Recommended Restaurants
Eduardo's Beach Shack
Healthy/Plant-Based
Palm Beach, Aruba
Must Try: Family-owned beach shack since 2007. Healthy fruit bowls, juices, gourmet breakfast, fruity cocktails, delicious plant-based lunch and dinner.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit Eduardo's during the late afternoon around 4-5 PM when the lunch crowd has cleared but before the dinner rush. You'll get better service, easier parking, and can often snag the best beachfront tables without a wait.
Ask about their 'local plate' which isn't on the tourist menu - it's a smaller portion of fresh catch with rice and beans that costs about 30% less than the regular fish dishes and is the same quality that locals order.
Avg. per person
$15
$
AZAR Open Fire Cuisine
Steakhouse
Palm Beach, Aruba
Must Try: Upscale steakhouse with outstanding food: king crab, shrimp tempura bao buns, vodka pasta, pizza, birria tacos.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit between 5:30-6:30 PM for their 'golden hour' service when the kitchen is freshest and you can still get a table without the long waits that start around 7 PM - locals know this sweet spot before the dinner rush.
Ask your server about their off-menu whole fish preparations - the chef often has fresh local catches like mahi-mahi or red snapper that aren't listed but can be prepared with their signature open-fire techniques.
Avg. per person
$60
$$$
Lucca Trattoria
Italian
Palm Beach, Aruba
Must Try: Fantastic rustic Italian eatery. Excellent homemade pastas, Neapolitan pizzas, fresh salads, hand-crafted cocktails.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit between 5:30-6:30 PM for their 'happy hour' atmosphere when locals gather for aperitivos before the dinner rush - you'll get better service and can often snag the best tables on the terrace without reservations.
Ask your server about the daily fresh catch preparation 'crudo style' - it's not on the printed menu but the chef will prepare local fish as a crudo appetizer using techniques from his time in Italy, and it's consistently excellent when available.
Avg. per person
$30
$$
Lola Taqueria
Mexican
Palm Beach, Aruba
Must Try: Fresh corn tortillas made daily. Gourmet tacos: baja fish, carnitas, lobster, al pastor. $1 tacos on Taco Tuesday.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit between 3-5 PM for their happy hour when they offer discounted margaritas and avoid the dinner rush - locals know this is the sweet spot for better service and a more relaxed atmosphere before the tourist crowds arrive.
Ask for the 'local plate' which isn't on the regular menu - it's a smaller portion size that's perfect for lunch and costs about 30% less than the full dinner portions, popular with Aruban workers in the area.
Avg. per person
$15
$
Passions on the Beach
Caribbean
Amsterdam Manor Beach Resort, Eagle Beach, Aruba
Must Try: Magical beachfront dining at Eagle Beach. Perfect for romantic dinners on sand with toes in beach. Breathtaking sunsets over Caribbean Sea.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit Passions on the Beach around 5:30-6:00 PM to secure the best beachfront tables before the sunset rush. Most tourists arrive later thinking they need to time it perfectly with sunset, but locals know the golden hour lighting starts earlier and you'll have unobstructed views without the crowds.
Skip the overpriced cocktails and ask for their local Balashi beer or rum punch during happy hour (usually 4-6 PM). The bartenders often give generous pours on local spirits compared to imported drinks, and you'll pay about 40% less than ordering premium cocktails while still getting authentic Aruban flavors.
Avg. per person
$60
$$$
Chalet Suisse
European-Swiss
Eagle Beach, Aruba
Must Try: Established 1988. Swiss-style chalet celebrated for top-notch European cuisine, exceptional service. Swiss and international dishes, fresh seafood, high-quality meats.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit during the early dinner hours between 6:00-7:30 PM to enjoy the romantic atmosphere without the late-night crowds, and you'll get better service from the staff who aren't yet overwhelmed with the dinner rush.
Ask about their prix fixe menu options which aren't always prominently advertised but offer excellent value for their high-end Swiss-Continental cuisine, especially during weekdays when they're more flexible with pricing.
Avg. per person
$60
$$$
The Old Cunucu House
Aruban
Eagle Beach, Aruba
Must Try: Charming authentic cunucu-style house in lush gardens. Traditional Aruban dishes like keshi yena and ayaca from chef's grandmother's recipes.
Breakfast
Lunch
Dinner
Local Tips
Visit on weekday evenings between 6-7 PM to enjoy the restaurant's intimate atmosphere without the cruise ship crowds that typically arrive after 7:30 PM. The staff is also more attentive during this quieter period and you'll have better chances of getting the coveted patio tables.
Ask about their 'local's portion' for main dishes - it's not advertised but many servers will offer a smaller portion of popular items like the red snapper or beef tenderloin at about 25% less cost, which is still quite generous by tourist standards.
Avg. per person
$30
$$
No restaurants match your filters. Try adjusting your selection.