This one’s for all the food lovers out there as well as fanatics of delicious boozy cocktails. It’s said food is love and a way to one’s heart is through their stomach, and Aruba has absolutely hit it right with this one. The food and restaurants in Aruba are sure to make you fall more in love with the island. So, let’s dig in and indulge in some of the islands’ culinary delights and try out the best local food in Aruba and find out where the local’s eat.
Aruba’s culinary scene is as diverse as its population. From the lip smacking local specialties, to Asian, Mexican, even Lebanese cuisine can be found here. In addition to these multi-cuisine restaurants in Aruba, we absolutely cannot forget about the infamous food trucks scattered around the island, along with plenty vegan options as well. Stay tuned for our favorite ones.
For those who love sipping on delicious cocktails, you are in for a treat as well. Imagine sipping that boozy cocktail or a chilled beer with the warm tropical sun shining on you as the tradewinds keep you cool, with your toes in the sand and endless view of that turquoise water in front of you. It sure as hell sounds like a happy hour!
Besides, every hour is a happy hour and trust us you won’t be judged at all for starting your day with breakfast alongside a yummy refreshing mimosa and ending it with the local beer or any liquor of your choice. It’s happiness all around and round the clock when in Aruba.
Must try best local food in Aruba
Some of the can’t miss local foods to try in Aruba are Pan Bati: a melt in your mouth slightly sweet flat bread, Funchi (cornmeal mush): a staple side dish served in soft pieces or fried (our favorite is in the fried form). Funchi fries topped with cheese at this restaurant called The Local Store are to die for.
Next yumminess not to miss is Johnny Cake, and the king of them all is the Pastechi: fried dough pastries filled with a variety of fillings from cheese, ham, chicken etc. And on a sweeter note the Cashew Cake is a must try as well.
And being an island surrounded by the Caribbean Sea there is no shortage of a fresh catch. So, do not miss out on the “Catch of the day” that many restaurants in Aruba have to offer. The most common fish found are Mahi Mahi, Red Snapper, and Grouper.
Where to eat in Aruba for a fresh catch
A great place for fresh fish caught, cleaned and cooked in front of you is Zeerover (A Dutch word for pirates). A local fisherman’s wharf located in Savaneta, is a casual eatery with beautiful view of the ocean and also where the locals eat.
Ps. Carry cash when you go here since they mostly accept cash as payment.
What to drink in Aruba
Now, coming to another best part and our favorite when on a tropical vacation are the yummy cocktails. You can have your pina coladas & sex on the beach, you name it they have it, but you cannot come back without having their local cocktail called Aruba Ariba, a concoction of local rum, vodka, crème de banana and the most important ingredient, Coecoei (liquor), red in color, only found in Aruba.
Don’t forget to try the local beers Balashi and Chill.
For more details on the must try bars, restaurants, local food in Aruba, vegan options and pictures, subscribe to our blog and newsletter for notification alerts, and stay tuned for our in-depth Foodies Guide to Aruba. (Warning, have something to eat before you read it as the pictures are bound to get you hungry!)
Furthermore, check out the below links to add to your list of things to do while on this Happy Island.
- Adventure: Just like its diverse food platters click here to see Aruba’s diverse landscapes.
- Art & History: Just like your bellies, click for some nourishment for your eyes & mind.
- Fitness/Wellness: Click here for some super scenic workout spaces to balance off that yummy food.
- Retail therapy: To loosen up those pockets that have gotten tight post all that food.
- Honeymoon/Babymooners/R&R: Food dates are always our favorite but click here for 6 more experiences to indulge in on your romantic getaway.
- Bonus: Click here for those of you who are hungry for even more wonderful experiences.
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The food is tempting it looks so delicious. And I would love to go to the beach again and have a bottle of beer and just drink it while enjoying the scenery.
That makes the three of us! It’s our fav thing to do and a perfect way to spend time in a paradise like Aruba! A chilled beer on a warm sunny day, this got us dreaming 🙂
Haven’t had lunch yet and this made me really hungry 🙂
Haha oh no! Wait till you read our upcoming post on top restaurants in Aruba and so many more food pictures. You wouldn’t want to read that on an empty stomach, heck we got hungry writing this post 😛
I would love to try bars and pubs in Aruba. I badly need a vacation. Waiting for the good time
You would love them and there is no shortage of bars in Aruba! The beach bars are the places to be at while on this island 😉
I am not much into beer, but every single other picture made me want to drop what I am doing and go there.
Glad we could make you want to travel to Aruba through our post 🙂 Also other than beer they have the yummiest fresh fruit smoothies and non alcoholic beverages you will love!
You just got me SO EXCITED! I’m going to Aruba in February. I’ve never been but I am psyched to hear I’m going to get to eat lots of good foods!
You will love it! Don’t forget to stop over at Zeerovers for some delicious fresh catch and don’t miss out on the local breakfast item called pastechi! Enjoy your trip 🙂
Aruba is such a beautiful place. food in Aruba is fabulous. these food items looks tasty and delicious.
They sure are! 🙂 Aruba is a foodie’s paradise!
Its a woow! This place is definitely a paradise. Its an awakening to most of my spirit on travel and food stuff. Thanks for sharing. Keep on writing and blogging.
That is so kind of you! We are so glad you have been enjoying reading our posts 🙂 Stay tuned as we continue to transport you to such wonderful places across the globe 🙂
There is no better experience than a cocktail on the beach. I can’t wait after all of this is over, I will plan a trip to the beach haha.
Oh yes nothing beats a delicious cocktail on the beach and that is exactly what we want to do too, escape to a tropical paradise and lay on the beach post all this!
I really want to go to Aruba because I love tropical beaches! I so want to go!
If you love beaches and tropical destinations then this one’s absolutely perfect! You are going to fall in love for sure 🙂
I’ve never seen such beautiful clear blue water. All of the pictures you shared were so lovely. I can’t wait to travel again.
The shades of blue here would make you want to jump in and not leave the beach even for a day!!
We can’t wait to travel to such stunning places too, hopefully this will all end soon!
Wow! I had no idea Aruba was such a Yummy food destination. Can I have one of each?
It totally is and with plenty of vegan options too! Plus we know what you mean, we crave for the local food every day! Pastechi is our absolute fav that we can binge on!
That place looks magical and the food… ???
The food is as good as if not more than the place and its beaches!!
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