Aruba is widely known for its luxury offerings, and its upscale dining scene is no exception. You’ve probably heard of the famous Flying Fishbone restaurant, but upscale spots like this typically cost between $50.00 and $150.00 USD per person for a full meal, excluding drinks. During our one-week vacation, we set out to find the best mid-range restaurants with prices between $20.00 and $50.00 USD per person for a full meal, and we made some incredible discoveries. Now, I’m excited to share them with you. Let’s explore the 10 best mid-range restaurants in Aruba:
- Smokey Joes
- Senor Burrito
- Eduardo’s Beach Shack
- Casa Tua Pizzeria
- The West Deck
- Iguana Cantina
- Bugaloe
- Papia Mia
- Linda’s Dutch Pancakes
- Matthew’s Beachside Restaurant
1
Smokey Joe’s
- Food: 10/10
- Ambiance: 10/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.3
- Location: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba
Smokey Joe’s was my absolute favorite restaurant during our trip. Located in Palm Beach, this spot is beloved by both tourists and locals. It specializes in American-style barbecue, offering delicious ribs, juicy burgers, and tender pulled pork. They also have a wide variety of other options, like grilled seafood, salads, and sandwiches, catering to all tastes.
What we ate: I ordered the Mahi-Mahi fresh fish plate (USD 23.50), and just thinking about it makes my mouth water. The portion was generous, which is rare in many Aruban restaurants. Don’t forget to order the special potatoes instead of the regular fries—they were phenomenal! My sisters had the Shrimp on the Barbie plate (USD 21.25), which they rated 10/10. Their only regret was choosing the regular fries. The tiny coleslaw was also delicious. My mom opted for the half rack of ribs (USD 20.50), and the portion was enormous!
2
Senor Burrito
- Food: 10/10
- Ambiance: 6/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.7
- Location: Caya Ritmo 50, local 7, Oranjestad, Aruba
We ended up at Senor Burrito by chance, as it’s located next to a gas station in Oranjestad. Despite its unassuming location, this Mexican restaurant impressed us with its sizable menu and daily specials. The food was fantastic, but the location lacks ambiance—it’s not near the action, and there’s no outdoor dining with fresh air or sand under your feet. Our server seemed to rush us a bit, though I understand we were just before the dinner rush.
PS: Prices are listed in AWG (Aruban currency). 1 AWG = 0.76 CAD = 0.56 USD
What we ate: We shared everything, and it was all incredible! We had the Shrimp Burrito (25.20 AWG), Vegetable Nachos (24.60 AWG), Fish Ceviche (29.12 AWG), and 3-piece Fish Tacos (28.00 AWG). The ceviche was one of the best I’ve ever had, though the portions could have been more generous. We were all still a bit hungry after sharing these four dishes.
3
Eduardo’s Beach Shack
- Food: 8/10
- Ambiance: 10/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.7
- Location: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba
Eduardo’s Beach Shack is located right on Palm Beach, famous for its smoothies, acai bowls, and refreshing cocktails. We went there for breakfast, and the beachside vibe was perfect! You wait in line in your bikini, grab your fresh treat, and enjoy it with your feet in the sand. While the ambiance was fantastic, the prices were a bit steep.
What we ate: We had the Mermaid Bowl and the Island Bowl, each priced at USD 13.00. Refreshing and delicious, we loved both!
4
Casa Tua Pizzeria
- Food: 8/10
- Ambiance: 10/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.3
- Location : J.E. Irausquin Blvd 370, Noord, Aruba
We visited the Palm Beach location of Casa Tua Pizzeria, an Italian restaurant renowned for its delicious wood-fired pizzas. I’m a fan of outdoor dining, especially in Aruba’s beautiful weather, and this place didn’t disappoint. The food was good, though not the best pizza I’ve ever had. The outdoor ambiance was wonderful, and the pasta dishes on the next table looked tempting.
What we ate: We shared a salad, calamari, and two pizzas. The salad was decent, the calamari was good but not amazing, and the pizzas—Margherita Della Casa (USD 17.00) and Siciliana (USD 19.00)—were simple but satisfying. For the price, it was great.
5
The West Deck
- Food: 8/10
- Ambiance: 10/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.4
- Location: Lloyd G. Smith Blvd, Oranjestad, Aruba
The West Deck, located near Renaissance Marketplace in Oranjestad, offers stunning ocean views and a diverse Caribbean-inspired menu. The food was delicious, but the portions were quite small considering the price. If you don’t mind splurging a bit, definitely give this place a try. For us, it was a bit too pricey for our budget at the time.
What we ate: We shared six appetizers. Our favorites were the Spicy Shrimp and Fish Ceviche (USD 13.50), Trocadero Garlic Shrimp (USD 16.50), and Pan-Fried Island Mahi Mahi (USD 15.50). It was my first time trying Mahi Mahi, and I immediately started looking for it on every menu after that!
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6
Iguana Cantina
- Food: 10/10
- Ambiance: 9/10
- Star Rating on Google: 3.7
- Location: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 382A, Noord, Aruba
Located inside Paseo Herencia in Oranjestad, Iguana Cantina caught our eye during our nightly visits to the area. The lively atmosphere, surrounded by shopping and entertainment, makes it a fun spot for dinner. This Mexican restaurant offers a variety of dishes like tacos, fajitas, and quesadillas, and the best part: unlimited chips and salsa!
What we ate: We started with the chips and salsa, of course! We had Ceviche (USD 9.95) and Jalapeno Poppers (USD 7.95) as appetizers, and they were both fantastic. The Jalapeno Poppers were the best I’ve ever had. For mains, we got the vegetarian burrito (USD 14.95), catch of the day (USD 17.95), and two orders of grilled shrimp tacos salad (USD 17.95). The portions were generous, and we even had leftovers!
7
Bugaloe
- Ambiance: 10/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.6
- Location: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 79, Noord, Aruba
I can’t tell you much about the food since we only stopped briefly and shared a Snack Platter (USD 19.50), but the atmosphere at Bugaloe was fantastic. The menu looked great, and the location—right on the beach—was perfect.
8
Papia Mia
- Food: 8/10
- Ambiance: 5/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.3
- Location: Palm Beach 55, Noord, Aruba
We visited Papia Mia on a Wednesday because we heard it was pasta night! The special was USD 10.00 per plate of pasta, excluding seafood options. However, the restaurant is next to the Kalibra Bar, which plays loud music. If you enjoy dining with loud music, you may appreciate the ambiance more than we did.
What we ate: My sisters and I ordered the Papia Penne (USD 24.00 regular price USD 10.00 on Wednesday) with extra shrimp (+USD 6.00), and it was very good. My mom had the Galina Papiagani (USD 29.00 regular price USD 10.00 on Wednesday) and loved it as well.
9
Linda’s Dutch Pancakes
- Food: 8/10
- Ambiance: 8/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.5
- Location: Route 3 Palm Beach 6-D, Rte 3 6, Noord, Aruba
I don’t quite remember how we ended up at Linda’s, but it was certainly a unique experience. We’re not big breakfast people, so we usually ate at our Airbnb. However, if you’re in the mood for something sweet or savory in the morning, this is the place to go for iconic Dutch pancakes.
What we ate: My mom and sisters had the Brie, Walnuts, and Honey Dutch Pancake (USD 14.75), while I opted for the Strawberries and Whipped Cream Dutch Pancake (USD 12.50). Mine was good, but I’d highly recommend the one my family had.
10
Matthew’s Beachside Restaurant
- Food: 10/10
- Ambiance: 9/10
- Star Rating on Google: 4.4
- Location: J.E. Irausquin Blvd 51, Oranjestad, Aruba
The location of Matthew’s Beachside Restaurant is beautiful, and I had one of the best poke bowls of my life there! Even if it’s just for the poke bowl, you need to try this place. The laid-back beachside ambiance and excellent service made for a wonderful dining experience.
What we ate: All four of us ordered the Ahi Tuna Poke (USD 17.00) with garlic cilantro and ginger honey soy sauces. It was absolutely amazing—I’m still craving it!
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