Papiamento Restaurant Aruba 2026: Romantic Garden Dining in a Historic Cunucu House

Papiamento Restaurant is the romantic garden destination set inside a 100+ year-old Aruban “cunucu” house in Noord — family-owned by the Ellis family since 1983, with poolside dining under string lights in a lush tropical garden, hot-stone presentations brought tableside, and one of the largest wine cellars in the Caribbean (1,800+ bottles). Member of the prestigious Chaîne des Rôtisseurs. Aruba’s most acclaimed romantic dinner.

About Papiamento

Papiamento was founded in 1983 by Eduardo and Lenie Ellis in downtown Oranjestad and moved later to its current home: an authentic 1886 Aruban cunucu house in Noord. The historic property has been carefully restored and decorated with European antiques, the oldest dating to the early 1800s. The four Ellis children grew up here — they helped dig the pool and plant the now-extensive tropical garden.

Today the restaurant is run by their European-trained chef-owner son Eduardo Jr. (Edward) Ellis, with parents Eduardo and Lenie still very involved. Many staff members have been at Papiamento for over 15 years. The vibe is unmistakable: dine al fresco around the sparkling pool surrounded by mature weeping fig trees and string lights, in elegant air-conditioned dining rooms inside the historic house, or in the new PAPPA’s Cigar Lounge (Chesterfield sofas and a curated cigar/whiskey selection in the former Ellis living room).

Papiamento Aruba — Papiamento ambiance. Photo: AJ Lopez via Google.

Signature dishes & menu highlights

Iconic dishes:

Keshi Yena (Family Recipe) — minced tenderloin and chicken stewed with prunes, golden raisins, olives, and cashews, flame-broiled with Dutch Gouda. The Ellis family’s signature take on Aruba’s national dish.
Tuna Tartare — diced raw tuna with lime, sesame oil, wasabi mayonnaise, toasted seeds.
Cazuela — Caribbean shrimp and rock lobster stewed in Aruban-style coconut milk chowder.
Mermaid — filet of wahoo with Caribbean shrimp in papaya pepper sauce.
Eduardo’s Seafood Pot — handmade clay pot filled with seafood, fines herbs, and garden vegetables.

Hot Stone presentations (signature theatrical service):

Mahi-Mahi, Lobster, Lamb Chops, Tenderloin Medallions, Caribbean Shrimp — all served on hot lava stones brought to your table to finish cooking.
Madame Butterfly — butterflied beef tenderloin on hot stone with grilled vegetables.

Mains:

Surf and Turf — 6-oz beef tenderloin and 8-oz Caribbean rock lobster with clarified butter.
Champagne Casserole — fish, scallops, crab poached in brut champagne sauce, gratinée with Dutch Gouda.
Grilled Pork Chop — Caribbean dry rub, malt whiskey-pink peppercorn sauce.
Chicken Pomodoro — baked chicken filet in tomato-basil sauce, gratinée with ricotta and mozzarella.
Moroccan Lamb — frequently called out as exceptional in reviews.
Bone-in Beef Short Loin with Gorgonzola.

Dessert:

Pan Bollo — local bread pudding with Ponche Crema (Aruban liqueur), the signature dessert.
Dark Rum Cake — with dates, prunes, walnuts, served with Ponche Crema and vanilla ice cream.

Cas di Biña Wine Cellar — over 1,800 bottles from France, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the Americas. Bottles range $22 to $200+. Guests are welcome to choose personally or ask staff for pairings. Tour the cellar and the historic house before or after dinner.

Papiamento signature dish — Plated dish at Papiamento. Photo: Nicholas Christian via Google.

Practical info

Address: Washington 61, Noord, Aruba
Phone: +297 586 4544
Website: www.papiamentoaruba.com
Google rating: 4.5★ across 1130+ reviews.
Price level: expensive.

Hours

Monday: 6:00 – 10:30 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 – 10:30 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 – 10:30 PM
Thursday: 6:00 – 10:30 PM
Friday: 6:00 – 10:30 PM
Saturday: 6:00 – 10:30 PM
Sunday: Closed

Papiamento interior — Inside Papiamento. Photo: jonathan price via Google.

What guests are saying

Reviews consistently praise the magical garden setting (“most beautiful garden restaurant in Aruba”), the hot stone dining experience, the extensive wine list, and warm professional service. Multiple guests describe it as the most romantic dinner of their entire trip. Named servers like Alex get repeat mentions. The historic house tour after dinner is a highlight.

Honest caveats: fine-dining prices ($40-80+ for mains); hot stone dishes can overcook if servers are slow with the transfer plate — speak up early; music selection occasionally jarring with the historic vibe; reservations essential — book via bookings@papiamentoaruba.com or +297 586 4544 / +297 594 5504. Dinner only Mon-Sat, 6 PM to 10:30 PM. Elegantly casual dress.