Santa Cruz Bar Restaurant is a longstanding Chinese-Aruban spot in the island’s interior village of Santa Cruz — far from any resort but a regular stop for locals and the rare visitor who ventures inland to Arikok-bound or cunucu-touring. With over 330 reviews and a steady 4.3 rating, the kitchen has been quietly turning out reliable Cantonese-Aruban plates for years.

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About Santa Cruz Bar Restaurant

Located in Santa Cruz village near the geographic center of the island, the restaurant is a no-frills local-favorites kind of spot with a small bar, basic dining room, and a long single-page menu of familiar Cantonese plates plus a few local Aruban-Chinese fusion dishes. Ordering is straightforward, prices are local-friendly, and portions are generous. Cash typically preferred.

Make it a full Aruba evening

Great food deserves a great day around it. These are the experiences our readers book most:

Private sunset catamaran — the Isabella, up to 12 guests
🌃 San Nicolas night tour — the local side of Aruba after dark
🍴 All 53 Aruba restaurants, ranked

Santa Cruz Bar Restaurant dish
BOOK DIRECT · NO BOOKING FEE
Make it a sunset sail before dinner

The Isabella runs an afternoon combo — snorkel first, then golden hour on the way back in. Whole boat, up to 12 guests, so it is just your group on deck.

$825 total · $275 deposit online · $550 on the day
Check dates & book →or ask us on WhatsApp

Signature Dishes & Menu Highlights

Order the chow mein, the beef-and-broccoli, the sweet-and-sour pork, or the Aruban-Chinese specialty fried rice with stewed beef. The egg drop soup is a comfort starter. House sauces are good with the egg rolls.

Santa Cruz Bar Restaurant interior

Practical Information

  • Address: Santa Cruz, Aruba
  • Phone: +297 585 8088
  • Google rating: 4.3 from 332 reviews
  • Map:View on Google Maps

Hours:

Santa Cruz Bar Restaurant ambiance

What Diners Say

Reviewers describe Santa Cruz Bar Restaurant as ‘a real local institution’ and a reliable stop on island drives. The food gets called ‘consistent and tasty’ rather than ‘amazing,’ which is appropriate — it’s the kind of dependable neighborhood Chinese spot every island needs.

Plan Your Visit

BOOK DIRECT · DEPOSIT HOLDS THE DATE
Sunset on the water, then dinner ashore

Three hours from Hadicurari Pier with Captain Tico. Snorkel gear and drinks on board. Pick a date and the deposit holds it.

$825 total · $275 deposit online · $550 on the day
Check dates & book →or ask us on WhatsApp

Our cars

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OHI

Written by One Happy Island Team

The independent editorial team behind onehappyisland.com. We independently review the island’s beaches, hotels, tours and restaurants, track live prices year-round, and update every guide continuously. No operator can pay for a better review.

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🌴 About One Happy Island

We are an independent Aruba travel guide. Our rankings are honest — we track live prices across 460+ tours and 180+ hotels, we update guides continuously, and no operator can pay for a better review. Read our editorial policy and who we are.

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Car rental · from $50 a day

Rent a car in Aruba

Automatic and air conditioned, picked up at the airport or our Oranjestad office. We hold the exact car for your dates, you pay 13% online and the rest at pickup. Minimum 3 days.

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Rental cars, same deal — small reservation fee online, the rest paid when you pick the car up. All vehicles →