Want to eat where Arubans actually eat? Skip the resort-strip imports and try these 5 restaurants serving authentic local Caribbean and Aruban cuisine.
The 5 best local Caribbean restaurants in Aruba
1. Old Cunucu House — traditional Aruban in a 150-year-old house
One of the few restaurants serving authentic Aruban cuisine inside a 150-year-old traditional cunucu house. Keshi yena, stoba, pan bati — the real deal.
2. Zeerovers — fresh fish by the pound, Savaneta
The local pick. Order fresh fish by the pound at the dock with bashi (cassava fries) and plantains. No frills, low prices, beloved by Arubans for a reason.
3. Que Pasa — eclectic Aruba favorite, Oranjestad
Long-running Oranjestad spot known for its eclectic art-filled rooms and a menu that blends Caribbean, international, and seafood influences.
4. Driftwood — locally-caught fish, Oranjestad
Run by an Aruban family, Driftwood specializes in locally-caught fresh fish — including the option to fish for your own catch in the morning and eat it that night.
5. Gasparito — Aruban traditional, Noord
Aruban cuisine inside a stone restaurant in Noord with a local-art gallery on the walls. Authentic and tied directly to the island’s culture.
What to try if you’re new to Aruban food
- Keshi yena — stuffed cheese baked in a wheel, the national dish
- Stoba — slow-cooked stew (goat, beef, or chicken)
- Pan bati — Aruban cornbread served with most local meals
- Pastechi — fried turnover, the classic Aruban breakfast snack
- Bolita di pisca — fish balls with local seasonings
While you’re planning your Aruba trip
See our full restaurants guide or our seafood guide. Pair the food with island culture — see our best tours guide.
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