27 Best Restaurants in Aruba

One of Aruba's most popular toes-in-the-sand spots (even their indoor dining has sand on the floor), it's all about creative international fusion cuisine, comprehensive upscale wine choices, and superb signature cocktails in an ultimate barefoot-luxury setting. The sunset views are always spectacular.

This charming bistro dining spot is the quintessential meeting place for those seeking great signature cocktails, creative tapas, quality coffee, and healthy lunch options. They also offer a full dinner menu, with dishes that range from chicken cordon bleu to beef tenderloin with Dutch potatoes. Suikertuin means “sugar garden” in Dutch, and this spot is so named for the yellow sugar birds that frequent the courtyard behind the historic colonial heritage house.

What began as a catering company became so popular that they decided to open a brick-and-mortar café in the heart of Downtown Oranjestad, so now you can dine inside their cheery space to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an amazing selection of gourmet cheeses, quality charcuterie, and a surprising selection of fine wines, too. Grab one of their BC boxes to go for a perfect picnic, or a lavish platter of goodies to entertain guests back at your hotel.

Enjoy locally roasted coffee at this cheery spot and take home some of their special Aruba blend as an ideal souvenir. They also offer gelato, locally made pastries, soups, and sandwiches.

This red-hot landmark establishment in the heart of Renaissance Marketplace specializes in traditional Havana specialties and is the only spot on Aruba where you can enjoy an authentic Cuban sandwich for lunch. There's even a surprisingly good selection of gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan fare on offer. The atmosphere is fun and friendly, and the location is ideal for people-watching along the seaport marina. Their boast of having the best mojitos in town is a fair claim, and they also have a mojito-to-go kiosk if you want to judge for yourself before committing to dining there.

You need not be a vegan or seeking gluten-free options to thoroughly enjoy the creative takes on strictly plant-based fare at this happy little nook, but if you are, it’s bound to be your new paradise. It’s tiny though, so if you intend to dine in, reservations are a must, though there is a bustling takeout and delivery business, too. The owners organize cool vegan events like hikes, cruises, and "sushi" nights.

One of the most romantic settings on the island is highlighted by enchanting twinkling lights strung over the water on a pier. Pinchos ("skewers" in Spanish) offers a fairly extensive menu of both meat and seafood skewers in addition to more creative main courses. Boursin-and-apple-stuffed pork tenderloin and maple-BBQ-bourbon cowboy pinchos keep carnivores sated, and there's vegan couscous, too. The bar area is great for enjoying ocean breezes accompanied by an excellent signature cocktail or house-made sangria, and there's live entertainment on weekends (high season). Romance is always on tap here, particularly with the "lover's swing" by the bar but there's a kids' menu, too.

The second location of Chef Urvin Croes’ poke, bao, and sushi spot is an ideal place to watch the boats in the marina and enjoy an awesome alfresco lunch, dinner, or post-shopping or pre-casino snack. The award-winning chef is known island-wide for his artistic plating and modern cooking at his upscale outfit called Infini, but this franchise shows off his playful side with fun creative tweaks on fusion Asian cuisine and comfort food. Chef Croes takes creative vegan dishes very seriously, and this place boasts some of the island’s very best.

The Eagle Beach location of this café was so popular because of its excellent coffee, creative snacks, and master baristas that they opened this Downtown location. They are also licensed for cocktails, wine, and beer and make decadent milkshakes, too.

Foodies in the know are beating a path to this down-to-earth eatery housed in a beautifully restored 100-year-old heritage house to enjoy locally sourced fare, especially fresh fish and local lobster. The menu changes daily depending on the bounty but rarely disappoints, with the driving force of repeat business due to the larger-than-life personality of owner Nathaly de Mey and the culinary skills of her top-notch chefs and creative mixologists. Dine indoors or alfresco in the courtyard or street-front patio, where a live DJ sets the tone. You can also raise a pint in the surprise Irish-themed pub on-site, a labor of love by the owner who lived in Ireland for a spell. Live music on Saturday nights. 

Dutch pancakes are unlike North American-style flapjacks since they can be both savory and sweet, offering opportunities for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and this legendary spot in the Renaissance Marketplace is considered the absolute best place to try them. More like thin crepes, they can be covered in (or stuffed with) a multitude of ingredients, which might include meats, vegetables, and cheeses. The menu includes dozens of varieties of both sweet and savory styles, as well as puffy little silver-dollar-size poffertjes. You'll enjoy them in the indoor-outdoor café, but if you eat outside, keep an eye on your syrup bottles, as the little resident sugar birds are always trying to get into them for a sweet treat.

Look for the beautiful bird mural across from the marina for excellent authentic Aruban-made bits and bites, including island-roasted coffee, Johnny cakes, little silver-dollar-sized Dutch pancakes, homemade ice cream, fresh coconut juice, and more. There’s also an alfresco bar with full-size local-fare meals, but remember to bring cash as not all kiosks take cards.

The Dutch still have strong culinary ties to Indonesia, so this welcome addition to Downtown offers an ideal place to indulge in quality comfort food from that corner of the globe. Exotic and traditional Asian specialties also abound, and this is one of the few places on the island where you can sample the elusive rijsttafel (rice table), a large assortment of small dishes meant to be shared by a group. They also make authentic Indonesian bubble tea.  There's a four-person minimum and two-day advance reservation for rijsttafel as it’s very time-consuming and complicated to prepare.

Created by Chef Dennis van Daatselaar, this intimate chef's table experience for 14 people is set in a tropical garden. Come with an open-minded and expect the unexpected as tasting new experiences is the focus here, and though every dish might not be to your individual taste, the overall adventure is typically well applauded by visiting foodies. The five-course surprise menu can also be paired with wine or cocktails for an additional fee.   

This brand-new spot is owned by the Coffee Break folks, but it’s all about a different kind of brew---more than 150 types of beer! Snack platters, sliders, wings, and nachos are also on tap, and they often have live music at night on their sidewalk terrace.

Opened in 1986, this rustic nautical-themed restaurant is owned and operated by the Merryweather family. It's justifiably famous for serving up the freshest catch of the day caught by the owners themselves. Typically they recommend the fresh fish be served Aruban-style for the best local experience (that means panfried and topped with a spicy creole sauce). Not to be missed is the fish soup that's been a family secret recipe since the very beginning. You can join them on their deep-sea fishing adventures through their sister company Driftwood Charters and have them cook up your own catch for dinner that night.

Aruba's original go-to for carnivores since 1977, El Gaucho is famous for meat served in mammoth portions. Though to be honest, it's not all about meat; seafood platters are something to consider as well. The kids will enjoy the separate children's playroom and menu.

A study in teak, cream, and black, this fine steak house offers some of the best beef on the island. Subdued lighting and cascading water create an elegant atmosphere, and the view over the harbor makes for an exceptional dining experience. Their comprehensive wine list won a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence, and the craft cocktails are truly inspired. Sunday brunch offers a comprehensive menu with unlimited mimosas, and there's a late-night menu available at The Lounge Midnight Grill in the casino from 11 pm to 6 am.

Considering its secret location in the bottom corner of Harbour House, this adorable little Peruvian-themed escape has garnered a big buzz for its food, likely because owner Chef Teddy Bouroncle is well-known for his culinary talents from his tenure at the Aruba Marriott. Dine inside or out and enjoy traditional Peruvian dishes like lomo saltado or their special take on ceviche. The menu is small and not all Peruvian, but each week the chef promises to change things up to keep it fresh while keeping the classics.  They have an exciting chef’s table sister spot next door called Ever. 

Mauve mood lighting and enchanting fairy lights set the stage for this intimate little family-run restaurant specializing in seafood and grilled meats. The menu is not comprehensive, but what they do very well includes beautifully prepared shrimp and grilled-to-perfection tomahawk steaks. They offer a decent selection of vegan specialties, too.

Despite the name, the fare here is not Mexican but much more international with some real surprises, like a comprehensive sushi menu. The staff is helpful and friendly, creative chef specials change often, and it's a great spot to stop in for signature cocktails and special tapas; don't miss their a la carte weekend brunches or their Grand Dessert, four chef-special treats on one plate. This funky eatery is also part art gallery.

A sophisticated upscale spot on the water minutes from Downtown Oranjestad does its best to replicate the South Beach Miami scene with luxe cabanas, daybeds, and beach and pool service around a chic seaside bar. Dinner is mostly laid-back in high style with a good selection of quality cuts of meats and fresh fish and seafood, plus a good selection of fine Champagnes. Daytime snacks and lunch offer up some interesting shareables and tapas, and there's a kids' menu. They serve a deluxe breakfast, too.

Those still mourning the loss of two of Aruba’s most beloved old dining spots—Chez Mathilde and Le Dome—can dry their eyes, because some of the original players of those establishments have teamed up to create the same type of classic French experience in Downtown Oranjestad. Expect impeccable personal service and classic French fare like tournedos au poivre (beef in red wine) and coq au vin, but vegan options can also be requested on site.

Enjoy cool and creative cocktails and beach-shack eats in the afternoon on a pristine stretch of white sand and aqua sea, just minutes from Downtown Oranjestad. The fun and friendly vibe includes beach service, lounge and umbrella rentals, and happy hour drink specials. It’s also a great spot to watch sunsets over the sea and to see the planes pop up out of the blue en route to the nearby airport.

Look for the big smiling pastechi sign and a line of locals waiting to grab Aruba’s favorite fast food (think empanada). Order one for yourself and wash it down with a cold batido (fruit shake). They also have little crab cakes to go as well.

Opened by the same people who own Pinchos, this fun and friendly wood-decked grill joint offers casual fare like barbecue ribs and grilled shrimp by the dozen, as well as Caribbean bites like jerk wings, fried funchi (like a thick polenta) with Dutch cheese, and West Indian samosas. There are some surprisingly snazzy main dishes, and the signature "Beer-Ritas" (a full bottle of beer served upside down in a big margarita) are legendary. Located at the base of the new Linear Park, it’s the perfect place for sunset views over the ocean as the cruise ships come and go.

Choose from a simple and elegant indoor dining area or a tropical outdoor garden oasis as you sample a creative international menu that includes choices of quality meats, homemade pastas, and fresh fish and seafood, all with suggested wine pairings from the well-regarded cellar. The menu also includes an impressive offering of avant-garde vegetarian dishes.