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Home » Destinations » Caribbean » Aruba » Eat Like a Local in Downtown Oranjestad Aruba

Eat Like a Local in Downtown Oranjestad Aruba

Posted July 23, 2018, Updated October 20, 2021 //  by Sue Campbell 14 Comments

We may earn income from links in this post. Please read this Disclosure for details.

Best Local restaurants in Aruba

Wondering where locals eat in Aruba?  You might be surprised to learn that some of the best local restaurants in Aruba also happen to be located in downtown Oranjestad.

One of the best ways to find a great meal when looking at the many options among downtown Oranjestad restaurants is to go for Aruban food.

These eateries also happen to be the best option if you’re on a budget and looking for cheap restaurants in Oranjestad, especially while shopping.

Oranjestad Aruba
Lots of choices for places to eat like a local in Downtown Oranjestad, Aruba.

During my two decades of exploring Aruba and writing about it for magazines like Aruba Nights and Fodor’s guidebooks, I’ve discovered lots of off-the beaten-path and untouristy places to eat on Aruba. 

Here’s my guide to the best restaurants in Oranjestad Aruba for local food!

1. Pastechi House Restaurant in Oranjestad Aruba

First on my list for good fast food on the go is always a pastechi! Pastechis are deep fried pastry pockets stuffed with myriad types of goodies- typically cheese, ham, beef, chicken or tuna and even chop suey, thanks to the Asian influence on the island.

Though you will see pastechis sold everywhere, the best place to try them is aptly named The Pastechi House in downtown Oranjestad on Main Street behind the Renaissance Mall.

Here’s a video on how Aruba’s favourite national snack–pastechi–are made:

:

2. “Cominda local” Daily Specials

Where do the locals eat in Aruba? Aruban food is often tethered to the sea, and stews (stobas) and soups (sopi) are popular traditional dishes in Aruba.  Sides of local dishes (cominda local) typically consist of funchi (a cornmeal polenta) rice and beans, maybe a green vegetable and a flat bread called pan bati.

But Aruba’s cuisine is also influenced by its proximity to Latin America, the Netherlands being a former Dutch Caribbean island and Indonesian specialties are also entrenched into the culture.

Formerly a Dutch colony, many Surinamese moved to Aruba. This confluence of influences results in some interesting combinations like dipping your fries in mayo and peanut sauce.

Once you’ve tried that combination, plain old ketchup will never do again!

Funchi or grilled polenta is a popular local food in Aruba
Funchi (cornmeal polenta) is a staple side dish with just about everything local

But Arubans have also embraced North American and European food as well, and Asian take-out is also big. So, you will typically find international specialties alongside authentic local choices.

Hot sauce is de rigueur on just about everything, made from locally grown Madame Janette peppers and often mixed with papaya. You’ll also often find the delicious marinated onion dish Siboyo Tempera as a popular side.

For casual restaurants in Oranjestad where you can eat local near the Renaissance Aruba hotel, exit the Renaissance Mall that opens up onto Main Street and Plaza Daniel Leo.

Look for the blue ceramic horse drinking from the fountain and you can’t miss alfresco Gelatissimo Bistro. Although best known for their brick oven pizza and many flavours of gelato, they also have a local menu of daily specials. (Free wi-fi too!)

It might not always be obvious that a spot serves local dishes. For example, Gelatissimo is obviously an Italian eatery yet offers great local food. 

So always check the blackboards and the daily specials for fresh fish and seafood, you might be surprised at the type of restaurant where you will find great local dishes.

Related: Check out our top picks for 20 Brunches You Don’t Want to Miss in Aruba. 

Lolita's Restaurant in Oranjestad Aruba
Enjoy local food at Lolita’s Restaurant in Oranjestad Aruba Credit Sue Campbell

On the left side of the plaza, you’ll find Lolita’s restaurant right on the sidewalk of Havenstraat in front of Kong Hing.

This is a top spot for Caribbean soul food and you’ll find an ever-evolving array of delicious Daily Lunch Specials such as Shrimp Fried Rice and Pumpkin Soup or Roti with Chicken Curry.

If you think Aruba is expensive to eat and want to keep to a budget then you’ll love the prices at Lolita’s. The cost for the Lunch Special is 10 Aruban florins ($5.50 USD) while a Croquette Sandwich will set you back just 6.50 AWD or $3.65 USD

For more tips on travel to Aruba on a budget, check out our post on 10 Free Things to Do in Aruba Beyond the Beach

While near Renaissance Mall, keep a lookout for the guys selling Pico Bello made-in-Aruba ice cream from their bike carts. If you miss them, Pico Bello ice cream is also available in supermarkets.

If you’re interested in staying in the heart of the Downtown Oranjestad food scene, check prices at Renaissance Aruba Resort and Casino. The Renaissance Marina Hotel is on the marina while its sister hotel is oceanside and connected via shuttle.

All hotel guests get access to the Renaissance Aruba’s exclusive island, where you can relax in a private VIP cabana  at Flamingo Beach.

3. Taste My Aruba and Farmer’s Market

Taste of Aruba
Stop at the Cosecha Building for local delights at Taste My Aruba

On the other side of the square, you can’t miss the bright yellow building that houses Cosecha. It’s a restored 100-year-old mansion with a carefully curated collection of quality locally made arts and crafts.

It also houses a new little cafe called Taste My Aruba where you’ll enjoy all kinds of local delights like mini-ayacas the island’s favourite Christmas holiday snack.

Taste My Aruba Cafe partners with Cosecha to host a Local Art and Farmer’s Market under the stars every second month  on the last Friday of the month. Check their Facebook Page for details on dates and times.

4. Aruba Experience Café & Patisserie

Tucked away a block or so behind the square is the newly-opened Aruba Experience Café & Patisserie ( John G Emanstraat 37 ).

It’s worth seeking out for their fresh healthy frescas (water flavored with fruit) and batidos (smoothies), decadent desserts, local and international wraps, and salads. Sip a sangria or a cowboy coffee during Happy Hour between 5-7 pm Thursdays and Fridays.

5. Take the Trolley to Coffee Break and Djispie’s Place

Hop on the free trolley to explore the restaurants in downtown Oranjestad Aruba
Hop on the free trolley to explore the local food scene in downtown Oranjestad

I won’t lie. It can be VERY hot when you’re exploring Oranjestad, confusing and even daunting, for first-timers to sort out the maze of nooks and crannies without English signage.

And some absolutely unpronounceable Dutch street names make it tough to ask for directions. (“Do you know where Bilderdijk Stratt is?”) And that’s a shame, because there are so many undiscovered hideaways around the backstreets.

So, seek out some tasty local food by taking the free trolley! To discover Coffee Break and its attached neighbour Djispie’s Place, simply get off at the last stop of the trolley (plaza Nicky Habibe) before it loops back and take a left around the corner. You’ll see Coffee Break’s little terrace.

Roasted in Aruba Coffee from Coffee Break Aruba
Enjoy roasted in Aruba coffee at Coffee Break

Coffee Break is the only place to make roasted-in-Aruba coffee and it’s even possible to tour the roasting facility onsite (be sure to ask for a tour if the owner is there).  Special coffee blends are also available by the bag for purchase.

You don’t want to miss the special Aruba blend – it has shaved bits of coconut in it. Their snacks and local eats to-go are also authentic Aruban food  You’ll find locals grabbing a keshi yena single portion for their lunch and lining up to get their breakfast pastechis next door. 

Every Friday night at 7pm the street out front morphs into a live folkloric music party attracting throngs of locals and visitors to come and dance.

Learn more about the popular Aruba national dish Keshi Yena and get an easy recipe to try at home.

6. Indoor Cunucu Restaurant in Oranjestad

Another new cafe to seek out in the neighborhood just off the trolley line right behind Maggy’s Perfume is Indoor Cunucu (cunucu means countryside) for authentic Aruban food and treats.

Dare you try mondongo? (It’s tripe soup!) And their bolos (cakes) are authentically local too and come in flavours like cashew nut and pistachio.

7.  Aruba Downtown Walking Tours

goat stew or stoba is a local food at Coco Plum in Aruba
Make a stop at Coco Plum during the walking tour and then return to sample local specialities like cabrito stoba for lunch or dinner

Another great way to get to know downtown and find a little foodie fun is to take one of the new Downtown Aruba Walking Tours.

Though founder Mark Benson Denz says the Aruba Daytime Historic Cultural Walking Tour is about 80% history and 20% food  you will get to watch a cooking demonstration of pan bati at famed local hangout Coco Plum during the journey.

It’s an ideal spot to go back to for lunch or dinner. 

8. Fusion of The World Food Walking Tour in Oranjestad

Food Walking Tour Aruba
Enjoy a taste of Cuba at Cuba’s Cookin’ one of the stops on the “Fusion of the World Walking Tour”

Since Mark was receiving so much interest in local eats on his Aruba Daytime Historic Cultural Walking Tour, he decided to create a new night tour revolving around the downtown Oranjestad dining scene.

It’s called the Fusion of the World Food Tour and includes stops at five different spots for drinks and snacks. Each restaurant has some sort of historical tie in to the island of Aruba. I highly recommend this. Foodie walking tours are a wonderful way to find places you would like to go back and have a full meal at downtown.

You’ll enjoy Dutch snacks and local beer at Café The Plaza and great old Havana eats at Cuba’s Cookin’ ( Cuba had strong ties to Aruba back in the day). Both are located in the lively Renaissance Marketplace along the marina in Oranjestad.

best local food in aruba fish
Expect to see fresh fish on local menus in Aruba

On the food tour you will also enjoy seafood from The Old Fisherman and seaside snacks at The West Deck . It’s one of the top beach bars in Aruba! 

You’ll finish up with dessert at Aruba’s oldest house (250 years-old) where the tiny Aruba Italy In The World is now located directly across the street from Fort Zoutman.

9. Food Trucks in Oranjestad Aruba

Sometimes, the best place to eat if you’re looking for fast eats and street food comes from the island’s many food trucks. If you’re looking for a cheap meal, one of Aruba’s food truck is a great option. 

There’s always one at Plaza Tourismo along the new linear park just outside of downtown. You can also find a few at The Local Market in front of the cruise ship terminal.

Mark your calendar for the  annual Food Truck Festival in April in downtown Oranjestad where you can sample all the best local food on wheels. October is Eat Local Food Month on Aruba with all kinds of culinary events downtown as well.

10. Zeerovers for Seafood

Where do the locals eat when it comes to seafood fresh off the boat? They head to Zeerovers on the waterfront in Savaneta, a short drive outside town.  Although not located in Oranjestad, it’s well worth making a trip to this local favourite.

Check out our full review of everything you need to know about Zeerovers Aruba: A Seafood Restaurant You Don’t Want to Miss.

As they say on One Happy Island: Bon Probecho!

Guide to Best Local Restaurants in Aruba Downtown Oranjestad

Streetcar Trolley in Oranjestad: Stay cool and save money while exploring Oranjestad. Aruba’s electric eco-friendly trams are free to ride and begin at the cruise ship terminal. They operate about every half hour and loop into the back streets and main street and then along the marina. You can hop on and off as you please.

In addition to being a handy (and shaded) way to explore the best local restaurants in Aruba, you can do some sightseeing along the way. Highlights include Fort Zoutman, the Protestant Church and more.

Aruba Tourism Authority: Get maps, travel advice and other valuable resources on the official tourism website. Check the official Aruba Tourism Authority  site for details.

Do you have a favourite place to eat in downtown Oranjestad or a must-try dish? Share your tips in the comments below! We’d love to hear from you!

YOU MIGHT ALSO ENJOY:

Best Boutique Hotels in Aruba 

Keshi Yena: Don’t Leave Aruba Without Trying This Dish 

Easy Siboyo Tempera Recipe from Aruba 

Diving into Dutch Tapas on Aruba 

Top 7 Things Every First-time Visitor Should Do on Bonaire 

Renaissance Private Island: A Top Luxury Experience in Aruba


Save on Pinterest! 

Avoid tourist traps and discover what and where to eat in downtown Oranjestad Aruba. From traditional snacks to coconut-scented Aruba coffee, our guide offers the best restaurants, cafes, markets and food to go on this Dutch #Caribbean island. #Aruba ,

 

Avoid tourist traps and discover what and where to eat in downtown Oranjestad Aruba. From traditional snacks to coconut-scented Aruban coffee, our insider's guide offers the best restaurants, cafes, markets and food to go on this Dutch #Caribbean island. #Aruba

Sue Campbell
Sue Campbell

Contributing Editor Sue Campbell is an award-winning Canadian travel writer specializing in the Caribbean and tropical hot spots. She’s authored major guidebooks and magazine articles for Fodor’s (Aruba, Bonaire), Reader’s Digest, USA Today 10Best, Forbes, Montreal Gazette, Globe & Mail, Delta Sky and many more. Follow her journeys on Instagram and Twitter @Suectravel

Learn more about Sue Campbell.

« Top Things to Do in Tatamagouche Nova Scotia
Life Lessons From 3 Unexpected Trips – North Carolina, Valencia and Churchill »

About Sue Campbell

Contributing Editor Sue Campbell is an award-winning Canadian travel writer specializing in the Caribbean and tropical hot spots. She's authored major guidebooks and magazine articles for Fodor’s (Aruba, Bonaire), Reader’s Digest, USA Today 10Best, Forbes, Montreal Gazette, Globe & Mail, Delta Sky and many more. Follow her journeys on Instagram and Twitter @Suectravel

Learn more about Sue Campbell.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Gayle

    December 29, 2020 at 6:37 am

    I am surprised no one ever talks about the tomato soup. It was on every menu and each soup was the better than the last, with all of them being the best I have ever tasted. Being a huge tomato soup fan, that is saying a lot!

    Reply
    • Michele Peterson

      December 29, 2020 at 3:55 pm

      Thanks for sharing your memory of the soup you enjoyed in Aruba, Gayle! I wonder if it was Sopi di Mondongo? That’s often made with a tomato broth

  2. Sue Reddel

    August 03, 2018 at 11:53 am

    Looks like you found quite a bit of terrific local food in Aruba. It’s always a wise bet to get off the beaten path to discover what the locals are enjoying. Looks like we need to visit Aruba.

    Reply
  3. Janice Chung

    August 02, 2018 at 3:05 pm

    A food walking tour would be a great way to sample some of the foods of Aruba. After watching the video on the pastechi I’m now hungry 🙂

    Reply
  4. Lara Dunning

    July 27, 2018 at 7:31 pm

    I haven’t been to Aruba and this is a great list of foods you’d encounter and places you’d want to check out. Always love to get a local perspective. The walking tour would be first on my list as I’d want some history, and since it includes some food aspect, that would be a great start to exploring the culinary scene.

    Reply
  5. Sue Campbell

    July 26, 2018 at 8:05 pm

    Thanks for all the great feedback, downtown is so worth leaving the tourist strip for and it’s getting better all the time!

    Reply
  6. Erin | The Epicurean Traveler

    July 26, 2018 at 5:01 pm

    I haven’t been to Aruba yet, but I’ve always thought it would be lovely for a beach vacation. Now, I see it would also be a foodie vacation! I’d definitely take a food tour and would love to try these local eats.

    Reply
  7. Evelyne

    July 26, 2018 at 10:13 am

    Ok first article I have ever read on food in Oranjestad, awesome. And how to eat locally too. Lots of great fun options here and I love food tours. I’ll have a deep fried pastry, a roti, coffee and bolos with îstcahios please.

    Reply
  8. Kaylene Isherwood

    July 26, 2018 at 10:00 am

    I’d love to visit Aruba. Sounds like there’s lots of great food in Oranjestad. I’m definitely intrigued by the Fusion of the World Tour. And I’d love to try coffee roasted there in Aruba.

    Reply
  9. Tami

    July 25, 2018 at 10:26 pm

    Wow, you’ve presented so many options! And they all sound good. I think I would opt for a food tour — I love hearing about the history and seeing demonstrations of how they make the food.

    Reply
  10. Irene S. Levine

    July 25, 2018 at 4:13 pm

    What a great list! I’m going to save it for my next trip to Aruba!

    Reply
  11. Lori

    July 23, 2018 at 6:10 pm

    Anytime we can get to local foods, we’re there. You’ve provided the perfect guide for a foodie and coffee lover. This will come in handy. Thanks.

    Reply
  12. Debbra Dunning Brouillette

    July 23, 2018 at 3:37 pm

    You know Aruba like the back of your hand…so I take all your recommendations as from a local! Still waiting to make it to Aruba, but soon heading to Bonaire, which is close!

    Reply
  13. Carol Colborn

    July 23, 2018 at 9:50 am

    Oranjestad appears to have a great local scene. Aruba has fascinated me. Looks like the food will add to the fascination,

    Reply

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