9 Delicious Restaurants In Aruba For Breathtaking Sunsets, Dutch-Asian Cuisine, & More

Head to these fantastic restaurants in Aruba for rooftop views, Dutch-Asian cuisine, drinks on the beach, healthy takeout, decadent desserts, and more – from a tipsy travel writer and her pilot hubby. All photos are our own, and see how we planned our Aruba exploration around these unforgettable restaurants. Many are casual and budget-friendly.

It is no secret that after years of living in Asheville, NC, also known as “Foodtopia,” Tom and I have become quite the foodies. This is why when we landed in Aruba, we had to eat all the things. Plus, it’s Aruba, so imagine gorgeous rooftop dining while watching the sunset over Palm Beach to violin music.

We devoured Dutch-Aruban cuisine with Indonesian flavors in Oranjestad and washed down fresh fish with the most refreshing sangria on Baby Beach. And can we talk about that schnitzel and German beer? How about those fun Aruba restaurants serving up alcohol-infused desserts, sushi, Chinese-Dutch cuisine, tacos, and vegan and gluten-free treats?

Keep reading for all of our top places to eat in Aruba. Be sure to share your favorites in the comments. 💜 Christine

9 Amazing Restaurants In Aruba We Recommend

These are just a few places we ate at and enjoyed in Aruba – with reviews, what to order, and menu highlights. See where to stop along the way.

City Garden Bistro de Suikertuin – Charm & Unique Dutch-Aruban Cuisine

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City Garden Bistro de Suikertuin is my top pick for where to eat in Aruba. They specialize in Dutch-Aruban food with Asian influences. I am a little biased, having lived in Indonesia…

Located in a former historic residence on one of the oldest streets, I want to move in. The incredibly charming space hosts terrific service and delicious cuisine. Enjoy late breakfast (most but not all days at 11 AM)/brunch, lunch, and dinner options.

We like menu items like their chicken schnitzel, raw tuna, nasi goreng topped with egg and satay, and kroepoek (all I ate in Indonesia, haha). Their menu features a variety of salads, soups, burgers, and sandwiches. For larger entrees, find anything from chicken curry and cream pasta to steak with shrimp. They have an outdoor patio, perfect on a gorgeous day.

The Vue Rooftop Aruba – Romantic Sunset Dinner

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Have you ever made dinner reservations while sitting on the plane? Since we aren’t big vacation over-planners, we tend to book last minute, even with The Vue Rooftop Aruba. For romantic rooftop restaurants in Aruba with stellar sunset views over Palm Beach, this is it.

Imagine sitting at a table overlooking Palm Beach – just across from the Holiday Inn Resort (where we stayed – it’s location is perfect!) – as the sun descends over the entire bustling party area. We loved the violist playing fun covers.

Start with a classy cocktail, fun shot, or tropical drink. With so many appetizers, we like the calamari and yellowfin tuna crudo. Think fried Brussels, Asian skewers, and charcuterie.

Mains include items like steak, chicken, lamb, lobster, tuna, salmon, pasta, and the catch of the day paired with a variety of veggie sides. I highly recommend making advanced dining reservations, although you might catch a seat at the large bar.

Garden Fresh Café – Casual, Organic Eats With Vegan/Veggie Options

As two very lactose-intolerant travelers, we made a list of Aruba restaurants with vegan options before visiting. Located in the Playa Linda Beach Resort – it is a part of the hotel, but before the entrance – Garden Fresh Café is perfect for organic breakfast, lunch, dinner, and beverages.

Signature breakfast dishes include items like acai bowls, avocado toast, yogurt filled with berries, and croissants. Garden Fresh Café also doles out wraps, salads, burgers, paninis, fish tacos, and poke bowls. Who doesn’t love those build-your-own bowls and handheld options with a large variety of proteins, veggies, and sauces? We appreciate their gluten-free and vegan carrot cake with iced coffee. They have cocktails, wine, beer, and smoothies.

While we order takeout, enjoy indoor and outdoor seating, which if seating is wide-open, grab a coffee and hang out while you wait for food. Garden Fresh Café is also a budget-friendly restaurant in Aruba.

Rum Reef Cocktail Bar & Grill – Baby Beach Eats & Drinks

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What’s one of the best places to eat in Aruba along the beach? Rum Reef Cocktail Bar & Grill. We know Palm Beach is where it is at for fist-pumping music, clubs, and endless delicious but pricier Aruba restaurants. But, what about Baby Beach?!

This little (and still famous) gem sits in the southernmost part of the island, which keeps it slightly more sheltered from tourists and the cruising crowd. Plus, imagine pulling up to glistening ombre-blue water filled with stingrays. To the far right, you’ll find Rum Reef, and yes, this Aruba restaurant lives up to its namesake. The cocktails are absolutely delicious, strong, and not all sugary. That red sangria…

Grab a table inside surrounded by massive (and mostly open) windows overlooking the beach or outside on the back deck. Rum Reef even has a small adult-only infinity pool that you can pay to use and score a free drink.

Open for brunch through dinner, this is one delicious beach bar-grub restaurant – that’s a grade up from what you’d typically expect. Select from salads, wings, sandwiches, burgers, platters, quesadillas, and catch-of-the-day specials.

Bavaria German Restaurant – German Cuisine & Drinks We Crave

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We always crave German cuisine, which means that Bavaria is high on our list. Located in the smaller Wendy’s plaza right before you enter the Palm Beach area, sit surrounded by bright blue and orange walls and make hard decisions about what type of Germain meats (and beer and wine) you want to try.

Schnitzel, brats, pork, special sausages, Geschnetzeltes – you name it. Even better, they have gluten-free potato pancakes (half Celiac household here). Order sides of red cabbage, home-fried potatoes, and steamed vegetables. For kids, find Spätzle, sausages, and chicken tenders or wings. Expect excellent service and moderate prices.

While people typically dine later in Aruba, this restaurant will start filling up by 5:30 PM; make advanced reservations.

Yami Yami – Local Dutch-Chinese Cuisine & Sushi

For more local places to eat in Aruba – with Dutch-Chinese, Indonesian, and sushi – Yami Yami is a no-frills but delicious stop between Eagle and Palm Beaches and Oranjestad. Lunch here after a morning of visiting the Donkey Sanctuary and Spanish Lagoon with eyes on the Butterfly Farm for your return to the coast. The extensive menu and AC-filled indoor dining will not disappoint, along with friendly and island-paced service.

We specifically come for the sushi, with a menu promising both traditional and specialty rolls along with sashimi and salads. Beautifully prepared and quite fresh, we love tuna and salmon rolls with extra seaweed salad on top. Other diners head here for takeout Chinese, including noodles, fried rice, and dumplings. Find all of the Chinese meats and seafood that you crave.

Kalin’s Mexican Cuisine – Tacos, Tostadas, & A Cheesy Good Time

Let’s be real: you cannot go to Aruba and not partake in some [cringy] cheese, which is exactly what Kalin’s Mexican promises – literally and figuratively. You might hear this Mexican restaurant before you see it – whether from live music or the stereos.

For Mexican food in Aruba, select from mouthwatering fish tacos, guacamole and warm chips, and tostadas – our picks. Kalin’s also has burritos, quesadillas, enchiladas, and fajitas. You know you want to order that large margarita.

Just be forewarned that as the night progresses, they might pop a sombrero on your head and shoot a sugary tequila mixture in your mouth. This is not my jam, at all, but the food is worth it.

Fireson Brewery – Local Craft Beer & Pub-Grub Eats

If there is a local craft brewery, we will find it. Fireson Brewery is the best for both beer and food in Aruba, especially as Aruba’s first small-batch craft brewery.

Their beer menu frequently changes, and I caught a Vanilla Blonde along with a few IPAs. For non-beer drinkers, find wine and cocktails. If you are in the mood for pub grub, select from fries loaded with cheese, chicken strips, Caesar salad, and croquettes. Can’t decide? Order a sampler platter. Or, choose from their wide variety of wings. Of course, they have chicken, beef, and veggie burgers or quesadillas. Consider food to go for a beach sunset, too!

Nikkei Sushi Wok & Bowl Restaurant – Delicious Sushi

Imagine a salmon, crab, and plantain roll at Nikkei Sushi Wok & Bowl. Situated in Palm Beach’s trendy Cove Mall, this is your go-to for amazingly fresh and mouthwatering sushi. And, more unique to the sushi restaurants in Aruba – their food has a Caribbean flair. It is a bit pricier, though.

Head to Nikkei for skewers, coconut shrimp, calamari, and dumplings. Select from poke bowls, ceviche, and traditional sashimi and nigiri. Or, order ramen, stir-fries, and even steak. Plus, they have a kids’ menu featuring mini sushi rolls and tempura chicken fingers. For unique cocktails, sip on a wasabi Bloody Mary and spicy sake cocktails.

✨ Bonus Spot: Drunk’s Denial – Tipsy Dessert!

I had to end with one of the most memorable dessert “restaurants” in Aruba, Drunk’s Denial. This food truck will call to you with its giant black and white cupcake kitchen and “drunken” sign.

Located in the quirky Paseo Herencia Mall, head here for boozy and sweet goodness. In fact, we were once so tempted by the treats, we ordered a vegan chocolate cake infused with red wine and topped with whiskey pears less than an hour before our fancy dinner reservations. Our dessert looked so good, a couple passing by looped twice and eventually followed suit.

Think alcohol-infused everything: fruits, cakes, crepes, coffee, and syrups. It’s a tipsy blogger’s dream: Chocolate fudge, bourbon apples, champagne whipped cream, and tequila and chili honey. Imagine eating a pina colada bowl with yogurt, pina colada drunken fruit, coconut flakes, and honey. How about a mimosa crepe covered in champagne sorbet and whipped cream!?

Drunk’s Denial also has breakfast sandwiches, an egg platter, and omelets. For beverages, find sugar-free as well as dairy-free options for coffee and milkshakes. Places to eat in Aruba don’t get any more indulgent than this.

More Restaurants In Aruba Our Readers Love:

There are so many great places to eat in Aruba, I could not possibly name them all. Our Uncorked Readers like these restaurants:

• Eduardo’s Beach Shack
• Taste My Aruba
• Yemanja Woodfired Grill
• Wilhelmina Aruba

Let us know your favorites in the comments.