Urataka Center is the legendary “Oldest & Finest Cunucu Dive Bar” in Aruba — family-owned since 1946 in Santa Cruz, just past the entrance to Arikok National Park. Locals call it the best pizza on the island; tourists discover it via tour-bus stops and never forget it. Open-air patio, classic old-school bar, generous Aruban-style pizzas (Pizza Paranda, Super Burger, Meat Lovers), and Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice award winner. The kind of authentic local spot you go out of your way to find.
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About Urataka Center
Urataka Center was founded in 1946 as a family business and has stayed in family hands for over 79 years. Through the decades it grew from a small cunucu (countryside) gathering spot into one of Aruba’s most beloved local restaurants — a true neighborhood institution that draws Arubans and tour groups alike.
The vibe is unmistakably “old-school Aruban dive bar meets pizza joint.” Open-air patio with palapa shade, classic dark-wood bar inside, vintage island decor, mixed locals-and-tourists energy in the evenings. Located in the small Urataka neighborhood of Santa Cruz, near the entrance to Arikok National Park — a popular stop for tour buses returning from the natural pool, Conchi, or jeep tours. You need a vehicle to get there. Worth the drive.
Tripadvisor Travelers’ Choice winner.
Signature dishes & menu highlights
The pizza (the headliner — voted “best pizza in Aruba” by many regulars):
- Meat Lovers ($20) — sausage, pepperoni, meatball, bacon. Thin-crust, perfectly baked, generous toppings.
- Pizza Paranda — house special with a Caribbean twist.
- Super Burger Pizza — local favorite blending burger toppings on a pizza base.
- Margherita, Hawaiian, Pepperoni, Quattro Formaggi — full classic menu.
- Custom toppings — extensive options.
Beyond pizza:
- Super Burger — homemade, on a freshly baked bun.
- Wings — multiple sauces, repeatedly called excellent.
- Ribs — house specialty.
- Pasta dishes.
- Chicken Cordon Bleu.
- Local Aruban favorites — varies by day.
Drinks (the dive-bar credentials):
- Presidente Light beer ($3.50) — 12 oz, the locals’ choice.
- Balashi & Chill beer — local Aruban brews.
- Classic cocktails and well drinks.
- Wine — basic selection.
Best Pizza Combo special (Mondays & Thursdays):
- Order any large pizza, receive a 2L Coca-Cola bottle with your order.
- Available 12 PM to 10:45 PM.
Practical info
- Address: Urataka 12-A, Oranjestad, Aruba
- Phone: +297 585 5212
- Website: uratakaaruba.com
- Google rating: 4.3★ across 947+ reviews.
- Price level: inexpensive.
What guests are saying
Reviews from regulars are glowing. Multiple guests describe Urataka as their favorite stop in Aruba — both for the pizza and for the genuine local atmosphere (“the best pizza to be found anywhere”). The Meat Lovers and the Pizza Paranda are the most-recommended. Two people can eat well for $35 including tax and tip — extraordinary value compared to resort-strip prices. Tour groups led by Around Aruba Tours (Dan), ABC Tours, and others routinely stop here.
Honest caveats: service can be slow on busy nights — multiple recent reviews flag 60-minute pizza waits even with only 15 people in the restaurant; quality can vary with occasional half-cooked pizza complaints; roof in the patio area can leak when it rains — staff slow to relocate guests; rural location requires a car or tour bus. Bottom line: come for the local atmosphere and the Meat Lovers pizza; bring patience.
While you’re planning your Aruba trip
For more dining options, see our best restaurants in Aruba guide or our best local Caribbean restaurants guide. Heading to Arikok National Park? Browse our Aruba travel essentials guide. Browse our best hotels in Aruba.
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