Three Great Restaurants in Aruba

Dine and Drink at Pincho's Grill, Simply Fish, Balashi Beer Garden

Jan 11, 2009

From a casual meal on the beach to a locals' hangout to an intimate and romantic dining venue, here's where to eat on Aruba in the Southern Caribbean.

For visitors whose travels take them to the Southern Caribbean and the sunny island of Aruba anytime soon, here are three restaurants for great meals and a good time:

Pincho's Grill

Honeymooners: Run, don't walk, to this thoroughly romantic restaurant set on the end of a pier not far from the main downtown shopping area of Oranjestad. Under the twinkling white lights and above the crystal-clear Caribbean Sea, snuggle with your sweetheart on couches built for two.

Savor delicious entrees like Boursin and Apple Stuffed Pork Tenderloin, Grilled Aruban Wahoo Fillet. and Indonesian Chicken Satay. Since "Pinchos" means skewer in Spanish, it's only natural many menu items are served on a stick. Guests can order meals or just some fun Caribbean fruity drinks at the lively bar. The food is fabulous and the al fresco, "living room" setting is out of this world.

L.G. Smith Boulevard at Surfside Marina, between downtown Oranjestad and the airport.

Simply Fish

By day, this beachside restaurant at the Aruba Marriott is the ultra-casual Waves Beach Bar & Grill. In the evening, dress is still casual (tables are set on the sand after all!), but diners will enjoy linen tablecloths and candlelight when the eatery is transformed into Simply Fish, specializing (naturally) in seafood. Appetizers include Jumbo Prawn Cocktail over baby greens and Seared Tuna Crostini with fresh basil and thyme oil. Sample three types of marine delights with the Aruban Triangle: lobster tail, swordfish and mahi mahi grilled, with chick peas and avocado in a red curry and coconut sauce.

Don't eat fish? No worries. Non-seafood entrees include grilled tenderloin and roasted chicken. Desserts are to die for. Although the chocolate cake is incredible, consider a sweet treat with tropical flair: Baked Mango and Pineapple with ice cream and chocolate biscotti, Coconut Banana Cake with ice cream, or Pina Colada creme brulee.

At the Aruba Marriott Resort & Stellaris Casino (non-guests welcome), L.G. Smith Boulevard # 101, Palm Beach.

Balashi Beer Garden

Aruba's national beer, Balashi, is an award-winning European pilsner–style brew. An icy-old bottle of this smooth beer tastes mighty fine after a day exploring the island or playing on the beach. And while Balashi is served at bars and restaurants all over the island, beer connoisseurs might like to taste it just steps from where it was bottled -- at the Balashi Beer Garden.

This small restaurant is literally steps from the Balashi bottling plant. Balashi staff and locals who simply love the beer (and inexpensive lunch) stop here for a bite to eat while taking in the views of the Aruban countryside from the open-air eatery. The simple menu is written on a blackboard, and offers items like salads, wraps, cheeseburgers and sandwiches. But if Bami is on the daily menu, don't hesitate to order this local noodle dish, typically served with chicken satay. It's a satisfying and a not-too-spicy complement to the refreshing Balashi beer.

No official street address! Apparently everyone on the island knows where the Balashi plant is, including the postman. It is located next to the Water & Electricity Plant (WEB) on the main road connecting the hotel area with the southern area (direction San Nicolas.

The copyright of the article Three Great Restaurants in Aruba in Latin Am/Caribbean Travel is owned by Kara Williams. Permission to republish Three Great Restaurants in Aruba in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.