If your cruise ship is docking in Aruba and you’re wondering whether to splurge on a far-flung island tour or savor the flavors right near the port — I say: follow your nose and appetite. As someone who’s dropped anchor in Aruba more times than I’ve been home for Thanksgiving, let me assure you — some of the best eats on the island are just a flip-flop’s stroll from the cruise terminal. Yes, really. You can dig into a world of rich, spicy, sun-drenched island cuisine without ever venturing more than a few blocks.
So lace up your walking sandals, grab some cash (some joints are charmingly old-school and cash only), and join me in exploring 7 unmissable Aruba dishes that you can enjoy without missing your all-aboard time.
1. Keshi Yena — Aruba’s Ultimate Comfort Food
Pronounced “kay-she yay-nah,” this savory bombshell is essentially a stuffed cheese casserole. Imagine a basketball-sized dome of Edam or Gouda, filled with slow-braised chicken, olives, capers, raisins, and magical island spices. The dish traces back to Dutch colonial times when enslaved people would stuff cheese rinds with scraps to create something soulful and satisfying. Today, it’s a full-on island delicacy.
Where to try it: Walk over to The West Deck, a breezy seaside eatery just a 10-minute walk from the port. Order their Keshi Yena with a side of plantain and thank me later.
2. Pastechi — Aruba’s Favorite Snack-on-the-Go
Think of pastechi as calzone’s flakier, sun-kissed Caribbean cousin. These crescent-shaped pastries are deep-fried and stuffed with everything from cheese to spicy beef, ham, or even fish. Best part? They’re perfect for breakfast, lunch, or your third mid-snack of the day — no judgment.
Where to try it: Check out Pastechi House, less than two blocks from the terminal. Go early—they sell out faster than free WiFi onboard!
3. Funchi — The Humble Star of Many Meals
Set aside everything you know about polenta. Aruba’s funchi is a creamy cornmeal side dish sometimes fried into golden sticks that could easily pass for gourmet fries. It’s often served with stews or grilled meats, and boy, does it soak up sauce like a champ.
Where to try it: Grab a plate at The Old Fisherman, just across from the Oranjestad marina, where it plays best supporting actor alongside their stewed beef.
4. Aruban Seafood Soup — A Bowl of the Caribbean
Close your eyes, take one slurp, and you’re suddenly on a hammock between two coconut trees. This dish blends shrimp, snapper, calamari, and other sea treasures in a fragrant base of coconut milk, tomatoes, and local spices. It’s pure island comfort in a bowl.
Where to try it: Driftwood Restaurant, about a 15-minute walk from the port, serves a version I’d swim ashore just to taste again.
5. Pan Bati — Pancakes, But Make It Caribbean
Aruba’s answer to cornbread, pan bati translates to “smashed bread,” but don’t let that fool you. These thick, slightly sweet flatbreads are griddled like pancakes and served as a sidekick to soups, stews, or grilled meats. Rip, scoop, repeat.
Where to try it: Many places offer it, but you’ll get a stellar plate at Cuba’s Cookin’, a colorful spot in the Renaissance Marketplace, a 5-minute stroll from the ship.
6. Sopi di Mondongo — For the Adventurous Palate
Not for the faint of fork, this traditional soup uses beef tripe (yes, that’s cow stomach — travel with an open mind, folks!). Slowly stewed with yuca, plantains, and vegetables, it’s rich and deeply satisfying. Locals swear it’s the best hangover cure on the island… not that I’d know anything about that (wink).
Where to try it: Try it at O’Niel Caribbean Kitchen, where locals go, and the tripe is tender enough to convert skeptics.
7. Tamarind-Glazed Anything — Yes, Anything
Tamarind grows wild all over Aruba, and its tangy pulp turns up in sauces, snacks, and even beverages. The best way to try it? Find a dish where it’s used as a glaze—usually on ribs, chicken, or snapper. Sweet, sour, sticky… and entirely addictive.
Where to try it: You won’t go wrong with the tamarind BBQ ribs at L.G. Smith’s Steak & Chop House, inside the Renaissance Hotel — 3 steps from the gangway, no kidding.
Bonus Tips from a Cruise Insider
- Timing is everything: Port shops and eateries ramp up around 10 AM. Get an early bite if you want to beat the crowds (and the noon sun!).
- Local currency isn’t essential: US dollars are widely accepted, but keep small bills and change handy for cash-only spots.
- Try the local soda: Look for “Cola Champagne.” It tastes like cream soda met Fanta in a beach cabana.
- Ask for ‘pica’: If you like spice, request Aruba’s homemade hot sauce. It’s usually in an unmarked bottle… and it always hits.
Navigating Aruba’s Port: Easy as Pie (or Pastechi)
One of the beauties of docking in Oranjestad is that everything worth tasting is within a 15-minute walking radius. The port is clean, safe, and bustling, with polite taxi drivers and helpful locals happy to point you toward their favorite snack shack. But don’t dawdle too long or stray too far — your cruise ship won’t wait while you debate another round of tamarind wings.
Final Thoughts: Your Taste Buds Just Went on Vacation
Aruba may be a small island, but it serves up big, bold, unforgettable flavors — many of them no more than a stone’s throw from your cruise ship. Whether you’re a first-time cruiser or an old salt like me, there’s no better way to experience culture than with a fork in hand. And hey, if all you manage is a flaky pastechi and an icy Balashi beer while you people-watch from the steps of Fort Zoutman — that’s still time deliciously spent.
So go ahead. Skip the overpriced shore excursions (at least until the next port) and let your taste buds do the exploring instead.
Bon bini, bon probecho, and happy cruising!
