25 Best Restaurants in Aruba

Across from the golf course in the upscale gated vacation community called The Gold Coast, this inland oasis cresting the salt pond is sought after for its chef’s commitment to serve authentic Aruban fare. Try the traditional breakfasts of pastechis, arepas, and Dutch pancakes, or poolside lunches that include authentic sopi (Aruban fish soup) or Aruban seafood pizza. Fresh catch-of-the-day, usually fried whole and served with typical local sides like funchi, is always on offer, and you can also sample Aruban stobas (stews) of meat and seafood at dinner. There's a daily chef’s special for vegetarians and vegans, as well as a children’s menu.

Located across the street from Divi Village Golf and Beach Resort, this trendy beachfront spot serves the perfect seaside casual fare—panini, wraps, burgers, and salads—as well as great cocktails and live entertainment. Enjoy superb swimming and sunset views there. They also serve breakfast. 

This landmark family-run bakery has been a local favorite since it first opened in 1949, and it's still home to the island's most authentic baked goods, including epic cakes, cupcakes, and pastries. There are also sandwiches and savory snacks like pastechi (handheld stuffed pastries) and hot dog broodjes ideal for a grab-and-go lunch or breakfast.

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.

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.

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.

A contemporary poolside dining option at Manchebo Beach Resort, this alfresco oasis features inspired Caribbean-international cuisine, and vegans are especially excited about their entire menu devoted to gourmet plant-based dining. Creative preparations of meat, seafood, and fish—locally sourced whenever possible—are all enhanced with flavors from the on-site herb garden, and the chef often surprises with exotic daily specials.

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.

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 live music as well.

With stunning seafront sunsets and tiki torch lighting to enhance the mood, the signature restaurant of Amsterdam Manor is a favorite escape for those seeking toes-in-the-sand dining with soft live music. Although always popular with families (children under three eat free) and small groups, they now have an adults-only focused time (8 pm and later) with a special prix-fix three-course menu to ensure couples can enjoy the ultimate romantic evening. Though \"reef cuisine\" is their specialty, there's also meat, vegetarian, and vegan offerings. Breakfast and lunch are served mostly on the deck and in front of their Passions Beach Bar.

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.

There's always something cool happening at this bright and lively indoor--outdoor spot. The international kaleidoscopic menu includes everything from Dutch pancakes and Asian specialties to gourmet burgers and Caribbean seafood—surprisingly, they do it all very well. The many rotating special nights and monthly Bubbles & Bites evenings are very popular.

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 barbershop doubles as a café out front and offers a little bit of everything to everyone, including ice cream, homemade baked goods and snacks, specialty coffees, and even cold beer and spirits. If you have some time on your hands, you can also play a game of pool, get a shave and a haircut, or just partake in the convivial socializing that happens here.

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.

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.

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.

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.

For first-rate Italian food, stellar sunsets, and an unpretentious environment, head to the Ritz-Carlton Aruba's indoor/outdoor Solanio. Large windows allow for lovely views from inside, and alfresco diners are treated to softly played live music, cooling trade winds, and a cheery bonfire. The food is carefully prepared in an open kitchen, and the atmosphere is casual. The smoky, braised short ribs make an outstanding start to the meal, and the risotto with wild mushroom and black truffle is woodsy and rich. Pizza and pasta menus have standout gluten-free options. Sunday brunch is becoming very popular.