventura F.

    Tried their famous lobster sandwich recently at lunch time. Absolutely terrible. Tasteless finely ground lobster salad on what tasted like Publix $0.99 white bread. Server was completely uninspired as well... Save your money and take a walk on the beach instead. Try Coconuts for a great lobster sandwich.

    (1)
  • Lance S.

    Wow, an excellent place for seafood! I had the Fresh Florida Mahi Mahi - an excellent choice. The serving sizes were plentiful. You will not leave hungry if you choose this dish. The mahi was fresh, presentation was excellent. When I am looking for good seafood I go to the coast (I know it is just a mental thing), but I can honestly say this place has the recipe for a great seafood restaurant. Beachfront location, great service, laid back atmosphere, and most importantly stellar food.

    (5)
  • Wilson L.

    Something different. It's a good bar scene with actually great food. I wasn't disappointed and the have a great happy hour so I suggest getting there early, drinking like a fish then partake in some decent food.

    (3)
  • Dave G.

    The food was bland - not very exciting at all, and far too pricey. Plus the place was noisy and for some reason closed early on a Sunday night while it was still very busy. Portions were good though. Dessert was overpriced and not very good at all. The Key Lime Pie was the worst we had, and the chocolate bomb dessert tasted very pre-fab.

    (2)
  • John L.

    Bar tender Laura was sweet and sexy. Food was ok for the pub fare we got. I didn't go for dinner. Nice bar on the beach with music but a 50 something crowd.

    (3)
  • Randall R.

    Ahh...Fort Lauderdale in the springtime. Drunk 20-somethings from the midwest and northeast everywhere, ready to drink, party, and eat anything that moves to keep themselves fueled. Not exactly the highest bar for food quality. And like a limbo dancer's first pass under the pole, Aruba delivers with no more effort than necessary. Taste? Nah....we don't need any of that; butter and cheese will make our meals flavorful. Grease? In spades! Quantity? Enough gruel to add 5 lbs per thigh, coooming up! However, there was a heavy humor factor which almost made me give them 3 stars. For starters, the band was, well, awful. Will someone tell the female lead singer that if you can't hit the notes you either a) don't do the song or b) transpose it into a key you can sing? Especially when your keyboardist is sequencing all the backing tracks. Oh, and tell the keyboardist that there really have been some cool new (and authentic) sounds that have come out since 1982...maybe it's time to upgrade? And yet, the dance floor was packed and people were singing while the beer was spilling. And then there was the mother and daughter who were both smoking like chimneys while trying to pick up men. At least I didn't see them competing over the same guy. But the night was young. My waitress was prompt and cheerful. The water was only 1/2 mile or so away (ok, maybe it was closer, but don't get the impression this is truly on the beach), and the forced valet parking was only $5 if you were only there to eat and $7 if you were going to go to the water. Ummm...how would they know? Aruba...One Happy Restaurant. That , too, almost made me give them a 3rd star. And then I remembered my meal.

    (2)
  • Heart T.

    Several of my family members in Florida went here on my grandmas birthday and we had to wait a whole hour to get in...however it was worth the wait.When we finally went in the decorations were amazing and the food looked delicous.I ordered coconut shrimps and they were so big!My other family memebers chose the chicken or shrimp and man did they look good.The view of outside was beautiful in the night and the drinks were fresh.Over all we had fun and I was glad to wait an hour outside because the wait was so worth it.I hope that in the future we could do this again.Four stars because I had to wait an hour though!

    (4)
  • Jeremy S.

    Really expensive for just ok food. Minor gripe is the drink glasses are tiny. I always needed a refill. Outside seating is nice. If you can find better on the beach, give this one a pass.

    (2)
  • Shelley H.

    Went here about 6 yrs ago and felt compelled to write a review. I checked out their online menu and I can't seem to find what I ordered then, but even after so much time has elapsed I still have the remembrance of the oh so yummy pizza and salad that has been stuck in my head. Great location, great food, and great service. If I ever go back to Fort Lauderdale, I will definitely stop by!!

    (4)
  • PaulSEGAL ..

    on the beach very popular looks very cool but did not eat there, but would on a return trip.

    (4)
  • Jaye V.

    Food is nothing to write home about. Stuff tends to be rather bland. The lobster salad roll is NOT a lobster roll. It's like tuna fish salad with lobster pieces instead of tuna. The jerk seasoning on the chicken wings had everything in the jerk except salt and anything remotely resembling spiciness. I guess they play it safe with the on-average 'older' clientele. It's popular with the tourists because of its location. You can't beat the views of the beach and the fishing pier. The waves are stronger here than on other parts of the beach, the sand comes out a lot further, and the water is clearer and light blue-green. Plus all the people-watching to be had (good but mostly bad; there are a lot of seniors) of the beachgoers.

    (2)
  • Christina C.

    For a beach front place, this is great! Very reasonable drink prices, live music, casual atmosphere. Bartenders are all excellent (we tried to sit outside but no one came to greet us much less take our order 10 mins after hostess sat us). I recommend the seafood quesadilla and if they have it get the blackened red snapper (it was the special). This is in a great tourist spot called Lauderdale by the Sea.

    (4)
  • MIKE D.

    I just got back back from Aruba Cafe. The place was amazing & didn't let me down. I had a few friends from out of town come in & asked me where they can get a nice seafood diner & a great view of the ocean!... ARUBA!....hands down..great food, great atmosphere, great service..you cant go wrong! We had a a good time enjoying the delicious menu, & good drinks...Its a no brainer...good food, god times, good view...= ARUBA!

    (4)
  • Kayla S.

    I've been here twice both times I visited Lauderdale. I f-ing love this place! The atmosphere is so chill, the live music is a major plus, the food is delicious (ahi sandwich and teriyaki pineapple burger), and it's right by the water! Definitely check this place out.

    (5)
  • Jenny N.

    Love coming here for brunch on a sunny Sunday morning! The breakfast buffet is about as good as any other buffet but you can't beat the view. On a breezy day, it's best to sit outside on the patio and enjoy the view of the pier and calypso music playing in the background.

    (3)
  • S H.

    The location is so exceptional, Aruba Beach Cafe could probably stay in buisiness based on that alone. That's why it is impressive that they really do try with the menu. The food is great, and they offer a wide variety of choices. Something for everyone. We all thought the meals were super-fresh, had flavor and were perfectly prepared. Live music, great service, fun place!

    (5)
  • Allison S.

    Came here on a Saturday night and was surprised at how short the wait was. We started off with a couple drinks, and I have to say my margarita was very disappointing. Their tap beer selection was minimal. The food portions were huge! A little overpriced for the quality of the meals, but still a fun experience. I'd probably come here again.

    (3)
  • Jazzy J.

    My fiancé and I came here for dinner because we were enticed by the pretty ocean view! The restaurant has a romantical ambiance--it is dimly lit with candles at every table. Perfect for a date! It did get quite loud in there, however I think it was because everyone was having a great time! Onward to the food! We ordered the Bimini bread (heaven in my mouth!!) fluffy and luscious bread glazed with a sweet honey-sugary something. Ohh, it was yumm-mmy!!! I had the jumbo lump crab cake--appetizer portion--which was actually huge and enough for a meal. The crabby patty came with a delicious creamy sauce with some steamed veggies! The fiance had the mahi mahi, shrimp and scallop trio. All of the sea creatures were lightly blackened and perfectly seasoned! Divine!!! Of course I cannot pass up a peep at the dessert menu and couldn't stop myself from ordering a cappuccino and pineapple-coconut rum cheesecake!! Wow--the cappuccino was served in a tall fancy glass with a rock candy stick to dip in it!! How cute! The cheesecake was an absolute perfect ending to a great meal! Mmmmm! Lastly, our server (Nicole) was super sweet and great! Go here!

    (4)
  • laura c.

    I was here in the beginning of June for a mini-vacation and staying in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea because it was much cheaper. We actually ended up going here twice, once just for drinks and the other for drinks and dinner. We were most likely the youngest people there (23/24) unless you count anyone who had kids at dinner. The wait staff was great and the guy who seated us, who I have a suspicion might be the owner or manager because the actual hostess wasn't doing a very good job, found us a great table very quickly. It was very crowded but it was not overly expensive and was within walking distance of our hotel. If you're staying in Lauderdale by the Sea I would recommend this because the beach is right there and was easy to get to. Not the place you want to go to meet 20-somethings but we had fun nonetheless

    (3)
  • Linda Z.

    Mediocre bar food. Ordered clams--1/2 of them were either unopened (therefore inedible) or had no clams inside the open shells. We told the waitress who did us the favor or getting us another order on the house--that one came with 4 unopened clams as well. Nachos are a cheesy mess without any sort of fresh veggies and processed, not fresh guac. Skinny margarita was great and our waitress was lovely. Hostess had a tude as did the bartender. Obviously a great location, just wish it offered better cuisine.

    (2)
  • Seth B.

    This restaurant's location starts the amazing experience. The views are outstanding. The food is prepared very well and is tasty. The menu has a wide variety of food. I would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone.

    (5)
  • Meg R.

    Good Food, Great Service and an Excellent Atmosphere

    (4)
  • Diane M.

    Blackened Red Snapper was great. View superb. Service was so-so. Waitress was friendly, just not around very much. If they are always so busy (see other reviews) then they should know how to manage the crowd. Yes, it is a bit of a tourist trap but it does provide decent drinks and good food at a reasonable price with an ocean view. Worth a visit.

    (3)
  • Jim R.

    Location is nice - right on the beach. but the food is really average. you are definitely paying for the view.

    (3)
  • Rocky S.

    Decent place to take visiting friends and family to get in some beach atmosphere. Best thing is that this place was a few blocks from my house. Fishing pier next door.

    (3)
  • stephen s.

    FAVORITE PLACE ON THE BEACH! Aruba is on my list of places to bring out of towners for lunch or by myself off season to sit at bar, have a beer and fresh oysters...and then walk outside to sit under a palm tree and enjoy the beach. I have always had a decent meal as have my many guests. I agree that the VIEW is the main draw, but friendly staff, decent service and food make this my fav spot on the beach. Best time to go......lunch during off season!

    (4)
  • Meagan D.

    The atmosphere was fun and I would go again maybe for happy hour but the service was terrible....he rarely checked on us! Over priced for the quality of food. The only good thing was the bread.

    (2)
  • Sherie J.

    It's on the beach and the food is pretty good. It has a pretty good vibe from the wait staff and the patrons. As an appetizer we had the macho nachos. The nachos were very cheesy with a choice of toppings of jalapeos, guacamole, sour cream and salsa.My cousin Anthony had the grilled mahi-mahi sandwich w/fries and a piece of Reese's peanut butter pie. The mahi-mahi was grilled to perfection and the pie was creamy and delicious with rich, smooth peanut butter drizzled in chocolate. I tried the conch chowder which was a bit spicy and in a red Manhattan style soup. I also had the Sesame Crusted Salmon...black and white sesame seeds with a sweet soy glaze on top. The view was amazing. You got the view of the beautiful midnight sky and waves of the water. Our family party was here tonight. It was a whole lot of fun and a memorable evening. ***Written by Anthony age 13, Ft. Lauderdale, FL****

    (4)
  • Courtney C.

    Stopped in for lunch on a Friday with my friend who was in town visiting. We got a table right on the beach and felt like we were eating in the sand! Amazing. Ordered the conch fritters, Bimini bread and strawberry salad to share. All were excellent! Gotta get the Bimini bread-- a fun twist on the standard restaurant bread basket.

    (5)
  • Steve C.

    Ducked in the family for dinner of a Sunday evening and it was a fine time, here's why: * The establishment is sat on the beach * Adjacent to the pier * Big, dark, cool, and intimate inside * Multiple bars * Colorful decor * Great energy * Cool, beach, fishy decor * Good and consistent fare and menu I enjoyed the blackened trio of Mahi, Scallops, and Shrimp with a wedge salad on the side and a frosty beverage. Good stuff, Cabeza OUT!

    (4)
  • A T.

    Stumbled upon this place last Friday night, and was pleasantly surprised! The vibe here was very upbeat...music playing and people dancing and having a great time! Just what I needed at that moment. It's right on the ocean with beautiful views and the food was awesome! I had the blackened seafood combo w/veggies, yellow rice, mahi (I think), shrimp, and scallops. Love this place and highly recommend if you're in the area!

    (5)
  • Rick D.

    Great place for lunch, right on the beach with great ocean views. Sat at the main bar for lunch. The bartenders are very attentive and fast to serve. The food was very good and came out of the kitchen quickly after ordering. This is a typical, casual beach eatery and bar that should be visited when in north Fort Lauderdale. Very upbeat place and lots of friendly patrons.

    (3)
  • Christina M.

    Great views of the Ocean. Well priced. Nice staff. Strong drinks. Loved my malibu sunset. Hated pomegranite martini, which was so salty and inedible it tasted like drinking ocean water. Loaded nachos and goat cheese salad were delicious. Nice laid back place to enjoy snacks and cocktails.

    (4)
  • Jackie K.

    Aruba is a cool place with the best location. However, the food is atrocious. Ordered a very expensive grilled seafood platter. The food was NOT grilled. In fact it might have been boiled because the food was sitting in a pool of water. Further, they used NO seasoning at all. No salt, no pepper, no herbs, no spices. BLAND and a huge disappointment for such a pricey meal. Shame on your chef Aruba!

    (1)
  • Tiffany G.

    Great place to take out-of-towners since you can't beat the view! They also make a great bloody mary. I have had some iffy dishes here once or twice, but have always had great luck with the strawberry fields salad and the seafood quesadilla! I'm def a fan!

    (4)
  • Mary P.

    We have been going to Aruba for years since we live fairly close. We've always considered it to be overpriced with fair service but the view is so beautiful we always used to like to take my Mom there for Mother's Day Brunch. When that became a nightmare because of overcrowding and poor/rude service we stopped going there completely. Then one day last year I saw a plane flying over advertising the Aruba Happy Hour. We went one Friday (I guess perhaps when it first started) and it was GREAT!! We got a high top table, 2 for 1 drinks, excellent server (didn't get her name), great happy hour food (a pig roast) and great entertainment (it was one guy that sang great country and soft rock songs and as it got later he got into a little harder rock - EXCELLENT). Well, that didn't last long!! We went a few weeks and every week it got worse and worse. More and more packed, worse & worse service. It starts at 4 and if you get there after 4 you can forget about getting a seat!!! (and they won't let you sit in the dining room unless you are sitting there to order a meal). This past Friday I had a friend in town from up north so I suggested it thinking that we could get there around 4 and avoid the problems. The 2 for 1 drinks were good but that's about it!! The weather was bad so it wasn't TOO CROWDED but they still cram you in there like cattle. We were sitting at the bar by the door and they pack them so tight there that there is only one way in and one way out of your barstool. So, if you have to get up you have to have about 10 people get up to let you out. The guy that cuts the pig is ABSOLUTELY THE RUDEST PERSON I have ever come across in a restaurant. When I walked up he had gone somewhere so I took the prongs and helped myself to some pork - WELL, YOU WOULD HAVE THOUGHT I KILLED SOMEONE!!!! He yelled at me in some foreign language and shook his head. The music was some guy and a girl who weren't very good either. LAST TIME AT ARUBA!! The only reason for 2 stars is the beautiful view - they can't screw that up!!!

    (2)
  • Dionne O.

    Good eating by the ocean. Service was great and food and drink selection was good.

    (3)
  • Sarah P.

    The food and service is generally good, but the last 3 times we have been there the chicken tastes different and the service is not good. The servers we have had are not personable and don't seem to care about their customers. We are locals and with the new mulligans that opened up and other restaurants as well--service is essential.

    (3)
  • Ilana S.

    First time will advise later so far great view of the beach, seating inside as too windy, but they have protection for people sitting outside..

    (3)
  • Karla W.

    Nice service. Food was yummy. Had the fish tacos and they were huge and yummy. Drinks could've been stronger.

    (3)
  • Dean H.

    Stopped in here for lunch today when we couldn't seat our party of 10 at the Pier and was so happy we did. From service to cocktails to food - a strong 5. Especially strong were the seafood enchiladas - full of shrimp and scallops - which were simply OUTSTANDING!! Forgot the great views of the breaking waves. A strong 5 thru and thru!!

    (5)
  • Lesley A.

    I live within walking distance and a place like this makes me sad to call lbts home. No matter how many chances I've given this place, service is always overly rude and their food is probably about as poisining as McDonald's but 5x the price... I have never left this restaurant happy, whether I went there for a meal, an appetizer or just a drink... I've worked as a server for over 2 years and therefore can excuse a lot.. but not this place...Total tourist trap!! Quarterdeck would be an improvement!!

    (1)
  • Suzy K.

    For people who like smoke, funny ciggys and crazy disorganization...a hang out bar: is a better description, than a dining experience...glad we left before served...sadly, my daughter tripped over the divider from the outdoor to the indoor...no warning of the ridge on the floor in the dark setting...we gave it a grand ole chance but...total disappointment for us CA visitors! They lied about the steel drums too: COCONUTS WAS way better!

    (1)
  • Maggie V.

    Food was excellent. They were able to seat us immediately. Service was very quick and extremely kind.

    (5)
  • Jeanne M.

    I know this place has a great view, but only in certain areas of the restaurant. So, they get two stars for the view. This used to be our favorite place to eat along the beach. The food was great and the service was good. Then something happened. I don't know if they changed owners or what, but everything did a downhill slide. The first time we noticed that things were not as they used to be, we decided that they might just be having a bad day. It happens. We went back again, and it was worse. The food was barely average and the service was terrible. The waitstaff made us change tables 3 times. We would just get seated by one and another would come by and tell us that we couldn't sit there. Once, maybe....but 3 times?? No apologies, no concessions made, just "You can't sit here." We kept getting moved further away from the window, so we had no view at all. Since we had taken my MIL there as a special treat on her visit to town, we were very disappointed. We haven't been back and probably won't.

    (2)
  • Nikki S.

    This is one of our favorite restaurants to go to when we are in town. Everything we have tried has been very yummy. We always have to get a half loaf of the warm bread. My favorites are the Neptune Wrap (they only have it some days for a lunch special), coconut shrimp, Aruba Burger, and the Louie salad. Their fries are great as well. The staff is always efficient and friendly as well and the location on the beach is wonderful. Can't wait until the next time we are in town to come back for more!

    (5)
  • Christine Q.

    Went there today. Love the atmosphere and vibe of this place, the view is beautiful. I have an allergy to peppers, I told the waitress two times and asked that she write it on the ticket. I also asked her to make sure what I ordered had no peppers(black pepper the seasoning is fine, just no bell peppers, chili peppers). My husband even mentioned to her how the weekend before we were next door and the waiter thought I asked to add peppers to my dish instead of informing him of my allergy. The waitress said "don't worry that has no peppers and won't come out with any, I'll make sure to tell the kitchen anyways". Well it came out with red bell pepper all over it, it was like a bad joke! When I said um this has peppers she just took it and didn't apologize, just said ok well what do you want? Pretty rude. At this point I was scared to order much because often red pepper flakes are used in sauces and marinades and the waitress obviously didn't know what was in the food nor did she care so I just got a plain salad, no meat and used lemons as a dressing. Pretty underwhelming. When we got there I was excited to try arubas, loved the hostess and the entertainment but this kind of ruined it for me. On top of that my salad took am extra 15/20 minutes to come out so my entire party was finished eating. Really disappointing. We just moved to the area and love eating on the beach but now I'm a little nervous to eat here.

    (2)
  • Giuseppe D.

    Very cool place we had a chance to visit when out in Orlando/Fort Lauderdale visiting some friends. I was actually tipped about this place by a local, so I was already confident that this place would be good. And it was. The surrounding area is very lively! There was a tent setup with music playing, people dancing, barbecuing, along with adjoining restaurants with people buzzing in and out. Aruba is extremely popular and their waiting system is unique. Most places hand you a mechanical buzzer and have you wait around until you're buzzed. At Aruba, they give you a balloon with a name on it and let you walk around outside to the shops and they'll come find YOU when your table is ready! Some might not like this, I thought it was fun and unique. We were seated for 5 in less than 20 minutes even though it was packed. Not uncomfortably packed though, the people were all chatty and friendly. We ordered some sort of Hawaiian honey bread of some sort for an appetizer, and it was large enough to feed the 5 of us. Very sweet, warm, it practically melts when it touches your tongue. I also shared the coconut shrimp with a friend and the flaky sweet texture was right on. I ordered the blackened trio which was Mahi Mahi, shrimp, and scallops all grilled to black with Cajun spices, with rice and beans on the side. The meal was bigger than I'd expected and, to my surprise, couldn't finish! :( very disappointing for myself but it filled me up which was good. Everyone else complimented their meals with no complaints. The server was friendly and informative. There were also a few bars inside with sports games playing. People waiting for tables were sitting there with their balloons having a few drinks. Overall a fun place. I'd frequent here if I could.

    (4)
  • Cindy B.

    Ok, I went here for a business dinner last Tuesday evening..... my customer picked the location because it was convenient to where he lived; and I'm glad I had the opportunity to dine here! I had an excellent experience & will definitely go again if I'm ever back in this part of South Florida..... From my 1 and only 1 visit, I will attempt to chronicle the good/bad/ugly, somewhat in order: * pro - location: It is an right on the beach, easy to find. * pro - parking: Pay the $5 to valet... geez. It was fast, flawless & professional. * negative - hostess/seating situation: I was the 1st of a party of 2, no reservations; there were plenty of tables available but she wouldn't seat me until my customer arrived. I totally get that this is protocol; but seriously, I was going to be seated at a 2 top table, even if he didn't show up. It wasn't like I was a single, requesting to hold a table for 12. But she wouldn't budge. It made it difficult for me to connect with a person that I had never met before. * neutral - bars: there are 3 different bars. The service was slow (yes, it was crowded). Had trouble placing an order, and again a delay in getting her attention to get my check. I probably wouldn't have cared except (see above hostess situation), it made it awkward for me to try to find the person I was meeting. * pro - decor: it's a beach bar; it's decorated like a beach bar. If you want elegant, this is not the place to be. * pro - music: it's a beach bar; there was a 1 man band type playing Buffet, Van Morrison, etc. Cliche'? Ah, no.... it's a beach bar, that is the type of music i would expect to hear!! * pro - patio: large outdoor seating area; from where we were, you couldn't really see the beach - but possibly you could on the other end. It was a beautiful night & I loved being outside. * pro - service: Our waitress was super sweet, helpful & efficient, withou being over-bearing. * pro - menu/food: Selection was large. I can't imagine someone not finding something they love here. Emphasis on seafood (duh!) and everything we had was great. Bacon wrapped scallops appetizer + mixed grill (fish/shrimp/scallops) + catch of the day (mahi, I believe). Food was served promptly, without seeming rushed, everything was hot, plentiful and very tasty! * negative. HUGE negative - pan handling: child approaches our table trying to sell candy. It was clearly a scam (me: "what fundraiser is this for?" kid: "school" me: "what group?"; kid: "uhhhh.. something about sports"). I didn't want to show my true feelings (I absolutely hate shit like that) in front of my customer, so I gave her $1 and asked that she just keep the candy. If the management doesn't do something about that, I have to believe it will cost a considerable amount of repeat business. Giving Aruba Beach Cafe 5 stars would not be a stretch.. but do not confuse that with me saying it is a 5 star restaurant. It isn't. It is casual, a little loud, beachy, seafood-y.... but it was great. The kid with the candy definitely lowered it a star (maybe more) for me.

    (4)
  • Jen R.

    Great food and a great ambience. It's right on the ocean and has a beautiful view during the day. They have a live band at night.

    (5)
  • Kay T.

    Went on a Saturday night, a Jimmy Buffett crowd. If you are middle aged with a hip replacement you will enjoy the occasional soft rock sang by the duo on 2 acoustic guitars. The menu was boring for a place called aruba, I expected something a little more exciting. Staring at the middle agers/ old school spring breakers I was not the least impressed. If you are single, RUN! You may be acosted by a old man with a hawaiin shirt on. On the flip is you are here with your certified BOO, not a jump off (aka bootcall) you will enjoy it. It was corny for singles but cooler for couples. Needless to say me and my hot mama sista rolled outta here with a quickness. Great views, eh so what!

    (1)
  • Maciej R.

    Excellent restaurant. The service was outstanding. The atmosphere was great. The food was delicious, from the simple calamari to the burgers, all the way to the drinks made by the bar, had a splendid time. I'll be going back there again tomorrow.

    (5)
  • Kristin W.

    Great service! I order the Bimini bread which wasn't the best that I have had, BUT I ordered the seafood quesadilla which was amazing! The place is a bit out dated in terms I environment but it's still a in place to eat seafood that is decently priced. The crowd seems to have an average age of 40ish.

    (3)
  • Athena L.

    We were here twice on a recent trip to Ft. Lauderdale. The first time was for lunch the service was lack luster and there was pepper in the water but the food was pretty good. A bit pricey but we were there because it was close to the beach we were sitting on that day so you have no choice but to pay for the scenery. (The place is literally on the beach.) We have places similar in Clearwater so I guess I just expected prices to be more reasonable than they were considering what they are at home. The next time we were there was a Saturday night. We went after dinner to meet up with a few people to have a few drinks and enjoy the night air by the waves. The bartenders were great and the band was pretty good playing all types of music popular and older. Don't know that I would come back for either food or drink but it certainly wasn't a bad experience.

    (3)
  • Mark T.

    The food here was pretty good. I got a fish dish with baked potato and vegetables. The food was served perfectly and tasted great. The server was awful. I visited here on a Tuesday night when it was all that busy and the middle-aged waiter seemed all kind of confused. It took him about 30 minutes before he realized that he hadn't put our order in, and on e he did, the next time we saw him floating around we had to beg for the check. The restaurant itself felt very grimy and dirty. I probably won't go back the again.

    (2)
  • Lorenzo C.

    Best restaurant at the beach! The view is simply amazing, great deals during the happy hour and throughout the day. The menu has a variety of delicious options, the portions are very generous. Live bands everyday! Aside the food, it's just a fun place to be, the place is always packed with people, there's nothing better than sit at the bar have a nice drink with a seafood soup and people watch for a while!

    (5)
  • Karly G.

    I sat next to this sweet lady on the plane who used to live in ft.lauderdale so she recommended this restaurant. It's in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and right on the beach with a waterfront view. I didn't know that within this area consisted of a 24-hour fishing pier, shops and many many other restaurants. but since i heard great things about Aruba's we decided to stick to it. Indeed it was a great choice! the restaurant was packed by the bar, the patio and just about everywhere! unfortunately it's a first come first serve (no reservations) so you get to sit wherever it's available. we ended up inside and it was a little bit dark. After we sat down, the hostess started blowing up a bunch of balloons and started writing names such as shark, bait, pie, chowder etc.. I'm like, what in the world are they doing? I thought it was some kind of raffling that I wasn't aware of. Luckily before asking our waittress, i noticed that people who were coming in and asking for tables were handed a "named" balloon. I guess they were using the old fashioned method instead of those fancy beepers! Anyways, they have quite a selection of seafood, sandwiches, salads, soups, raw bar with oysters by the half or dozen, peeled shrimps etc... What caught my attention was this Bimini loaf bread with Aruba glazed with whipped honey butter. I had to have it and I had it by the LOAF. Which is was only $3 bucks that could feed about a group of 6-8. We started off with the ginormous loaf of Bimini which took up the entire table. i could seriously just slather the whipped butter all over myself and go lay out to bake. our next course was the crusted tuna steaks with wasabi and ginger. this was probably one of the best tuna I've eaten in awhile. it was super fresh and tasty. it was like a piece of medium rare steak. ridiculously good. The main course was the seafood platter loaded with salmon, Mahi Mahi, lobster tail, and shrimp and scallop skewers over a bed of vegetables and rice. this was perfect for 2. my favorite from this dish was the salmon. hands down. the best broiled salmon. i snorted it. They have a live band playing with people dancing their hearts out. very upbeat place to meet people and have a good time. It's definitely a great place for food and entertainment.

    (3)
  • Lisa R.

    I have went to Aruba several times over the last 10 years, while I always thought the location was exellent, I thought the food was just OK. However, we went there for lunch, in February, I had the grilled mahi mahi, it was EXCELLENT, two large filets, rice, beans and roasted veggies, all top notch. My husband got a salmon ceasar salad, also very good. So, now I give it a 4.

    (4)
  • Cris C.

    Came for Sunday breakfast brunch this morning and sat outside. Nice location next to pier and view of beach. The brunch is standard serve yourself breakfast fare from food warmers. Lighting inside by the food warmers very dark so hard to tell what was in some of the serving trays. Nothing special except for location. Still, looked liked the best dining spot in this area of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

    (2)
  • Ricardo R.

    Located on the beach and in front of a pier. It has 3 bars, live music, seating inside and outside with a clear view of the beach. We ordered the mussels, conch fritters, and a Mahi-Mahi sandwich. The Blackend Mahi-Mahi was great, the mussels and conch fritters were average. I have had better mussels at LuLu's Bait shack. We spent the day at the beach and decided to eat there for dinner at around 7 pm on a Sunday. The place was packed. Our waitress was mediocre. I ordered a Sam Adams and she brought me Blue Moon. My girlfriend ordered a Margarita and we had to ask her several times, when is it coming. Our food went to the wrong table, which dissapointed us greatly. This place has an excellent location, however for the price, I expect better service and attention.

    (3)
  • Monika K.

    I soooo wanted to not like this cheesy touristy place mama forced me to come with my sister on casual friday afternoon/evening....it was around 5pm so happy hour was starting(which is only at the bar) and a dude jammin out on his guitar some cover tunes. We were sat in the back by the big windows staring out into the Atlantic abyss. Bimini bread deliciousness...butter was easy to consume by the lbs. mama had the seafood soup....it was dare I say it, awweeeesome! no bp oil here! I had the tuna greek salad at $15.99 i had the biggest chunk of high quality blackened sushi grade tuna and a big salad w all the greek fixings and dressin was great sissy had the southwestern burger w jack cheese jalapenos guac w fries. also great. all in all I can't say a bad thing about Aruba and may even take a few outta towners here one day to show off the beauty that is South Florida annnnd good food.

    (4)
  • Jason K.

    We asked the cab driver for a cool place on the beach and the Aruba was first on our mind. We had about a 20 minute wait and myself and three buddies sipped on a few beers while we waited. The Sam Adams Seasonal seemed a lot more expensive than the Bud Light crud we got, but hey..What are you going to do? Aruba would have been cooler because it is right on the ocean, but the 60 year old lady was over served and we spent 30 minutes hoping she would not puke on us while her family tried to move her out of the restaurant. I think we should have had a free dinner because we had to worry about some hammered lady falling all over us. The ladies next to her table actually ran away so they could get away from her. She finally made it out. Imagine 65 year olds making out like high school students. Enough to make you puke. I ordered the Seafood Louie Salad and it was fantastic and my three friends liked their dishes. I was expecting just seafood on the Louie Salad, but they added dressing and stuff to the seafood, which hurt the diet. But there was a lot of seafood on the salad. Overall though, the view is good, and three bucks for a domestic isn't too bad. For lunch with my wife, I would go.

    (4)
  • Nik N.

    raw food!!!! the department of health needs to check this place out. this place is gross! if there is a 0 or negative rating- this place deserves it. we went there for breakfast buffet and there were so many things wrong- raw food- check out the sausage link picture posted. they didn't even say sorry, but tried to clean it up fast to hide it. awful service- people there just don't care. there were other customers yelling and complaining and they just said take it up with the manager. you don't talk to customers like that! long buffet lin- took half hour to get food... then when you get there and they run out of food, then it's your loss. no thank you... beware!!!!

    (1)
  • Darren S.

    A great experience. The view, of course, is tremendous, but the food is quite good as well. I had several stone crab claws, which were delicious. My dining partners had, respectively, fish and chips, the seared ahi, and skewers of shrimp - the portions were ample and everything tasted great as we shared across the table. The service was a little perfunctory, but the restaurant was fairly busy on the Saturday that we visited, so I'm willing to forgive that flaw. There was also a surprisingly competent Bob Marley cover band in the bar area near the front entrance - so if your main purpose for going is drinks, you'll be happy with that, as well as with the lively street scene outside. I certainly plan to return here the next time I'm in town.

    (4)
  • Sarah C.

    The location is excellent... The crusted salmon was so delicious! (although they did try to pass off carrots and yellow squash as 'exotic vegetables.') We also ordered the bread, which was delicious--particularly with the honey butter it came with. We sat on the patio, and it was very nice. While we were waiting for a third member of our party, we grabbed a drink at the bar-- the "live" musician was pretty loud so it was hard to talk while we were inside. Also, the musician was playing along and singing to a karaoke track, so that was a little weird. But overall, the food was great and it was really nice sitting outside on the patio overlooking the beach!!!

    (4)
  • Kerri F.

    I went there on 3/30/13 around sunset and this place was packed so be prepared to wait!! Valet service is available and I definitely recommend it! I had the shrimp and scallop quesadilla and it was amazing! The scallops were cooked to perfection!!! My friend had the crab cake sandwich and it was gigantic but he said there was no seasoning on it at all! All in all great atmosphere and I recommend those quesadillas.

    (4)
  • Karen J.

    We ate here twice and liked it both times. I had the fish & chips, which had a tempura crust and was nicely cooked. French fries were great. The next night I had a burger and beer, which was a nice after-beach dinner. The burger was cooked exactly as I ordered and came with more of those yummy fries. My partner had a big salad at each meal and pronounced the ingredients fresh but the dressings "boring." It's a bit loud inside, but it's a beach hangout so we weren't surprised. All things considered, Aruba is a fun place with good solid food and friendly service.

    (4)
  • Nicole T.

    I really enjoyed this place. It is right on the beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, has a tropical laid back ambiance, and has fun music like reggae and the Beach Boys playing in the background. It has both indoor and outdoor seating and is usually very crowded, but we only waited about 5 minutes for a table. We ordered the conch chowder, Aruba burger, and sesame crusted salmon along with a few cocktails. All the food was tasty, the seafood was fresh, and the burger was large and cooked well. Today they had $5 vodka, martini, and cosmo specials all day long, which is good for those who get off work late and miss happy hour.

    (4)
  • Jeremy B.

    The food is decent - good but nothing to write home about. Drinks and menu items are slightly overpriced. Service is hit or miss. One time I went there we had a horrible server that ignored us even though it wasn't that busy, so we ended up leaving. I returned earlier this week and our server was great and everything was perfect. They had a jumbo shrimp appetizer for only $5.99, which was tasty and a good deal. We also had the conch fritters and the nachos appetizers, which were OK. Enough about the food and service, though, this place succeeds solely because of the location, which is awesome (and the reason it got 4 stars instead of 3). You have a spectacular view of the beach and ocean, and after your lunch or dinner, you can walk out on Commercial Pier for 2 bucks per person and maybe enjoy a kiss by the water. I've taken a date there a couple of times just for that reason and it seems to work every time. Disclaimer: walking out on the pier is much better at night, because during the day it's packed with fisherman, so not much privacy and watch out for flying hooks and fish flopping around on the deck. At night, it's perfect.

    (4)
  • Andrew H.

    Good presentation, good atmosphere, great portions for a great price. Servers could be more engaging and know the detail of their menu. Overall good experience.

    (4)
  • M W.

    I'm by no means a food snob, and I usually enjoy my meals at most restaurants. Aruba Beach Cafe was a huge exception for me. I went for the breakfast buffet, and nearly everything there was unpalatable. Since it was a buffet, I kept going back to try different things, but everything was bland, gross, poorly unfrozen, and or just plain yuck. I definitely won't come back. The only reason I gave it two stars is the cruise-ship environment, the location on the beach, and the beautiful beach views. Unfortunately, that's not enough to bring me back, but those are definitely redeeming factors. For the food alone, I'd give one star--if that.

    (2)
  • Sheri G.

    Not the most amazing food, although it is good most of the time. But the location and atmosphere are what make Aruba's a great place to go, especially with out of town guests. We often stop by on Sundays after church.

    (4)
  • Julia I.

    Great french fries. The ones that are crunchy outside, soft on the inside. The burger was good, but HUGE. The server was not so great. The place was pretty empty and she still was distracted, and talking crap about other customers to her fellow waitstaff.

    (3)
  • Clarence E.

    Went there twice and had the mahi mahi. First try with a blackened sandwich was good but not amazing. The sandwich had left me feeling hungry. Last night had the salad with grilled mahi added. That was a better meal. But it is a comfortable place to hang out outside by the water having a drink or two with a nice meal and view. Street parking is avail to avoid the $$ small lots.

    (4)
  • Ann Marie T.

    I have discovered the best salad ever... at Aruba's! I forgot the specific name but it had spinach, strawberries, walnuts, feta cheese and asparagus, NOM! The atmosphere is what you can expect from a restaurant on the beach; beautiful, breathtaking and fun! The prices are a bit high but nothing outrageous. I would reccomend and I WILL return this weekend. :-)

    (4)
  • Motley D.

    Delicious food. Great service. Lively Atmosphere. 3 FULL BARS. LIVE MUSIC. Noisy.

    (4)
  • Eddie P.

    I don't want to say this place is a cougar bar, but this place is a cougar bar. It's a great spot with a nice view, but the server seemed in a hurry to kick us off the patio. Bad service. Maybe it's because we're from California and our beaches are awesomer. Maybe she sensed our awesomness. I don't know what her deal was, but it left a bad impression on us. Will probably never go back when we're in the Ft. Lauderdale area.

    (2)
  • Jamie C.

    This place was packed when I went around 7pm on a Thursday night. They had run out of the Bimini Bread glazed and served with honey butter that i keep hearing about. The fried calamari was ok. it's like any calamari you get anywhere else. I ordered the lobster salad sandwich which was delicious and huge! Not to mention that they did not skimp on the lobster. My friends ordered the Bamboo chicken which looked really good and the steak which was really tender and delicious.

    (4)
  • Brent M.

    The food is not that great. The view is the best around. I wish I liked this place. But there are other places to go in the area. If you just want a drink and check out the view this place will do.

    (2)
  • Richard K.

    What is great about this place? It is the view of the ocean and pier coupled with a great island ambiance. It does not hurt to have one of their cocktails in hand. Other than that this place has mediocre food, service, and parking is not convenient unless you are choosing to valet.

    (3)
  • James R.

    Went to Aruba today after a morning of skimboarding with the kids. Skimboarding was a lot of fun with the people from Alley Oop loaning us boards to try out. Lunch was also great. There was no wait to get in with the restaurant at about 80% of capacity. Live steel drum music was being played which was great background. The music was loud enough to be heard easily but soft enough not to interfere with conversation. The music goes perfectly with the beachside setting. The waiter was easygoing and friendly. He was also friendly towards the kids which was a huge plus. The food came quickly and was very good. I had a lobster salad sandwich which was delicious. My wife had a seafood quesadilla which was even better. The kids meals were both very large and the kids said they were also good. The only downside was the menu is slightly pricey for what you get. The price is easily offset by the view and ambiance. I plan on going back again in the next few weeks. After eating we all went for ice cream across the street. A very pleasant meal in the middle of a very pleasant day.

    (4)
  • Bill D.

    Went there for the Memorial day event. I was very disappointed that they had no appreciation for the true meaning of the holiday but it was more to them as a money making opportunity. I got there about 4Pm and bought a few rounds of drinks at the outside bar and tipped the girl well. Later I noticed a guy standing there with only one leg and I started to talk to him, feeling for his struggle, I offered to buy him a drink. He accepted and I went to the outside tent and told the girl that I wanted to buy that handicapped guy a beer. I Thought due to it being Memorial day she would be considerate of that, but she didn't seem to care and charged me 5 bucks. I didn't leave a tip because I thought she would at least understand that it was for a worthy cause. Later I came back to get a drink for myself and she was irate because I didn't leave a tip for the beer I bought for the handicapped guy. I started to explain the situation and next thing I know this short bald headed monopoly guy jumps in and starts telling me how that guy with one leg didn't deserve anything and he's in here all the time etc..etc. I said I was feeling bad for his situation and just wanted to show some compassion. I said lets put it behind us and that I had been tipping all day inside and out and it shouldn't be a big issue just because I wanted to help out someone less fortunate on Memorial day. I felt they should also have some compassion for him to no matter whether he's in here a lot or not. Next thing I know the monopoly gut waves the police over and they tell me I need to leave. I couldn't believe it, there was no conflict no loud exchange or anything that would have provoked this. It was like the monopoly guy just wanted to exert his authority in front of the bar girls. My friends where there and saw the whole thing and said " no good deed goes unpunished" We left with a pretty bad taste about the whole thing. I'm 64 years old and a veteran myself. I am not a trouble maker nor was I looking for any trouble. I don't think I will ever look a Aruba's the same again. I certainly don't feel they have any appreciation for those who served if they can't even have some compassion for the wounded. We are all very disappointed.

    (1)
  • Laz R.

    I go there a lot and I love this place. Great food, drinks and especially the atmosphere. Plus my regular waiter is the bomb. He's a Brazilian named Guillerme but we call him Gil. If he recommends something I suggest you take it.

    (4)
  • Jazz W.

    I love this place

    (5)
  • Mayling P.

    Lunched here on the 4th of July, not crowded, service was okay so were the salads I was glad for the pan player his music was full of rhythm I will return to this casual spot the 4 stars are for ambiance

    (4)
  • T C.

    BEACHFRONT! Location always makes for a good time, and Aruba didn't disappoint. I flew into Florida for a Boat show, and asked the hotel manager where should I go? Everybody said Aruba! Upon getting there there was a few choices at the end of the street, but I chose Aruba because the music was the loudest there. I'm glad I did! Upon going in I met some real cool people, listened some great live music, and danced my fanny off all night! Oh yeah the food... I had the Ahi apps which was solid. I didn't come for dinner so I can't vouch for the rest, but it's a good time right on the beach! Check it out when in Fort Lauderdale!

    (3)
  • Jasmine T.

    A great place for the tourists and visitors to get some pina coladas, the strawberry daiquiries, and those big glasses of margaritas. As for the food, it's like any other typical food you'd expect at a beach cafe - the fried coconut shrimps with the tartar sauce, the burgers and fries, etc. I first went there for lunch on my first day in Florida on New Year's Eve, I ordered the seafood salad. It pretty much lives up to that standard of a typical restaurant by the beach at the touristy part of Florida. The crowd there is a mixture of retired folks and the college kids. I imagine that it can get pretty crowded during spring break.

    (4)
  • Jamie C.

    Food and service was good. Prices are alittle above average though. We just had burgers, which were $12.99 ea. insane,.

    (4)
  • Michael D.

    Loved it..

    (5)
  • Kyle O.

    My guest and I came in for lunch earlier today as recommended by her as a place I had to try. Boy am I happy she showed me this place. The restaurant has the total package and was just what I had hoped. The decor really makes you feel like your sitting on the beach in Aruba. Our server Daniel was top notch. My guest and I wanted to have a relaxed and slow paced lunch and Daniel was more than accommodating. He made suggestions on drinks and food. Our appetizer was the muscles in a white wine sauce that was to die for. He even checked on us frequently and emptied our shell bowl periodically. Nice touch. Their special bread is amazing and was perfect for dipping in our white wine garlic sauce. After our first round of drinks and appetizer we moved on and ordered our entrees. The seafood fra diablo and seafood quesadilla. Both meals exceeded our expectations. The seafood fra diavolo was served over laguini and was the perfect spice level for fra diavolo. Trust me I know my diavolo sauce and this was on point! It included a bounty of fresh seafood and two huge lobster tails! The seafood quesadilla was also very tasty. What a good idea! We sat there for atleast 3 hours talked business,caught up and really enjoyed our expierence. We never felt rushed at all. It started to rain a little bit and Daniel even set us up with table inside and brought over our entrees and drinks to the new table inside. He got extra points and a %30 tip for being so awesome. I will without a doubt be back here very soon. I even talked to a few co workers about coming here for lunch next week! I will also without a doubt request Daniel, he made our dining experience at Arubas very welcoming. You can tell this is not his first rodeo. All in all. You have to check this place out! The band inside playing island music was a very nice touch, and on a monday afternoon!

    (5)
  • Chase M.

    Good food, fair prices, amazing views, and good entertainment. Parking can be a pain though and costly if you have to pay to park in the lot.

    (4)
  • Jef A.

    Ok the view is absolutely AMAZING. Now that i have gotten that out the way... I went here after work with some coworkers and was not disappointed. First thing that stands out is how loud it was, this was mainly because the wanna be beach boys were singing and playing the guitar in the front. Our table was near the back windows and the view of the beach was just amazing. I ordered a crab cake sandwhich that came with fries or coleslaw. The food was delicious and i felt as if i got my money's worth being there. After dinner we spent the rest of the time talking and just enjoying the view. I would recommend this to anyone in the area.

    (4)
  • Ken R.

    To me, this is one of those hidden gems. I would have given it higher rating if the food was better, but there's nothing spectacular about their food. The have the usual that you'd find at other locations. What makes this place awesome is the location. It is set dead on the beach, and it almost feels like a private beach. It's not very crowded, and no matter where you sit, there's always a view of the waves and the beach. If you're out on a date and wish to push the romance button higher, try going here on a full-moon evening, and hang out at the beach after dinner. You won't regret it. Or, go here for their Sunday brunch and hang out on the pier for the day. I've been here a few times and I'd definitely go back.

    (3)
  • Laurie L.

    View 5 Sunday Buffet 3 Service 3 Decor 2 Lighting 2 I'm a local who goes here every once in a while. We went for the Sunday brunch at 10:30 this morning. The price is $13.99 pp. It was really easy to find a seat. Our server for the most part was really friendly and attentive for the first 75% of the time. The last 25%, he totally disappeared because he got preoccupied with "catching up with those folks over there." Hmm...sorry to bother you by making you get our check! The food for the most part was average Sunday buffet fare. The lights aren't on in the morning, and the buffet was completely in the dark. You could barely see what some of the food looked like. Going green=win. Seeing the buffet food=fail. Food list: watery scrambled eggs with fixins, pastries, cakes (mostly dry), muffins, fruits, eggs benedict with hardened hollandaise sauce because it was sitting out for a bit, sausage, grits, bacon, hash, potatoes, green salad, strawberries and fresh whipped cream, pancakes, waffles, french toast (all hard and stale),cheese blintzes with apples, chopped steak slices, and a few other items. I appreciated the great protein options. The food was good, but not great. Some of the items you could tell were sitting out for a bit. Perhaps that's what the bad lighting was trying to cover. My coffee was very strong and yummy by the way. Aruba in a nutshell: perfect tourist spot, and they can get away with mediocre food. In a way, the restaurant owner is probably a bit prideful. He knows he has a great location, and they know no matter what kind of food they put out, the restaurant will always be packed. Overall, they gave us a table with a great view, and we had a nice relaxed Sunday brunch experience looking at the ocean. The mediocre food is the reason why I will never become a regular.

    (3)
  • Michael H.

    Well it had a great view, I will give it that! it's situated right on the beach so ask for a table by the window if at all possible. I went there on a Thursday night and I must say that the food was not good enough to justify having to wait almost an hour and a half for a table. I had the grilled mahi-mahi sandwich which was pretty flavorless, I would have at least expected some seasoning on the thing, geez! Over all the food was not bad it just did not knock anyones socks off. No one in my party had any complaints about the quality of the food, but no once had any rave reviews either...it was just kind of blah.

    (3)
  • Lakiya T.

    great location! drinks are a little pricey but I enjoyed the live band.

    (3)
  • Steven H.

    I've lived near Aruba for a very long time, and I can safely say it's always had a good amount of customers. Sometimes it can get crowded and loud, especially if there is an even going on, if it's a nice day, or a weekend. The atmosphere and view is very nice, and it's great to go to with friends for a weekend brunch. Their lobster salad club is something you'll love if you like seafood. Their Bimini Bread with Aruba Glaze (kind of like a honey glaze) is a soft, fresh baked bread which I really enjoy. I haven't ever had a bad meal at Aruba Beach Cafe.

    (4)
  • Stefanie B.

    The location right on top of the beach, where dining outside offers you a beautiful view of the ocean and pier, and the great live music are what earns Aruba Beach Cafe that fourth star in my book. Otherwise, it would be three. I actually like that they don't take reservations- it makes it easier to walk in. When they're on a wait, the hosts give you a balloon with an animal name written on it as their way of locating you when it's your turn to be seated. Kind of weird, yes, but not off-putting. My group had a short wait at the bar, where the bartender had the biggest chip on her shoulder that I have ever seen. My friend asked her what kinds of beers they had (we couldn't see the tap or find a list), and she stared at us for a full minute before asking sarcastically, "Domestic or imported?", clearly thinking we weren't going to know what the difference was. She never smiled at us once and made us uncomfortable the entire time, so it was a relief when we got to go to our table. I had the worst time deciding what to order! Everything looked great. We started with the macho nachos, which were heavily laden with cheese and toppings. My crab cake sandwich was OUT OF THIS WORLD GOOD, and it was massive!! A true fork-and-knife sandwich. I had had some concerns about having a single crab cake, as they usually are on the smaller side, but I could barely finish this one. Friends loved the seafood quesadillas and goat cheese salad with crab cake appetizer. One of the girls ordered the cheeseburger and didn't like it much- I'd suggest sticking to the "surf" part of the menu rather than the "turf"... after all, you're in front of the ocean. Only annoyance in dinner service was that you can't substitute ANY sides without being charged full price for both your entree and your new side. Also, upon returning home and checking her statement one of my friends found that her credit card was charged twice, but she got it taken care of without much hassle.

    (4)
  • Han N.

    I've been here a few times. I like the conch fritters the best but the food is not to die for. The portion size is very generous and you will not leave hungry. I go here to chill and relax by the beach.

    (3)
  • Troy J.

    Tried two mix drinks at this place and felt like someone kept giving cough syrup. Don't get the mix drinks at all!!!!!!!!!!!! Staff is good went on St. Patrick day and still was able to get sit and food to us quickly. Place is super Loud!!!! but fun. Food tasted very nice. My only issue is just the horrible mix drinks, food is a bit pricey when I have had better eslewhere but I guess its just for the location.

    (3)
  • Bill A.

    Wife and I had a couple nice entrees, while sitting in back at a window table, right on the beach! Service was good in very casual setting. A lot of road construction around the Cafe made for treacherous walking but other than that, it was all good!

    (4)
  • Joseph M.

    As a local resident, I've been to Aruba Cafe a few times. I would say clearly that the ONLY reason to keep going back is the fabulous view. The downside of this, is that since management obviously knows they have a lock on such a priceless location, they can be sloppy about almost everything else. The food is overpriced and unremarkable, sometimes downright lousy, particularly the sides and appetizers. Its a sad thing when you can say that Chili's or Applebee's make better sides and appetizers than a pricey restaurant. The bar staff is usually polite and efficient, although I'm always startled by the authoritarian way in which both waiters and bar staff will say: YOU CANNOT SiT DOWN at a table until you take care of the bar tab, WTH? Can't they simply add it to the check? like everybody else? make it easy on the customer? As for the crowd? well, its mostly a combination of over the hill, long in the tooth and tourists...I've noticed the Paul and Young Ron radio show plugs this place all the time...but then both of them are pretty old too. I certainly would NOT recommend it if one's under 30-35 , maybe for lunch? and then, just for the view. All in all, if this place was not located at the edge of the water, it would have gone down ages ago.

    (1)
  • Jeff K.

    Aruba has been consistently good for a long time! Now with the expanded outdoor seating, it's an even better place to go. One of the very few places you can watch the kids run around on the sand while you eat/drink. Went there today and it was PACKED - had low expectations of having a good meal in peak season, but they pleasantly surprised us. The Florida Seafood Soup is a great dish, the manilla clams were good, and the grilled Mahi came out excellent. Service was good despite the crowd. I think this place deserves its success.

    (4)
  • dana m.

    I stumbled on this place while trying to kill time before an appointment I had in the area. It was noon on a Monday and there were a lot of people here - some eating, some drinking, some wandering in from the beach. I really did not want to go back to work! I was not really hungry so I just ordered the strawberry salad and it was great. Nice portion size and the strawberries were very sweet. The bartenders were nice and tried to make a point to get to know the customers' names. This was a nice touch. I did not have any other food, but like the reviews said, definitely a great place for the atmosphere.

    (3)
  • Kevin M.

    Great location, but unfortunately that's about it. Got off to a bad start by having no kids menu, which didn't lead to a great experience. Crab cake sandwich was slightly better than average. Service was adequate. Decor was worn and seemed dirty. Prices were on par with the area, which means they were too high. Seemed like a good place to grab some bar food, but that's about it.

    (2)
  • Leandra F.

    Aruba Beach Cafe is a good place to go if you're looking for something right on the beach. And I mean, right on the beach. There are phenomenal views from anywhere you sit in the restaurant which is very impressive if you are showing around out-of-towners. Keep in mind, however, that the restaurant is very loud due to live music, lots of people, and poor acoustics. So this is not the place for great conversation unless you don't mind yelling. (Hint: If you sit outside, the volume is much more manageable.) The food is certainly good enough to go back for but nothing in particular that you will be craving afterwards. My all-time favorites are the caribbean style chicken wings, nachos with crab, and conch fritters. I used to love the bimini bread but then experienced better at Bimini Boatyard and couldn't believe what I had been missing. Otherwise, there are soups, salads, grilled fish, and anything else that you would expect at a beach cafe. The prices are appropriate and the portions are large. Service has always been pretty good. There's a parking lot for $5 but you can usually find metered parking nearby. On Fridays, there is a happy hour that includes a free buffet in the bar area with a pig roast. Honestly, I can't bring myself to partake in that because it doesn't look terribly impressive (and I always want my usual dishes instead). I hear there is a Sunday brunch but can't say that I've tried it, as I'd choose to dine at Coconuts 9 times out of 10. Overall, the restaurant is certainly worth checking out but don't expect fine dining.

    (3)
  • Cheryl A.

    good during the day for a quick visit off the beach; dinner; nighttime; bar scene. It's like an island bar in its laid-back atmosphere. Live music great, bartenders friendly, great crowd. A little older than on the A1A strip -- 40ish -- which was perfect for us. The good was below average -- even the burger was mediocre. But as long as you're there for a drink and simple bar food, it's a great place to hang for an hour or the whole night!

    (4)
  • Darin S.

    My second visit to Aruba Cafe with family who lives in the area. Atmosphere is very fun and lively. Live music was good and added to the fun atmosphere. Very noisy and so it would be great for kids because if they're loud, no one will know! Drinks are excellent and food is good.

    (4)
  • Vivian L.

    This review is strictly for the entertainment, not the food. I celebrated a friends birthday here last week. The location is perfect since we rented a room right down on el mar drive. Bartenders hooked it up with drinks. I asked for a double bacardi & diet coke & got a clear cup almost..lol. That was the turning point. The band consisted of a singer/giutar player & backup. Although they weren't perfect the song choices were cool. They sang my friend happy birthday & the whole place joined in. What a grear night it was. I'd like to come during the day to enjoy the view of the ocean & try the food.

    (3)
  • C. K.

    I love this place because it has valet parking, is on the beach and has a great menu that offers a variety of something for everyone. Since it is right on the beach, you would expect a place like this just to offer burgers and fries, but it has a very nice selection of salads and seafood also. My favorite salad was their Greek Salad topped with fresh grilled mahi mahi and I also really like their fresh Maine half chilled lobster. Their smoked salmon appetizer is also huge and very good. They have great live music during the day 7 days a week and it is a really fun atmosphere with great waitstaff and friendly customers. Being new to the area, I enjoyed the way they made you feel at home and it is fun to eat lunch, spend the day at the beach, and return back afterwards for their happy hour! They also serve breakfast and have a nice Sunday brunch.

    (5)
  • J. N.

    Location, location, location. What is to be expected from a restaurant ON the beach? Honestly, I assumed the drinks and food would be over-priced and mediocre... The assumption is people will eat whatever crap a good location has to offer and drink whatever fu-fu weak drinks they have on hand, right? The atmosphere is great - fun laid-back vibe, awesome view. I was surprised by the food. I would say better then average while only slightly overpriced. I am more then willing to pay $1.25 for a half loaf of bread, damn tasty, I say. I had the Mahi Mahi on black beans and rice entree. It was fresh and full of flavor. The service seemed spotty. We encountered a couple bratty hostesses and an flighty bartender but also had and excellent server and bus boy. So, it's likely to be hit or miss. Overall, I would encourage people in the area to stop in for a drink and maybe some food... the atmosphere is worth is and the food is pretty above average.

    (4)
  • Darren F.

    Great view, Bad food and worse servive. I'll never be back.....

    (1)
  • Jerome W.

    Open late night and perfectly so. Arrived just before eleven pm and just my style, easy to park the car, no wait to get seated and sat with view of beach. We went for just one thing: the seafood quesadilla. The service was good as it should be this time of night, and the quesadilla had an amount of cheese and shrimp and scallops and who knows what else? because it is inside the tortilla , any way, a good amount to make it worthwhile. The guacamole was generous and sourcream too and where I come from they call that a supe quesadilla suize, except here the guacamole and sour cream are served on the side.

    (4)
  • Sarah S.

    Left our car here for a valet. Not cheap. Waited almost 45 minutes for our car to be dropped off. Despite multiple requests. We were trying to make an airport run. The management should really look into the valet system and re-examine their approach to customer service. There seemed to be no problem when someone needed to park their Ferrari.

    (1)
  • Sarah C.

    Ok.... there is the view. With few exceptions there is a good view of the ocean from every seat. I sat outside on the patio and we could hear the tide coming in and see the ocean. It was lovely. We had the Bamini bread at the urging of everyone. If there are only two people you should only get the half loaf. It was delish. My seafood quesadilla and margarita were both yummy. The service was a little lackluster. I am going to give them a break though as it was a saturday and cinco de mayo so the place was packed and they appeared to be doing the best they could. I would have to go back to really comment on it. The price was a little high for what you get but you are mostly paying for the view and since I was on vacation I didn't mind.

    (3)
  • Diego M.

    Here's a quick review: Very touristy place... Food: very average and pricey for the quality. I guess my favorites would be peel/eat shrimp and goat cheese salad (phenomenal). Drinks: overpriced and horrible rum runners from the cute brunette on the outside bar. Stick with beer. If you're in the area, give Brother Tuckers a try. Amazing food and craft beers.

    (3)
  • Inthiaz S.

    really really nice place to go with a chick and enjoy the cool breeze and beach. it is right on the beach so you can get your drink and walk on the beach while gazing lovingly into your dates eyes..lmao!!but seriously its a nice spot to chill and enjoy the ambiance with good music sometimes live band. AND if your not having a good time you can always go fishing at the pier next door :-0!! i do recommend this spot...

    (4)
  • P.S. S.

    Good food but what was most breathtaking was the view, its right on the Ocean, you can sit inside and look out the big wndows or sit right outside and enjoy the beauty of the ocean.

    (3)
  • Kate K.

    Good food (the mahi-mahi, and even non-seafood chicken dish was excellent) very good service, and wow, who cares anyway with that view??? Right out the door to the beach!

    (5)
  • Fatty D.

    Ka-POW! For the price Points, very good 2nd experience. Arrived too late to order their famous loaf of bread. Buzz Kill Started with the Mussels in a cream garlic sauce. Excellent and succulent. The Matriarch had the Key West Shrimp. She reported they were very good. Lips and I had the Broiled Seafood which offered a gigantic portion which was very good. Had two desserts, both rich and expected. Service was professional, attentive and spot on. 200 including a generous tip. Very good value.

    (4)
  • R J.

    Called ahead to ask about reservations or getting our name on the list and were told they didn't do that but that there would be very little wait if any (Monday nite so this made sense). Arrived at restaurant approximate 10 til 8pm and had to wait for over 30 min. After having walked all day we were starving so we ordered the Coconut Shrimp appetizers as well as their House made bread! BOTH were excellent! The two girls ordered Seafood Quesadillas, one of us had the filet mignon (i know but we're from TX and he's a teenager) one had the Seafood Stir Fry, one had the Blackened Seafood Trio, and finally I had the Blackened Atlantic Snapper! All I can say is the food was outstanding but because they were sooo busy our waiter was a little behind. That coupled with the fact that it wasn't quite the "family" atmosphere we had hoped are the only reasons it's not a 5! Hope this was helpful!!

    (4)
  • Marta O.

    Extra view on the beach delicious seafood mniami oysters the best dinning place in the neighborhood

    (4)
  • Ryan G.

    We wanted a beachfront lunch spot, which is always risky, but decided to take a chance on Aruba, where the view, the food and the service all seemed to be missing something. The Mixed View - we lucked out to a great table by the window with a perfect view of the ocean. Unfortunately our view was marred by a number of less-than-attractive beach goers who decided they preferred to sit on the restaurant side of the beach instead of the water side. Seriously? Yes, we had a 50-year old thong-clad sun bather sitting right between us and the ocean. In case you were wondering, there was plenty of room closer to the water. This clearly is not the restaurant's fault, but still... The Sometimes Sloppy Service - Our server was slow and clueless and at one point we had to resort to walking to the bar to get our drink. The bartender was cheerful and very helpful. Even thought we paid at the bar, the server somehow managed to add that drink to the tab (was taken off, once we explained twice). The Fab & Forgetful Food - We loved the bread - yes it costs extra ($2 for a half loaf) but was worth it. It has a honey crust, is baked fresh and is served with honey butter - Yum. Just as good was the conch chowder. The Strawberry Fields salad was okay and the ham & brie sandwich, well I never want to eat another ham and brie as long as I live... The prices are to be expected due to their beach front location - very pricey for the experience. Next time we are in the neighborhood, we'll pack a beach picnic - but don't worry, we won't sit in front of the window.

    (2)
  • S J P.

    Arrived at 5pm on a Thursday night - place was packed, but got a nice outside table for two under an umbrella. But as soon as we sat down, a guy comes along and takes down the umbrella and removes it. Our server took our order and drinks arrived quickly. And so did the rain. We asked that the umbrella be replaced and you would have thought we'd asked for something special. While other waiters were assisting patrons in moving inside, our waiter was no where around, so we grabbed our plates, drinks, etc and found a table under a canopy in the bar section out of the rain. Waiter eventually appeared and seemed annoyed that we had moved and scolded us that it was just a little rain. Uh huh. Cars driving by with wipers swishing just a little rain? Finally the crab cake sandwiches arrived, cold, and blah. The beer was warm, and the fries were so-so. $50 bucks for a not-so-great experience. I guess if we were in our 20s driving a Lexus we might have had better service, but old people in their 60s, well, that's another story.

    (2)
  • Kelly K.

    Huge portions, waterfront views, food is kind of generic but overall good.

    (3)
  • J C.

    Went here for lunch with a friend who lives in the area. I had the Lobster salad club which was very tasty. The lobster was tender, cooked perfectly with just a little kick of heat. My only gripe was that the honey wheat bread was not toasted so the sandwich got a little mushy. My wife had the texican burger, which must have been good since by the time I asked how it was she had already devoured it. Price point was consistent with being right on the beach 46$ for three people with 2 lobster clubs. Check it out of you r ever in ft. Lauderdale

    (4)
  • Dante B.

    There are two great things about the Aruba Beach Cafe, both of which should be enough to bring you in if you live pretty much anywhere between Miami and Boca, east of I-75. Or, if you are a Canadian snowbird or tourist, even though I don't think that this place is that touristy. The two great things are: 1. the great happy hour from 4-7 pm. 2. the great indoor and outdoor seating areas, affording a magnificent view of the beach/pier/ocean. On my last visit to the Aruba Beach Cafe, I arrived just after happy hour on a Friday night. Great choice to not get a table immediately and enjoy a drink at the bar, along with meeting some interesting people who work in the local area. I find that this place is packed with old-time locals, professionals from Cypress Creek and the like .. everyone's out to have a good time and a good time is really had by all! So, my point is, if you aren't in a hurry and just want to enjoy the ambiance, you're going to love it. Conversely, if you want to be seated immediately, you're probably going to be irritated by the antiquated balloons that they give out with certain words on them, for the servers to easily identify your party. So - the happy hour rocks. It is a good time, completely packed, great priced drinks, good view and a lot of fun. This is definitely an older crowd though, of 35-50 business professionals and locals who are out for some fun. If that's your scene, you're going to love it here. My second point - the view and the seating. Let's move on to the seating: this place has tons of seating, two big bars, a dancefloor that is used, and outdoor seating that probably has about 25 tables. (which is probably more than the parking lots and street parking in this area, so good luck parking your vehicle close.) PS- there's a valet lot next to the restaurant, for a nice price of $5, but it's mayhem. Ok, so if you don't want to wait for outside seating, the interior area is great. Very eclectic, well separated from the high-traffic areas and with great full windows overlooking a beautiful beach. You're going to like it! Great for a nice sitdown with the family, a casual date with a soon-to-be friend, etc. All types. In my opinion, this is what you are paying for - great seating and pretty good service. Most of the other reviews state that the food is decent. I concur. The nice thing is that there is something for everyone - whether it's something a bit more fishy - great fresh swordfish, tuna, salmon dishes or something off of the specials of the day. There's going to be something for your fish-eater, along with some traditional meats, hamburgers and other food for the kids. And the price points vary from about $11.99 for an entree up to the mid-30s for a fish dish. The wine list is decent for a local place, with quite a few reds and whites if that's what you want.

    (3)
  • Audrey F.

    Good service, prices were ok. I do wish I had ordered something else. Got the chicken cordon bleu panini and it left a lot to be desired, was very dry. Didn't realize it came w BBQ sauce until I had decided to eat only the fries and my husband pointed it out. Nachos and his burger were ok though.

    (4)
  • Tracy A.

    This is our go-to spot for out of town guests. We love the Bahama bread. The lobster salad sandwich is amazing. I like the seafood quesadillas. Stay with the basics and you cant go wrong. Have a fruity drink with an umbrella and gaze at the ocean. Ahhh...

    (3)
  • James L.

    This is one of the best beach restaurants I have ever dined. I dream about going there all year long even if I live in an area with fantastic restaurants. The view is too amazing. The people are great. The service is top notch. The food is excellent. Don't miss the crab nachos. Go by for the best fish sandwich at lunch or a great big meal in the evening. After hours drinking and dancing is a must. The Sunday brunch is phenomenal! It is located in Lauderdale by the Sea Village. The 4 block area has 10 restaurants or more. Everything is within walking distance. I usually stay close and come by here at least 3 or 4 times a visit.

    (5)
  • Bradley M.

    Sat at the bar (stage left from the band) with a friend. Had some drinks...nice cold beers and we ordered the Turkey Club w/ side of Tropical Veggies and a side of Fries. All was very good, the veggies especially. There was a band playing...ummm something Jay Bauer (??). They were good...played a lot of slow old classic rock tunes. Stephanie our bartender was very sweet and was on the ball. I think the only real issue was that they kept one of the sliding doors open and there was either a rush of cold air from the AC or a rush of warm humid air coming off the ocean. I kept getting the hot//cold sweats. All and all...I always go here when I am in Laudy By The Sea. Always great service and the atmosphere is always on point. Great beach bar!

    (4)
  • Scott P.

    This is strictly about the food as the service was fast and friendly. I went with 3 people and we all either had steak or seafood. After tasting both, it was very easy to tell that nothing was fresh and we had grossly overpaid for a very bad meal. I have bought the same frozen veggie medley in the freezer section at my local grocery store and it is impossible to hide canned crab. The bar seemed pretty cool but I would not go back for food. Just for drinks and the live band as they have an AMAZING view of the beach

    (1)
  • Jonathan W.

    So you're right up on the beach and that is really the main part of the experience. If you can grab a patio chair, you really get the full experience. Just watch out for sudden rain showers or sand storms. As for the food, it's standard fare. Burgers and such. Nothing will tickle your tastebuds. A nice place to sit back and relax by the ocean.

    (3)
  • Bob G.

    Having lived in the South Florida area for 30 years now, I managed to avoid tourist traps. Aruba is one if those places that I have avoided for dining since I've always considered it a tourist trap. I've given it a chance when pressured by the out if town guests that want to "eat on the beach". Each time I proved myself correct in that the food was just not good This past weekend, Memorial Day weekend, I decided to give it another try. My feelings have not changed. This time food wise it still was horrible Worst Bimini bread I've ever eaten anywhere in South Florida. How do you mess that up? Best Bimini bread is between South Port Raw Bar and Bimini bar in Fort Lauderdale This clearly is the worst. Conch Fritters are like chewing refrigerated chewy dough balls. Steamed clams in marinara where also chewy and the sauce was obviously out of a jar. And if not, whoever created it should find another career The Athena burger, ordered medium came out dry and well done. I don't care how busy your are, that's not an excuse to put lousy food on the table. Put some effort into it The places is in a beautiful location right on the beach. The energy level is fun and usually the entertainment is enjoyable. Drink here and dance. Eat elsewhere Total tourist trap

    (2)
  • Kristen C.

    Everything on the menu is delicious. The bimini bread is to die for! Only con is the valet. Park somewhere and walk unless you want bird poop all over your car!!

    (4)
  • Darrell B.

    Went a small group of people for dinner and left mostly unimpressed. This is not a place to go for a nice, quiet intimate dinner. The noise level inside is high. Between the bars, the band and the people talking over all of it you will need to speak loud yourself to be heard by your dining companions. The decor is nice, nice ambiance, but the tables are too close together. Our server, after giving a beer to the person at hte other end of a table for 6, had to walk down three tables and come around to give me my beer. Not a great layout. The service was a bright spot as our server was attentive and polite, the dishes arrived in a reasonable amount of time and were given the the correct people (you don't know how many times in a party this size I have watched the servers fumble over who gets what). The server checked on a regular basis to make sure everyone had water, drinks and what they needed. The food for me was lackluster. I had three different appetizers - the conch fritters, crab cakes and Jamaican jerk wings. Of the three the best was the crab cakes. They were moist and tasty. The fritrers were small round balls with what seemed to be one small piece of conch in each one. The wings were completely unimpressive, not cooked consistently (dry on one side, moist on the other) and their jerk seasoning leaves much to be desired. My friend had the fish quesidilla and after it arrived was informed that the kitchen had run out of salsa. Sorry, but its not that hard to whip up a batch of salsa, I do it all the time. Another friend had the conch chowder and said it tasted nothing like any conch chowder he had every had before. He was decidedly unimpressed with it. I would go back for drinks outside, but thats about it.

    (2)
  • Kristin G.

    Had the seafood quesadilla, which was excellent. It's a large portion though- so could have split it with someone. Atmosphere is fun & view of the beach is great!

    (4)
  • Stephen G.

    Great place to get poisoned. We went at 9 for drinks. I was designated driver. When I ordered the second water I saw the waiter pour in bar runoff.

    (1)
  • Lynda P.

    Came here for dinner for a business event. Now get this, we had about 45 people seated in a private area, we are all Type A personalities who have already been drinking AND it was day 4 of a week long trip... so we were not the easiest customers that night! I ordered a cosmo, this linguini with seafood (lobster, mussels, scallops, shrimp and fish) and took a few bites of conch, nachos and wings. Cosmo was very strong! but it did the job. The linguini was DEELISH, but unfortunately it was too large and I could't finish it although i really, really wanted too. I wasn't a fan of the conch bites, but it's hard to hate something deep fried and crispy. Nachos were decent size and average. Wings were pretty delicious-- barbecue flavored and just enough spicy. Thank you thank you thank you Aruba for taking care of us. I know we weren't easy! On behalf of Randstad, we had an AMAZING experience!

    (4)
  • Marqus R.

    It's more about being there, the location, on the beach, on the water and within the pleasant little community of Lauderdale-by-the Sea than it is the food. The view, if you get a window seat or if you sit on the patio area nearest the ocean, couldn't be more pleasant. As for the food, that's not bad either. Their seared tuna appetizer with wasabi sauce is delicious as is their mahi mahi either plated or sandwiched. By the way, years ago the fish sandwiches were called "dolphin" but Aruba quickly discovered that, if you use the term "mahi mahi" instead, you can not only raise the price but not take the needless chance of offending the tourist that confuses dolphin fish with dolphin mammals. On season it gets real crowded at all hours of the afternoon and also at night when they often have entertainment, however they do offer valet parking. During Christmas season, the entire building is decorated to the hilt with beautiful lighting.

    (4)
  • Kristen C.

    Margaritas were perfect, food was great. Portions were large, so i went home with about half my meal. We even witnessed a proposal as we were being seated! Beautiful Scenery too. We walked on the pier after we ate (Which you had to pay for ... It seemed odd to me, but I'm not a local so it could be the norm. Note, not affiliated to Arubas, just a heads up.) Next time I'm visiting I will be sure to come back.

    (4)
  • Jonathan S.

    One of my favorite spots in Fort Lauderdale. This place is right on the beach, so its perfect to stroll onto their patio after a morning of swimming or sunbathing or whatever and enjoy a great burger and a nice cold beer. Really fun, laid back vibe, the food is great, and the service is excellent. And you can't beat a beachfront location. I first came here 10 years ago, and I'm still a fan.

    (4)
  • Vinny G.

    Aruba Beach Cafe is a very good stop along the shore serving fresh seafood at fair prices. The seafood chowder was flavorful and all the seafood dishes we had were fresh and plentiful. The seafood stir-fry was especially good, loaded with seafood and seasoned nicely. Serving sizes were large and the service was very efficient, especially considering how busy they were when we arrived. Parking in that area is tough on weekends so expect to pay a few bucks for paid valet.

    (4)
  • Lisa E.

    I was here for dinner on a Saturday night. The place was pretty full but we still got a great ocean view table. The views are amazing, it's worth going for that alone. Everyone seems to rave about the bread but I wasn't exactly impressed. It's ok but seemed a bit chewy like it came hot from a microwave. We ordered fish tacos and a chicken salad; both were good. (Good sized portions as well) Mixed drinks were weak so beer seems like the way to go. Service was good overall and the live music was entertaining.

    (3)
  • Scott M.

    Crowded and noisy it is on the beach in a quiet resort town. Atmosphere 80 Just too crowded Service 75 For the tourists Food 75 For the tourists Value 75 What you would expect as a tourist. If you are in the area, it is the best package available - ocean front, fair food, music. A touch of Margaretta ville if you wish. By the way, it will cost you to park for the privilege of eating here.

    (2)
  • Greg B.

    When in Fort Lauderdale, do what the tourists and locals do, and head to Aruba's Beach Cafe. You'll enjoy it. I've been coming here for years, either by myself, or with larger groups. My most recent visit included a group of seven on a brisk and busy Thursday night between Christmas and New Years. We were seated in a perfect spot for viewing the beach and ocean. Good placement. On this night, it was a tad nippy. The folks at Aruba's opted to keep the sliding glass doors open. Those space heaters a lot of restaurants are employing would have come in handy on this particular night. We always ask for the Bimini Bread with Aruba glaze. Good stuff. Quite honestly, the food isn't necessarily memorable. I don't believe I've ever had a great meal here. It's serviceable, but by no means memorable. There's always Key West-like live music. In particular, there's this one-man band who plays that tropical-type music, or 1970s/1980s pop music. Very enjoyable and festive. People are drinking, dancing and having fun. A couple of things of note: This place gets a lot of traffic. They're turning and burning tables with lightning speed, so expect big crowds en lieu of intimacy. Also, parking is at a premium. Ante up and valet your car. It's worth the time and hassle of finding a parking spot.

    (3)
  • B J.

    The view is great and the drinks are pretty tasty, especially the key lime Pina colada, very good drink. Also, this place is really right on the beach and the access to it after dinner or the pier makes this a great date place. However, the food I feel like here is very hit or miss. Sometimes what I have gotten like the Mahi-Mahi, fried shrimp, or their burgers can be real good and very flavorful, and also come out promptly and nice and hot. Their have been other times, and this has happened on several occasions now that the food has come out luke warm and did not taste that great. Also, some of the dishes like their very fresh seafood which they do charge generally 20 bucks and up a plate for has come out not so flavorful and leaves you questioning about should I have made another choice. Their Bimini bread which is a special type of bread though that is sweet on the outside served with their home made butter is very tasty though. It is just that some of the main entrees can be really hit or miss. Also, the service here needs to be a bit better. Wait staff can be sometimes rude and very unfriendly I feel like, I have seen this from quite a few of the wait staff here while I have dined here generally on a Friday and Saturday night. They are sometimes I feel like over worked though and thats why they may get to that point as they may be overwhelmed. However, they are doing great, this is a very busy and popular beachside restaurant in the South FL. area and is known throughout the Broward and Palm Beach County areas. If you are looking for a bit better of service and food, may want to visit some of the establishments along the beach that are further North in the Deerfield Beach, FL coast line.

    (2)
  • Cari H.

    It was very busy! I thought we will wait and wait we did not. Seated in 10 min outside on the ocean the server was nice and fast.good selection of Craft beers and draft We had the skirt Steak special of the day excellent ,hubby had the burger the fries very good. Fun and Busy place with music.

    (4)
  • Jillian S.

    Awful. The chicken appetizer was dry and did not taste like real chicken. Awful consistency. Sent it back for the tuna appetizer instead. Even worse.

    (1)
  • Savani D.

    They get three stars because of terrific ocean view, pet friendly environment and live music. Unfortunately, I wasn't pleased with anything else. I ordered the lobster and crab salad. How do you mess that up?? The crab meat was so tough, the lettuce was browning around the edges. I sent it back and got the chicken quesadilla which was much better. Wouldn't recommend this place if you're looking for top notch food.

    (3)
  • Kiyan R.

    Surprisingly, not as impressed as I expected when I walked in. I concur with many of the other people that rave about the amazing view. I won't disagree that the view is really a "million dollar view." The restaurant is pretty generic IMO and definitely lacks personality. Everything was so cliche: the music, the menu, and the decor. It's as if they went online and Google'd "tiki decorations" to design the place. There was live music which made it kinda fun but it wasn't anything spectacular. The service is somewhat slow, but I guess that is expected from a restaurant of this size (relatively larger). The prices are definitely high for the type of food on their menu. I'm not sure if there are any really good options with a comparable view, but if you don't mind for anything truly original, it's not a bad stop!

    (3)
  • Dan S.

    Great location. The food is decent island themed bar food. This place used to be a regular stop off for me, when I visited Orioles Spring Training. Unfortunately, the O's moved to Sarasota a few years ago. However, I returned this summer to find that Aruba had not changed much. I ordered a Mahi Mahi sandwich that was fresh, tasty, and extremely overpriced. I will return, but not because of the food or prices. You just can't beat that view.

    (3)
  • Marc W.

    Great food, nice atmosphere. Ladies room an unfortunate mess. Claudia did a great job. Food portions are huge. The Aruba Mousse Cake is to die for. Highly recommend the Blackened Trio.

    (4)
  • Jennie J.

    I love drinking and eating here. Aruba Cafe is right on the beach - meaning it is ON the sand! I always get the lobster salad sandwich which comes with crazy delicious steak fries. We've had the scallops and the shrimp. Everything has been great. The bartenders are lovely and always make yummy drinks.

    (5)
  • Holden C.

    Went to Aruba with a group of 14 on a Saturday night during Christmas break so it is fair to say we were seriously testing their system. For starters, the location and atmosphere is awesome. Love the area, love the beach, love the ambiance of the restaurant. Service was OK, some of our group were a little late and they sat us anyway. That is a good move. However, they did not take a drink order or offer any food until after everyone sat. This was a little hard for the kids at the table. In addition, the service was a bit slow but again, I chalk that up to the time of year and the night. The food was good not great. Scampi was pretty good but the Key West Shrimp were bland. Burger's were good. Mahi sandwich was ok as the fish was a bit over done. Goat Cheese salad was very good and the Straberry Fields salad was well reviewed (i did not eat a bite of it though). The Nacho's got eaten instantly and were pretty good and the bread was awesome. Let's face it, you are in Ft Lauderdale for the beach and the sun. The food is second. Aruba has great beach and location in a hopping area and the food was pretty good. I will be back.

    (3)
  • Stella I.

    Fun place to be when you are on the beach and get hungry , live music , food is good .

    (4)
  • Mark P.

    love going here great view food is ok wish there would filter there water it taste bad ! otherwise good place

    (3)
  • John K.

    Great location on the beach,but with the road construction outside the place, parking is a beach too. Service was good considering how busy the waitress was. I ordered the Blackened trio , it was spiced just right and not over cooked. I would recommend this place A-OK

    (3)
  • Samantha A.

    Subpar food, took forever! Nice ambiance though. I really wanted to like this place.

    (2)
  • Kathryn L.

    I am going to give this place 4 stars simply because it is the epitome of what a Florida beach restaurant is all about! It's open, right on the beach, great drinks, live music and just a FUN atmosphere! I come here everytime I am in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. The service is usually very good...the food, not so much. It's definitely edible but nothing that great. However, I do HIGHLY recommend the "Bimini Bread" with honey butter as an appetizer...it is DELICIOUS! Bottom line: if you're in the Lauderdale area and want to have some tropical fun...check this place out! :)

    (4)
  • Courtney W.

    This place is all about location, right on the beach in a bustling tourist area. Get ready to wait during tourist season but even during spring break it only took us about 10 minutes to get a table for three. Always opt to sit outside if it is nice because it can get pretty loud inside. The mussels here are good as is the crab salad sandwich. The drinks here can be kind of weak so keep that in mind and order a beer or some wine if you want something that you're used to. They don't have much parking so utilize some of the street parking all around the area or across A1A. They sometimes offer valet parking during tourist season and most nights you will find someone playing the guitar and singing away. If you are just looking for a bite to eat and some excellent people watching on the beach, this is your place!

    (3)
  • Stephanie R.

    I would give 0 stars if I could. I did not fell welcome at all and I broke my rule of not giving a 20% tip because the service was that bad. I was seated before a large group next to me but the waitress excitedly greeted them. They started to get drinks, she told them drink specials, etc. Several minutes later the waitress finally came to me but there was no hi, no mention of drink specials all she did was what do you want to drink? Do you know what you want to eat. Didn't get much attention. The table next to me were given glasses of water with their drinks and they never asked for it, all I got was my drink put down on my table without a word. When my food came a waiter brought it out and literally threw it down in front of me without a word. No one ever brought me condiments or anything, I was about to get up and grab my own ketchup from the server station because none of the wait staff would give me a glance. The waitress checked on me one time. The food was over priced and not good, the piña colada was rather weak and not very good. I felt like I was being discriminated against because I was a table of one....I got no service and will never go again. I did not feel welcome in the least!! Disappointing I wanted a nice relaxing meal with a great view and instead felt like crap due to the very poor service and obvious mistreatment. The waitress had a scowl on her face dealing with me and she was so friendly to the table next to me giving them an enjoyable experience. Save your money and go somewhere else where all customers are treated with respect and decency.

    (1)
  • Michael H.

    Food came out quickly and was good. Decent size portions and the drinks were awesome. Loved having the music and made for a great sunset!

    (4)
  • Jennifer B.

    Amazing food, fun atmosphere. On the beach. Fresh mahi mahi was wonderful. Server Marco was the best. Perfect evening!

    (5)
  • Marco G.

    Went to a wedding reception and had a great time!! Food drinks and service were unbeatable! Daniel was very attentive and always on top of it.

    (5)
  • Paola H.

    Soooo yummy, love the ocean view. Must try the seafood trio mmm

    (5)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 1:00pm

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : No
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Valet, Street
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : No
    Has TV : Yes
    Dogs Allowed : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Drive-Thru : No
    Caters : No

Categories

Burgers

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Aruba Beach Cafe

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