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Home » Destinations » Caribbean » Aruba » Diving into Dutch Tapas at Cafe 080 Restaurant Bar on Aruba

Diving into Dutch Tapas at Cafe 080 Restaurant Bar on Aruba

Posted November 16, 2017, Updated June 28, 2022 //  by Michele Peterson 7 Comments

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

Collage of Dutch snacks at Cafe 080 Aruba.

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.  

Terrace at Cafe Bar 080 Aruba at dusk.
Cafe Bar 080 Aruba at dusk. 

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.

Collage of Dutch tapas snacks at Cafe 080 Aruba.

Varieties of Dutch Tapas

Here’s what to watch for on the Dutch tapas snack menu at Cafe Bar 080 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.

Dutch snacks at Cafe Bar 080 Aruba
You won’t be able to stop at just one. 

Cafe Bar 080 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).

Frikandel at a 080 Dutch bar in Aruba.
Cuisine at 080, a fun Dutch bar in Aruba.

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. 

Man eating Dutch snacks at Cafe 080 Aruba.
Dutch snacks at Cafe 080 in Aruba.

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.

Beach party anyone?

Final Thoughts on Café 080 in Aruba 

Website: Cafe 080  

Email: info@cafe080.com

Address: Noord 90, Aruba

Phone: 297 586 29 37

Hours: Opens at 3:00 pm daily

Official Aruba Tourism Website: www.aruba.com

Kukoo Kunuku party bus Information and online reservations for the barhopping party bus. A recent addition to Aruba’s culinary scene is Kukoo Kunuku’s  Wine on Down the Road tour, an evening outing that kicks off with a champagne toast and continues to four top restaurants for wine and tapas pairings. 

Perfect for wine novices or wine connoisseurs, transportation is by open-air party bus featuring a soundtrack mix of the latest music and classic hits.

 

Where to Stay: My hotel choice was the Aruba Marriot Resort & Stellaris Casino on beautiful Palm Beach.

In addition to its prime location, cascading swimming pools and lush gardens, it offers the Adults-only Tradewinds Club with a private floor and lounge as well as its own swimming pool and bar.

Palm Beach is a long white sand beach with clear, calm waters perfect for swimming — the profusion of palm trees supply shade and that authentic “I’m on a tropical vacation” feel.

View from Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino
View from Aruba Marriott Resort and Stellaris Casino

Another good bet for real Dutch culture and cuisine is Café the Plaza,  in the Renaissance Marketplace. If you time your visit for Happy Hour, you’ll have the opportunity to sample an assortment of Dutch tapas such as bitterballen (deep fried meatballs) served with hot mustard.

More Food and Drink in Aruba, Dutch Caribbean 

  • Keshi Yena: Don’t Leave Aruba Without Trying this Dish 
  • Easy Siboyo Tempera Recipe from Aruba
  • Zeerovers – A Must-Try Seafood Restaurant on Aruba 
  • 6 Girls Getaways in the Caribbean You’ll Love 

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Collage of Dutch snacks at Cafe 080 Aruba.

Michele Peterson
Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

View more posts by Michele Peterson Read more

« Keshi Yena: Don’t Leave Aruba Without Trying this Dish
How to Experience Day of the Dead on Janitzio Island, Mexico »

About Michele Peterson

Dividing her time between Canada, Guatemala and Mexico (or the nearest tropical beach), Michele Peterson is the founder of A Taste for Travel. Her award-winning travel and food writing has appeared in Lonely Planet’s cookbook Mexico: From the Source, National Geographic Traveler, Fodor’s and 100+ other publications.

View more posts by Michele Peterson Read more

Previous Post: «Easy Recipe Keshi Yena Aruba Keshi Yena: Don’t Leave Aruba Without Trying this Dish
Next Post: How to Experience Day of the Dead on Janitzio Island, Mexico Day of the Dead traditional activities in Janitzio Michoacan Mexico»

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Amanda Williams

    November 21, 2015 at 9:29 am

    Great post. I love tapas. Will have to check this place out some day.

    Reply
  2. Lara Dunning

    November 21, 2015 at 1:28 am

    Looks like a great time discovering new tasty food. Those are usually the best memories.

    Reply
  3. Cameron

    November 20, 2015 at 3:52 pm

    It’s hard not to enjoy food when you’re eating it in Aruba.

    Reply
  4. Noreen Kompanik

    November 20, 2015 at 11:40 am

    Wonderful website! Going to Aruba next year, so, the information is so welcomed!

    Reply
  5. Alexa Meisler

    November 20, 2015 at 11:37 am

    When I think of the Netherlands, I always think of frites and mayo. My favorite travel comfort food ever. This article shed a whole new light on the foods in Holland. The Andijvie Stamppot sound amazing! Did you have a favorite tapas?

    Reply
  6. Wandering Carol

    November 17, 2015 at 1:06 am

    I could use a good Frikandel about now. Sounds fun and your hotel sounds fab, too.

    Reply
  7. Nancie

    November 16, 2015 at 5:07 pm

    All of these tidbits look delicious, and it would be fun learning to pronounce the name of each one!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Michele! Welcome to A Taste for Travel, one of the world’s top culinary travel blogs, welcoming over 1.5 million readers annually! 

Along with a team of expert travel writers, enthusiastic eaters and skilled photographers, we help readers plan incredible adventures and make delicious global recipes at home.

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Michele Peterson in Tuscany Italy Credit Insight Vacations.

Hi, I'm Michele! Welcome to A Taste for Travel, one of the world’s top culinary travel blogs, welcoming over 1.5 million readers annually! 

Along with a team of expert travel writers, enthusiastic eaters and skilled photographers, we help readers plan incredible adventures and make delicious global recipes at home.

More about me →

Popular Posts

  • Insider’s Guide to Seaweed Conditions in Cancun and Riviera Maya in 2023
  • 19 Best Canned Sardine Recipes from Around the World
  • 20 Bucket List Things to Do in Bonaire
  • Best Caribbean Beaches Without Seaweed – Where to Go in 2022 and 2023
  • 25 Bucket List Things to Do in Huatulco, Oaxaca
  • Pepián de Pollo – Guatemalan Spiced Chicken Stew

Winter Stews and Soups

  • Bacalao a la Vizcaina (Spanish Salt Cod Stew)
  • Sopa de Albondigas (Healthy Meatball Soup)
  • Slow Cooker Chipotle Chicken Soup
  • Hilachas – Guatemalan Shredded Beef Stew
  • Guatemalan Black Bean Soup – Sopa de Frijol
  • Tapado – Guatemalan Seafood Soup with Coconut Milk

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