Flying Fishbone Aruba: Is It Worth It?
Having dinner with your feet in the Caribbean Sea isn’t something you get to do very often, so we were keen to try the Flying Fishbone during our time in Aruba. I’d wanted to eat here on my previous trip to the island but never got around to it, so I wasn’t going to miss out again.
We booked a table around sunset and managed to get one right in the water, which was exactly what we’d hoped for. We knew it wasn’t going to be a cheap dinner, but the setting, good food and relaxed service made for a really enjoyable evening.
In this post, I’ll share our experience at the Flying Fishbone in Aruba, including what it’s actually like eating at one of the water tables, how much we spent and how to book one for yourself. I’ll also look at whether the food lives up to expectations and whether the whole experience is worth the money.
Are the Water Tables at Flying Fishbone Worth It?
The water tables are the main reason why people visit the Flying Fishbone, and having now eaten at one, I can understand why. There’s something quite unusual about enjoying dinner while warm, clear blue water moves around your feet.
We arrived for our 6pm reservation and were offered a table right in the water. Although only the 4pm reservations guarantee a water table, there were actually several available when we arrived, so we were lucky enough to get one.
Once we sat down, it almost felt like we were relaxing on the beach with our feet in the sea, rather than sitting down for a nice evening meal. The water was only around our ankles and gently moved in and out throughout dinner, giving the whole experience a much more casual feel.
The only thing I hadn’t thought about was where to put my flip flops, although I soon spotted a rack where guests could hang their shoes. Otherwise, sitting in the water wasn’t uncomfortable or inconvenient at all.
We’d timed our booking to catch the sunset, and it was lovely watching the light fade over the sea as we ate. The restaurant was fairly relaxed too. People took the occasional photo, but it wasn’t the constant photo session you might expect from somewhere so popular.
Is the Food at Flying Fishbone Actually Good?
With so much attention on the water tables and sunset views, you might wonder whether the food at the Flying Fishbone is actually any good. Thankfully, we both really enjoyed our meals.
I love trying different food when travelling, whether that’s Pad Thai from a street stall in Thailand, empanadas in Colombia or a meal somewhere famous for its food. I wouldn’t consider myself a foodie or any kind of expert, but everything we ate here was tasty, the portions were generous and we didn’t have to wait long for our food.
The service was good too. The staff were friendly throughout the evening and gave us time to settle in with a cocktail and enjoy the sunset before taking our food order. We never felt rushed, despite the restaurant being popular.
I’d mentioned when booking that it was Zuz’s birthday, and towards the end of our meal, the staff brought out a brownie with ice cream and a sparkler. It was a lovely little touch, especially as we hadn’t expected anything.
How Much Does Flying Fishbone Cost?
The Flying Fishbone isn’t somewhere we’d normally go for a casual dinner, and we knew we’d be spending more than usual when we booked.
I can’t remember the exact bill, but I’m fairly sure we paid around $120 for the two of us, including drinks. We both had a starter and a main course, along with a few drinks, but didn’t order dessert, so that should give you a rough idea of what to expect.
It’s certainly not cheap, although for a special evening out in Aruba, we didn’t think it was unreasonable. The menu appears to have changed since our visit, so it’s worth checking the latest dishes and prices before booking.
How to Get a Water Table at Flying Fishbone
If you’re hoping to eat at one of the Flying Fishbone’s water tables, it’s worth thinking carefully about your reservation time.
The only way to guarantee a water table is to book a confirmed feet-in-the-water reservation for 4pm, although availability is limited. For later bookings, the restaurant offers water tables on a first come, first served basis, so getting one around sunset isn’t guaranteed.
We chose 6pm because I’d checked the sunset time beforehand and wanted to be there as the sun went down. It was a bit of a gamble, but one I’d happily take again, as enjoying the sunset with a cocktail before dinner was a big part of the experience for us.
If sitting in the water is your main priority, though, booking a 4pm water table is the safer option.
You can book through the Flying Fishbone reservations page. The dress code is casual, although swimwear, bikinis and see-through cover-ups aren’t allowed.
The restaurant is in Savaneta, away from Aruba’s main hotel areas around Palm Beach and Eagle Beach. It’s also not far from Baby Beach, so it’s worth considering if you’re spending the day exploring the south of the island. We were staying in Savaneta and had a hire car, so getting there was straightforward, but you’ll need to plan your transport if you’re staying further north.
Is Flying Fishbone Aruba Worth It?
For us, the Flying Fishbone was definitely worth visiting, and it’s somewhere I’d happily return to on another trip to Aruba.
The food was better than I’d expect from an average restaurant, and easily comparable to some of the nicer places we’ve eaten back home. I wouldn’t necessarily say it’s the best restaurant on the island, but we both really enjoyed our meals, and the friendly service made the evening even better.
You’re certainly paying for the setting as well as the food, but if you’re visiting Aruba and fancy treating yourself to a slightly different evening out, I’d say the Flying Fishbone is well worth considering.