While the Palm Beach area of Aruba has grown to be an epicenter of activity on the island, downtown Oranjestad, the capitol of Aruba and its largest city, remains a bustling seaport. The harbor area is a glorious example of living, breathing history. Downtown is a celebration for the eyes as you can drink in the rich, vibrant Caribbean colors of the charming architecture. Here is a quick taste of restaurants and what to expect.
Barefoot Restaurant Aruba
Lloyd G. Smith Blvd. 1A, Oranjestad
Barefoot is the perfect spot for an exquisite dinner in a tropical ambiance: great food, friendly, professional service, a gentle tropical breeze, the ocean in the background, and soft white sand for your feet… Located across from Talk of the Town, near the airport, Barefoot has tables right on the beach and under a large palapa. Gerco, Luc and the Barefoot team are looking forward to welcoming you for a fabulous evening, in flip-flops. More than just dinner, your evening at Barefoot will be an Aruba experience you’ll fondly remember for a long time!
Lima Bistro
Weststraat 2 Oranjestad, Aruba
With an elegant cooking repertoire that preserves all the comforts of traditional Peruvian cuisine, Chef Teddy strips down each dish at Lima Bistro to its essence: flavorful and memorable.
Explore the best of both worlds, where Lima meets Oranjestad in a fine casual dining setting. As soon as you enter the dining room you are greeted by a star, swaying elegantly in the middle of the room, embracing its purpose as the glowing centerpiece.
Growing up in Lima, Chef Teddy’s mother would always remind him of a special star, one that shines brighter than all, illuminating the way home. Polaris, the North Star, is his way of saying welcome home to all culinary explorers. The warm indoor and outdoor décor invites guests to roam and find the perfect spot where they feel the most comfortable. The open kitchen is meant for family and friends to gather around, so feel free to grab front row seats to fresh quality ingredients fused into unexpected compositions.
Caya House
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 372, Noord, Aruba
The name “Caya” means “street-calle” in Papiamento/Spanish. Marco Muscariello from Hostaria Da Vittorio grew up on the same street where Caya is located. Partnering with Carlos Yagua, they had a vision for a new escape to touch the streets of Aruba.
Marco and Carlos renovated this traditional “Cunucu” house into the modern culinary, mixology experience that it is now. They meticulously studied all interior and exterior designs in detail, to ensure that their guests will feel at home.
At Caya, guests enjoy delicious food and indulge in the art of crafted cocktails, where mixologists modernize signature classics and create unforgettable memories via their artistry. The culinary menu showcases bold flavors from all over Latin America, featuring dishes like Ceviche De Chicharron, covered in leche de tigre; Asado Negro, consisting of short ribs served in black roasted sauce; and their signature Glazed Pork Belly covered in potato foam.
Bohemian
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 83 Unit 1, Noord, Aruba
Tucked away in an outdoor Tropical Garden in the heart of Palm Beach, blending French Riviera charm with a New York Soho red brick industrial feel, this bar, restaurant, and lounge offers a unique experience in Aruba.
Weekly live acts and DJs provide the vibe and turn the restaurant into dinner party straight from Miami Beach or the South of France.
French dishes made by French chefs include classics like Foie Gras, French Goat Cheese, Charcuterie and cheese boards, steak tartare, and various beef and lamb cuts. Fresh fish are brought in on regular basis from local fisherman, the most famous being the whole grilled red snapper with Provence herbs and olive oil. Just add a bottle of Domaine Ott or a Jeroboam of Torpez rosé et voila!
Atardi Aruba
Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (Beachfront), Lloyd G. Smith Blvd. 101 , Palm Beach
Aruba Marriott’s beachfront restaurant, Atardi, is the best-kept secret on the island. It is the perfect setting for a romantic dinner, a place where you can be delighted by magnificent sunsets, exquisite meals under the fluttering palm trees, and feel the warmth of the sand between your toes. Atardi allows you to sit back and connect with all your senses as you listen to the sound of the ocean. Although their specialty is seafood, Atardi’s chefs take pride in knowing how to please meat lovers as well. The secret is out. You must come by.
Ocean Z Restaurant
Lloyd G. Smith Blvd. 526, Noord
One of Aruba’s most popular fine dining options, Ocean Z Restaurant offers a divine international-fusion cuisine in a remarkable setting.
Seasoned entrepreneurs Eva Zissu and Zulay Rada have joined forces to create a memorable first-class dining experience. Zulay crafts every dish with her mother’s heart and soul in mind, while Eva brings in flavors from her travels around the world to each exquisitely designed dish. She turns fresh seafood, garden-fresh produce, and the most tender and juicy meats, into stunning works of art. Ocean Z Restaurant offers a tailor-made experience, in a warm and friendly atmosphere: with live entertainment and an ever-changing decor, it is an alluring place to make lasting memories with friends and family, over and over again.
Wilhelmina Restaurant
Wilhelminastraat 74, Oranjestad
Wilhelmina Restaurant serves remarkable dishes in an elegant and unique tropical city garden.
It is a great place to dine, celebrate a party or just indulge in a cocktail at the bar. Located on Wilhelminastraat, the hip and trendy restaurant district downtown Oranjestad, Wilhelmina has a beautiful view of the Gerrit Rietveld Park. Guests are seated in the beautiful tropical outdoor “speakeasy” city garden, while high-quality ingredients from around the world are served by their dedicated team. Wilhemina has it all: great food, a comfortable atmosphere and pampering service.
Po-Ké Ono by Urvin Croes
Juan E. Irausquin Blvd. 260, Eagle Beach
Dine in a casual, welcoming and relaxed ambiance at Japanese-Hawaiian-inspired Po-Ké Ono.
The restaurant name reflects its fusion menu and Chef Urvin’s Chinese heritage and passion for Asian cuisine: Po (‘soul’ in Chinese), Ké (‘family’ in Japanese), and Ono (‘delicious’ in the Hawaiian language). The Po-Ké Ono family is committed to treating guests to a memorable dining experience and a unique take on poke bowls, sushi and steamed baos. At Po-Ké Ono, Asian food is soul food.
Passions on the Beach
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, Juan E. Irausquin Blvd. 252
What is life without passion? Passions offers the most romantic beach dinner experience in the low- and high-rise hotel area. They’re right on the beach, in a romantic setting with dramatically lit torches.
You can enjoy fresh fish, seafood and meat dishes, while you watch a stunning Aruban sunset with your toes in the soft white sand. Passions also offers an extensive range of gluten-free and vegetarian choices; all their dishes are prepared on open fires without the use of electrical appliances. End your dinner with one of their delicious desserts while gazing at the romantic starry sky. Fire up your romance and your appetite at Passions.
