32 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.

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.

Since 1941, Charlie's has been the heart and soul of San Nicolas, famous for its interior decorated with eclectic bric-a-brac left behind by decades of international visitors. It also serves surprisingly good food, including delicious fresh fish and shrimp and killer steaks. They also bottle and sell their own brand of hot sauce called Honeymoon Sauce. Lunch or a very early dinner are the only options, since closing time is generally 6 pm. 

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.

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.

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.

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 music as well.

You need not be a vegan or seeking gluten-free options to thoroughly enjoy the creative takes on strictly plant-based fare at this happy little nook, but if you are, it’s bound to be your new paradise. It’s tiny though, so if you intend to dine in, reservations are a must, though there is a bustling takeout and delivery business, too. The owners organize cool vegan events like hikes, cruises, and "sushi" nights.

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.

The Eagle Beach location of this café was so popular because of its excellent coffee, creative snacks, and master baristas that they opened this Downtown location. 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, and live steel pan music on their Caribbean Night Tuesdays are also a draw. 

As the name suggests, this is a local favorite for pizza in Santa Cruz, but they also serve great snack platters, chicken, and burgers. There's outdoor garden seating and cold beer on tap, too. The prices listed on the menu are in Aruban florins. They do take USD, but you'll most likely get your change in florins.

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.

The legendary Champions Sports Bar has been totally reimagined into a replica of a colorful Mexican village square with a bar that features 100 different kinds of tequila, premium mescal, and killer margaritas. Endless complimentary nachos, salsa, and fixings are available out of the trunk of a vintage Volkswagen, and the menu, though limited, offers up creative versions of many well-known authentic Mexican specialties. You can still catch NFL games on TV.

Colorful wooden kiosks fill the area around the outside of the fenced-in square with folks offering food truck--style fare and cold drinks. They are not all open every day, but there is usually one open at any given time (and only after 11 am). Each has a different theme, like roti or local island flavors. On weekend nights there might be live bands or music for dancing.  USD is accepted, but you might get back change in florins.

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.

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 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. 

This massive, indoor-outdoor, well-known eatery promises "elevated Asian cuisine" as part of the Gloria entertainment venue, and it delivers. Especially popular for special occasions and family-style dinners, it's also a good spot for pre- or post-cinema meals. Delivery and take-out options are available.

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.

Despite the name, the fare here is not Mexican but much more international with some real surprises, like a comprehensive sushi menu. The staff is helpful and friendly, creative chef specials change often, and it's a great spot to stop in for signature cocktails and special tapas; don't miss their a la carte weekend brunches or their Grand Dessert, four chef-special treats on one plate. This funky eatery is also part art gallery.

A sophisticated upscale spot on the water minutes from Downtown Oranjestad does its best to replicate the South Beach Miami scene with luxe cabanas, daybeds, and beach and pool service around a chic seaside bar. Dinner is mostly laid-back in high style with a good selection of quality cuts of meats and fresh fish and seafood, plus a good selection of fine Champagnes. Daytime snacks and lunch offer up some interesting shareables and tapas, and there's a kids' menu. They serve a deluxe breakfast, too.

This hole-in-the-wall is the place for the best sacos, paper bags full of fried chicken, ribs, chops, plantains, fries, and johnnycakes. It's the perfect snack before—or after—a night out.

Behind the Alhambra Mall, this is an ideal spot to get your gourmet coffee fix and grab some breakfast sandwiches to-go before a beach day. Or stop and chat with locals enjoying barista-style coffees, gourmet sandwiches, and decadent desserts at lunch. Don't miss their weekly Tuesday night artisans' market for unique made-in-Aruba souvenirs. They also have a second location in Downtown Oranjestad.

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.