Aruba Cuisine
Explore the rich flavors of Aruba cuisine, a delicious blend of African, Dutch, Latin American, Portuguese, and Caribbean influences creating a unique culinary experience.
A Culinary Journey Through Aruba Flavors
From hearty stews and fresh seafood to cheese-wrapped keshi yena and crispy pastechi, Aruba cuisine reflects the island's diverse cultural heritage and Dutch-Caribbean character.
Explore Food ToursPopular Aruba Dishes
Aruba Ariba
Aruba's signature cocktail: a fruity, rum-based island drink in bright colours, blended with vodka, fruit juices, and a splash of local liqueur. The classic beach-bar sipper.
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Ayaca
Aruba's Christmas parcel: a seasoned cornmeal dough filled with spiced meat, olives, capers, and raisins, wrapped in banana leaf and steamed. A festive holiday tradition.
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Balashi Beer
Aruba's own lager, brewed on the island from desalinated water. A crisp, easy-drinking pilsner that locals treat as the national beer, served ice-cold across the island.
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Cala
Golden deep-fried fritters of seasoned black-eyed pea batter, crisp outside and fluffy within. A traditional Aruban snack sold warm from bakeries and street stalls.
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Fresh Catch of the Day
Aruba's fresh-landed fish, grilled or fried and served Caribbean style. Mahi-mahi, wahoo, snapper, or grouper from the calm leeward waters, with funchi or fried plantain.
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Funchi
Aruba's everyday cornmeal polenta, stirred firm and shaped into a block, or pan-fried into crisp golden sticks. The island's go-to starch with stews and fish.
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Explore by Category
Drinks
What fills a glass on One Happy Island, from the locally brewed Balashi beer that Arubans treat as the national lager to the fruity, rum-based Aruba Ariba cocktail poured in beach bars.
Mains
The hearty plates at the heart of an Aruban table, from the cheese-shell signature dish keshi yena to slow-cooked stews of goat and the fresh fish landed along the island's calm leeward coast.
Sides
The cornmeal foundations of Aruban cooking: firm funchi polenta, the soft slightly sweet flatbread pan bati, and the griddled johnny cake, served alongside almost everything.
Snacks & Street Food
The handheld bites Arubans grab from bakeries and snack trucks, led by the golden deep-fried pastechi turnover that fuels breakfast and the sweet fried cala fritters sold across the island.
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Featured Restaurants
Culinary Experiences
Immerse yourself in the flavors of Aruba with these authentic food experiences
Cooking Classes
Learn how to prepare traditional Aruba dishes like keshi yena, funchi, and pan bati from expert local cooks.
Find a Class →Food Tours
Explore local food trucks, the lively markets, and hidden culinary gems on a guided food tour around Oranjestad.
Browse Tours →Farm to Table
Visit local farms (kunuku) and aloe plantations to see where Aruba ingredients are grown, followed by a fresh farm-to-table meal.
Discover Experiences →Aruba Flavors: Recipe Collection
Take a piece of Aruba home with you! Our exclusive recipe book features 50 authentic Aruban recipes that you can recreate in your own kitchen. From breakfast to dinner and everything in between.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the national dish of Aruba?
The signature dish is keshi yena. It is a whole round of Edam or Gouda cheese, hollowed out and filled with seasoned, spiced chicken or meat (often with raisins, olives and capers), then baked until the cheese melts around the filling. The dish dates to colonial times, when cooks made a hearty meal from the leftover cheese rinds.
Is Aruba food spicy?
Aruba food is savory rather than fiery, built on seasonings, fresh herbs, garlic, onion and lime. Heat usually comes on the side in the form of pika, a tangy homemade hot sauce of Madame Jeanette peppers, vinegar and onion, so you can add as much or as little as you like. Just ask before stirring it in.
What are some traditional Aruba drinks?
Popular Aruba drinks include batido (fresh fruit smoothies), awa di lamunchi (limeade), tamarind juice, and fresh coconut water. For something stronger, try the island's signature Aruba Ariba cocktail or a cold Balashi, the local beer brewed right on the island.
Are there options for vegetarians and vegans?
While traditional Aruba cuisine features plenty of meat and seafood, there are vegetarian options available, especially in Oranjestad and the Palm Beach tourist areas. Funchi (cornmeal polenta), pan bati (savory pancake), bonchi (stewed beans), fried plantain, and fresh vegetable sides are commonly available. For vegans it can be more challenging, but Oranjestad and Palm Beach have a growing number of restaurants catering to various dietary preferences. It's always a good idea to specify your dietary needs when ordering.