Food · Aruba
What to eat in Aruba
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Aruba, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: SIryn, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Start with Keshi yena, Pastechi and Pan bati. At this dockside spot in Savaneta, you order fish and shrimp by weight from the day's catch, then eat it fried at picnic tables over the water with a cold Balashi. Restaurant prices on Aruba are close to North American resort levels; local snack bars and food trucks are far less expensive.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Keshi yena
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 4
- Tipping
- Many restaurants include a service charge of around 10–15%; add a little extra only for…
- Food experiences
- 3
10 foods to try
Dish
1.Keshi yena
A ball of Gouda or Edam cheese stuffed with spiced chicken, olives and raisins and baked until the cheese melts. It dates back to the days when the hollowed rind of a whole Dutch cheese was filled with leftovers.
Where: Local restaurants in Oranjestad and Noord that serve Aruban home cooking.
Snack
2.Pastechi
Fried half-moon pastries filled with cheese, ham, chicken, beef or tuna, eaten for breakfast or as a mid-morning snack across the ABC islands.
Where: Snack bars and bakeries across the island, especially in the morning.
Bakery · Vegetarian
3.Pan bati
A slightly sweet cornmeal pancake, served as a side with fish, stews and soups. It is soft, thick and good for soaking up sauce.
Where: Served with fish dishes at local restaurants and at Zeerovers in Savaneta.
Dish
4.Fried fish and funchi
Whole red snapper, wahoo or mahi-mahi fried crisp and served with funchi (firm cornmeal, similar to polenta), pan bati or fried plantain.
Where: Zeerovers in Savaneta fries fish straight off the boats; local seafood places in Oranjestad and San Nicolas also serve it.
Dish
5.Stoba
A slow-cooked stew of goat (cabrito), beef or chicken with tomatoes, peppers and spices, served with rice, funchi or plantain.
Where: Local restaurants and lunch counters away from the hotel strip.
Snack · Vegetarian
6.Pika di papaya
A fiery hot sauce made with unripe papaya, onion, vinegar and Madame Jeanette chilli peppers, spooned over fish and stews.
Where: On the table at most local restaurants; bottled versions sell in supermarkets.
Snack
7.Croquettes and bitterballen (Kroket)
Dutch breaded and fried ragout rolls (kroketten) and small round bitterballen, served with mustard. They are a reminder of the island's ties to the Netherlands.
Where: Snack bars, beach bars and Dutch-style cafés in Oranjestad and Palm Beach.
Street food
8.Late-night food trucks
Food trucks serve fried chicken, burgers, shrimp, fries and Aruban specials into the night, popular with locals after a night out.
Where: Truck parks and roadside spots in Oranjestad and near the hotel areas, mostly in the evening.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Balashi beer
Aruba's own pilsner is brewed on the island using desalinated seawater. It is a light lager suited to the heat, and the brewery also makes the shandy-style Chill.
Where: Beach bars, restaurants and supermarkets everywhere.
Drink · Vegetarian
10.Ponche crema
A thick, eggnog-style cream liqueur flavoured with rum, nutmeg and vanilla, drunk especially around Christmas and New Year.
Where: Supermarkets and liquor shops in December; some bars serve it all year.
Food experiences
Zeerovers fish fry
At this dockside spot in Savaneta, you order fish and shrimp by weight from the day's catch, then eat it fried at picnic tables over the water with a cold Balashi. Queues build on weekend afternoons.
Sunset dinner on the sand
Several restaurants on Eagle Beach and Palm Beach set tables directly on the beach at sunset; book ahead in high season.
Supermarket self-catering
Large supermarkets in Noord and Oranjestad stock Dutch cheese, imported groceries and local snacks, which can cut food costs a lot on longer stays.
Quick bites and street food
- Pastechi — Snack bars and bakeries across the island, especially in the morning.
- Pan bati — Served with fish dishes at local restaurants and at Zeerovers in Savaneta.
- Pika di papaya — On the table at most local restaurants; bottled versions sell in supermarkets.
- Croquettes and bitterballen — Snack bars, beach bars and Dutch-style cafés in Oranjestad and Palm Beach.
- Late-night food trucks — Truck parks and roadside spots in Oranjestad and near the hotel areas, mostly in the evening.
Vegetarian options
Of the 10 foods in this guide, 4 are usually vegetarian: Pan bati, Pika di papaya, Balashi beer and Ponche crema. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Restaurant prices on Aruba are close to North American resort levels; local snack bars and food trucks are far less expensive.
- US dollars are accepted almost everywhere, but change is often given in Aruban florins.
- Check the bill before tipping; many restaurants add a service charge of around 10–15%.
- Tap water is desalinated and drinkable, so there is no need to buy bottled water.
- Popular beach restaurants book up for sunset tables between December and April.
Tipping
Many restaurants include a service charge of around 10–15%; add a little extra only for good service. If no charge is included, about 15% is usual, and a few dollars for taxi drivers and housekeeping is appreciated.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bon dia | Good morning |
| Bon bini | Welcome |
| Danki | Thank you |
| Con ta bai? | How are you? |
| Ayo | Goodbye |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Aruba famous for?
Keshi yena, Pastechi, Pan bati and Fried fish and funchi. A ball of Gouda or Edam cheese stuffed with spiced chicken, olives and raisins and baked until the cheese melts.
+Is Aruba good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Pan bati, Pika di papaya and Balashi beer.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Aruba?
Many restaurants include a service charge of around 10–15%; add a little extra only for good service. If no charge is included, about 15% is usual, and a few dollars for taxi drivers and housekeeping is appreciated.