Do you mean "top" as in expensive or ambience?<BR>When we went, El Gaucho had great steaks & interesting atmosphere. The Flying Fishbone is very romantic & memorable. No one has mentioned Twinklebones. The staff entertains & includes the diners in their act. Lots of fun!

Just returned from our sixth vacation in Aruba and from all our trips I would rate these as the most outstanding restaurants:<BR><BR>Madame Janettes's (our favorite)<BR>Papiamento <BR>The French Steakhouse <BR>Gasparito <BR>Pavarotti<BR>L'Escale<BR>Flyng Fishbone<BR>...doesn't get much better than these!<BR>

Would anyone care to update this posting about restaurants in Aruba?

El Gaucho is the best in my book. My husband still raves about that meal!!

I hear Marandi is very good too.

Of all the restaurants I’ve tried in Aruba, I would list my overall favorite restaurants in this order (considering quality, cost and convenience):

1. Madam Janette’s (my personal favorite)
2. Chez Mathilde (best “dining experience”)
3. Chalet Suisse (best Sea Bass I’ve ever had)
4. Papiamento
5. Marandi (kinda far from Palm Beach)
6. Flying Fishbone (very far from anywhere)
7. Driftwood
8. Iguana Joes
9. Texas De Brazil
10. El Gauchos
11. French Steakhouse
12. Moombas
13. Smokey Joes
14. Que Pasa
15. Pirate’s Nest
16. Salt and Pepper

Note: I haven't tried any not listed above (e.g., Le Dome).

I think the best chef on the island is Chef Karsten from Madam Jeanette. Sit on the lawn. It gets hot on the porch.

Rio Steakhouse (we've not yet been there) is getting a lot of good reviews on the various Aruba boards.

Don't bother with La Trattoria at the lighthouse because the food is expensive, but not wonderful (though the view is nice)

We've just returned and here are our favorites (I think things have changed since this post started in 2002).
1) Le Dome
2) Tuscany (in the Marriott)
3) Madame Janette (ambiance is excellent; food is not)
4) El Gaucho
5) French Steakhouse

We stayed at Bucuti, and its restaurant is not good, and the wine list is appalling. The cold breakfast served in the Tara is excellent however.

Another vote for Texas de Brazil--we had better steak there than in our last visit to El Gaucho. I'd also vote for Ventanas del Mar!