Casa Tua Arawak Aruba 2026: Thin-Crust Italian Pizzeria on Palm Beach

Casa Tua at Arawak Gardens is the Palm Beach Italian pizzeria that introduced thin-crust pizza to Aruba in 2004 — running on a family recipe traced back to 1969 in Montpellier, France, where Michel Nataf apprenticed under a Sicilian Pizza Master. Today, brothers Victor, Gregory, and David Nataf still make fresh dough every day. Open-air outdoor seating, daily live entertainment under the stars, and one of the most reliable casual Italian meals on the strip.

About Casa Tua Arawak

The Casa Tua story starts in 1969 in the south of France, when Michel Nataf was introduced to the secrets of Sicilian thin-crust pizza by his Italian master. The Nataf family carried that recipe across continents and opened Casa Tua in Aruba in 2004. The Arawak Gardens location was their first; a second location opened later at Renaissance Marketplace in Oranjestad. Two generations now run the business.

The vibe is unmistakably “Italy or South of France in summer” — outdoor tables under string lights, live music every night, locals and tourists mixing, generous shareable plates, and the kind of casual rhythm that turns a quick dinner into a three-hour evening. Located in Arawak Gardens, the open-air dining and entertainment center on Palm Beach’s strip — easy to wander into after shopping or before a beach walk.

Casa Tua Arawak Aruba — Casa Tua Arawak ambiance. Photo: Haley M via Google.

Signature dishes & menu highlights

Pizza (the original draw):

Margherita — tomato sauce, mozzarella, fresh basil, the classic.
Provençale ($18) — tomato sauce, fresh sliced tomatoes, anchovies, black olives, mozzarella, Provence herbs.
Hawaiian ($19) — ham, pepperoni, bacon, pineapple.
Meat Lovers ($21) — Italian sausage, Bolognese, pepperoni, basil.

Pasta (your choice of linguine, penne, fettuccine, or gnocchi +$2):

Amatriciana ($21) — Italian pancetta, red onions, tomatoes, parsley, garlic, marinara, red hot pepper.
Alla Vodka ($22 / +chicken $27.50 / +shrimp $29) — pink sauce, Parmesan, vodka.
Sausage and Broccoli ($25) — Italian sausage and broccoli with garlic and herbs.
Alla Portobello ($25) — fresh portobello and white mushrooms with melting Swiss cheese and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Entrées:

Pesce al Cartoccio ($28) — grouper fillet in tomato sauce with capers, herbs, white wine, baked in foil in a brick oven. The signature dish, repeatedly called “must-try” in reviews.
Ossobuco di Vitello — slow-braised veal shank, traditional Italian preparation.
8-oz Beef Tenderloin ($29) — cooked on hot iron with herbs, ratatouille, mushroom red wine sauce.
Tagliata di Pollo alla Parmigiana — sliced chicken Parmesan.
Carpaccio di Manzo — paper-thin raw beef.

Mediterranean appetizers: Hummus, Tzaziki, Babaganoush, Caprese Salad, Calamari Fritti, Tuna Carpaccio, Escargots.

Desserts:

Homemade Tiramisu ($10.50) — espresso-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone.
Profiteroles au Chocolat Chaud ($13.50) — vanilla ice cream in puff pastry with hot chocolate.
Banana Split ($13.50).

Casa Tua Arawak signature dish — Plated dish at Casa Tua Arawak. Photo: From CA to PA via Google.

Practical info

Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba
Phone: +297 586 8470
Website: www.casatuaaruba.com
Google rating: 4.2★ across 1267+ reviews.
Price level: moderate.

Hours

Monday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Friday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 5:30 – 10:00 PM

Casa Tua Arawak interior — Inside Casa Tua Arawak. Photo: Urban Wanderer via Google.

What guests are saying

Reviews consistently praise the thin-crust pizza, Pesce al Cartoccio, and the open-air ambiance with live music. Named servers Mariska and Nico get repeated mentions for excellent service. Many guests come back multiple times in a single visit. Both locations (Arawak Gardens and Renaissance) have similar menus.

Honest caveats: service can be slow when busy — multiple recent reviews specifically warn about long checkout times when paying by credit card; quality is inconsistent — some guests rave, others find pizza thin/crunchy or pasta underwhelming; bread is charged extra separately. Not the best Italian on the island, but reliable and conveniently located on the strip.