Charlie’s Bar (Zeppenfeldstraat 56, San Nicolas) –– this famed bar was founded in 1941 by the original Holland-born Charlie Sr. and Marie Brouns. The part of Aruba where Charlie’s is located (San Nicholas) became a boom town during World War II. Seamen, contractors, refinery and harbor workers helped put Charlie’s Bar on the map. Decades […]
Cafe Chaos (L.G. Smith Blvd. 60, Oranjestad) –– this neighborhood bar in downtown Oranjestad draws in a 30-and-over friendly Dutch crowd, complete with live music, imported beer and cocktails. The music played here ranges from Blues to Reggae, Funk, Pop and Rock.
Ventanas del Mar (Tierra del Sol Resort, Spa & Country Club, Caya di Solo 10, North Aruba) –– this restaurant is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner in a welcoming, tropical setting. The menu of international specialties enjoys a Caribbean twist offering tasty dishes combined with personalized service against a backdrop of spectacular views of […]
Tango Argentine Grill (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 370, Arawak Garden, Palm/Eagle Beach) –serving a range of carnivore-friendly entrees – from tango ribs, to osso bucco and skewered chicken, as well as red snapper and garlic shrimp, diners are free to include with their meals Argentine chimichurri sauce (containing garlic, parsley and cilantro). Live music is provided […]
Pinchos Grill and Bar (L.G. Smith Blvd 7, Oranjestad) – given its name, this restaurant focuses on grilled meat dishes. One favored item is the locally made Chourico — a Portuguese sausage. Various items that can be skewered (pork, steak, shrimp) are served here as well, even pan-seared grouper (in that case, served with an […]
Pago Pago (J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 77, Palm Beach) located within the Westin Hotel in the Palm Beach district, this restaurant (which is already well-regarded for its service), is known for its Gaucho Steak Churrasco (with four different sauces to choose from — portobello dark chocolate, green pepper corn tarragon tamarind, chimichuri, and expresso cilantro barbeque […]
Club Hipsz (Sasakiweg z/n, Noord) — this venue, opened in 2011, leans toward Salsa nights, and has the advantage of being located on the largest dance floor in Aruba. There’s also a dance school on the premises, that teach its students various levels of Salsa, Merengue and Bachata. The club’s air conditioning system keeps the […]
Zeerover Pescaderia (Savaneta 270A, Savaneta) – this is a casual seaside seafood restaurant that’s been in business for over 30 years. Visiting diners like the simple fact that the catch of the day is literally pulls up at dockside. For that reason, diners pay for their fish by weight (making the bill quite reasonable). Sides […]
Ruinas del Mar (Hyatt Regency Aruba, J.E. Irausquin Blvd. 87, Palm Beach) — this is the Hyatt Regency Aruba’s signature restaurant, offering contemporary cuisine in an open-air environment (by a lagoon). Guests & visitors are both invited to enjoy menu items such as fresh seafood and steaks, hearth-oven specialties, and a display of multiple food […]
Pirates’ Nest (Aruba Bucuti Beach Resort, L.G. Smith Blvd. 55B, Manchebo Beach) — Built as a replica of a 16th century Dutch galleon, the Pirates’ Nest offers an extensive American buffet champagne Breakfast, soup, salads and sandwiches on the a la carte lunch menu, fresh seafood and prime steaks for dinner. The Pirates’ Nest romantic […]