Where to eat in Aruba

Over 1.6 million Americans each year chose Aruba as their winter hideaway of choice. This dynamic island packs a powerful punch in a small package — 75 square miles to be exact. From the windswept rocky crags of the east side to the plush white sand beaches along the western coast, this tiny island has enough variety to keep sunchasers coming back again and again.

Aruba sits a mere 15 miles off the coast of Venezuela, meaning on clear days you can catch a glimpse of the neighboring country in the distance. It’s a desert island with a hot and dry climate year-round versus the humidity and frequent rains found in many other parts of the Caribbean. Its location just outside of hurricane alley means that major storms rarely hit it directly.

Aruba’s first documented inhabitants were members of the Arawak tribe, whose ceramic remnants can be dated back to at least 1000 CE. Spanish colonists arrived in 1499, enslaving much of the Arawak population before the Dutch took over in the 1600s. The island was briefly under British control in the early 1800s before officially becoming part of the Netherlands Antilles in 1845. Today, the island remains connected to its colonialist past as a constituent country in the Netherlands.

This rich cultural history is deeply apparent in Aruba’s food. Infusing cuisine from South American, Caribbean, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch backgrounds, Aruba offers an array of taste bud temptations ranging from refined seaside dining to the neighborhood snackshop.

Use this guide to steer yourself toward some of the best food experiences on the island and you will definitely not go hungry.

Fill up on seafood

Photo: Who Knows Where

Surrounded by the reefs and choppy waters of the southern Caribbean, Aruba has easy access to both deep sea fish and shallow feeding fish. Menus across the island feature options like mahi mahi, wahoo, yellowfin tuna, grouper, amberjack, and barracuda.

Zeerovers has been a local hangout since owner Eric Bisslik started selling fresh seafood out of the back of his boat over 30 years ago. Today, this seaside restaurant remains family owned and a local favorite, making it one of the best places to not only taste Aruban flavors but to experience the community-focused culture of the island.

Don’t be daunted if there’s a line out the door, as it moves pretty quickly. At the counter, you’ll order your seafood by weight and choose your sides. The pancake-like pan bati (literally meaning “beaten bread”) is excellent for those last bits of your meal, while sweet fried plantains balance out the salty seafood. While waiting for your food, head to the back patio to snag a table with a view of the fisherman’s wharf, where fresh catch is delivered throughout the day.

If you’re a hot sauce lover, be sure to try some of Aruba’s famous Hot Delight papaya sauce, which can be found in just about every restaurant (and home!) on the island. The sauce is made from Caribbean papayas and has been produced on the island since the 1800s by the Ruiz family. Just be warned: even the mild version has a pretty good kick to it!