7 Best Restaurants in Aruba

This two-story complex at the end of The Cove Mall houses both a speakeasy-style lounge and an intimate chef's table experience on the second floor wrap-around balcony. Though not a typical open kitchen like many other like-minded experiences, the chef creates a five-course menu around his whims and what is freshest in season and serves it up to only 12 diners per seating. Tables are clandestine nooks designed to recreate that illicit, yet romantic and sophisticated ambience of a bygone era. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with 24-hour advance notice, but vegan or dairy-free options aren't available.

A stellar spot with stunning seaside views, this strictly adults-only dining spot embodies the resort's global reputation for promoting green living and a healthy lifestyle. The wide-ranging menu of internationally flavored dishes includes many organic, vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices that use locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. Note that the adjoining beach bar is open only to resort guests.

One of Aruba’s most unique prix fixe dining experiences is secreted away in Willem’s Dutch Pancake house on Tuesday and Saturday nights, when an immersive animated show called “Le Petit Chef” plays with your meal. The said \"chef\" is barely an inch tall and appears as a hologram to prepare your meal for each course right on and around your plate. Each individual diner has their own projection field, as the storyline depends on what course and set menu you are having, but all the vignettes are creative and of excellent quality. The set menu comes in four versions of five courses with the star main being surf and turf, unless you've opted for the vegetarian or children's choice. There is a full bar and decent wine list, but all beverages are a la carte and not included in the price. Service begins at 7pm sharp.

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.

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.

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.