Diving into Dutch Tapas at Cafe 080 Restaurant Bar on Aruba

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One of the top places to eat in Aruba if you’re looking for Dutch snacks is Café 080 Aruba.

While Kroket, Bitterballen and Frikandel might sound like items in an IKEA catalogue, they’re actually names of Dutch tapas, deep-fried snacks enjoyed at neighbourhood bars across Holland.

A world away from their Spanish equivalent, these treats are more fast food than gastronomic marvels. But they’re fun, tasty – and a perfect introduction to Dutch culinary culture.

Along with traditional Aruba food, they’re a must-try snack when visiting this Dutch Caribbean island as well as neighbouring Bonaire and Curaçao.  

Where to Find Dutch Tapas on Aruba

You don’t even have to go to Rotterdam to try them. If you’re headed to the island of Aruba, you can find these treats at Café-Bar 080.

Named after an area code in Holland, this leafy watering hole in Aruba’s residential Noord neighbourhood doesn’t boast an ocean or a sunset view like our top beach bars in Aruba it does offer a nightly parade of Dutch tapas on its outdoor patio.

Grab an ice cold Balashi beer, skewer a cube of Edam cheese with a toothpick and you’ll be ready to toast the Kukoo Kunuku party bus as it zooms past.

Popular Types of Dutch Tapas

Here’s what to watch for on the snack menu at Cafe Bar 080. They’re the most popular types of Dutch tapas in Aruba:

• Bitterballen:  These deep-fried breadcrumbed balls of beef stew have a toasty crunch just made to dip into creamy mayo sauce.
• Tosti: Calling these tasty bites a ham and cheese sandwich doesn’t do them justice. Watch them disappear.
• Kroketten: Oblong-shaped croquettes topped with a fresh spring of parsley.
• Frikandel: A skinless wiener that’s been deep fried to crispy perfection. Dip them in curry ketchup.  More please!
• Vlammetjes: Best enjoyed with a spicy chile sauce, these crispy spring rolls are made for sharing.
• Kipkorn: How about deep fried chicken served corn dog style?
• Andijvie Stamppot: Like potato salad but 100 times better because it’s not made with just potatoes but this Dutch creation includes endive, bacon and crème fraîche.
• Gouda Cheese: One of the world’s most popular cheeses, this sweet, firm yellow cow’s milk cheese from the Netherlands is served cut into bite-sized cubes. Gouda cheese is one of the main ingredients in keshi yena, the national dish of Curacao.

Cafe Bar 080 Aruba is the kind of spot you want to hit up with a crowd so you can swap, share and sample as many Dutch treats as you can.

Don’t worry about cost. Prices are a bargain (for example, a kroket is just 3.75 AWG which is around $2 USD).

If Café 080 is packed indoors, there’s plenty of room outdoors under the shade of a giant chestnut tree garlanded with sparkly white lights.

Stick around until 8:00 pm on weekends and you can party to House and Latin Mix DJ music. 

You can even get a takeout platter and create a Dutch tapas party to go. 

Their takaway menu is an especially handy option for dinner or cocktail hour entertaining if you’re staying in a villa in Noord or planning a picnic for a unique date night in Aruba.

Beach party anyone?

More Food and Drink in Aruba, Dutch Caribbean 

• Easy Siboyo Tempera Recipe from Aruba
• Zeerovers – A Must-Try Seafood Restaurant on Aruba 
• 6 Girls Getaways in the Caribbean You’ll Love 
• Must-Try Traditional Food in Aruba

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