In Aruba, the melting pot of cultures has contributed to a menu influenced by Holland, South America, and the Caribbean.
Aruba’s home-cooked food has flavours inspired by Amerindians, merchants, pirates, colonial powers of the Netherlands and Spain, African slaves, Eastern and Asian immigrants.
The local culinary scene offers Asian-influenced dishes such as bami and nasi goreng rice, or saté with peanut sauce; Dutch traditional dishes like pea soup and thin pancakes served with a variety of sweet and savory toppings. Johnnycakes (fried, puffy biscuits) and pan bati (Aruban pancake) replace traditional bread.
A quick snack, breakfast or lunch
Authentic Aruban Fish Restaurants
- Head to MooMba Beach bar and restaurant, a great spot for lunch with elegant snacks served under two huge palapas. Discover some local flavours such as Aruban fish chowder and Cajun tuna tataki. Pair your mean with a an Aruba Ariba, the signature drink on the Caribbean island of Aruba.
- Bugaloe Beach Bar & Grill is located right on the water of Palm Beach. It serves great tacos, burgers and comfort food. Bugaloe also hosts popular happy hours with live entertainment.
- Zeerover, in Savaneta is an oceanside restaurant that sits on a dock jetting out over the shoreline. Fishermen bring the daily catch straight to the restaurant. There is no better way to experience the freshest of dishes on the island. This no frills restaurant has amazing views of the Caribbean sea.
Something Special
- Dinner at Papiamento Restaurant is an experience no one will ever forget. The setting is magical. The restaurant is surrounded by a lush garden. Tables are set around a turquoise, sparkling pool with twinkling lights in the tree branches. The 126 year old Arubian “cunucu” house next to the pool is filled with gorgeous antiques from Europe. The oldest items date back to the early 1800’s. Highly recommended for a special gay Aruba occasion.
- Visit Ceviches Poolbar & Restaurant in the Caribbean Palm Village. It has an extensive wine list in a beautiful location. They serve delicious fish dishes and host a daily Happy Hour from 12 – 1 pm & 4 – 6 pm.
- Book a table at Faro Blanco Restaurant and relax in the shade of their historic lighthouse and enjoy an eclectic menu of fresh seafood creations at Marathon Key’s bayside restaurant ,The Lighthouse Grill. Stop in for appetizers, drinks, or one of their chef-created daily dinner specials.