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Are you wondering what the best restaurants in Aruba are? Well you are in luck baby, I’m Reem and I will be your Aruban foodie guide. If you didn’t already know, there is so much more to Aruba than it’s baby blue beaches, take their local dishes for example; smooth and rich in protein.
Aruba, located just south of the Caribbean, is home to a mix of over 90 nationalities from more than 130 countries. So you can imagine how amazing the food is… This tiny island is a literal melting pot of unique flavors coming from Jamaica, India, South America and the Netherlands.
What is Aruban food like?
If you are vacationing in Aruba, expect nearly every entrée to contain lots of fresh fish and seafood. Which makes sense considering the fact Aruba is an island lying southwest of the Lesser Antilles in the Caribbean Sea. So, if you are wondering if the food in Aruba tastes good, it depends if you are a fan of fish or not! Haha.
What restaurants should I try in Aruba?
If you are a total foodie, like myself, trying food in Aruba will be an absolute blast. This is the only island I know that can make fish and seafood taste completely different in any dish. Here are my top picks for what restaurants you should try when travelling to this Caribbean paradise.
- Eduardo’s beach shack
- Don Jacinto
- Big Mama Grill
- ZeeRover
- Ricardo’s restaurant and bar
- The Old Cunucu House Aruba
- Linda’s Dutch pancakes
Eduardo’s beach shack
This cute beach front shack located in Noord. At this small restaurant you will have all your needs quickly met as it has an extensive menu with amazing treats. When I was living it up in Aruba, I could not go without having a Poke bowl every lunch. They are just THAT GOOD. PERIODT. The best thing about this beachfront is not only do you get a beautiful view of the Caribbean ocean but can also watch all the iguanas play and hangout.
I remember, there was this one time we went out to Eduardo’s, a handful of Iguanas attempted to steal the vegetables from my Poke bowl. Was I upset? A little but the memories and pictures make up for it!
Don Jacinto, Colombian restaurant
This restaurant was the first place, my partner and I hit when arriving into Aruba. We flew into the island late into the night and this bad boy was right by our Airbnb. Walking into the restaurant, you instantly greeted with warm hospitality and seated right away.
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Don Jacinto is a great pick for Colombian food which also pairs great with their extensive wine list. As we were seated at this restaurant, we quickly ordered and had a great evening lit by candlelight. I ordered the shrimp alfredo while my partner took on a a meatier dish, the carne asada.
Both entrees tasted amazing. This joint is perfect for anyone who is also known as a picky eater.
Big Mama Grill
If you are looking for a place to eat after swimming at Baby beach, Big Mama Grill is the spot to eat at! I say this because, I am like 99% this was the only restaurant in the area. This Flintstone themed restaurant will get the job done. The staff is nice, and the prices are about average.
ZeeRover
Ok, so this was my absolute favorite restaurant to eat at. Not only was the food flipping amazing but it was cheap and it came with a spectacular view.
This is the only restaurant I know that runs out of a local fisherman’s wharf in Savaneta, Aruba’s first capital. This hot spot literally has the freshest seafood. They catch it, clean it and cook it right in front of you.
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According to the shop owner, over the past couple of years, ZeeRover slowly became a local hangout and a known place to relax, eat, drink, shoot pool, and have a great time while fishermen prepare their fresh catch.
My partner and I enjoyed watching the sunset while having dinner here.
Ricardo’s restaurant and bar
If you are searching for another beachfront restaurant, Ricardo’s is perfect! At Ricardo’s restaurant, you have a variety of food choices from Aruban cuisine as well as a large selection of international dishes. When I was in Aruba, I headed over to Ricardo’s for breakfast. We caught the sunrise as I scarfed down a bagel and a mimosa.
The Old Cunucu House Aruba
When my partner and I were touring the Island, we were astonished by all the iguanas scattered everywhere. As we spoke with our guide regarding the insane iguana population, he pointed out that back in the old days, his family would actually go hunting for iguanas for food. Hearing these stories caught us off guard as we didn’t realize iguanas were once a common delicacy for Arubans! Subsequently, this prompted us to also want to try iguana and wonder where we could find some.
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Our guide then informed us of The Old Cunucu House Aruba. This is the only known restaurant in the entire island where you can find traditional Iguana soup. If you are in Aruba, I highly recommend heading over to the Old Cunucu House and giving the soup a try.
My partner and I are adamant in trying every foreign meal no matter how strange they may seem. When it comes trying new foods, our philosophy is simply “why not”.
Linda’s Dutch pancakes
Linda’s Dutch Pancakes is the busiest breakfast place I have seen here in Aruba. My partner and I arrived to this joint at 8 a.m., and there was a huge crowd and rightfully so. Linda’s Dutch pancakes are famously known for their authentic and rich pancakes and savory crepes.
Not only are the breakfast items cheap, but the servings are MASSIVE. You could honestly split one pancake between three people if you wanted to. They are also vegetarian friendly, and also include vegan and gluten-free options.
So, if you are planning on traveling down to this island and wondering what the best restaurants in Aruba are, look no further than the ones here. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me and I will happily assist.
Happy Travels,
ya girl Reem
