38. Restaurants and Bars
Aruba's dining scene is impressive for such a small island, with hundreds of restaurants ranging from casual beachside spots to fine dining experiences. You'll find everything from fresh seafood and traditional Aruban cuisine to Italian, Asian, French, and Latin American flavors. Many of the best restaurants are clustered around Palm Beach, Eagle Beach, and downtown Oranjestad.
The island has a wonderfully casual vibe when it comes to dining out. While some upscale restaurants encourage smart casual dress, you'll never feel out of place in resort wear—flip-flops and beachwear are perfectly acceptable at most places. Since Aruba is hot year-round, most venues feature outdoor seating where you can dine under the stars with the Caribbean breeze keeping you comfortable.
Popular spots include Papiamento (historic cunucu house serving Aruban specialties), Barefoot Restaurant (beachfront dining with your toes in the sand), Madame Janette (romantic garden setting), L.G. Smith's Steak & Chop House (fine steakhouse at Renaissance Resort), and Zeerovers (casual waterfront seafood shack in Savaneta). For something truly special, try The Journey or Infini for intimate chef's table experiences. Reservations are highly recommended, especially during peak season—many popular restaurants book up days or even weeks in advance.