Cuba's Cookin' Aruba: Cuban Restaurant & Live Music in Oranjestad

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.

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:

Monday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM

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.