92 Best Restaurants in Aruba

What began as a classy laid-back wine and tapas piano bar has evolved into more of a New York–style steak-lounge-meets-BBQ-joint thanks to the popularity of the Big Green Egg BBQ trend. Once they began using this ceramic outdoor charcoal grill to offer up big, hearty, juicy cowboy steaks and grilled lobster tails, the aroma and smoke drew an entirely different kind of hungry and hearty crowd. There's still live music but it's usually a great band, and there's a great selection of tapas and wines by the glass if you want to pop in before or after visiting the Alhambra Casino next door.

Enjoy homemade gelato and a wide range of snacks and drinks at this alfresco bar.

This small alfresco Spanish-theme restaurant at La Cabana is often off-radar for anyone that’s not a guest at the resort, but it’s worth seeking out for excellent charcoal-grilled steaks and superb seafood paella. Even though it’s not right on the water, you still can view stunning sunsets from its perch across the road from Eagle Beach.

This sprawling spot that takes over one entire side of Paseo Herencia’s interior courtyard is anything but lazy; it's a rollicking affair offering up an eclectic mix of interesting specialties like Cambodian chicken served alongside pastas, steaks, and seafood with fabulous soups like pumpkin with cashews or coconut-plantain. The revelry spills over to their neon-pink Flamingo’s Cocktail Bar across from their outdoor patio, with its own brand of zany nightlife offerings, creative libations, and snacks.

Considering its secret location in the bottom corner of Harbour House dwarfed by the docked cruise ships, 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. 

“Eat 'em to beat ‘em” is the motto behind this snack shack that serves only lionfish dishes—deep-fried lionfish, sandwiches, wraps, smoked fillets, and a lionfish dip—to help combat the invasive species. It's only open Saturdays from noon to 7:30 pm, so make sure to plan accordingly if you really want to eat here. They also sell pre-cleaned lionfish fillets to take home if you want to try them on the grill yourself, and unique jewelry made from lionfish skin.

The food at this rustic alfresco garden restaurant, named after the Scotch bonnet pepper called Madame Janette in Aruba, is surprisingly French-inspired with a classically trained chef. Though some dishes are infused with Caribbean flavors, especially fish and seafood, you’ll find a lot of classic French sauces served with the meats; their claim to fame in the past few years has been the quality of their beef, thanks to their own dry-aging chamber. The bar has Aruba's largest selection of specialty beers due to one co-owner's avid interest in craft brewing. Also popular here is their original Hungarian goulash soup and specialty schnitzels.

Sandra Brown, the Mother of legendary baseball player Xander Bogaerts, is the \"Mama\" of this soup takeout spot downtown. The menu changes daily, but she usually has a choice of five different soups using the likes of goat, pigtails, oxtails, fish, oyster, pumpkin, bull foot, chicken, and more. There are also a few homemade baked goods for dessert.

Though there are a few big brand-name coffee spots in Alhambra Mall, the Market offers excellent early-bird prices on PURO fair-trade coffee, as well as freshly baked Aruban pastechis and Dutch kroket snacks. There is a small terrace and free Wi-Fi as well.

The lively seaside eatery is popular with nonguests who make a special trip to enjoy great food (meats, fish, seafood, and a good selection of Italian specialties), superb sunsets, and the warm camaraderie of fun folks. It's a great place to catch the game or enjoy three daily happy hour specials with snacks.

This colorful roadside stand, just before the Savaneta turn, has excellent smoothies and fresh juices, as well as healthy wraps and acai bowls. They also sell great organic herbal remedies made from local produce and have recently opened a second outlet in San Nicolas. Shaded benches, a big wooden swing, and a hammock add to the allure.

Formerly La Vista, this restaurant offers Mediterranean plates and a pleasant beachfront terrace with stellar sunset sea views. Dinner mains include signature dishes like the lamb shank, branzino filet, and Spanish paella with jumbo shrimps, as well as more casual fare like brick oven pizza and homemade pasta. There is a nice assortment of specialty craft cocktails, an eclectic choice of hot and cold tapas and small plate shareables, as well as unexpected desserts like roses and pistachio cheesecake. The ethereal indoor section is a massive maze of seating arrangements with a capacity of 300, which is ideal for groups.

Best known as a beach party spot, this legendary hangout has good food and is a popular place for a seafront breakfast. Dinner under the giant palapa or on the beach is first-rate, as is lunch—particularly since it's the perfect place for people-watching along Aruba's busiest stretch of sand. The barkeeps are real showmen, and the resident mixologists make great signature cocktails.  Don’t miss the table-side flaming crème brûlée for dessert.

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.

Since the mid-1990s executive chef Ligia Maria has delighted diners with delicious and authentic crioyo (local) cuisine in a rustic and cozy traditional cunucu (countryside) house. Try the house version of Aruba's famous keshi yena—chicken, raisins, olives, cashews, peppers, and rice in a hollowed-out Gouda rind—or thick hearty stobas (stews) of goat or beef. The fresh catch of the day with a choice of special sauces is a treat, and the stewed conch is also very good. There's live music some nights.

The Ellis family converted its 126-year-old manor into a bistro with an atmosphere that is elegant, intimate, and always romantic. You can feast in the small dining room, which is filled with antiques, or outdoors on the terrace by the pool. The chef mixes Continental and Caribbean cuisines to produce sumptuous seafood and meat dishes. Those seeking a bit of novelty can order one of the hot-stone dishes, which come to the table sizzling. Service is unhurried and the atmosphere is laid-back. The old home's living room was recently converted into an elegant speakeasy-style escape called Pappa’s Cigar Lounge, replete with private butler service and high-end spirits.

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.

This spot tucked away in the corner of Metro Mall serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but it's also a very cool place to drop in for coffee or cocktails for photo-printed drinks. A nifty machine imprints photos right from your phone into the foam on top of your drink in impressive detail—all you need to do is to just send your picture via the QR code on the table.

Tucked away in the lobby of Azure Residences on Eagle Beach, this is another culinary venture by legendary Chef Urvin Croes (owner of Infini), but here Croes strays from high-end upscale modern cuisine to create Asian comfort food. His fresh takes on poke, sushi, and steamed baos are inspired by his Chinese heritage; he also offers up some delicious vegan versions as well. There's another Po-Ké Ono outlet in Renaissance Marketplace.

Unfettered sea views and stellar sunsets with tiki torches and lit-up palms make this the signature dining spot of Divi Aruba Phoenix. The menu offers contemporary global cuisine, with classic offerings like rack of lamb, salmon, and Caribbean mac and cheese. The intimate tables set up mere steps from the sea on brilliant white sand beach are perfect for couples. Open to the public, this spot is often overlooked as a romantic toes-in-the-sand option for all, though it remains well-appreciated by the resort's guests.

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.

The owners of the legendary Downtown restaurant Driftwood and its sister operation, Driftwood Fishing Charters, opened this much smaller and far less formal eatery centered around fresh fish and seafood. You can never go wrong with their catch-of-the-day, Aruban fish soup, or their surprisingly creative craft cocktails.

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.

Built around the concept of the Bushiribana gold mill ruins (the name means "ruins by the sea"), the Hyatt's signature restaurant offers up seafood specialties prepared with a fusion of Caribbean and Mediterranean flavors as well as excellent steaks and freshly prepared Italian dishes. This enchanting oasis is the consummate romantic setting, with a koi lagoon, waterfalls, and a rooftop bougainvillea garden; indoor and outdoor dining is available.

This hole-in-the-wall is the place for the best sacos, paper bags full of fried chicken, ribs, chops, plantains, fries, and johnnycakes. Locals and regular visitors often make a trip across the island just to have it.

These expat American owners brought a taste of home to their alfresco Palm Beach bar hut with authentic Wisconsin brats and sausages, Chicago-style hot dogs, and their great selection of loaded fries. They also have funnel cakes, coffee, and some killer creative cocktails. Breakfast sandwiches are also big, and sometimes they have live steel pan music.

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.

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.

With a name that means \"pirates\" in Dutch, this alfresco restaurant sits right on the Savaneta pier, where the local fishermen bring in their daily catch. The menu is basic: the day's fish and other seafood, fried almost as soon as it's lifted out of the boat and served with sides of local staples like fried plantains. You can chase it all down with a cold local beer or homemade popsicles made from exotic local fruit. The restaurant has become very popular with locals and visitors alike, so expect it to be busy, especially on weekends. On Sundays, there is often a line down the street.