Los Cafeteros is the locals’ favorite Colombian restaurant in Tanki Leendert β off the tourist strip, packed with Aruban regulars, serving authentic Colombian and international dishes at extraordinary value. Bandeja paisa, parrilla platters, fresh-squeezed exotic juices, generous portions, and prices that reward you for venturing inland from the beach. The restaurant calls itself “el restaurante #1 en comida Colombiana e Internacional de la Isla de Aruba” β and the locals confirm it.
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About Los Cafeteros
Los Cafeteros is named for the iconic Colombian coffee farmer figure β and yes, the coffee is excellent. The space is decorated with Colombian art, paintings of the iconic coffee figure, a large aquarium with koi, and a small mural-decorated terrace. There’s a closed-off kids’ playground with slides, making this one of the most genuinely family-friendly restaurants on the island.
Located in Tanki Leendert, off the resort strip and in a residential area where you’ll know you’ve found a real local spot β most of the diners are Aruban families and Colombian expats. Bilingual staff (Spanish/English) make the menu accessible to tourists. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Signature dishes & menu highlights
Colombian classics:
- Bandeja Paisa β the iconic Colombian platter: sausage, your choice of steak or ground beef, chicharrΓ³n (pork belly), rice, fried egg, stewed beans, fried plantains. Generous, often shareable.
- Parrilla Colombiana / Mixed Steaks β Colombian-style grilled meat platter with multiple cuts.
- Creole Steak with fried egg and black beans.
- Surf and Turf (Snurf and Turf) β chicken, fish, shrimp, and ribs combined.
- Ranchero Platter β sausage, steak, beans, cheese, corn, plantains.
- Arroz con Pollo β Colombian-style chicken and rice β generous portion, popular family order.
- Honey Chicken β guest-favorite preparation, never dry.
- Patacones β fried green plantain disc topped with shredded meat or salsa.
- Fried Red Snapper β fresh, whole, beautifully prepared.
- Grilled Grouper β sourced fresh from local fishermen.
Soups & breakfast:
- Sancocho / Mondongo / Plantain Soup / Pumpkin Soup / Rib Soup β multiple Colombian regional soups.
- Empanadas β daily preparation, fresh.
- Egg dishes for breakfast.
Drinks:
- Aguapanela β traditional drink made from sugar cane, served as part of the lunch special.
- Fresh juices β Mora (blackberry), Passion fruit, Lulo, Tamarind.
- Excellent Colombian coffee β strong; multiple guests say “second cup at lunch and I couldn’t sleep that night.”
- Lunch special β soup + entrΓ©e + drink for great value.
Practical info
- Address: Tanki Leendert 249, Oranjestad, Aruba
- Phone: +297 587 7004
- Website: www.facebook.com/loscafeterosrestaurant
- Google rating: 4.5β across 1277+ reviews.
- Price level: inexpensive.
What guests are saying
Reviews are consistently strong, especially from Colombian guests (“tastes the same as home”), locals (“you know it’s good if the locals eat there”), and tourists looking for an off-strip authentic meal. The phrase “all killer, no filler” gets repeated. Multiple reviewers report eating there 3+ times in a single week’s visit. Specific named staff: Luis the waiter, the friendly Colombian owners.
Honest caveats: no outdoor seating (the small terrace is enclosed); spotty English from some staff (most are bilingual but not all); prices in florins, not dollars β confirm the conversion before paying ($1 USD β 1.79 AWG); can be busy at lunch with locals on weekday afternoons. Worth it: this is one of the best authentic dining values on the island.
While you’re planning your Aruba trip
For more dining options off the resort strip, see our best restaurants in Aruba guide, or our best local Caribbean restaurants guide. Heading inland for adventure or beach? Browse our Aruba travel essentials guide. For accommodations, see our best hotels in Aruba.
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