Aruba is a beautiful and inviting vacation destination for travelers to enjoy no matter when schedules provide time away for focusing exclusively on the fun in life. It’s a one-of-a-kind island where there’s something for everyone to love whether you’re one for time on the shoreline soaking up the sun, or you can’t wait to explore historical landmarks and get out on the waves. Aruba getaways are perfect for history buffs, architectural enthusiasts, and those who love to shop their way through an exciting stay too.
Of course, no matter what your itinerary entails, you’ll find that there are times when you have cravings to curb, and the good news is that Aruba is packed with amazing eateries to enjoy during your visit. From local fare to dishes inspired by destinations across the map, you’ll find everything you could dream of on the island. Taking your dining experiences to the next level of excellence often starts with making sure you have a list of water view dining destinations to enjoy where you can pair an amazing plate with the sound of the waves. The following guide is a great place to start when you’re looking to add gorgeous and delicious water view dining stops to your next Aruba getaway. Whether you try one or make room on the to-do list for them all, you’ll be in for a palate-pleasing adventure.
Grab a Bite and a Beautiful View at Gilligan’s Seafood Shack
There’s nothing more refreshing than a beachside retreat where you can dine in style and enjoy watching the waves roll in as well. That’s exactly what you can expect with a side of friendly service when you make your way to Gilligan’s Seafood Shack in Aruba. Located at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 81 in Noord, Gilligan’s Seafood Shack is open to the dining public daily between 11:00 am and 5:30 pm. While indoor seating is offered upon arrival, this waterfront eatery is best enjoyed from a place on the open-air patio as you sip your handcrafted cocktail and peruse a vast menu of inviting options.
Here, you can count on easy access to sandwiches, salads, fresh seafood, and prime-cut meats alike. The steps-from-the-beach location gives you amazing vistas to savor in good company. You won’t need a reservation to enjoy a meal at Gilligan’s Seafood Shack and a casual and friendly atmosphere is what you’ll find with every visit. If you’re more in the mood for small bites, Gilligan’s Seafood Shack has options like nachos, fried calamari, homemade buffalo wings, and loaded fries to enjoy. Fan-favorite entrees to consider range from the Gilligan’s grouper sandwich to the coconut shrimp, Margherita pizza, and the Mojo grilled chicken quesadillas too. You can’t go wrong with the island burger while the spicy shrimp tacos are sure to please! No matter what dish you select, sides like sweet potato fries, rice, and vegetables top it all off in delicious style.
Savor a Pristine View and Amazing Menu Options at The Pelican Nest Seafood Grill
If you’re planning on spending time in the vibrant Palm Beach area of Aruba and you’re looking for an eatery that showcases the view and fantastic flavors too, you’ll find it waiting at the Pelican Nest Seafood Grill. Located at L.G. Smith Boulevard 232, the Pelican Nest Seafood Grill first opened its doors to the dining public in 1994 and continues to be a popular place to settle in with family and friends and enjoy an amazing dish with beautiful surroundings included. Day or night, this eatery offers up breathtaking waterfront views that are particularly enhanced around sunset.
The menu here features a wonderful array of fresh-caught fare in a relaxed and elegant setting. You can drop by to enjoy a meal daily between 11:00 am and 10:00 pm making this an easy addition to even the most packed itinerary. It’s a great place to enjoy Happy Hour specials with family and friends between 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm and oftentimes, you’ll find you’ll be treated to live musical performances on the pier.
Once you’re settled in, start things off with appetizer selections like crab cakes, almond fish fingers, tuna tataki, or ceviche. The seafood specialties at the Pelican Nest Seafood Grill include whole red snapper, Oscar shrimp, and the Mermaid Cove which is a combination of grilled grouper, sweet lobster tail, and tender shrimp topped in a garlic cream sauce. Red snapper, mahi mahi, and grouper can all be grilled up upon request, while side dishes like Jasmine rice, mashed potatoes, and sweet plantain put the finishing touch on any plate. The Pelican Neset Seafood Grill hosts an impressive wine, beer, cocktail, and mocktail listing, and you won’t want to overlook their frozen delights like Rosa Sangria and Daiquiris when you’re looking to cool off.
Enjoy a Meal at Elements Restaurant
If you’re in Aruba with a group of adult friends or family and you’re looking for a water view eatery to enjoy with breathtaking vistas and a sophisticated ambiance, you can count on Elements Restaurant to check every box on the list. You’ll find Elements at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 55B in Oranjestad and they’re open daily from noon until 10:30 pm. This exquisite destination is loved for its a la carte dining on the oceanfront deck with options to settle into the air-conditioned indoor dining room too. Either way, you’ll be treated to tantalizing beach and water views thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows throughout.
Guests who choose to dine at Elements Restaurant enjoy options to pick between four distinct menus. The restaurant has a full organic and natural selection, a vegetarian and vegan menu as well as a gluten-free menu and a world cuisine listing. This adults-only restaurant is designed for those 18 and up and each menu available has been carefully crafted using only the finest quality ingredients and fresh fare. Elements Restaurant is a great option for a date night out in Aruba but just as suitable for a gathering with friends. Some of the popular entrees on the world cuisine menu at Elements include duck breast a l’orange, sirloin steak, Mahi-Mahi ginger infusion, spicy shrimp, and grilled tuna with black bean fruit salsa.
At Elements, you can top off any dish you choose with something sweet thanks to a robust dessert menu that’s designed to inspire the tastebuds. You really can’t go wrong with the five high chocolate cake while the assorted sorbets, panna cotta, carrot cake with strawberries, and passion pavlova are all great options as well. Before you head this way, you’ll need a reservation in place and it’s good to note that this destination only accepts credit or debit payments.
Socialize and Savor the View at Papagayo Bar & Grill
When your trip to Aruba has you lingering in Oranjestad, time at Papagayo Bar & Grill is not only great for satisfying your hunger, but for satisfying your longing for beautiful water views too. Located at L.G. Smith Boulevard 82, Papagayo Bar & Grill is open from 8:30 am until 6:00 pm daily and is an ideal destination for those who are looking to enjoy time at a vibrant and social eatery. This delicious destination is popular for its grilled fare as well as its long list of custom burgers, fresh salads, and savory wood-fired baked pizzas. After a day of fun under the sun, Papagayo Bar & Grill is where you can come for friendly service, a relaxed beach atmosphere, and a four-course dinner menu in a private dining setting with live music on select nights of the week. Fresh fruit, shrimp, lobster tail, and oysters are all at your fingertips when you enjoy a night of island dining at Papagayo Bar & Grill during your Aruba getaway.
Find Time to Enjoy the Flying Fishbone
Great views, fresh air dining, and a fantastic menu of options are all yours to savor at the Flying Fishbone in Aruba. Located in Savaneta, the Flying Fishbone is open daily from 4:00 pm until 9:30 pm and is a picture-perfect destination for those who long to dine with their toes in the sand. This restaurant embodies the fisherman town feel of Savaneta and locals and visitors alike simply wouldn’t have it any other way. When you arrive, you can take a seat on the open-air patio leading to the shoreline with the entire family in tow, as the Flying Fishbone hosts a full kids’ menu in addition to their traditional options for patrons. On-the-beach dining is at its best here and as you enjoy watching the water lap the beach in the evening, you’ll find this eatery is a top destination for sunset views too. The atmosphere is enhanced with twinkling tiki torches and table lanterns while guests peruse a menu that showcases a unique pairing of European cuisine with Caribbean flair.
Once you’re settled into your beach table at Flying Fishbone, you can start things off with appetizers like a shrimp cocktail, a Caprese salad, Peruvian ceviche, or Pata Negra. As you move onto the main course of the evening, you’ll be treated to entrée selections like salmon, scallops Florentine, seafood pasta, fish of the day, or lobster casserole. The menu also features chicken portobello, surf & turf, beef tenderloin, and roasted lamb rack too. For the younger ones in your traveling crew, the kid’s menu hosts chicken tenders, shrimp, catch of the day, or grilled steak with sides of French fries, mashed potatoes, and white rice ready available as well. Of course, there’s a good chance everyone will want to go for dessert, and with options like baked Alaska, apple pie, chocolate brownies & mousse, and chocolate ravioli available to order up, you’re sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. For the adults in your group, there’s also an impressive wine, beer, and handcrafted cocktail menu available to enjoy during your time at the Flying Fishbone.
Experience the Great Scenery and Flavors at Hadicurari Restaurant
Yet another wonderful restaurant in Aruba with water views waiting for travelers heading this way any time of year is Hadicurari Restaurant. Found at the fisherman’s pier at J.E. Irausquin Boulevard 230, Hadicurari Restaurant is a place where you can curb a craving daily between 8:00 am and 11:00 pm. Guests are invited to settle in on the luxurious patio and sip a cocktail in good company or opt for a place on the sand. Either way, stunning ocean views are yours to enjoy while friendly service is always included in the experience at Hadicurari Restaurant as well. A highlight of stopping here to enjoy a meal is not only the waterfront vistas, but the fact that the menu features fresh-caught fare of the day brought in by the Hadicurari fishermen. That means you can always count on the freshest seafood around and opportunities to see the process in action.
If you swing by for breakfast, feel free to enjoy Belgian waffles, breakfast burritos, club salmon, Dutch pancakes, or fruit and yogurt too. If the pancakes don’t quite fill you up, pair it with the Champagne breakfast option which features two poached eggs, caviar, croissants, a mini baguette, smoked salmon, fruit, and a glass of champagne. For those who head to Hadicurari Restaurant for dinner, the menu boasts appetizers like beef carpaccio and calamari as well as seafood chowder and pulled duck salad. For a main course, you can opt for a handcrafted pizza or enjoy spicy shrimp, tenderloin, codfish, lobster tail, or pasta Bolognese upon request. For those who adhere to dietary restrictions, this eatery also provides a full vegan menu to make dining with a great view that much more convenient.
Book Your Stylish Stay in Aruba Today
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