Dining in the tropical and inviting Aruban sun is a social event, especially in Oranjestad, the island’s largest city. Located on the southern coast of Aruba, Oranjestad offers many beach side dining options. Here is a list of the top 10 most authentic and popular brunch options in Oranjestad.
Cafe the Plaza is a family-friendly restaurant that serves daily breakfast starting at 8am. It offers a large, breezy outdoor patio, or a quieter table section tucked away indoors. The Cafe draws in large crowds everyday. Its menu provides a large selection of Dutch and international breakfast fares at affordable prices.
Restaurant, Cafe, Bar, Northern European, American, $$$
CILO is much more than just a cocktail lounge, offering outdoor seating overlooking Oranjestad’s harbor and serving breakfast from 7am. Its diverse menu provides nearly endless options. CILO has a large, sprawling layout with chic décor, making it the ideal lounge for enjoying a relaxing meal in the morning.
De Suikertuin (or ‘The Sugar Garden,’ in English), an authentic Aruban breakfast and brunch destination, is located in the center of Oranjestad. It offers an extensive breakfast and lunch menu, featuring Dutch pancakes or eggs done in any style and a varied assortment of baguettes. With its pleasant wait staff and an airy, open atmosphere, De Suikertuin is reminiscent of an old style home.
Located next to an authentic dutch windmill, Diana’s Pancakes Place is one of the most authentic Dutch pancake houses on the island. Dutch pancakes are thinner than traditional American pancakes, but just thicker than French crêpes, and Diana’s hand crafted originals are as big as a plate and packed with flavor. Customers can order singular, sweet pancakes, as well as a whole stack of them slathered thoroughly with butter and ‘stroop’ syrup.
Matthew’s Beachside Restaurant is located directly on the beach, and is a trendy yet casual breakfast venue open daily at 7.30am. Matthew’s is known for being one of the most popular open air bars that also provides cover from the Aruban elements, making it even more attractive on windy or excessively sunny days. Although Matthew’s lunch and dinner options can become quite pricey, their breakfast is cheap, and offers specials such as the Aruban breakfast, the American breakfast, the Caribbean breakfast, and the Mexican breakfast.is located directly on the beach, and is a trendy yet casual breakfast venue open daily at 7.30am. Matthew’s is known for being one of the most popular open air bars that also provides cover from the Aruban elements, making it even more attractive on windy or excessively sunny days. Although Matthew’s lunch and dinner options can become quite pricey, their breakfast is cheap, and offers specials such as the Aruban breakfast, the American breakfast, the Caribbean breakfast, and the Mexican breakfast.
Restaurant, European, North American, Seafood, $$$
Every Sunday from 10.30am to 2pm, Windows On Aruba serves one of the best brunches on the island. Located at the Divi Beach and Golf Resort, diners can enjoy panoramic views of the 9th hole as well as the Caribbean. The brunch menu is set up so that customers can choose multiple small dishes from a variety of options until they are full up. The wait staff at the up scale and swanky Windows On Aruba are renowned for their attentiveness and professionalism, encouraging guests to enjoy a leisurely and refined brunch.
Serving 14 different types of coffee ranging from Jamaican Blue Mountain to Almond Amaretto and beyond, Coffee House Aruba exists as the first retail coffee house on the island. In addition to their selection of coffee, the coffee house offers 40 varieties of tea. Designed to imitate vintage coffee houses from 16th century Vienna, the Coffee House is charming and inviting, offering a cozy nook for customers to enjoy their choice of beverage.
Cafe, Restaurant, European, North American, American, $$$
Located just outside of Oranjestad in Palm Beach, Taste of Belgium is Aruba’s only Belgian styled restaurant. It is all about up scale, relaxed dining at affordable prices. Sundays at Taste of Belgium feature their popular ‘Sunday Swinging a la Carte Brunch’ from 11am-2.30pm. Brunch is capped at $42 per person, which includes mimosas, coffee, and juice, and an all you can eat menu. In addition to brunch, Taste of Belgium offers an excellent selection of traditional American and European breakfast options throughout the week. With a chic and inviting European-inspired ambience, Taste of Belgium is well worth the short trip from the center of Oranjestad.
Also located a short drive from Oranjestad is Salt & Pepper restaurant, which specializes in tapas. Salt & Pepper serves breakfast daily from 8am to noon, and includes a wide variety of options such as a traditional American breakfast and an authentic Aruban breakfast, as well as eggs any style, pancakes, and French toast. True to its name, the interior of the restaurant is lined with ceiling high shelves that showcase hundreds of different salt and pepper shakers.
