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Bright Bakery

10 Aruba food specialties: A true taste of the island

Welcome to Aruba, the sun-soaked Caribbean paradise where the food is as vibrant and inviting as the island itself.

Here, the Taste of Aruba is a delightful journey of flavors, a testament to the island's rich cultural heritage and diverse influences. From the bustling markets to the cozy beachside eateries, Aruba food is a culinary adventure waiting to be discovered. If you've ever wondered, "What food is Aruba known for?" you're about to embark on a delicious exploration of traditional dishes that embody the spirit of this beautiful island. 

Best food in Aruba: A traditional must-try!

Our One Happy Island is not only known for its stunning beaches and vibrant nightlife but also for its mouthwatering cuisine. The popular foods in Aruba, including fresh seafood caught in its clear waters and exotic fruits grown on the island, offer a delightful blend of flavors. They reflect the island's Dutch, African, and Indigenous roots, showcasing a diverse culinary heritage. This blend of flavors contributes to what many consider the best food in Aruba. Are you curious what the national dish of Aruba is? It’s Keshi Yena, a savory stuffed cheese dish filled with chicken, canned tomatoes, green olives and other flavor bombs. We’ve enlisted more traditional Aruban dishes below, each of them telling their own story of our island’s past and present. Get ready to go on a culinary adventure - and pick which dishes you would definitely want to eat while you’re here.

1. Pastechi – Aruba’s golden breakfast hero

Crescent-shaped fried pockets filled with cheese, beef, chicken, tuna, or even Indonesian-style chop suey. You’ll find them everywhere, from bakeries to food trucks. For something extra, check out Huchada Bakery or The Pastechi House in Oranjestad.

Where to try it:

  • The Pastechi House [Oranjestad] – Local favorite with classic fillings

  • Huchada Bakery [Santa Cruz] – Big portions, fresh every morning

  • Bright Bakery [Santa Cruz] – Old-school, no-nonsense flavors

2. Keshi Yena – Stuffed cheese casserole

A classic comfort food with spiced meat, olives, and raisins baked in a cheese crust. Some restaurants swap in seafood or vegetarian fillings. For the real deal, try it at Papiamento or The Old Cunucu House.

Where to try it:

  • Papiamento Restaurant [Noord] – Served in a garden setting with heritage vibes

  • The Old Cunucu House [Palm Beach area] – Traditional-style recipe

  • Gasparito [Noord] – Local art gallery meets Aruban comfort food

Stuffed cheese.

Ingredients:
1 lb. Dutch Gouda, sliced 1 large onion, chopped
4 tbsp. butter
2 cups cooked and diced chicken
8 large green stuffed olives, sliced
¼ cup raisins
1 ½ tbsp. minced garlic
1 tbsp. prepared mustard
1⁄2 cup ketchup
1⁄2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
 1 cup cashews, chopped butter

Directions:
Butter a deep 10-12 –inch baking dish and line with 2/3 of the sliced Gouda. Melt 4 tbsp. of butter in a skillet and add onions until golden brown. Add tomatoes, pickles, green pepper, olives, raisins, garlic, mustard, ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, and cashews. Spread the mixture on top of the Gouda, then cover with the remaining slices of Gouda. Nets the baking dish into a large baking pan and fill with water about halfway up the sides. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

3. Funchi and Pan Bati – Cornmeal comfort duo

Funchi is Aruba’s version of polenta, served creamy, grilled, or fried. Pan bati is a slightly sweet flatbread that pairs perfectly with stews. Locals love this combo with stoba or sopi.

Where to try it:

  • Kamini’s Kitchen [San Nicolas] – Comfort food with Caribbean flair

  • Gostoso [Oranjestad] – Affordable and authentic

  • Zeerovers [Savaneta] – Great with fried fish

4. Sopi – Soups that hit different

From hearty beef and goat to fish-based broths and pumpkin purées, Aruban soups bring bold, home-cooked flavor. Try sopi di pisca, sopi di mondongo, or creamy sopi di pampuna.

Where to try it:

  • The Old Cunucu House [Palm Beach area] – Known for their soups

  • Peanuts Restaurant [Oranjestad] – Local spot with rotating daily soups

  • Local food trucks – Look for weekend specials in San Nicolas

5. Stoba – Caribbean stew

Goat, beef, or conch slow-cooked in a savory tomato-based gravy. Served with rice, funchi, or pan bati. For maximum impact, go for cabrito stoba.

Where to try it:

  • Kamini’s Kitchen [San Nicolas] – Goat stoba with homemade flair

  • The West Deck [Oranjestad waterfront] – Great view, great stews

  • Coco Plum Restaurant [Oranjestad] – Known for local classics

6. Pisca Hasa – Straightforward fried fish

Lightly fried catch-of-the-day, usually served with plantains, pickled onions, and local sides. Zeerovers in Savaneta is the go-to. It’s no-frills, fresh, and unforgettable.

Where to try it:

  • Zeerovers [Savaneta] – Locally caught, fried on the dock

  • Boca Prins Restaurant [Arikok] – Seafood with a wild coastline view

  • O’Niel Caribbean Kitchen [San Nicolas] – Casual and consistent

7. Ayaca – Holiday tamale hybrid

This Christmas-season specialty is made with cornmeal dough filled with seasoned meats, olives, raisins, and capers, all wrapped in banana leaves. You’ll spot them during the holidays or at traditional events.

Where to try it (seasonal):

  • Home-based vendors in December – Ask locals or markets

  • Papiamento Restaurant [Noord] – Occasionally on holiday menus

  • Ritz-Carlton or Renaissance – For upscale holiday buffets

8. Snackable Favorites – Beach bites with personality

Look for bitterballen (Dutch meatballs), cala (black-eyed pea fritters), and bolita di keshi (fried cheese balls). These are best enjoyed with a cold Balashi or Chill on the beach.

Where to try them:

  • Dutch Pancake House [Oranjestad] – For Dutch snacks and sweets

  • Café The Plaza [Renaissance Marketplace] – Classic Dutch-Aruban bites

  • Local bars like Local Store or 5 O’Clock Somewhere – Beer and bites combo

9. Cocada and Bolo Borracho – Sweet finales

Try coconut candy, rum-soaked bolo borracho, quesillo (Aruban flan), and Dutch sweets like pancakes or stroopwafels. Aruba knows how to finish a meal.

Where to try them:

  • Bright Bakery [Santa Cruz] – Grab-and-go sweets

  • Caribbean Bakery [San Nicolas] – Homemade feel

  • Wilhelmina Restaurant [Oranjestad] – Upscale versions of local desserts

10. Aruba Ariba – The local cocktail

A tropical punch with vodka, rum, crème de banane, and fruit juices. Invented at the Hilton in 1963, and still a favorite.

Where to try it:

  • Hilton Aruba [Palm Beach] – Original birthplace of the cocktail

  • Bugaloe Pier Bar [Palm Beach] – Great drinks with a sunset view

  • MooMba Beach Bar [Palm Beach] – Party vibe, cold drinks, toes in the sand

  • Basically anywhere on island

Exploring Aruba's food scene is an integral part of your travel experience. Each bite offers a taste of the island's rich history and diverse cultural influences. From the savory Patacon to the sweet Cocada, the best food in Aruba is a delightful journey of flavors that goes beyond the dining table, offering insights into the island's traditions and way of life. 


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