Thirty Years of Aruba Dinners: The Chaffin's Favorite Restaurants

Koal is one of our absolute favorite chef’s table experiences on the island, and we’ve returned every year since it opened. Set in a beautifully restored historic building in a quieter part of Oranjestad, the whole night feels more like an intimate dinner party than a restaurant. Chef Albert is incredibly creative, while Tom keeps the wine - and conversation - flowing, and they’re both so much fun to talk to throughout the evening. The menu changes seasonally, but on our most recent visit the smoked burrata and shrimp bisque were standouts. Come hungry - you definitely won’t leave that way!

Ever has evolved over the years and now offers both its chef’s tasting experience and an à la carte menu at its somewhat hidden location on the pier in Oranjestad. For the tasting, you sit right in front of the chefs and watch them prepare each course before they serve and explain it to you. The food is inventive without feeling overly fussy, and we especially love the way they incorporate South American spices and ingredients. We definitely recommend adding the wine pairing - we’ve had some excellent selections here.

Senses has been a longtime favorite of ours, and we’ve followed Chef Kelt through the different chapters of the restaurant because his food consistently keeps us coming back. He is an incredibly creative chef who always manages to surprise us - we still talk about a smoked potato he served us years ago! His menus often incorporate something from his garden or his family’s recipes, which makes the experience feel personal. Bas is also a huge part of what we love about Senses; he’s a wonderful host, knows his wines and makes everyone feel welcome. Their newest Eagle Beach location was still finding its footing when we visited, but the food was already up to the standard we’ve come to expect from Kelt.

Terra was one of our new finds this year, and the “Michelin Star Chicken” absolutely lived up to its name - it was our favorite dish of the night. Michelin-starred Chef Jeremy Ford offers both a tasting menu and à la carte, which we love because not everyone wants a marathon dinner every night of vacation! We went à la carte this time and everything we ordered was delicious, with excellent service and a lively atmosphere. It’s located inside the beautiful Bucuti & Tara resort on Eagle Beach, so plan a little extra time to check out the beach around sunset while you’re there.

Ego has one of the more unique concepts we tried this year. Instead of everyone ordering individually, the experience has a family-style approach with dishes meant to be shared - which is right up our alley. Chef Roy puts out incredibly flavorful food, and Rick has created wine pairings to go along with the courses. It’s new, trendy and different from many of the other fine-dining restaurants on the island.

Chef Dennis has been one of our favorite chefs in Aruba for years, and Olivia is another example of why. The Mediterranean menu has plenty of variety, but what stands out to us is how fresh and flavorful everything tastes. We also love the beautiful open-air garden - it feels elegant and special. Olivia is adults-only, which adds to the relaxed date-night atmosphere.

Wilhelmina has been one of our longtime favorites, and consistency is a huge reason it continues to make our list. Chef Dennis and Glen have maintained a really high standard year after year, from the food to the service. There’s plenty of variety for meat, seafood and vegetarian diners, but one of our little traditions is the amuse-bouche bitterballen!  We look forward to them every time!

Ocean Z is a restaurant we’ve watched get better and better over the years, which is one reason we love returning. It’s tucked away toward the northern end of the island, away from the busier hotel areas, and we love the quieter, more peaceful atmosphere. Owner Eva is always listening to her guests and introducing new dishes, so the menu never feels stagnant. There’s a little bit of everything - seafood, meat, pasta - the portions are generous, and the service has always impressed us. Add the music, outdoor setting and possibility of an amazing sunset across the road, and it has become one of those places we genuinely look forward to every year.

Akira Back at The St. Regis was one of our splurgier additions to the list, but that Hot Mess Roll alone gives us a reason to go back! The Japanese cuisine with Korean influences is creative and fun to share, which works perfectly for our family. And the rooftop view of the entire island is hard to beat - definitely try to time your reservation around sunset because it makes an already special dinner even better.

Gaia House of Grill was a brand-new addition to our list this year, and one that I personally really loved. Located at JOIA Aruba near the northern end of Eagle Beach, it has a chic, modern steakhouse feel and a somewhat unusual menu that can take a minute to navigate -  but the food absolutely delivered. The sea bass was prepared perfectly, and we loved how fun and engaging the staff was throughout dinner. It feels trendy, upscale and different from many of our usual Aruba favorites, which is exactly why I wanted it to make the list.

Azar continues to be a family favorite because we can happily make an entire dinner out of the small plates - the appetizers here really are outstanding. We love ordering a bunch for the table and sharing everything, especially since the wood-fired cooking gives so many of the dishes a flavor you don’t find everywhere else. And we can’t talk about Azar without mentioning the espresso martinis - they’re delicious and always come out looking almost too pretty to drink. Almost. Another bonus is that it’s walkable from the high-rise hotel area, making it an easy dinner choice without having to venture far.

Lima is Azar’s sister restaurant, but it has its own personality and focuses on fresh Peruvian flavors. The ceviche and lomo saltado are two of our favorites, and we love that the atmosphere is trendy and lively without turning dinner into a formal affair. If you can, sit outside - the pier location gives you a great view across the harbor toward downtown Oranjestad. It’s one of those places that always seems to be buzzing.

Barefoot makes our list year after year because there’s just something very Aruba about having a great dinner with your toes literally in the sand. More importantly, the food and service have remained consistently good, which is why we keep returning instead of treating it as a one-time “beach dinner” experience. The grouper with mango cream cheese and the goat cheese medallions are two dishes we especially love. Whether you sit directly on the beach or under the adjacent palapa, be sure to time it for sunset. Sand, sunset and consistently good food - this one has earned its permanent spot.

West Deck has definitely been discovered by tourists over the years, but somehow it hasn’t lost the casual charm that made us love it in the first place - and we still think it’s a great value. Its waterfront location just south of Oranjestad is hard to beat, and the menu goes from burgers and fries to Caribbean comfort food and shareable plates, so there’s something for everyone. Some of the servers have been there for years and are so fun and engaging; they have that wonderful way of making you feel like your mom is taking care of you while still somehow running the place incredibly efficiently! We also love their creative cocktails, especially the ones served in those fun square glasses, and you can’t complain about ending dinner with a waterfront sunset.

El Patio is our pick when we’re craving a fun, casual Mexican night. We love ordering several of the street tacos, and the grilled corn appetizer covered in queso has become a family favorite. The boho-Mexican décor is adorable, and if we have the choice, we prefer sitting in the front garden. One Aruba-insider warning: parking in this area can be tricky, so give yourself some extra time!

Coco Café is truly one of our favorite hidden gems in Aruba. Tucked away inside the Boardwalk Boutique Hotel under a palapa surrounded by a lush tropical garden, it feels like a little escape from the busier parts of the island. We especially love coming here for breakfast or brunch. The smoothies and barista-made coffees are amazing and the food always has Instagram-worthy presentation! They also serve lunch and dinner, often with live music and themed evenings. What really keeps us coming back, though, is how intimate and welcoming it feels; the staff is always incredibly friendly and somehow makes this little tucked-away spot feel extra special.

West Deck has definitely been discovered by tourists over the years, but somehow it hasn’t lost the casual charm that made us love it in the first place. The menu goes from burgers and fries to Caribbean comfort food and shareable plates, so there’s something for everyone. Some of the servers have been there for years and have that wonderful way of making you feel like your mom is taking care of you, while still somehow running the place incredibly efficiently! We also love their creative cocktails (especially the ones served in those fun square glasses), and you can’t complain about ending dinner with a waterfront sunset.