12 Best Restaurants in Oranjestad and Environs, Aruba

A popular Indonesian take-out staple has become a sit-down restaurant, where diners can experience a real rijsttafel (rice table), a shareable feast of many different dishes. Though not served in the traditional manner on a lazy Susan–style rotating platter, everything else is authentic, in services of 5, 7, or 9 dishes from a choice of 16 different delights. They also have many other Indonesian favorites a la carte, like sateh (kebab) and rendang (curry). Located on the marina, the chic beach house décor is fresh and airy. They offer many vegetarian choices, 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.

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.

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 great bar and a mojito-to-go kiosk if you want to judge for yourself before committing to dining there. Daily Happy Hour is 4 to 6 pm.

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 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.

Excellent coffee, creative snacks, and master baristas are the hallmarks of this local brand. They are also licensed for cocktails, wine, and beer, and make decadent milkshakes, too.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.