Cuba’s Cookin’ is a Cuban restaurant on Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard in Oranjestad — known equally for its menu of authentic Cuban classics and the nightly live Latin music that turns dinner into a full evening. With over 1,000 reviews and a 4.3-star rating, it’s a fixture of the downtown Aruba dining scene and one of the few spots in the Caribbean serving real Cuban food at this scale.
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About Cuba’s Cookin’
The dining room is colorful and lively — pre-Castro Cuban photos on the walls, mojitos flowing, live music starting around 7-8pm most evenings. The vibe is celebratory rather than refined; couples, families, and groups all fit comfortably. Reservations are recommended for dinner especially when cruise ships are in port. Service is bilingual and warm.
Signature Dishes & Menu Highlights
Order the ropa vieja (slow-braised shredded beef in tomato-pepper sauce, the signature Cuban dish) and you’ll understand the restaurant’s reputation. Other essentials: lechón asado (slow-roasted pork), arroz con pollo, picadillo (Cuban-style ground beef with olives and raisins), tostones (twice-fried plantains), yuca con mojo, and the Cuban black beans. The mojitos are properly made with fresh mint and lime; the cuba libres come with the right rum.
Practical Information
- Address: Lloyd G. Smith Blvd 9, Oranjestad, Aruba
- Phone: +297 588 0627
- Google rating: 4.3 ★ from 1097 reviews
- Website: www.cubascookin.com
- Map:View on Google Maps
Hours:
What Diners Say
Reviewers consistently praise the live music, the mojitos, and the authentic Cuban flavors. The atmosphere is the headline — multiple reviews say it’s the most fun restaurant night in Oranjestad. Occasional service-pace complaints during peak cruise nights, but the consensus is that the experience is worth it.
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