Jungle Vibes At The Marina — Restaurant in Yaiza

HORRENDOUS! If you want good, well cooked, freshly made food... this is NOT the place for you!

A terrible dining experience from start to finish.. from the food to the most unprofessional management i have ever had the misfortune of engaging with. It began with the glowing references from front of house 'Arrabella's Mum' ..of the 'raved about' dishes they served up. It could not have been more off the mark in description... and when she said the vegetable lasagne was to die for.. I fear she meant it literally! First out the gate were 2 Espresso Martinis.. they were really warm, barely a whiff of coffee and not a creamy head in sight - known from this day forward as the 'Dishwater Special'. Politely sent those bad boys back, only to be served with 2 pretty decent espressos.. apparently the guy who made the first ones doesn't usually make them and didn't know how.. alrighty then (still willing to serve them tho..). Never mind, due thanks were given, onward and upward. Back to the deadly Vegetable lasagne... probably best described as a bowl of tasteless watery vegetable soup (a recipe 'Arrabella's grandmother' most definitely did not hand down this secret recipe to her beloved). Odds and ends tossed in a bowl (prob the left over dishwater from the espressos... was cocktail guy also racking up mileage in the kitchen too??) The chicken burger... (stay with me.. it's 'Island famous' apparently) ..bulk bought, frozen burger in a cold dry bap with iceberg lettuce jazzing it up (tho it was some of the best chopped lettuce i've ever seen to be fair and possibly the highlight of the whole meal..).. that was it.. no dressing, relish.. nada! Thinking this could not actually get any worse.. i mentioned the lasagne to the waitress (i held back on the burger tragedy), said i wasn't happy paying the full amount and asked if i could speak with someone...she returned, literally threw the full bill on the table and made haste to a dark corner i presume. I approached the till, bill in hand to be descended upon by what i can only describe as the 'local heavy' ....a large, very overbearing man calling himself the manager, who set upon me without any pleasantries in the most aggressive, confrontational manner, his contribution to this fiasco appearing to be that he was fluent in angry. At this stage 'Arrabella's mum' has exited stage left and the waitress has vanished in a puff of smoke (wish the 'infamous chicken burger' had done me the same courtesy). Meanwhile, back at the ranch, Al Pacino is actually limbering up for a showdown at noon with a woman half his size who's attempting nothing other than to have a civilised conversation with someone. Husband to the rescue to also be confronted by big Al before even having the chance to speak.. Had i not witnessed this shambles first hand, i would not think it possible. All front of house and no kitchen!! Sorry folks... nowhere near good enough for the Marina... prob best suited to the Big Mac and McDonald customers (which is absolutely fine if that's what you're after).. but this is not what it purports to be...

Also worthy of note that i have never written a bad review about anywhere...

During our 2-week stay near the marina, we couldn't resist visiting Arabella's three times! This restaurant truly exceeded our expectations. From the moment we stepped in, we were met with a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff were friendly, attentive, and went above and beyond to ensure our dining experience was exceptional.

The highlight, of course, was the outstanding food and cocktails. Every dish we tried was a masterpiece, beautifully plated, and bursting with flavors. The Arabella's Surprise cocktail(s) perfectly complemented our lovely meal whilst the background music took us back to our teenage years.

Each time we visited we were pleased to find that the quality and service remained consistently excellent. The outstanding service and delectable food made us feel truly valued and welcomed.

Arabella's menu offers a wide range of options, and the prices are very reasonable for the fantastic quality they deliver. Whether you visit for lunch or dinner, you'll find something delightful to suit your taste buds!

The restaurant's atmosphere is charming, beautifully decorated in a jungle style that makes you want to linger and enjoy the ambiance. The attention to detail is evident, especially the personalised welcome card on the table, as it creates a memorable dining experience each and every time.

The staff's friendliness and attentiveness added an extra layer of enjoyment to our dining experience. They even sang for a birthday celebration, adding a special touch to the evening.

Arabella's is not pricey at all, as is well worth the expense for the high-quality food and overall experience. Making a reservation in advance is a wise choice, as the restaurant tends to be popular and fills up quickly.

The view from the restaurant is stunning, providing a lovely backdrop to savor the delectable dishes for that memorable holiday photo. The bar area inside is a perfect spot for enjoying cocktails after a delicious meal (if you have any room left!).

In conclusion, Arabella's At The Marina is a true gem that leaves a lasting impression. The positive vibes, beautiful food, and friendly service make it a must-visit restaurant in Playa Blanca. Whether you're looking for a romantic dinner, a family-friendly atmosphere, or a place to celebrate special occasions, Arabella's has it all. We can't wait to return for another delightful meal and create more...

Since it’s opening I’ve been watching, with delight, the success of this waterside restaurant. If I ever came back to Lanzarote I knew that this would be top of my list of places to visit, mainly because Ange, the hostess with the mostess, is one of the nicest people I met on the island so I knew this would shine through in the service and atmosphere. Obviously I wasn’t disappointed. We were treated to an Arabella’s Secret cocktail, the kind of Tiki style drink you absolutely need to have when you’re on your jollies; you know the kind, sweet, mint leaves, refreshing, and boozy. Starters we shared the Iberican ham and melon and garlic prawns. The ham and melon was huge, def one to do as a sharer unless you’ve got a big appetite, and some of the nicest cured meats I’ve had. Garlic prawns were amazing, which is good because I’d been craving them since booking the holiday. Having decided I was gonna have a seafood kinda getaway, I went for the grilled swordfish. Oh my 🤌🏻 I love me a meaty fish and this was just that, at the same time melting in my mouth. The accompanying Canarian potatoes and sauces paired beautifully with the dish. We rounded up by moving inside to the seating area to have cocktails for pudding. The place was bustling, and the atmosphere was great. I popped in on my last night just to soak it in one more time and have me a mojito, and it was even busier, so def consider booking! Everybody was being so well looked after and it genuinely made me smile to see everyone so happy. 100quid between 2 of us for starters, mains, and copious drinks was a bonus. Massive thanks to Ange and the team for looking after us and making our experience one to talk about...