41 Best Restaurants in Aruba

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 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.

What began as a catering company became so popular that they decided to open a brick-and-mortar café in the heart of Downtown Oranjestad, so now you can dine inside their cheery space to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner with an amazing selection of gourmet cheeses, quality charcuterie, and a surprising selection of fine wines, too. Grab one of their BC boxes to go for a perfect picnic, or a lavish platter of goodies to entertain guests back at your hotel.

Secreted away near the Barceló resort you’ll find a hip, laid-back tropical oasis of tiki-style huts and “bohemian” escapes with a focus on French and world cuisine, sometimes with a local Caribbean twist. It’s well worth seeking out for the cool vibe and eclectic choice of fare, ranging from raclette or ginger-and-honey duck to braised lamb or paella, with some creative vegetarian and vegan options thrown in. Weekdays are typically a soul-soothing experience with soft live music and low-key events, but Friday and Saturday nights are all about electro-lounge dance parties. Service is first-rate and fun.

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 most people; they stay open till midnight. Later, hop into their glam dance club, The Office, under the same roof.

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.

If you’re seeking something more pubby than clubby, sleuth out this casual and comforting spot tucked away on The Cove Mall's far corner, facing the Holiday Inn parking lot. It’s all about the beer and the bites here, as Fireson offers up their own craft beer and authentic Aruban comfort food like funchi fries with cheese, croquettes, and empanadas (pastechi's close cousin). They also serve homemade Angus burgers, lots of styles of wings, tacos, and quesadillas. This is Aruba’s first microbrewery, so it’s more about the beer than the fare, as good as it is, and these folks are fun, friendly, and really know their brews.

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.

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.

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. Note that this is a cashless restaurant.

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 cold beer. There’s also a small souvenir shop.

With stunning seafront sunsets and tiki torch lighting to enhance the mood, the signature restaurant of Amsterdam Manor is a favorite romantic escape for those seeking toes-in-the-sand dining. Popular with families (children under three eat free) and small groups as well, beachfront breakfasts and lunches are served on the deck. Though "reef cuisine" is their specialty, there's also meat, vegetarian, and vegan offerings. 

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.

Not content to perch on its laurels as one of the most consistently highest-rated dining spots on the island, Screaming Eagle decided to reinvent itself to offer a more enticing alfresco experience by creating a toes-in-the sand dining experience without actually being at the beach! Thankfully, they haven't messed with the food, still serving up killer international fare indoors and out with an extensive wine list to match.

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.

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. Note that this is a cashless restaurant.

One of the latest dining emporiums to rejuvenate the old windmill quarter, 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 into 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 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 at any time of day. 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 like Sunday Caribbean Brunch Buffet with DJs.

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, and live steel pan music on their Caribbean Night Tuesdays are also a draw. 

Overlooking Divi Village, this elegant indoor affair offers high-end international fare as well as their famous all-you-can-eat a la carte Royal Sunday Brunch that includes endless mimosas, gourmet surprises, dozens of enticing appetizers and sides, and lots of decadent desserts. They also serve a unique late-night brunch every Friday night with entertainment and cocktail specials. Whatever menu they are serving, locally sourced ingredients are used whenever possible.

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 five-and-a-half course creative gourmet adventure. The menu changes daily, and there's a selection of optional wine pairings available by the glass (regular $70, reserve selection $120). 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.

Look for the beautiful bird mural across from the marina for excellent authentic Aruban-made bits and bites, including island-roasted coffee, Johnny cakes, little silver-dollar-sized Dutch pancakes, homemade ice cream, fresh coconut juice, and more. There’s also an alfresco bar with full-size local-fare meals, but remember to bring cash as not all kiosks take cards.

This rollicking beach bar by day morphs into a surprisingly romantic pop-up, toes-in-the-sand dining spot as soon as the sun begins to set—the sunsets rarely disappoint. Fresh fish and seafood are the specialty but meat lovers will be well sated with the excellent filet mignon and short ribs dishes. Soft live music adds to the enchanted seaside atmosphere.

This brand-new spot is owned by the Coffee Break folks, but it’s all about a different kind of brew---more than 150 types of beer! Snack platters, sliders, wings, and nachos are also on tap, and they often have live music at night on their sidewalk terrace.

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.”

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 also offer pickup and delivery.

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 happy hour specials and snacks, and they serve breakfast and lunch, too. They also offer a romantic dinner for two on the beach with a fixed menu that includes Champagne or wine. 

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 and a big wooden swing add to the allure.