Faro Blanco is the Italian restaurant set at the foot of Aruba’s California Lighthouse — built into the original lighthouse keeper’s stone house atop Hudishibana hill, with terrace seating that overlooks the island’s rugged northwest coast and one of the most photographed sunset views on the island. Open 20+ years, run by Chef Castillo (trained in Calabria, Italy), with 2,150+ Google reviews and a 4.3-star rating.
See the full menu with prices ↓
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Why Faro Blanco is worth the trip to the lighthouse
The location is one of a kind on Aruba. The California Lighthouse — the island’s most famous landmark — sits at the northwestern tip, atop the Hudishibana hill. The lighthouse keeper’s old Aruban-style stone dwelling has been converted into Faro Blanco’s restaurant interior, with a sprawling outdoor terrace built around it. From your table you can see the entire untouched western coastline, the Caribbean Sea, and the lighthouse itself. There is no other restaurant in Aruba with this view.
Chef Castillo studied culinary arts in Calabria, Italy and has been bringing southern Italian cooking to Aruba for over two decades. The wine list runs more than 100 bottles spanning Italy, France, Argentina, and California. The setting is part of the deal: book the 6:00–7:00 PM slot for sunset, and stay through golden hour to watch the sky turn — the famous “green flash” sometimes appears as the sun drops below the horizon.
Signature dishes to try
- Faro Blanco Salad — house signature salad, called out repeatedly by repeat guests.
- Osso Buco — slow-braised veal shank, “best I’ve ever had” per recent reviews.
- Gratinated Sea Bass topped with mixed seafood — a recent guest favorite.
- Fettuccine with Shrimp in Vodka Sauce — creamy, flavorful, popular.
- Faro Blanco Family Favorite Shrimp — golden butterfly-breaded jumbo shrimp ($44).
- Baby Rack of Lamb with rosemary, garlic, and creamy mashed potatoes ($50).
- Filet Mignon — Certified Angus Beef wrapped in bacon, porcini mushroom sauce.
- Calamari and Baby Octopus — sautéed in light tomato/white wine sauce with garlic, olives, cherry tomatoes, herb crostini.
- Italian Charcuterie & Cheese Board — Spianata, Bresaola, Mortadella, mozzarella, Parmigiano-Reggiano.
- Wood-Fired Pizza — over a dozen options, build-your-own with up to 3 toppings ($27).
- Chef’s Hot Chocolate Cupcake on Ponche Aruba — house specialty dessert ($13.50).
For families and groups: vegetarian and vegan pizzas available; gluten-free options on request.
The full menu with prices — checked October 2026
Faro Blanco publishes its full menu on its own website, faroblancorestaurant.com, with prices in US dollars (the site lists the florin exchange at Afl. 1.78). We transcribed it in October 2026 — treat prices as a guide, as menus change faster than guides.
Lunch — noon to 5 PM
Pizza: create your own 27 (extra toppings +3) · Vegano 29 · Da Zia Adriana 29 · alla Romana 28 · Capricciosa 28 · Focaccia al Rosmarino 10. Pasta: create your own bowl 29 (Bolognese +3, fish fillet +2.50, baby shrimp +3) · Lasagna di Nonna Mia 32. Salads: Insalata Faro Blanco 18 · Insalata Cesare Vegano 18. Burgers: Hamburger 16 · Cheeseburger 17.
Lunch starters and mains: Zuppa di pesce 20 · Arancini di Riso 16 · Bruschetta al pomodoro 8 · Calamari fritti 18 · Pollo parmigiano 32 · Linguine allo scoglio 46 · Fettuccine con gamberoni alla vodka 40 · Costolette di agnello (rack of lamb) 49.
Dinner — antipasti and starters
Tagliere di Salumi e Formaggi 28 for two / 48 for four · Calamari all’Arrabbiata 18 · Focaccia al Rosmarino 10 · Mozzarella di capri 18 · Arancini di Riso 16 · Crespelle certosina 18 · Carpaccio di polpo 18 · Carpaccio di manzo al tartufo 20 · Bruschetta al pomodoro 8 · Cozze al forno gratinata 17 · Polpette di carne 16 · Calamari fritti 18 · Minestrone alla Faro Blanco 17 · Insalata Cesare 17.
Dinner — mains
Fish and seafood: Coda di aragosta con ravioli (lobster tail) 52 · Salmone Toscano 48 · Filetto di spigola gratinata con frutti di mare (the gratinated sea bass above) 50 · Gamberoni speciale 44 · Risotto del faro 44. Meat and chicken: Pollo alla parmigiana 37 · Pollo alla vodka 37 · Costolette di agnello 50 · Filetto ai funghi porcini 59 · Ossobuco di vitello con risotto milanese 53.
Pasta and pizza at dinner: Linguine allo scoglio 47 · Lasagna di Nonna Mia 32 · Fettuccine con gamberoni alla vodka 41 · Fusillone alla Bolognese 37 · create-your-own pizza 27 · Da Zia Adriana 29 · alla Romana 28 · Capricciosa 28.
Vegan and dessert
Vegan: Caesar salad 18 · Piadina vegana 11 · Linguine Primavera 33 · Risotto Primavera 33 · Penne alla vodka 30 · Pizza Vegano 29. Dolce: Tiramisu 12.50 · Torta al formaggio e mango 12.50 · Bomboloni 13 · Panna Cotta del Faro 13.50 · Torta di cioccolato caldo 13.50 · Gelato all’antica 11.
Wine and drinks
The wine list is long and Italian-leaning: bottles run from about 39 (a German Riesling) to 595 (Dom Pérignon), with plenty of Chianti, Brunello and Super Tuscans in the 45–165 range and wines by the glass 14–22.50. Cocktails, frozen drinks and local beers (Balashi, Chill) are on the drinks card without printed prices; bar happy hour runs 5–7 PM.
Practical info
- Address: California Lighthouse, Hudishibana Z/N, Noord, Aruba
- Phone: +297 586 0787
- Email: info@faroblancorestaurant.com
- Hours: Monday–Saturday 12:00 NOON – 11:00 PM. Closed Sunday. (Some sources list 9:00 AM opening for breakfast — call to confirm.)
- Reservations: Strongly recommended for 6–7 PM sunset slot — fills weeks ahead in high season.
- Dress code: Casual to smart casual. The wind on the terrace can be strong; bring a light layer.
- Price: Mid-to-upscale Italian. Mains $27–59, pizzas $27–29.
- Currency: Prices in USD. AWG exchange Afl. 1.78 to USD.
- Wine corkage: $20 per bottle (only for wines not on their list).
- Google rating: 4.3★ across 2,152+ reviews.
- Seating capacity: Indoor saloon (50 guests), upper patio (100 guests), terrace (100 guests), garden — total 250+ guests.
- Live music, free Wi-Fi, full bar, ocean view terrace.
- Wheelchair accessible via ramp (note: ramp is steep — call ahead if mobility-impaired).
- Private events: Weddings, birthdays, Holy Communions accommodated.
What guests are saying
Reviews consistently rave about the views, location, and sunset experience — many say the setting alone justifies the visit. Repeat guests come back annually for the Osso Buco, Faro Blanco Salad, and the steel drum live music. Anniversaries, engagements, and family celebrations are common bookings.
Honest caveats: food quality has had inconsistent reviews — some guests find dishes excellent, others say it’s overpriced for what arrives. Service can be slow when the restaurant is full at sunset. Wind on the terrace can be strong (Aruba’s trade winds are constant). Bottom line: most guests agree the unique location is the main draw, and the food/service is “good enough” rather than world-class. Come for the view; the food is a bonus.
How to get there
Faro Blanco is at the northwestern tip of Aruba, at the foot of the California Lighthouse. From Palm Beach high-rises it’s about a 10-minute drive north (3–4 km). From Eagle Beach about 15 minutes. There’s no public transport to the lighthouse area — you’ll need a rental car or taxi (around $20–25 each way from Palm Beach). Free parking on site. The road in is paved up to the restaurant; wear flat shoes if you plan to walk around the lighthouse afterward.
While you’re planning your Aruba trip
For more dining options, see our complete guide to the best restaurants in Aruba, our best Italian restaurants in Aruba guide, our sunset restaurants guide, or our romantic restaurants guide. Browse best hotels in Aruba for nearby Palm Beach accommodations.
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Open: Mon-Sat 12:00 PM-11:00 PM · Sun closed
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