Best Places to Eat and Drink in Aruba
Healthy: Garden Fresh Cafe
Garden Fresh Cafe was our favorite place to eat during our time in Aruba. This restaurant is perfect for the health conscious group or anyone with dietary restrictions. Garden Fresh Cafe serves salads, sandwiches (hot / cold), and wraps as well as tasty and healthy snacks and desserts. You will have the choice of creating your own meal by selecting from their extensive list of fresh and healthy ingredients, or you can select one of their pre-built flavor creations.
Since I am lactose-intolerant, I enjoyed having the option to build my own salads, creating a colorful concoction of vegetables paired with dairy-free dressings. They had all sorts of flavors from classic American dressings, asian flavors, and uniquely island flavors. My vegetarian parents chose tofu as their protein option, while I opted in for the chicken.
They also have freshly squeezed juices, fresh fruit smoothies, and all sorts of desserts including Acai bowls. If you’re trying to continue looking and feeling your best while on vacation, then Garden Fresh Cafe is the place to go.
Experience: Zeerovers
If you’re looking for great views and a fun experience, make the drive out to Zeerovers in the southern town of Savaneta. Here, the menu is simple - fish, shrimp, cornbread, fries, and plantain. You’ll pay for the fish and the shrimp by weight and the sides are cheap to add on.
The fish and shrimp are battered and deep fried, and you can even watch as they prepare your meal right on the dock. Sit in the covered section right on shore or if you’re lucky, you can grab one of the three tables at the end of the dock. If you score one of these tables, you’ll get a wide view of the coastline in both directions and you can even feed the hungry birds above and fish below. Just toss the bones and shells into the water and make a couple new animal friends.
Local: O’Neil’s Caribbean Kitchen
If you’re looking for a taste of the local cuisine, make the drive out to O’Neil’s Caribbean Kitchen in San Nicolas. The spirit of the Caribbean is alive in this restaurant where they celebrate the island culture. The seafood dishes are rich with flavor and authentic in nature. You’ll have some non-seafood options, but I highly recommend you try out the local island dishes as cuisine like this is rarely found in the North American mainland.
Take some time to walk around and admire the street art while you’re here. If you’re looking to escape the crowds, come here on a Sunday and the streets will be deserted.
Quantity: Smokey Joe’s Island Grill
This restaurant is central to the resorts and the shopping district, so finding this restaurant will be a breeze. The colorful tables and chairs as well as the loud energetic music will be sure to draw a crowd. The menu consists of classic American dishes, and the quantity of food will reflect that of a typical American restaurant.
Though the price of the meals shocked us at first, the leftovers carried us through another meal for the following day so the price felt more justified. Smokey Joe’s has several large tables so if you’re a big crowd, they will be sure to accommodate your group, just make sure you try to arrive a little bit early before the dinner rush begins!
Groceries: Super Food Plaza
If you’re looking to pick up some snacks or you’re looking to buy some local treats to take home with you, then head over to Super Food Plaza - a centrally located grocery store. Here you’ll find everything from your favorite bottle of wine to a fresh papaya to take with you to the beach. Make sure to check out some of the dutch pastries and snacks while you’re there!
Drinks: Craft
Craft is a located in the heart of the resorts in Aruba and provides a great atmosphere for a casual drink. You may be able to snag a comfy couch to hang with friends, a high-table for a quick drink, or a seat at the bar if you’re trying to catch the scores of your favorite American sports.
Keep in mind Craft doesn’t have a food menu so you’ll have to stick with drinks here. Make sure you get a taste of the local beers, Balashi Chill or Amstel Bright while you’re in Aruba.
