Don Jacinto Aruba: Authentic Colombian Food in Oranjestad

Don Jacinto is a long-running Colombian-Caribbean restaurant on de la Sallestraat in Oranjestad — beloved by locals and the South American expat community for generous portions, authentic Colombian classics, and prices that make a full meal genuinely affordable. With 1,500+ reviews and a 4.4-star average, it’s one of the best-known non-tourist restaurants in town.

About Don Jacinto Restaurant

The dining room is casual and unpretentious — Don Jacinto isn’t trying to be Instagram-famous. It’s the place locals go when they want a real Colombian sancocho, a perfectly grilled bandeja paisa, or a fresh fruit juice in flavors you’ve never seen back home. The kitchen runs all day, lunch through dinner, and the staff is warm and bilingual. Service can be busy at peak hours — the wait is part of the experience and the food is worth it.

Signature Dishes & Menu Highlights

Order the bandeja paisa (the Colombian national dish — beans, rice, plantain, chicharrón, chorizo, fried egg, avocado, arepa) for a true taste test. The sancocho de gallina (chicken soup) is restorative and huge. Other standouts: ajiaco (Bogotá-style chicken-and-potato soup), grilled chicharrón, churrasco steak, and the patacones with hogao. Fresh juices in lulo, maracuyá, guanábana, and curuba are all real (not from concentrate) and the obvious order alongside.

Practical Information

Address: de la Sallestraat 26, Oranjestad, Aruba
Phone: +297 585 8769
Google rating: 4.4 ★ from 1534 reviews
Website:donjacintoaruba.com
Map:View on Google Maps

Hours:

Monday: 8:30 AM – 9:45 PM
Tuesday: 8:30 AM – 9:45 PM
Wednesday: 8:30 AM – 9:45 PM
Thursday: 8:30 AM – 9:45 PM
Friday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 8:30 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 8:30 AM – 9:45 PM

What Diners Say

Diners consistently call out the portion sizes (you will not leave hungry), the authenticity of the Colombian flavors, and the value. Recurring praise: ‘best Colombian food in Aruba,’ ‘huge portions,’ ‘real Colombian fresh juices.’ The casual atmosphere is part of the appeal — this is a working restaurant for the local Colombian community, not a tourist trap.