Smokey Joe’s Island Grill is the Palm Beach BBQ destination β racks of baby back ribs, rotisserie chicken, Argentine filet mignon and fresh local fish, all off the grill that’s hard to find on a Caribbean island. With a 4.3-star rating across 1,700+ Google reviews, Smokey Joe’s has earned its place as one of Palm Beach’s most-recommended casual dining spots, with a fun lively atmosphere that doesn’t tip into noisy.
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About Smokey Joe’s Island Grill
Located on J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87 in Palm Beach (Playa Linda Beach Resort area), Smokey Joe’s runs dinner service daily from 5:00 PM, with the kitchen closing at 10:00 PM and the bar staying open until 11:00 PM. The kitchen handles American BBQ (baby back ribs, rotisserie chicken) alongside Caribbean classics (rotisserie chicken, picanha steak). Reservations not required but the restaurant fills up fast β arrive by 6:00 PM to avoid the 20-minute wait that builds during prime time. Both indoor and outdoor seating, with a kids menu that handles families well.
Signature dishes & menu highlights
Order a Full Rack of Ribs β the must-order signature, with a choice of classic BBQ or the standout Sriracha BBQ Sauce (request on the side). The rotisserie chicken & BBQ Ribs Combo is the safest first-time order. Picanha Steak is the steakhouse pick β properly cooked, flavorful. rotisserie chicken sandwiches are excellent. Burgers earn unanimous praise. The 3-2-1 Margarita is the signature cocktail. Sides like Coleslaw and Mac & Cheese are standard but well-prepared. The Chicken Fingers kids menu portion gets praise from families.
Practical info
Address: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba
Phone: 586 2896
Rating: 4.3β
on Google (1,716 reviews)
Website: Visit official site
What guests are saying
Reviewers consistently call Smokey Joe’s a Palm Beach favorite β many return multiple times during a single trip. The full rack of ribs, picanha, and 3-2-1 margarita are the most-mentioned must-orders. Atmosphere is described as fun and lively without being too loud. Some reviewers note that rotisserie chicken sells out (it’s the most popular order). Service gets praise for being attentive without being pushy. Pricing is moderate (entrΓ©es $20-$45 USD) β fair value for Palm Beach. Reservations not required but arriving early is recommended during high season.
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Smokey Joe’s menu: what’s actually on it
Smokey Joe’s publishes its full menu as images on its own site rather than as a text page, which is why it is hard to find in search. The current menu is here. Below is what the restaurant itself says it serves, taken from its own site so it stays accurate.
The signatures
- Grilled baby back ribs β the house calls these the “Best Ribs in the Caribbean”, and they are what the restaurant leads with.
- Open-fire rotisserie-grilled chicken β cooked over open flame rather than a flat-top.
- Argentine grass-fed filet mignon β thick-cut, the main draw for steak eaters.
- Fresh local fish β executive chef Alana Olaya is explicit that they serve only fresh-caught local fish, so you will not find salmon or trout on the menu. Worth knowing if that is what you were after.
Hours, location and booking
- Early Bird special: 5:00β6:00pm β the cheapest window to eat here
- Where: Juan E. Irausquin Blvd. 87, Palm Beach β directly across from the Playa Linda Beach Resort
- Phone: +297-280-9000
- Takeaway: online ordering is available through the restaurant’s own system
- Open since: 2004
Menu items, hours and contact details above are taken from smokeyjoesaruba.com and were checked on 2 August 2026. Restaurants change menus and hours without notice β check the official page before you plan around it. We do not publish dish prices we have not verified ourselves.
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