

Among the southernmost islands in the Caribbean, Aruba has long been beloved for its turquoise waters, white-sand beaches, desert adventures and year-round sunshine. And these days, the Dutch Caribbean island is gaining fresh acclaim for its dynamic dining scene, too.
From breezy beach shacks slinging just-caught snapper to chef-driven bistros blending South American and European flavors, Aruba’s dining scene has been quietly simmering into something special.
While no trip is complete without trying local classics like pan bati (a pancake-esque flatbread), keshi yena (akin to a cheese casserole) or a freshly fried catch of the day, the island is also home to a mix of Caribbean, Dutch and globally inspired restaurants that reflect its multicultural roots.
To whet your appetite, here’s a sampling of Aruba’s top restaurants and cafés.

At Forbes Travel Guide Recommended The Ritz-Carlton, Aruba, Casa Nonna New York brings the warmth of an Italian grandmother’s kitchen into a refined Caribbean setting. Inspired by the rich culinary heritage of Rome and Tuscany, the menu features comforting yet elevated dishes such as lobster ravioli in a silky sambuca cream sauce, veal agnolotti with a Marsala glaze and delicate squash pansotti with walnut pesto and crumbled amaretti cookies.
Eat indoors in a warm, wood-filled dining room or alfresco overlooking the sea, where live music and a bonfire light up the evening. Fluffy focaccia, a hearty charcuterie board and an all-Italian wine list pair perfectly with the kind and attentive service that The Ritz-Carlton brand is known for.

Overlooking the marina in Oranjestad, Aruba’s bustling capital, Lima Bistro opened with much fanfare in 2021. At this swish eatery, chef Teddy Bouroncle, who hails from Lima, infuses local ingredients with bold Peruvian flavors — think scallops topped with shoyu butter under a blanket of crunchy shoestring potatoes or tender branzino in an aji amarillo-spiked beurre blanc sauce.
The intimate space blends laid-back island warmth with urban sophistication while an expertly curated wine list and beautifully crafted cocktails round out the meal. Ask for a seat on the breezy terrace and kick off the evening with a pisco sour for the full experience.

Farm-to-fork and sea-to-table collide at Taste My Aruba, a charming bistro that offers a heartfelt introduction to local cuisine through island-sourced ingredients and warm hospitality. Set in a former hardware store, the space pairs wooden shutters and lofty ceilings with Portuguese tiles, eclectic local art and a lush courtyard dining area.
The menu is equally alluring, with standouts like a tower of tuna tartare atop mixed greens and avocado, a fish of the day — perhaps grouper, snapper or barracuda — served with rice, black beans and plantains and local lobster tail atop squid ink pasta.
In addition to dinner, the restaurant offers hands-on cooking and mixology classes, where guests can learn to create Aruba-inspired dishes and drinks alongside the talented team.

A popular local breakfast destination that’s been open since 2001, Linda’s Dutch Pancakes is known for its traditional pannenkoeken and a vast menu of more than 40 fresh topping options such as bacon, brie, tuna, tomato, Oreos, pistachio ice cream or rum-soaked raisins with coconut.
“My late mother founded the restaurant, and now I’m carrying on the tradition,” says owner Stefan Oosterwaal, whose family moved to Aruba from the Netherlands in 1999. “She was strict about quality, presentation and consistency — and we’ll never waver on that.”
Build your own pannenkoekenor opt for a classic like strawberries with whipped cream — or try Oosterwaal’s favorite: an apple and bacon pancake with lots of Dutch syrup, made from sugar beets, with a side of scrambled eggs. The menu also features French-inspired baguette sandwiches, hefty omelets, Dutch coffee, mimosas and bloody marys for an all-around indulgent morning.

No trip to Aruba is complete without a seaside feast at this beloved local spot. Meaning “pirate” in Dutch, Zeerover is part fisherman’s wharf, part open-air eatery, where the daily catch basically goes straight from the boat to the fryer.
Pull up a seat at a picnic table by the water and dig into baskets brimming with fried shrimp, snapper, mahi-mahi or barracuda alongside fried plantains and pan bati — and don’t forget the signature Pamili Saus (similar to tartar sauce but better) and a cold Balashi beer. Though best enjoyed at sunset, Zeerover is known to draw long lines, so we’d recommend heading over early on a weekday.

A sister restaurant to Lima Bistro, AZAR brings ancient open-fire cooking into a chic, design-forward space just off Palm Beach on Aruba’s northwest coastline. Co-founded by four friends, including the aforementioned chef Bouroncle, the restaurant pulls flavor references from all over the world to craft its bold, flame-kissed dishes.
“AZAR means fire in Persian, and fire is at the heart of everything we do,” Bouroncle says. The chef delivers on that promise with an eclectic menu of seared, smoked, roasted, grilled and charred dishes. Highlights include short rib lettuce tacos with zesty Korean barbecue sauce and pickled onions, tender grilled shrimp with fresh yuzu sauce, and whole branzino dressed in ajillo sauce served with a medley of puréed and charred corn.
Guests will also find delicious sides, like harissa honey carrots and grilled romaine with miso Caesar dressing, that feel like main characters. Add craft cocktails, an expansive wine cellar and lively Afro-Latin house music, and you’ve got a standout dinner for any vacation itinerary.
Set on one of Aruba’s best stretches of sand, Arashi Beach Shack delivers breezy island vibes alongside casual eats and icy drinks. Just steps from the crashing waves, this easygoing cafe is a longtime favorite among locals and beachgoers looking to refuel between swims.
The menu covers a lot of ground, including funchi fries (crispy fried polenta), spicy jalapeño poppers, savory pastechis (local empanadas), mahi mahi burgers, big baskets of steak and shrimp skewers and frikandels (Dutch-style hot dogs).
Swing by in the morning for simple breakfast plates like sunny-side-up eggs or waffles under a crown of whipped cream and tropical fruit. And when the sun’s high in the sky, grab a Balashi Magic Mango beer or piña colada, settle into one of the shaded picnic tables and enjoy the picture-perfect view.