Add These Delicious and Scenic Spots to Your Culinary Hit List in Aruba
If you’re craving a destination with the best of both worlds, the Dutch island of Aruba in the Southern Caribbean showcases a mix of multicultural cuisines that offer both refined classics and a riff on tradition. Nearly 100 different nationalities live on one happy island…and you can taste it! Looking for fresh seafood that’s straight off the boat? Check. Beers and burgers under a thatched roof with your feet in the sand? They have that too. Aruba has something delicious for every appetite, and we’re sharing some of our favorite spots that you need to experience while there.
Photo by Sharon Radisch1/6The Beach Bar With a Perfect View and Happy Aruba Vibes
If we can tell you anything about eating and drinking on the island, it’s “You have to meet Pete.” Pete owns and runs the small and cozy beach shack Tortuga Beach Bar at beautiful Boca Grandi where he welcomes guests with a smile, offering a range of beers, cocktails, burgers, and hot dogs. With the turquoise blue water as your backdrop and a place to escape the sun, dig into a fresh salmon burger topped with creamy guac, a hot dog loaded with mouthwatering condiments, or their signature burger topped with homemade hummus. While many visitors head to Boca Grandi Beach to either participate in or watch some of the best kitesurfing in the world, most come for a true taste of chill Aruba.
Pro Tip: This bar is definitely on “island time”. It tends to adjust its business hours depending on the day, so be sure to check.
Photo by Sharon Radisch2/6The Local’s Bar with So Much Character You May Never Want to Leave
We can’t decide what we love most about Charlie’s Bar; the food, drinks, or the cozy local vibe? When you make a stop in San Nicolas to visit Charlie’s—an island institution since 1941—the first thing you’ll notice is their iconic bar filled with a (seriously) unique collection of international memorabilia. This lively spot serves up a list of brews alongside a range of casual bites. The usual seafood suspects are there—scampi, Carribean catch, and steamed mussels to share. But if your crew is overloaded on fish and needs something heartier, Charlie’s also prepares meat-lovers favorites like churrasco, tenderloins, burgers, and more. Kick back and enjoy live music in this one-of-a-kind bar and let the bartenders entertain you with island stories while you sip an ice-cold local Balashi beer.
Pro Tip: If you’re vegetarian, be sure to ask the owner which daily plant-based specials he has on offer.
Photo by Sharon Radisch3/6Run Don’t Walk to One of the Best Toes-in-the-Sand Tables on the Island
Our idea of culinary paradise? Sunset, under swaying palms, with toes in the sand enjoying fresh seafood. That, friends, is the famous Flying Fishbone. If you want your table as close to the ocean as possible, Flying Fishbone in Saventa has it covered. Of course, there’s a stellar selection of fresh seafood (our vote is on the lobster or halibut dishes) but you can also sample a variety of entrées from the chef team that make use of delicious cuts of USDA Prime beef along with lamb, and duck dishes, too. Cheers to that!
Pro Tip: The sunset dinner crowd arrives at this popular location at 5:30 PM, so book ahead for a prime dining spot—we’d recommend table 60.
Photo by Sharon Radisch4/6Have a Seafood Dinner Caught By Aruba’s Local Fishermen at This Romantic Spot
You can’t get much closer to the action than this. At Palm Beach favorite, Hadicurari Restaurant, you'll catch the local fisherman pull up by boat with the freshest catch-of-the-minute seafood bounty. Mahi-mahi, sea bass, lobster, shrimp, and scallops are served along with an excellent selection of steaks, pasta, and tropical desserts. It’s not just the menu options that make this local favorite a mainstay; With both cozy indoor and breezy outdoor seating, you can decide which backdrop you’re in the mood for to best complement your island feast.
Pro Tip: Don’t mind an early bird dinner? Hadicurari offers a daily Sunset Special with a prix fixe menu and other delicious additions.
Photo by Sharon Radisch5/6We’re All the Way Up: Italian Fare on the Island’s Northern Tip
Didn’t think you’d experience fine Italian dining while on a Caribbean island? You’re in for a treat. High up on Hudishibana Hill on the northern side of the island and next to its prized landmark the California Lighthouse, sits the popular Faro Blanco restaurant. Its unobstructed views of the nearby beaches make this a stunning choice for a group dinner or that special occasion spot with the one you love. Enjoy the dramatic sunset colors while indulging in a variety of traditional Italian delicacies. While they showcase a menu of favorites including lasagna, risotto, and osso bucco, try one of their signature dishes; the linguine alle vongole studded with fresh clams. Dinner is certainly a prime time to visit, but Faro Blanco is also open for both breakfast and lunch for some of those stellar seaside views.
Pro Tip: Book ahead and try to request table 79; in our opinion, the best seat in the house.
Photo by Sharon Radisch6/6Need to Amp Up Your Romance Game? Book This Exclusive Beachside Oasis
If you’re trying to impress your love (or make like you’re on an episode of The Bachelor) the private palapa at Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort is the obvious choice. Yes, the location is spectacular but the food was just as jaw dropping. While the resort’s Elements restaurant showcases a fusion of European and Caribbean cuisine, they also offer an array of options for those who are vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free. You can book this Insta-worthy romantic table for breakfast and lunch, but the ultimate choice would be dinner—sipping champagne while overlooking the lapping waves all with a side order of spectacular sunset. You’re welcome.
Pro Tip: Reservations are required for this exclusive experience and be sure to also adhere to the smart casual dress code—shirts and shoes required and no tank tops during dinner. Hungry for more?
Our friends at Condé Nast Traveler have shared their insider tips for the island’s can’t-miss and local-approved experiences and, of course, Aruba’s most stunning beaches to visit during your stay.
