Here is where we are going to be a bit snobby…there are loads of American chain restaurants on the high rise hotel strip, but we don’t recommend any of them! Feel free to ignore us, but we like to support the locals and there are some great restaurants here. Obviously this is not an exhaustive list so If you find any other gems, leave us a note!! There are some recommendations made by previous guests in the condo. See the map in the Welcome book for location information. If you want to browse what is available and read reviews try www.restaurantsaruba.com which has reviews and location information and there are a number of restaurant reviews on Tripadvisor of course. If you are driving, parking is not a problem downtown, you can park on the street for free. We often just take a taxi however as we enjoy our wine with dinner and a cab into town is around USD 10. You can hail one back on the street easily.
- Yemanja – http://www.yemanja-aruba.com 588-4711. Wilhelminastraat, 2
This is one of our very favorite restaurants on the island, in the remnants of an old cunucu house downtown. It specializes in wood fired grilled meats and fish, and has a great wine list. Reservations are needed as it is very popular, ask to sit outside on the patio, it’s a great ambiance. We recommend the Carpaccio Bombe or any of the sushi for an appetizer, and the Grouper filet for a main is done in Dutch style. The setting is romantic for two and also families are welcome, but go early with small children.
- Que Pasa – http://www.quepasaaruba.com 583-4888 Wilhelminastraat 18
Near to Yemanja, is Que Pasa, which is more casual, less pricey and very fun and full of locals at the bar. It boasts local art on the walls and has daily specials of fish, meat and vegetarian. It is also family friendly. Ask to eat upstairs on the outdoor terrace if it is open. Reservations are usually not necessary except in the high season or if you have a large party. Also serves lunch if you are downtown shopping.
- Wacky Wahoo – http://www.wackywahoo.com (297) 586-7333
This is near the high rise hotels, but you will need a car or a taxi to get there. It is a great local fish place, and we highly recommend it for a casual dinner. You definitely need to make a reservation as it is a tiny place and fills up very fast. Sometimes it takes them forever to answer the phone so just keep trying!
- Flying Fishbone – http://www.flyingfishbone.com 584-2506.
In Savaneta, this is the Aruba original dining with your feet in the sand (and ocean) kind of place. Reservations absolutely required as this is very popular. Seafood and european cuisine. Ok for kids, or this can be a very romantic dinner for two. It is more on the pricey side. Takes about 20-25 minutes by car. Ask for a table by the water and if you want to watch the sun set, go early, around 6pm latest.
- Barefoot – http://www.barefootaruba.com (297) 588-9824
This is a restaurant on the edge of downtown on the airport side and is “Flying Fishbone-lite” in our opinion but still worth a try. You can either dine on the water’s edge in the sand or inside under an open air palapa, both are nice. The food is good quality and hefty portions and it is a bit more casual than Flying Fishbone, and certainly closer.
Other Dining Options
Close to the Divi and/or on the Golf cart loop
Should you not want to venture too far, or not drive at all for dinner, there are several good ones we would recommend near the Divi. In the shopping center where the Alhambra Casino is there are a few restaurants, an American barbecue place, and a very nice Tapas/wine/piano bar as well as a small grocery, a Dunkin Donuts, Little Ceasars, Subway.
If you like a walk in the morning, it is an easy one to go pick up some donuts or bagels for the beach after you have put down your towels. It is about ¼ mile stroll down the road from the Divi, just head for the casino.
- Zuzuroh http://ecomunidad.wix.com/zuzuroh 297-587-2725
This is a brand new restaurant and it is a Greek-Italian combination that actually works really well! It is a nice restaurant, with only about 15 tables, so reservations are necessary. It would be a good spot for a big family dinner. It is about a 2 minute drive from the Divi. Just turn right and continue past the Casino, and look for Chalet Suisse. Take the first right after Chalet Suisse and it is about 200 yards down on the right hand side.
- Matthews http://www.matthews-aruba.com (297) 588-7300
This is also a nice place right on the beach at the Casa del Mar hotel (about a 5 minute walk on the beach and right behind the Alhambra Casino complex). It is a nice setting for dinner; and for lunch and happy hour, it is great – you can just walk right down the beach to it in your swimsuit and sit at the bar. If you want a ride there from the condo, tell the golf cart drivers you are going there (they will take you to the Alhambra casino) and they will point the way. It is literally right behind it. We can usually show up without reservations, but if you have a big party or it is the high season (Dec – April) be sure to reserve. Family friendly.
- Carteblanche Aruba http://www.carteblanchearuba.com (297) 586-3339
This is a new restaurant in the Bucuti hotel, again, behind Alhambra and easy to get to. We haven’t been yet, but it has gotten rave reviews for foodies. They only have one seating for 14 people per night and have a set menu. Seems like a place for honeymooners or a special celebration dinner!
- Divi Restaurants
At the Divi, there is Mulligan’s which is in the golf clubhouse, a short stroll away and serves burgers, pizza, etc… and is ok for a very casual dinner – often we are there on our first night just to have a relaxing first evening. Windows on Aruba, above Mulligans, is a fine dining restaurant for a romantic meal. And Seabreeze is a small bar/very casual restaurant across from the beach, it has specials in the evenings, like prime rib night on mondays. There is also the main infinity pool café for a poolside lunch. It is actually pretty good and the portions are large so you can split a sandwich.
- DeliFrance
You can get great sandwiches for lunch to eat at the beach at DeliFrance, which is right on the main road next to the Certified MegaMall. You can’t miss it. The sandwiches are great and huge – 2 can easily share one.
- The Kitchen
This is near the condo, just down from Ling & Sons grocery. It serves lunch “by the kilo” buffet style and has a selection of salads and local dishes. It is a great take away or eat in place for lunch but it is not open for dinner. If we are not taking an afternoon break up on the deck for lunch, we will often get lunch there or DeliFrance and eat it on the beach. If you drive, go towards Ling & Sons but take the first right after going through the traffic light onto Italiastraat (before you get to the grocery) and it is just down on the right. If you go, be sure to get a piece of Tres Leche cake – best on the island!
- Ricardos at the Aruba Beach Club
There are some fun places in surprising locations on Aruba and the “ABC” as it is locally known, is one of them. This is another spot in back of Alhambra and easy to get to. We were drawn to it by our neighbors at the Divi who also have had a timeshare at ABC for years. The ABC has happy hour and a fabulous singer (C-Zar) next to the pool bar and beach on Tuesdays and Fridays from 4:30-6pm. Don’t miss him, and he loves people to dance while he performs! We haven’t eaten at Ricardos right on the beach there, but it is well liked and we will try it for lunch for sure! If you don’t eat there after happy hour dancing, just walk next door to Matthews for dinner – a great easy evening out.
- Pure Beach and Pure Ocean – http://www.purebeacharuba.com
These are beachfront restaurants at the Divi Phoenix Resort which is about 2 miles from the Penthouse. Pure Ocean is a more romantic setting with candlelit tables in the sand at the waters edge. Pure Beach is a more casual open air restaurant and bar and has happy hour music usually on Fridays and Mondays from 4-6. It is a great place to go watch the sunset – they have seating on the water and you can take your drink out to the ocean and watch the show.
Additional Downtown dining
El Gaucho – 582-3677 Wilhelminastraat 80
This is an Argentinian steakhouse, and one that has been around for ages. It is absolutely no frills and is strictly focused on great cuts of meat. Reservations recommended but you can usually wait at the bar. Family friendly
Casa Tua – http://www.casatuaaruba.com
There are a couple of these around, all locally owned. There is one on the high rise hotel strip which specializes in pizza and pasta, and one downtown, also specializing in Mediterranean food. You can always get a good meal at decent prices here. Family friendly.
Driftwood – http://www.driftwoodaruba.com 583-2515 Klipstraat 12
Another old Aruban standby, this serves fish just caught by the owner, or you…he has a fishing boat that he will charter out for you and 5 friends! Also no frills, and family friendly. A good local place!
Eet Cafe – The Paddock
A harborside Dutch bar/cafe – look for the dinosaur and car on the roof. Totally laid back, with a better atmosphere than food, if you know what we mean, but go for a beer and some of the bitterballen – a dutch snack/appetizer when shopping. 583-2334 LG Smith Boulevard
The Old Fisherman
Another very local casual fish restaurant downtown, very laid back and also serves breakfast. You won’t find this in any of the guidebooks. Not sure if they take reservations, but we have always walked in – it is a good place if you are downtown at lunch time and want to have a sit down leisurely lunch. Best is catch of the day. It is on Havenstraat, right across from the bus station downtown.
The West Deck 587 2667
On the water, very nice setting. It is a new restaurant since the beginning of 2014 and has gotten good reviews. It is right on the water, just as you leave downtown towards the airport, so it is nearby. Also try Pincho’s Grill which is just down the road from it and is in a large palapa over the water – they are sister restaurants.
Arubaville – www.arubaville.aw 582-0157
Casual, and family friendly restaurant owned by the same chef/owners as Que Pasa. It is in an absolutely knock out gorgeous location, right on the water – you have the feeling that you are on your own private island. Nice for a casual dinner – go early if you want to watch the sun set. This one is harder to find if you are driving yourself. Go past the airport and watch for signs on the right – take the first right and then follow the signs. You will get lost…so give yourself some time! You can find it on Facebook too. They have happy hour and music on Friday nights.
Restaurants on/near the high rise hotel strip
Bugaloe Bar on De Palm Pier – http://www.bugaloe.com
On the end of the DePalm Pier, which is in-between the Radisson and the Riu hotels. Dutch owned and run bar/restaurant. It has live music on Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, which can not be beat! There is music for all tastes – rock & roll to salsa and merengue. Burgers, sandwiches, etc… simple food for a good lunch in a beautiful setting, and for a very laid back dinner. At lunch you have a front row seat to all the water sports on Palm Beach. Very family friendly! No reservations or shoes required, and many just show up to boogie in their bathing suits at the beginning of happy hour and stay for the show. (bring some quarters for the “facilities”) Park on the road outside the Radisson or Riu hotels and it is a short walk in to the beach, or you can take the public bus up there from the Divi, there is a bus stop right outside the Riu.
Salt n Pepper
Right across from the Radisson Hotel. Locally owned and extremely laid back and casual. (We often land there very sweaty after dancing at the Bugaloo pier bar – see below and nightlife) A tapas style menu, but they have good daily fish specials as well. It is not great mind you, it can be hit or miss but is worth a gamble if you want to sit outside and just kick back. Reservations not required, but there may be a wait.
Moomba beach
A Dutch bar and restaurant right on the beach, next to the Holiday Inn. Easy parking there. We have not eaten dinner here, but lunch and cocktail hour are nice. Another feet in the sand kind of place, with live music some nights, but is a good place for cocktails and snacks while watching the sunset. Family friendly and the kids can run around on the sand while the grownups chat.
Blue Lobster http://www.arubabluelobster.com (297) 586-3843
This is across the street from the Wacky Wahoo (see above) and has a great fixed price lobster dinner (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) in addition to other fish specialties. The people are local and very friendly. Be sure to call for a reservation because it is also very tiny!! More of an adult restaurant we think.
Papiamento – http://www.papiamentoaruba.com
Very romantic setting in an old cunucu house and all dining is al fresco. Good for a special night out but more of an adults place. Reservations required, closed Sunday. 586-4544 Washington 61, Noord
Madam Janette’s – http://www.madamejanette.com (297) 587-0184
Many think this is one of the best restaurants on the island, but we have not had a great experience there, the food was pretty good, but we thought the atmosphere a bit “factory-like” to recommend. We put it in just in case you have heard of it and want to try it… It is about 10 minute drive from the condo.
Charlie’s Bar
In San Nicholas, further than Savaneta, but if you are going to Baby Beach, you might stop in for lunch or a beer and a snack on the way home. It is a tiny bar, plastered with memorabilia with decent bar food and very friendly people. Hard to find, but follow the signs when you get to San Nicholas. Closed Sunday.