Pelican Nest

Sadly the Pelican’s Nest has really gone downhill from where it used to be. We have been coming to Aruba for about 20 years now and this restaurant has always been a favorite staple for us. The last few times have not been fantastic, but we still enjoy it. However today was the worst time yet. Firstly, they were completely out of stock of every single local beer - all they had was Bud Light. Then when we went to order appetizers they told us they were out of 6 out of the 10 appetizers on the menu. They told me they had the tuna tartare, to only be told 10 minutes later that they were out of avocado. They then informed us of various entrees they were also out of. My husband wanted a full fried snapper, which they said came in large or extra large size. He ordered the large, to again be told 10 minutes later that it was sold out, that the only option was the extra large snapper, for a whopping $120! This is a plain, LOCAL fried fish on a casual restaurant pier people eat in their bathing suits at…and that doesn’t even include sides. I will say my Baja shrimp tacos were delicious, but each taco came with ONE shrimp each for $23. It’s a real shame to see how bad this once wonderful restaurant has gotten because the views are beautiful and the food we did get to eat was very good.

Amazing restaurant out on the pier. We had a 6pm reservation and the staff was amazing, allowed us time to enjoy our drinks and appetizers before ordering entrees so that we could enjoy the sunset. Celebrated an anniversary with my wife/daughter and it was the perfect end to our trip in Aruba. Great food, amazing service, and the best view for sunset. Thanks again to the amazing staff and food here!

The Absolute Best Dinner in Aruba: A Waterfront Masterpiece 🇦🇼 If you only have one night for a high-end seafood dinner in Aruba, make it Pelican Nest Seafood Grill. After a full week of exploring the island’s culinary scene, I can confidently say this was the best meal of the entire trip. The Vibe & Location You aren't just "near" the water; you are dining on a pier directly over the Caribbean Sea. The atmosphere is electric yet sophisticated. Seeing the turquoise water illuminated under the wooden planks while you eat is a core memory unlocked. The Seafood (10/10 Freshness) The quality of the fish here is on another level. • The Octopus: Perfectly charred, tender, and served over a silky puree. It’s a must-order. • The Lobster & Seafood Platter: You can tell the catch is local and fresh. The lobster was succulent, and the calamari was seasoned to perfection. This isn't just a meal; it's a showcase of Aruban seafood at its peak. Service that Makes the Difference What truly sets this place apart is the staff. From the moment we arrived, the Hostess was incredibly welcoming and professional, setting the tone for the night. Our Servers were attentive, fast, and genuinely cared about our experience. In a busy tourist spot, this level of personalized service is rare and much appreciated. Final Verdict: Everything was perfect—from the breeze on the pier to the final bite. If you value fresh ingredients and a world-class location, don’t skip this. Pro Tip: Ask for a table on the edge of the pier for the most immersive "over-water" feeling.

Get the coconut shrimp!! It was a 10/10 very flavorful, all of our food was so delicious. The staff were very friendly and attentive. It is pretty expensive, but the food is up to par. Also the restaurant sits right on the water, even though we went at night the view was gorgeous! Would recommend for a date night!

Came here for dinner Friday night—had reservations but we opted to sit at the bar. The bartender Giovanni was awesome—friendly & attentive and made great drinks. The Nube was my FAVORITE—it’s like a mint infused frozen pina colada, so delicious! Highly recommend the Oscar’s Royal, which comes with shrimp, grouper, lobster with garlic cream saffron risotto! The restaurant/bar is casual, probably best to come during the day/sunset because at night you can’t really see the view much since it’s super dark. But we came back the next night for more of the Nube drink!