The Best Restaurants In Oranjestad, Aruba

Opened 23 years ago by Dutch transplants Hans Nooter and Harry Koeman, Café the Plaza has been a favourite for quite some time. Situated in Oranjestad’s Renaissance Marketplace, this cafe is the ideal place to grab lunch or dinner after a couple hours of shopping. What’s truly special about Café the Plaza is their flexibility. The restaurant serves food all day, from pancakes in the morning, to strong drinks at night, while you can’t go wrong stopping by for a sandwich at lunchtime either.

Like Café the Plaza, CILO City Lounge is conveniently located in the Renaissance Marketplace and is open all day for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Try one of CILO’s city-inspired breakfasts, such as the New York, featuring two scrambled eggs, bacon, sausages, fruit, yogurt and toast with butter and jelly, while enjoying a view of the bustling Oranjestad marina from the restaurant’s terrace. In the evening, come with friends and relax with half-off drinks during happy hour.

For a taste of Cuba in the heart of Oranjestad, head over to Cuba’s Cookin’ in the Renaissance Marketplace. Owner Douglass Markus has infused the space with Cuban charm through the dishes, music and art that he has accumulated from many trips to the Big Island over the past 15 years, so much so that it evokes a ‘Havana resto bar circa 1959’ feel. Try one of the restaurant’s traditional Cuban dishes, such as pollo con aceitunas (chicken and olives), or ropa vieja (braised skirt steak), and wash it all down one of their ‘world famous’ mojitos.

Poking its way out into the waters of the Caribbean Sea towards the north end of Aruba‘s windward side, The West Deck is a lively, family-friendly drinks and dining spot that comes highly-recommended. The menu offers up a medley of uber-fresh fish cuts doused in a range of different regional sauces (think mahi mahi in black beans, or calamari with a twist of chilli), while the half al fresco design makes for some fine views of the gigantic cruise ships that arrive and depart to and from the city each day.

Located in a refurbished colonial townhouse, El Gaucho Argentine Grill was the first Argentinian restaurant to open on Aruba in 1977. Since then, the restaurant has made a name for itself by serving the biggest and, some say, best steaks on the island, even receiving an Aruba Business Award in that category in the past. While the menu mainly features a large selection of Argentinian-style grilled meats, there is also a nod to El Gaucho’s Aruban locale, with a section devoted to Carib seafood. Try the famous one-pound Gaucho steak, or the Argentine shish kabob, a skewer containing pieces of grilled beef tenderloin, chorizo, pork tenderloin and vegetables.

Located by the Renaissance Hotel in downtown Oranjestad, Yemanja Woodfire Grill is a hip local restaurant specialising in Caribbean-European fusion. The wood-fire grill, for which the restaurant is named, is fuelled by wood from the island, so diners can literally taste the essence of Aruba in every delicious bite. Fortunately, Chef Joyce Husken and her kitchen staff are happy to accommodate many dietary restrictions, an extra level of dedication most restaurants don’t typically offer. So, whether you go for gluten-free or vegetarian, you’ll be able to enjoy a meal at Yemanja.

Even though Wilhelmina is just a recent addition to Aruba‘s gastronomy, it’s already a popular dining destination in Oranjestad. The restaurant is named after the Dutch Queen, Wilhelmina, who was adored far outside the borders of the Netherlands, and honours her far-reaching influence by serving an internationally inspired cuisine with ingredients from all around the world. The cuisine of each dish on the menu is designated with a small flag, proving it’s completely possible for French bouillabaisse and peking duck to coexist peacefully on the same card.

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