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This The Old Man and The Sea Aruba review comes down to one question: do you want a slow dinner beside the water in Savaneta, away from the hotel strip? If so, it is worth it. The Old Man and The Sea is the signature restaurant of a small overwater-villa resort, and Caribbean Journal describes unhurried dinners there, timed more by the breeze than by the clock. The cuisine is a mix of local dishes with an international flair, and the menu centers on fresh seafood shaped by local fishermen.
The Old Man and The Sea at a glance
- Cuisine: seafood and Aruban dishes with international touches
- Area: Savaneta, a fishing village on Aruba’s south coast
- Best for: couples, proposals, anniversaries and quiet dinners by the water
- What to order: the ceviche, keshi yena, the catch of the day, the lobster a la vodka
- Price gauge: $$$$ (our estimate)
A Hemingway name and a quiet shoreline
The name pays homage to Ernest Hemingway, and the restaurant describes itself as Hemingway-inspired. It was established in 2008 in Savaneta, the island’s historic old capital.
Caribbean Journal counts Savaneta among Aruba’s most authentic coastal communities, a place where daily life revolves around fishing boats, local restaurants and neighborhood beaches, well away from the high-rise corridor. The same article pictures tables a little above the shoreline, with lantern light, the bay as a backdrop and the water moving under the deck.
There is also a showpiece. Aruba.com describes it as the only restaurant on the island where you can dine privately in an overwater cabana; the resort keeps that gazebo for its hotel guests. Traveling Ears calls the resort’s overwater dining settings very romantic.
What to order at The Old Man and The Sea
Start local. The fish and shrimp ceviche brings together grouper and shrimp in pure lime juice, mixed with cilantro, bell pepper, onions and papaya pika, with plantain chips on the side. Keshi yena is one of Aruba’s classic dishes, and here it is a mix of ground beef and spicy chicken stew, served with polenta and melted Gouda.
For the main course, the catch of the day is the natural order at a restaurant named after a fisherman: the daily fish comes with Spanish risotto, sautéed vegetables and creole sauce. The menu calls its lobster a la vodka famous: a lobster tail and shrimp sautéed in a vodka marinara cream sauce, served with penne. Away from the sea, the roasted Thai sweet duck breast comes with sweet potato purée and an orange sweet Thai sesame sauce, and the New Zealand rack of lamb is marinated in honey and herbs and served with a turmeric-flavored creamy polenta and balsamic mint sauce.
Want both worlds? The Land and Sea starts with a certified Angus tenderloin, and the menu lists scallops or a lobster tail as additions, a good order if you cannot choose between the grill and the catch at The Old Man and The Sea.
Proposals, anniversaries and quiet nights
Aruba.com’s list of proposal ideas includes a stay at this resort, with a proposal on a private terrace overlooking the Caribbean Sea. Traveling Ears recommends the resort for honeymooners, anniversary trips and couples looking for privacy and an unhurried stay. For more romantic options across the island, see our guide to the best restaurants in Aruba.
Make a day of Savaneta while you are there. A casual lunch at Zeerovers, the locals’ fish shack in Savaneta and a seafood dinner at The Old Man and The Sea show two sides of the same fishing village. Savaneta is not the Palm Beach hotel strip, so plan your taxi or rental car for the evening.
Price level
Price level: $$$$. Price level is our estimate, not exact pricing. It is based on the dinner prices on the restaurant’s current menu, checked November 2026.
FAQ
Is The Old Man and The Sea worth it?
Yes, if you want a slow dinner by the water. The lantern-lit tables above the shoreline in Savaneta and a seafood menu shaped by local fishermen are the reasons to go.
What should I order at The Old Man and The Sea?
Try the fish and shrimp ceviche or the keshi yena to start, then the catch of the day with creole sauce or the lobster a la vodka.
Where does the name come from?
It is a tribute to Ernest Hemingway’s novel, and the restaurant calls itself Hemingway-inspired.
What kind of food does it serve?
Local dishes with an international flair: seafood, Aruban classics such as keshi yena, and meat dishes like duck breast, rack of lamb and Angus tenderloin.
Anything to know before booking The Old Man and The Sea?
Late cancellations carry a restaurant fee of up to USD 100. The overwater gazebo tables are for hotel guests only. The restaurant asks for a card to hold tables; after we book your table, the restaurant sends its card step and you complete it with them directly.
How does booking a table at The Old Man and The Sea through The Table Desk work?
Pick your date, time and party size in the booking box on this page and pay $20. We book your table and send your confirmation by email. If we can’t book it, your full $20 comes back. The Table Desk is an independent reservation service by All Tours Aruba, not affiliated with the restaurant.
