Barefoot was excellent, Quinta del Carmen (same owners) even better, stay away from el gaucho over rated, Madame janette is quality as well.

Since you have been going to the island for 12 years, I would make the trip out to the Flying Fishbone. Barefoot has a great ambience and is closer to the resorts but I liked my meal much better at FF. I think it is worth trying at least once. Please note though that the tables are placed close together. If there are only two of you, request a table closest to the water. Families are placed in the sand but further from the water's edge.

Thank you everyone, we only have 1 at most 2 nights to dine without our 3 year old son and we want a romantic evening. Would you go to Barefood and Qunita since they are both owned by the same person?

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Think of Quinta as an upscale Barefoot without the option of a beach setting or seating - but a nice setting nonetheless. There is a little redundancy on the menues of Quinta and Barefoot but minimally so. With only 2 nights free - we would do Quinta del Carmen and Passions (for the on the beach experience and good food). Flying Fish Bone can be hit or miss; it is lenghty ride (expensive if done by taxi); and you generally wind up sitting on some shifting sands - which occasionally results in your meal or drinks winding up in your lap.

Enjoy your trip.

Thank you! I think we will do Barefoot (with a drink at Pincho's first) and we will also keep the Passion's reservation (which is our actual anniversary)

Ditto to earlier reply that Flying Fishbone is a hit or miss. It was a total miss for us in June. So many other choices than to make the long drive. Enjoy!

Definitely Barefoot! I had a very bad experience at Flying Fishbone. The food was mediocre at best, the waitstaff was rude, it was very expensive and it is quite a distance to drive. Barefoot is much closer to the main areas in Aruba and the food is much better.

Just another opinion - so subjective. We had a bad experience at Barefoot - terrible service and food not very good, but most people rave about it. Food is much better at Flying Fishbone, but tables are close together and it is expensive. Passions is great for the atmosphere, and the food is good but wouldn't rave about it. We tried Papiamento's for the first time last month and loved it. The six of us all loved the food and loved the ambience. Just my 2 cents.

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