Restaurants close to cruise port

ArubaLisa: We have friends who regularly visit Aruba & recommended either the Old Fisherman or Driftwood as restaurants for us to try. We are looking for somewhere for lunch & close to cruise port & shopping. You opinion on these restaurants or others appreciated. Thanks.Alfred

ArubaLisa: We have friends who regularly visit Aruba & recommended either the Old Fisherman or Driftwood as restaurants for us to try. We are looking for somewhere for lunch & close to cruise port & shopping. You opinion on these restaurants or others appreciated. Thanks.Alfred

While I can't speak for those 2, El Gaucho is open for lunch and also has their dinner menu available all day. It's a 10-15 minute walk from the cruise terminal. As for shopping, there are the usual jewelry stores although I've heard St. Martin has the best prices. Along the water, south of the cruiseport, are all the stalls with the usual touristy stuff and very reasonable. Also, across the street from the cruiseport are vendors/fleamarket who probably have the best prices. You can bargain with the vendors.

I also researched this mainly because I am going to Aruba on my cruise in May and in July taking a land vacation there for 8 nights and was researching restaurants.

I am unsure what your looking for in your dining experience so I give you some suggestions:

The closest place and a place that is rated on the top 10 restaurants in Aruba - Yemanga

Driftwood is on my list but if somebody doesn't care for seafood there aren't really any non seafood appetizers, but this is the place to go for seafood

LG Smith & Chop if you want meat/steaks

The West Deck- Not great for lunch, this place is outdoors over the water like but it has amazing huge selection of wonderful appetizers and its also reasonably priced

Cilo City Lounge

Que Pasa

I would avoid the Old Fisherman, there are many reviews such as TripAdvisor who say its not good and they won't go back.

I also researched this mainly because I am going to Aruba on my cruise in May and in July taking a land vacation there for 8 nights and was researching restaurants.

 

I am unsure what your looking for in your dining experience so I give you some suggestions:

 

The closest place and a place that is rated on the top 10 restaurants in Aruba - Yemanga

 

LG Smith & Chop if you want meat/steaks

Yemanja Grill is not open for lunch. I do not believe LG Smith in the Renaissance Hotel/Crystal Casino is open for lunch either.

Driftwood is not open for lunch.

Carnivalman thank you, I forgot they want lunch!

Yemanga , Driftwood, LG. Steak & Chop, Que Pasaonly open for DINNER ONLY.

Cilo City Lounge (check out the menu see if you like whats on it) is OPEN FOR LUNCH

I highly suggest the West Deck, you need to check the menu out, because for lunch, there is an abundant of choices for appetizers, I am sure you would have difficulty choosing what to get lol.

http://www.thewestdeck.com/menu.php

Carnivalman thank you, I forgot they want lunch!

 

Yemanga , Driftwood, LG. Steak & Chop, Que Pasaonly open for DINNER ONLY.

 

Cilo City Lounge (check out the menu see if you like whats on it) is OPEN FOR LUNCH I highly suggest the West Deck, you need to check the menu out, because for lunch, there is an abundant of choices for appetizers, I am sure you would have difficulty choosing what to getlolhttp://www.thewestdeck.com/menu.php

Cilo City in the front of the Renaissance Mall not all that good. Cafe Plaza for lunch in the back of the Renaissance Mall has indoor and outdoor seating. Very reasonable and good food. We spent with soda and tip, $24 for lunch total for 2 people. If you want to see the water, then eat someplace along the dock. I forget the name, but the place with the cow and VW on the roof.

I am assuming since the OP mentioned the Driftwood restaurant which is one of the better seafood restaurants in Aruba, that they are looking for a nice more upscale meal than the cafe and the paddock (the one with the cow). Both the Cafe and the Paddock are pretty "ordinary" nothing special..burgers, egg salad, tuna salad, etc.

I am assuming the OP is looking to have a nicer lunch...OP am I wrong?

Other places open for lunch close to pier:

The Promenade

http://arubadining.com/restaurants/promenade/

Delimar

Other places open for lunch close to pier:

 

The Promenade

http://arubadining.com/restaurants/promenade/

 

Delimar

The Promenade is not within reasonable walking distance of the pier. It's just past Hong King Supermarket and the Dutch Pancake House. My own opinion is it's nothing special. If you want to take a cab somewhere, go to El Faro Blanco at the Lighthouse and have a light lunch with a spectacular view. However, cab fare is about $20 each way. If two couples go, it's not that costly. Or take the bus to Palm Beach and have lunch at Hadicuari between Moomba's and Surf Club and look out at the ocean. Downtown is great for dinner, but nothing special for lunch.

Carnivalman do you live in Aruba how you know about Aruba just asking.

Your right the Promenade I need to take a cab what is wrong with it please let me know. How is the West Deck?

Oh yes, that italian restaurant near the lighthouse is on our list...we are also taking a land aruba vacation in July in Auba...going to that restaurant. maybe you can give me some advice we chose other restaurants....White modern cuisine, Yemanga, Suisse Chalet, Passions on the Beach, Daniels Steak and Chop, Screaming Eagle, Giannio's, Matthews, Quinto del carmen and Madam Janette.

If you have any advice or opinions on any of these truly appreciate it.

We are looking for somewhere with good quality food & a variety of food whether it be seafood, burgers or pizza. We know we can always go back to the ship but like the idea of lunch on shore after spending the morning shopping. Alfred

We also always do a lunch when at port, but this year we dock in Aruba until 10pm so we decided to do dinner.

Do you mind taking a cab to the restaurant, or do you want to stay in walking distance to the ship?

Carnivalman do you live in Aruba how you know about Aruba just asking.

 

Your right the Promenade I need to take a cab what is wrong with it please let me know. How is the West Deck?

 

Oh yes, that italian restaurant near the lighthouse is on our list...we are also taking a land aruba vacation in July in Auba...going to that restaurant. maybe you can give me some advice we chose other restaurants....White modern cuisine, Yemanga, Suisse Chalet, Passions on the Beach, Daniels Steak and Chop, Screaming Eagle, Giannio's, Matthews, Quinto del carmen and Madam Janette.

 

If you have any advice or opinions on any of these truly appreciate it.

I've been going to Aruba since 1989 and own a timeshare on the island.

I can answer most of your restaurant questions but not all of them. If I haven't been there, I won't address it since it's only hearsay. The one meal many people grade Aruba restaurants by is the almond crusted grouper. Since I can't eat fish, I grade them by steak, but also recommendations based on the people who stay with us when we go.

Promenade average. Been there, done that.

Chalet Suisse is my number one choice by far, but that's my opinion. Rib steak on a bone can't be beat. Never had a bad meal there. The majority of the staff has been there at least for 10 years and several since it first opened in 1988.

Yemanja Wood Fire Grill is behind the Renaissance Hotel and is excellent. Opens at 5pm.

El Gaucho in town is good. I've only had one bad meal there in over a dozen times.

Daniels Steak and Chop House in Palm Beach is very good. Prices are reasonable and service is always good.

Gianni's Italian is next door to Danile's. It's OK but I would go to Azzuro (Italian) in the Playa Linda and have an early dinner and watch the sunset thru the palm tress. Food is better at Azurro's. Daniels, Gianni's and Azzuro and Amore Pizza are owned by the same company.

El Faro Blanco at the Lighthouse has spectacular views at sunset and is a must for the first time visitor. Food can be inconsistent. I've been there 4 times and overall it's been good.

Madame Janette's is good. Probably the toughest reservation to get. I like the Burgerloin which is a tenderloin steak filleted with gouda cheese inside.

Wacky Wahoo is excellent for fish.

Barney's is stick to your ribs food and has many all u can eat nights. Very reasonable prices.

Smokey Joe's in Palm Beach for ribs. Truly fall off the bone ribs. Great place for a first night dinner after traveling all day.

Matthew's went downhill after Ricardo left about 2 year s ago. Ricardo now has a place in the Aruba Beach Club (next door to Matthew's which is located in the Casa del Mar). Just don't go to Ricardo's for the last seating on karaoke night (Thursdays?). Matthews does have a great view since your right on the beach.

Supermarkets - Depending where you stay, you can walk to them but will need a cab to get the groceries back. Super Foods has a very good bakery but it can be hard at times to get a cab. Ling's is also good and usually no problem getting a cab. Kong Hing has gone downhill over the past two years. But they do have then best bakery of the three for pastries. Not worth going for regular food shopping.

Rental car - to each their own. Many people swear by having one even though it sits in the parking lot for the majority of their stay. If you're going for the first time and not with anyone else, a car would be a good thing to have since cab fares can add up. Also, you can try many of the restaurants that are not in the low or hi rise areas. Be aware if it's a "regular car", do not take it to the east side of the island since there are really no roads and the insurance will not cover you.

This should be enough to get you started.

Hey Carnivalman

I thought you sounded like you been to Aruba lol....which timesharing is it one of the Marriots? My sister and brother in law along with their two adult daughters rented the Marriott Ocean and I am staying next door at the Marriott Resort...I wrote down the supermarkets you mentioned as I am sure they want to go there and load up their refrigerator lol. My other half and I along with my father in law are not real beach people as the others are so I am planning on having breakfasts and or lunches out to bide time just to do something else. How is the Dutch Pancake house? Any good places for either breakfast or lunch you recommend?

I also grade my restaurants by the steak hehe as I am really not a seafood person but I have been known to eat grouper, mahi, chilean sea bas basically any white fish that doesn't have a strong fishy taste and no bones and I do eat lobster, that is as far as I get when it comes to seafood. I am a HUGE steak person.

I appreciate your advice on these restaurants, and I taking your expert advice not to go to the Promenade.

When I go to Madam Janette I also going to order what you like there, thanks for the heads up!

I was going to go for dinner on our cruise when we are docked in Aruba to Matthews but after hearing it went downhill I am going to pass, which leads me back to square one where to go for dinner, my ship leaves at 10pm so I have plenty of time to go somewhere. Since Yemanga is on our list to go for dinner in July I like to try another place. What exactly do you recommend to go for dinner something within a 10 minute cab ride from the pier?

We aren't renting a car, we may just again bide time and use the bus system but we are planning on taking a lot of cabs, do they have vans/cabs that can hold 8 adults or would we need to get two cabs?

Hey Carnivalman

 

I thought you sounded like you been to Aruba lol....which timesharing is it one of the Marriots? My sister and brother in law along with their two adult daughters rented the Marriott Ocean and I am staying next door at the Marriott Resort...I wrote down the supermarkets you mentioned as I am sure they want to go there and load up their refrigerator lol. My other half and I along with my father in law are not real beach people as the others are so I am planning on having breakfasts and or lunches out to bide time just to do something else. How is the Dutch Pancake house? Any good places for either breakfast or lunch you recommend?

 

I also grade my restaurants by the steak hehe as I am really not a seafood person but I have been known to eat grouper, mahi, chilean sea bas basically any white fish that doesn't have a strong fishy taste and no bones and I do eat lobster, that is as far as I get when it comes to seafood. I am a HUGE steak person.

 

I appreciate your advice on these restaurants, and I taking your expert advice not to go to the Promenade.

 

When I go to Madam Janette I also going to order what you like there, thanks for the heads up!

 

I was going to go for dinner on our cruise when we are docked in Aruba to Matthews but after hearing it went downhill I am going to pass, which leads me back to square one where to go for dinner, my ship leaves at 10pm so I have plenty of time to go somewhere. Since Yemanga is on our list to go for dinner in July I like to try another place. What exactly do you recommend to go for dinner something within a 10 minute cab ride from the pier?

 

We aren't renting a car, we may just again bide time and use the bus system but we are planning on taking a lot of cabs, do they have vans/cabs that can hold 8 adults or would we need to get two cabs?

OK, here's the deal. Within a 10 minute cab ride from the pier and since you're a steak person. El Gaucho, Chalet Suisse (closed Sunday's), Ricardo's, Madame Janette's (make reservations online at any of these places before you set sail). Actually, you should be able to get into El Gaucho without one if you're there by 6pm. Ask the host to call you a cab after you've finished dinner. Not all restaurants have cabs waiting. With a 10pm departure and they want you on the boat NLT 9:30pm, I would have dinner at 6pm. This way you won't be looking at your watch. As far as restaurants that specialize in fish, I usually stay away from them because I'm allergic to fish and there aren't many other offerings. So I can't speak for those places.

I own a 3 bedroom at the Surf Club, but prior to that had been staying in the low rise area.

While I have never eaten at the Dutch Pancake House (cab ride from the Marriott), I've heard good things. However, it's my understanding Dutch style pancakes are more like crepes. If you do your food shopping at Ling's, take a cab to the Pancake House, then walk 3-4 blocks to Ling's supermarket after breakfast. For a good stick to your rib breakfast for about $11 per, Moomba's has a buffet including fresh made omelets and you can sit on their covered deck and look out at the serene beach/ocean since no one is up yet. We always go there our first morning on the island since it's a great way to start you full first day.

If you take a cab to a supermarket, it costs less going than the return trip since they are allowed to charge extra for your shopping boxes. A cab to Super Foods is $9 going and about $11 on the return.

Also, look for early birds in the hi-rise area when you stay there. Tango (Argentinian Steak House) has a nice one for about $23. Sole Mare (short cab ride) also has a good early bird for about $25. Both are 3 course meals. Smokey Joe's for ribs is less than a 10 minute walk from the Marriott Ocean Club.

Cabs can legally only take 5 people. Don't even try to persuade a driver since they could lose their license if caught. Take a bus downtown for a day and have lunch. Bus drivers will make change but it helps to have exact change of $2.30 each way. But if 4 or 5 people are going, take a cab for $12-$13 and you won't have to wait for a bus. Buses are clean and run fairly timely. But the "savings" is not worth the lost time standing at a bus stop.

Hi Carnivalman,

I will keep El Gaucho on the list will check out their menu....Madam Janette and Chalet Suisse we will definitely dine there in July, would like to try different restaurants, unless I change my mind about that because my sister in law who has been to Aruba a few times says the same thing as you those two places are a must especially Madam Janettes.

My brother in law is a captain of Jet Blue and when he flies there they put him up at the Renaissance and he always has breakfast at the Dutch Pancake house and loves it, he is in love with those poffertjes lol. He always speaks about them and takes a photo of them sends me it via text haha...I don't like pancakes but he said the same thing they more like crepes and I love crepes! Unfortunately I have to be gluten free but the place wrote me back and said they can make gluten free for me. I think when on my land vacation in Aruba I eat there a breakfast or two then walk around the area.

Great idea going to Lings since I be in that area.

I just put on my list of places to go Moombas for breakfast. :D

Thanks for letting us know the cab fare be a few dollars more with the groceries makes sense.

You mentioned about Sole Mare, how is Gianni's we have Gianni's on the list to go to? Money is no object when it comes to food, we do know we get what we pay for and we don't mind paying a good penney for a decent meal, but thank you for the early bird tips as I will mention to a couple of other people who I know are going in April and they are on a budget.

I figured that cabs can only hold a maximum amount of people just like other caribbean islands, this is why I asked don't want to do anything illegal and like to know the laws so thank you for that too.

I am going to take your advice take more cabs, you really are helping us out and truly appreciate it.

Can you recommend any places to go for lunch or even breakfast. My other half and father in law are not beach people so it be nice while the rest of the family is on the beach that we have a nice breakfast/lunch somewhere besides at the hotel.

Is there anywhere to go for entertainment, live music late at night? I don't think there is much but perhaps you know since your the Aruba man. (mean it in a great way trust me).

What are your thoughts about Pelicans Nest?

Iguana Joe's is open for lunch (except on Sunday) and is a very easy walk from where cruise ships dock. ;)

LuLu

Hi Carnivalman,

 

I will keep El Gaucho on the list will check out their menu....Madam Janette and Chalet Suisse we will definitely dine there in July, would like to try different restaurants, unless I change my mind about that because my sister in law who has been to Aruba a few times says the same thing as you those two places are a must especially Madam Janettes.

 

My brother in law is a captain of Jet Blue and when he flies there they put him up at the Renaissance and he always has breakfast at the Dutch Pancake house and loves it, he is in love with those poffertjes lol. He always speaks about them and takes a photo of them sends me it via text haha...I don't like pancakes but he said the same thing they more like crepes and I love crepes! Unfortunately I have to be gluten free but the place wrote me back and said they can make gluten free for me. I think when on my land vacation in Aruba I eat there a breakfast or two then walk around the area.

Great idea going to Lings since I be in that area.

 

I just put on my list of places to go Moombas for breakfast. :D

Thanks for letting us know the cab fare be a few dollars more with the groceries makes sense.

 

You mentioned about Sole Mare, how is Gianni's we have Gianni's on the list to go to? Money is no object when it comes to food, we do know we get what we pay for and we don't mind paying a good penney for a decent meal, but thank you for the early bird tips as I will mention to a couple of other people who I know are going in April and they are on a budget.

 

Can you recommend any places to go for lunch or even breakfast. My other half and father in law are not beach people so it be nice while the rest of the family is on the beach that we have a nice breakfast/lunch somewhere besides at the hotel.

 

Is there anywhere to go for entertainment, live music late at night? I don't think there is much but perhaps you know since your the Aruba man. (mean it in a great way trust me).

Breakfast - Since I basically have breakfast and lunch in my timeshare unit (if I ate out all the time, I would need all 3 seats across on the flight home) the 2 places I can recommend are La Vista buffet in the Marriott Stellaris Hotel where you are staying. You can also go down the strip to have breakfast at Salt n' Pepper which is about a 15 walk from the Ocean Club. There are other places on the strip for breakfast, but I've never been to them.

As for Gianni's, as I said before, nothing wrong with it, but my preference between the two Italian restaurants is Azzuro because of the sunsets.

As of this past October, the Radisson on Tuesday nights has a Biba Festival (show starts at 7pm) which includes a 30 minute show with dancers dressed in Carnival costumes and accompanied by a band of drums and horns. This is followed by cirque d solely type acts and finishes with a fun limbo contest. The entire show lasts about 60 minutes. They have a one time thru the line buffet for $20 (average food) or you can show up and just have drinks. Other than that, not much entertainment in Aruba. The Marriott Stellaris sometimes has comedians perform.

I'm in Aruba now, finishing up my annual two week Aruba vacation. We love Dutch Pancake House and go there for lunch every year. We went there for lunch last week. Chalet Suisse is a restaurant that we never miss. This year, it was the best meal that we had. We still love Matthew's. We ate there last week and have never felt like it has gone downhill at all. Azzurro is another of our favorites. We also ate there last week and it was a standout. We went to Barney's for the first time this week. The ribs and the grouper were fantastic. Lings is our favorite grocery store, but a lot of people choose to go to SuperFoods, which is closer to Palm Beach. We used to go to SuperFoods a lot before it relocated to Palm Beach.

Carnivalman hahahahaha three seats better hope its an airbus lol

I took Gianni's off our list, I know you know your stuff lol

Unfortunately I won't make the Radisson entertainment our other half of the family wants to go to dinner at 7:15 ugh

I guess there is always the casino at our hotel, I would imagine there be a bar to sit and have cocktails and talk too...the good thing about late dinner is that it occupy most of the night.

Hey Hatteras51 great seeing you again. Since you and Carnival man mention Lings that is where we go. Did you go to Barneys for lunch or dinner?

I think since the two of you mentioned Azzuro I must put that on the list to go much thanks to both of you.

Any other places we should try for breakfast and lunch?

Carnivalman hahahahaha three seats better hope its an airbus lol

 

I took Gianni's off our list, I know you know your stuff lol

 

Unfortunately I won't make the Radisson entertainment our other half of the family wants to go to dinner at 7:15 ugh

 

I guess there is always the casino at our hotel, I would imagine there be a bar to sit and have cocktails and talk too...the good thing about late dinner is that it occupy most of the night.

 

Hey Hatteras51 great seeing you again. Since you and Carnival man mention Lings that is where we go. Did you go to Barneys for lunch or dinner?

 

I think since the two of you mentioned Azzuro I must put that on the list to go much thanks to both of you.

 

Any other places we should try for breakfast and lunch?

Don't take Gianni's off your list. Nothing wrong with it, just that I prefer Azzuro. I go to restaurants I like regardless of cost. There are those where the early birds have very good food and Chalet Suisse which is much more expensive, but I'm on vacation so I'm lucky that it doesn't matter. If you like soup, potato soup is very popular in Aruba and I usually get it at most restaurants. French onion with melted Baby Gouda on top is also good.

Marriott Casino entrance is probably still under construction. They are putting in a new outside entrance with a drive up right next to the hotel drive up area. At some point they will be busting into the casino in the area where the video poker machines are located. Hopefully, they put a new system in to get the smoke out. Go next door to the Ritz casino. Not as crowded. Drinks in real glasses and not wax cups.

I have stayed at the hotel on several occasions. The fitness gym is located between the Ocean Club and hotel and is shared by both properties.

The adult pool at the hotel is nice and opens at 7am to claim your space. However, there are rooms along the hallway next to the pool that in addition to their hallway entrance, also have an outside door right into the pool area. If that's where your room is, claim your space before the gate into the pool area is opened. A very quiet and relaxing atmosphere.

As for half your family eating at 7:15pm. Do you have to be joined at the hip every night? The Biba show is really a lot of fun to watch. However, only you can keep peace in the family and that's a decision you have to make. The show is a good change of pace.

Lastly, when is your cruise ship in port?

Hey Carnivalman,

We also go to restaurants and not look at the cost, its part of the experience of being away. :p

Ok won't take Gianni's off the list but will be watching trip advisor review of Azzuro, I may just make the switch. :roll eyes:

Are you saying the casino is under construction and it be noisy at this hotel? :eek:

I didn't know the Ritz had a casino, how far is it to walk, my father in law is with us he is 77 doesn't walk fast.

I did book up a partial ocean view room, didn't want an ocean view because I don't want the long walk for my father in law from the lobby area to the room but we don't want the garden room and lesser type room.

I really want to do the show at the radisson are we at the hip...ummmm....the idea of this trip is to be together, they live up in NY and my other half and father in law live in Florida so we don't get to see one another much maybe once or twice a year...so I think we are joined, but I bring it up to my sister in law maybe she change her mind and go to ONE night early dinner. :)

We were on the RC Allure of the Seas this past May she was my 53rd cruise and the best ship I ever been on...so we booked the Oasis for May 9th western caribbean (you know same old stuff over and over), but when we found out that my other half got a premier casino offer with Carnival and noticed the Valor was on the list out of Pt. Canaveral (two hours away from port from our house vs having to fly and stay overnight at hotel before our Oasis cruise) we all agreed to change for the 8 night southern caribbean cruise. Our cruise is on the Valor on May 8 docking in Aruba monday May 11 1-10pm.

Our land Aruba vacation is July 17-July 25.

I haven't been to Aruba since 2009 but had timeshare there pre-kids. I love El Gaucho and would definately go back if I had the opportunity. Funny to stay but the steaks are delicious but I want to go back for their sauted broccoli. OMG it was so good.