19 Best Restaurants in Aruba

The rich authentic flavors of cucina povera (peasant food made with fresh ingredients) from Southern Italy’s Calabria region now live in this massive family-style dining experience in the Metro Mall. Though service is first-rate and amenities a cut above a typical casual “trattoria,” you’ll not find any fancy fusion cooking here—just no-nonsense homemade offerings of pastas, sauces, and pizzas that Chef Laura Ianazzi learned at the apron strings of her Nona Rosa and Mama Caterina who grew up in Calabria. Enjoy stellar tableside service indoors or out.

Located about five minutes from Arikok National Park's entrance, this spot has always been a legendary place for authentic Aruban baked goods, especially whole bolos (cakes). They still have about 20 kinds to choose from, including a few 6-inch sizes. Recently, they've upped their game to offer a wide range of hearty international and authentic Aruban breakfast, lunch, and dinner choices, making it also a great place to sample some of the island's traditional stobas (stews) and sopas (soups). The menu is still in Aruban florins though, so while they do take U.S. dollars, your change will most likely be in florin.

One of the dining emporiums rejuvenating the historic red windmill (\"De Olde Molen\") courtyard now called \"The Mill Town,\" this intimate chef’s table experience revolves around the well-known culinary skills and creativity of chef Patrick van der Donk and his talented sommelier wife, Ivette. This dynamic duo has a legacy of operating fine-dining establishments on Aruba under the Amuse brand, and now they invite guests to their latest venture. Guests dine at stand-alone tables as they enjoy French-inspired cuisine with a Caribbean twist. There's a maximum of 20 guests.

The historic 200-year-old red windmill called De Olde Molen is a famous Aruba landmark, brought from Holland in 1960 piece by piece and then reconstructed to its original glory. It has housed many different venues for dining and imbibing over the years, but now it splits its time as Diana’s Pancakes, which serves up Dutch-style crepes in a variety of delicious styles during the day, and at night Chef Fred creates an eclectic choice of international dishes. After dinner, you can hop up to Fransje’s Bar on top for a superb panoramic view of Downtown along with craft cocktails and Dutch snacks.

After a very successful run on Eagle Beach, dynamic duo Chef Kelt Hugo Maat and his partner, sommelier/host Sebastian Kruisselbrink, decided to relocate their Senses Fine Dining chef’s table experience to Palm Beach—but with a twist. Now operating as the signature dining spot of the Radisson Blu Aruba, this new concept encompasses a dual space that includes the chef’s table in a dedicated walled-off corner and a classy a la carte restaurant that is open for lunch and dinner. They also have an inviting alfresco terrace overlooking the resort’s water circuit. The chef’s table seats 16 guests (for those 18 and older) and offers an 8-course dinner, with or without wine pairing. They also offer a unique luxury brunch chef’s table. The a la carte menu features high-end mains like tomahawk steak.

Fashioned after a New York–style steak house and sports bar, the focus of The Brownstone is good stiff drinks, great steaks, and hearty portions of ribs, chicken, and fish. Pretentious it's not, but the fare is first-rate, and they have a well-curated selection of creative cocktails using only top-quality spirits.

Look for the giant black-and-white-striped booth in the interior courtyard of Paseo Herencia for some truly decadent delights. Specializing in alcohol-infused gourmet baked goods, particularly little Bundt cakes (no cupcakes here) that are infused with your choice of liquor-laden syrups, there are also specialty coffees, sweet or savory crêpes, waffle bowls, ice cream, and frozen yogurt, all available with “drunken toppings.”

It’s hard to miss the brilliant outdoor art on the storefront of this spot specializing in light, healthy foods, where you can grab fresh pastechis, banana pancakes, and more. To date, there are five Eduardo’s locations on the island, but this one also has a drive-thru out back.

This cheery little hut on Palm Beach is famous for its healthy and delicious fresh fruit and veggie juices, smoothies, bowls, kombucha, and creative vegan options. All of their specialties are free of additives and artificial substances. They now have five outlets scattered about the island, but this is the original spot, so expect a line.

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.