8 Best Restaurants in Aruba

The bizarre rock formations at Casibari, which may make you feel as if you've dropped into Fred and Wilma Flintstone's dining room, make a great backdrop to this casual, offbeat restaurant, where wood-fired barbecue is king. Your generously portioned meal will be fire grilled under the stars, always accompanied by delicious sides that include coleslaw, Caribbean rice, and Casibari beans. Seating is strictly alfresco. After dark, the rocks are playfully illuminated for the nighttime crowd—this is a regular stop for the Kukoo Kunuku party bus dinner tour.

Since 1941, Charlie's has been the heart and soul of San Nicolas, famous for its interior decorated with eclectic bric-a-brac left behind by decades of international visitors. It also serves surprisingly good food, including delicious fresh fish and shrimp and killer steaks. They also bottle and sell their own brand of hot sauce called Honeymoon Sauce. Lunch or a very early dinner are the only options, since closing time is generally 6 pm. 

Housed in a cheery blue-and-green cottage, this charming spot is run by Kamini Kurvink, who combines her Trinidadian heritage with local flavors to create unique Caribbean comfort food. Fish, seafood, and meat dishes are served with a spicy flair thanks to Kamini's secret signature hot sauces.

The café in the beautifully restored historic Nicolaas Store in the heart of downtown San Nicolas serves up great barista-style hot and iced coffees and snacks. With seating indoors or out, this is an ideal pit stop before or after exploring the outdoor art. The big communal courtyard out front is often the site of special events with music as well.

Rising like a phoenix from a vacant lot, this funky new gathering place specializes in creative modern cuisine and handcrafted cocktails in an alfresco bar/garden setting with eye-popping outdoor art. The eclectic menu, though small, includes authentic Aruban flavors like sanger yena (blood sausage) and Dutch fusion dishes like Gouda spring rolls and popcorn chicken waffles with peanut sauce. Vegan dishes are creative, too, but the grill is king on Sundays—their weekly BBQs with DJ-driven music and mojito happy hours are legendary. 

Colorful wooden kiosks fill the area around the outside of the fenced-in square with folks offering food truck--style fare and cold drinks. They are not all open every day, but there is usually one open at any given time (and only after 11 am). Each has a different theme, like roti or local island flavors. On weekend nights there might be live bands or music for dancing.  USD is accepted, but you might get back change in florins.

Right smack in the middle of the San Nicolas Art Walk, O'Niel's is a warm and welcoming eatery that's an ideal spot to get your Jamaican jerk on. Real-deal Jamaican dishes like ackee with saltfish and oxtail with beans are menu favorites, but there are also local Aruban specialties like goat stew and fresh local seafood; vegetarian and vegan dishes are also available. Special events with live music or karaoke are popular.

This hole-in-the-wall is the place for the best sacos, paper bags full of fried chicken, ribs, chops, plantains, fries, and johnnycakes. It's the perfect snack before—or after—a night out.