35 Best Restaurants in Aruba

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.

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. 

Seeking to capture the quintessential hip experience, Brutto is trendy on steroids—think cocktails served in biodegradable plastic baggies with rubber duckies floating in them or grilled octopus millefeuille. But even though it's billed as Asian-modern fusion, they will appeal to the less adventurous with mains like glazed short ribs or Fish, Chips and More Chips. You can also order some pasta from their sister restaurant, Trattoria Lucca, next door. But it’s the open-kitchen sushi bar, live DJ, and cool vibe here that draws locals and visitors alike to sample, socialize, and mingle.

Low-key elegance and soft piano music set the stage for this indoor enclave where meaty chops and steaks are king and classic silver service is still in vogue. The big surprise here though is the chic Omakase Japanese Sushi Bar that shares the space, and their excellent creative selection of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. The restaurant uses organic sustainably grown ingredients whenever possible; they even grow their own herbs. 

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.

Opened in 1977, this was the first restaurant in Aruba to offer feet-in-the-water dining, and its insanely romantic seaside setting is why this legendary landmark is so worth the trek out to Savaneta. An international menu is designed to please all palates, but the real culinary draw is fish straight from the island’s most famous local fisherman’s pier, located a few doors over. The setting is enchanting, with fabulous sunset views giving way to the twinkling lights of tiki torches and lights set in the sea; even the indoor decor is awash with artificial stars.  Reserve well in advance for a table in the water.

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.

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.

The signature beachfront restaurant of Aruba Ocean Villas is tiny, but well worth the trip for the romantic, toes-in-the-sand, adults-only dining experience with soft live music, twinkling lights, and stellar sunsets over the sea. The eclectic menu revolves around local seafood, fine quality meats, and locally sourced produce. Creative vegetarian and vegan mains are also available. For special occasions, you might opt for the overwater private dining palapa, available to the public with three separate tables for an extra charge. Dining here is a great way to preview this exceptional boutique resort for future consideration. Reserve the overwater option far in advance, as it sells out quickly.

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.

Though diners might be lured to this elegant international eatery for the novel opportunity to dine in a canopied bed, it’s the exquisite culinary experience created by their award-winning chef that has them returning for more. One of Aruba’s most popular restaurants is also a favorite because of the talented barkeeps who have garnered a loyal clientele at their classy lounge. Those guests who prefer the classic table-and-chair dining option can dine inside or out as well.

Reservations for the beds a must as there are only a few.

This legendary island landmark was once best known for the opportunity to dine in canopied beds, but the real draw has always been the top-notch food with French leanings and an award-winning wine selection. You can still dine indoors, but they have since ditched the beds and created a romantic alfresco experience with mood lighting on a toes-in-the sand dining deck—all without actually being at the beach. They also have an impressive selection of fine bourbons and American whiskies.

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.

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.

The crowning glory of all the options at The Cove Mall is this aptly named second-story bar and restaurant where a private elevator introduces guests to incredible vistas. But it's not so much the view that draws the crowds here as it is the vibe—think private beach cabanas with killer mixologists behind the bar, and romantic tables for two scattered around a rooftop—and the food, which ranges from creative tapas and shareables like seafood towers and charcuterie boards to upscale mains like steak, lamb chops, lobster, and fresh fish. Don't miss the crispy fried Jerusalem artichokes or the blue crab and gnocchi.  Check out their Facebook page for many special events.

One of Aruba's very first forays into the chef's table experience, here you'll enjoy an intimate evening of culinary entertainment that plays like a fun dinner party with friends rather than something you pay for. At most,17 guests are assembled around the U-shaped communal dinner table for a 5-and-a-half course creative gourmet adventure. The menu changes every 10 weeks, and there's a selection of optional wine pairings available by the glass (regular $70, reserve selection $130). Meals are not vegan or vegetarian-friendly, and this is strictly an adults-only experience. Reservations are advisable at least a few weeks in advance, but there's now a wait-list option on the website.  Be sure to state any dietary restrictions in advance.

This bopping beach space by day morphs into a surprisingly romantic pop-up, toes-in-the-sand dining spot at sunset. Fresh fish and seafood are the specialty, but carnivores will be well sated with excellent meat dishes. Soft live music adds to the enchantment.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.