42 Best Restaurants in Aruba

Secreted away just off the main Palm Beach strip, seek out the hidden Buddha to find the twinkling lights that lead to an absolutely enchanting upscale Asian-fusion emporium with stunning decor and Aruba’s longest bar. Enjoy an eclectic selection of dim sum, sushi, and creative meat and seafood dishes that can be paired with sake, Japanese beer, and whiskey or a killer handcrafted cocktail from their expert mixologists. Vegan menu options are available, and they deliver, too.

One of Aruba's most popular toes-in-the-sand spots (even their indoor dining has sand on the floor), it's all about creative international fusion cuisine, comprehensive upscale wine choices, and superb signature cocktails in an ultimate barefoot-luxury setting. The sunset views are always spectacular.

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.

The cheery Ritz-Carlton breakfast spot known as Solanio takes on a whole new identity in the evenings as it transforms into Casa Nonna (meaning "grandmother's house"), dedicated to serving up authentic Italian cuisine. Service is exquisite (they even have a cocktail cart), and you can taste the care put into the handmade pastas and sauces. Don't miss the Mediterranean sea bass or grilled octopus for that real Italian coastal flavor, too.   Snag a table outside to catch spectacular sunsets and soft live music by the firepit.

Don’t let the rustic decor fool you: this is not your average Italian resort eatery, though it's an inviting choice for large groups. Da Vinci pulls out all the stops to present a seriously upscale, authentic, and creative menu of Mediterranean favorites. Tucked away in the Holiday Inn, it’s well worth seeking out for killer incarnations of osso buco, homemade pastas, and seafood served Italian-style, plus great vegan options. There's also a fabulous wine room with a surprisingly comprehensive selection of vintages from around the world. It's family-friendly, too, with a kids' menu and big communal tables for groups. Dining at Da Vinci Ristorante is included in the resort's all-inclusive program.

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. The popular authentic Aruban and Caribbean lunch and dinner buffet is offered Monday--Saturday.

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.

Created in spring 2021 by legendary local chef Urvin Croes, one of the island’s most innovative purveyors of ultramodern cuisine, this new chef’s table experience offers infinite possibilities for the palate. The “Chef’s Impression” experience is an extensive 12-course themed menu based on world flavors and seasonal, locally sourced (whenever possible) ingredients; the plating of each dish is often so exquisite you might hesitate to dig in, but don't. Pair with craft cocktails or wine by the glass for an additional cost.

Inspired by the 1974 Steve McQueen film Papillon, evident in the decor, the French- and Caribbean-inspired menu includes classics like frog’s legs, escargots, caviar, duck breast with passion-fruit sauce, and local snapper with grilled shrimp covered in creole sauce. Service is old-school stellar, and soft live music adds to the enchanting ambiance.

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. 

One of the most romantic settings on the island is highlighted by enchanting twinkling lights strung over the water on a pier. Pinchos ("skewers" in Spanish) offers a fairly extensive menu of both meat and seafood skewers in addition to more creative main courses. Boursin-and-apple-stuffed pork tenderloin and maple-BBQ-bourbon cowboy pinchos keep carnivores sated, and there's vegan couscous, too. The bar area is great for enjoying ocean breezes accompanied by an excellent signature cocktail or house-made sangria, and there's live entertainment on weekends (high season). Romance is always on tap here, particularly with the "lover's swing" by the bar but there's a kids' menu, too.

Unfettered sea views and stellar sunsets with tiki lights and lit-up palms make this the signature dining spot of Divi Aruba Phoenix. The menu offers Continental favorites with a Caribbean twist, and guests can enjoy fish, steak, and seafood beachside in the bistro or mere steps from the sea. Though well-appreciated by the resort’s regular time-share guests, it’s open to the public and often overlooked as a romantic toes-in-the-sand-style Palm Beach option.

Set in a beautifully restored 100-year-old mansion with a lovely outdoor courtyard, Quinta del Carmen's cuisine is best defined as modern Caribbean-Dutch. There are a few traditional Dutch favorites like cheese croquettes and mushrooms and cream; the watermelon salad is sweet, salty, and perfectly refreshing; and the sucade-lappen (flank steak stewed in red wine and herbs) has a depth of flavor that comes from hours in the pot. Or you can enjoy gourmet shareables, wines by the glass, sangria specials, and creative cocktails in the gorgeous Tapas Garden, which sprawls across the beautifully manicured lawns. Don't miss the interior stand-alone bar full of awesome antiques. Some vegan options are available, too.

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.

Foodies in the know are beating a path to this down-to-earth eatery housed in a beautifully restored 100-year-old heritage house to enjoy locally sourced fare, especially fresh fish and local lobster. The menu changes daily depending on the bounty but rarely disappoints, with the driving force of repeat business due to the larger-than-life personality of owner Nathaly de Mey and the culinary skills of her top-notch chefs and creative mixologists. Dine indoors or alfresco in the courtyard or street-front patio, where a live DJ sets the tone. You can also raise a pint in the surprise Irish-themed pub on-site, a labor of love by the owner who lived in Ireland for a spell. Live music on Saturday nights. 

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 signature restaurant of Aruba Ocean Villas is tiny, but it’s well worth the trip for the romantic, toes-in-the-sand, adults-only dining experience with soft music and twinkling lights. The eclectic menu revolves around local seafood and fine quality meats with authentic Aruban specialties like keshi yena (stuffed cheese casserole). It’s also a great way to see this exceptional resort without committing to a stay. The restaurant caters to resort guests first, so reservations are mandatory. 

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.

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.

Aficionados flock here to enjoy a wide selection of seafood and fish in a New England–style decor. Dishes like smoked swordfish, Maine lobster, and grilled red snapper are top of the list, or try a bit of everything with the Fisherman's Pot. The fare is consistently well prepared and their extensive wine list is legendary, as is the size of their raw bar. A children's menu is available.

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.

Though this restaurant in the Ritz-Carlton is designed to replicate a New York–style steak house, if you're looking for a more Caribbean feel, opt for the ethereal dining room that leads out to a breezy garden terrace just steps from the sea for stellar sunset views that are unmistakably Caribbean. And though it's supposed to be all about the meat here, their very pricey but comprehensive seafood platter called The Royale is worth the splurge.

Created by Chef Dennis van Daatselaar, this intimate chef's table experience for 14 people is set in a tropical garden. Come with an open-minded and expect the unexpected as tasting new experiences is the focus here, and though every dish might not be to your individual taste, the overall adventure is typically well applauded by visiting foodies. The five-course surprise menu can also be paired with wine or cocktails for an additional fee.