Olivia is Chef Dennis Grootveld’s Mediterranean restaurant in Oranjestad — a warm, generous, shareable-plates dining experience that brings the flavours of the Mediterranean coastline to Aruba. Olive oil, fresh herbs, grilled meats, seasonal vegetables, and the kind of cooking that celebrates simplicity done with real skill.
The atmosphere is relaxed and inviting, with both indoor seating and a courtyard that makes you feel worlds away from downtown Oranjestad. It’s the kind of place where dinner stretches into a long, lingering evening because the food keeps coming and the company keeps talking.
The Menu: Mediterranean Shared Plates
The menu is designed for sharing — multiple dishes arriving throughout the meal rather than the conventional starter-main-dessert structure. Lamb chops with herbs, grilled octopus with citrus, roasted feta with honey and walnuts, hummus with warm flatbread, and a rotating selection of seasonal vegetables prepared simply and well.
The ceviche and tuna appetisers are particularly praised by regulars. The avocado and lobster combination is worth ordering if it’s on the menu. The fish of the day is always a safe choice — fresh, well-sourced, prepared Mediterranean-style.
The Setting: Indoor and Courtyard
Olivia sits on Wilhelminastraat in Oranjestad with both an indoor dining room and an outdoor courtyard. The courtyard is the place to be when the evening cools — shaded, candle-lit, and with just enough breeze to make it perfect. It’s a genuinely pleasant space to spend a few hours.
Practical Information
Address: Wilhelminastraat 74, Oranjestad, Aruba
Hours: Dinner daily — check oliviaaruba.com for current hours
Price: €€€ — expect $60–100 per person with drinks
Reservations: Recommended, especially for courtyard seating
For more Oranjestad restaurants, see our full Aruba dining guide.
