Aruba Uncut Restaurants

ARUBA UNCUT

I have read several articles regarding blogging. I followed some instructions here and there and I watched some videos on how to blog and vlog. However, I'm not sure if what you need to become a good or popular blogger is really a science or if there is a blueprint. 

I recently met some influencers, who do their thing on several social media channels such as Instagram, Youtube etc. Honestly, I didn’t see the science behind it and these people have hundreds of thousand people following them.

Maybe I am missing the secret behind it, but one of the things that I do agree with is this. Blog or write about something that you are either good at or you know it well. I think that I have said this before. 

Knowing something firsthand kind of makes you an “expert” so this is why I have decided to start with an “UNCUT” version of information or blogs on Aruba.

Many “travel writers”, press groups or influencers seek all sorts of freebies in order to write a nice article. I know that some people who will read this will not like it. Some people will feel offended, hurt or whatever, but again this is my unpaid, uncompensated and uncut view of things, and particularly in Aruba.

Where else can you get better material then right in your own backyard, right?

Everybody has a different take when it comes to life experiences. Some people will only stick to what they know, while others will try as many experiences as possible. Again, every experience is measured by the beholder. 

I would like to start with some culinary experience in Aruba. The numbers have no priority or ranking whatsoever. I have decided to post these first and more will follow in the future. I will probably come back to them as things might change or develop. 

1.O’NIEL CARIBBEAN KITCHEN, located in the heart of San Nicolas. This restaurant is known for its local and Caribbean cuisine. As far as its location, the restaurant is right in downtown Sanicolas.

Parking can be a little tricky if it’s busy, but you can find parking within 100-200 feet from the restaurant.

Although it has a terrace, personally I have hardly seen anyone sit outside during my visits, but this can be due to the heat.  

Seating inside can be a little bit of a challenge sometimes when it’s full. They do have a “second” room but I have never seen this open to the public. The air-conditioning can be an issue if you are sitting right in front of one of the split units. 

Overall impression of the restaurant is pleasant and clean. The restrooms are clean and the restaurant has no particular lingering smell or odor. The background music is typical Caribbean music and not loud enough to interfere with your conversation.

The waiter and bartending staff need to be a little bit friendlier. Maybe some more smiling and some more people skills will do wonders for the customer.

This restaurant is great because of their food consistency. Every visit you will find their dishes consistent in taste, generous portions and there is a solid structure to their menu. This is also why they have many repeat guests.

It’s important that your local population supports a local business or restaurant. When your local population eats at a local restaurant, this is a good indication of quality. At O’Niel, there are many local folks any day of the week at lunchtime.

My personal favorites are the Ox Tail with rice, the Black & Blue Burger, the Roti, the Garlic Conch or Garlic Shrimp.

You will find that the menu is reasonably priced between USD 8.00-18:00 per person. The servings are generous portions and waiting time is at the most 20 minutes before the food is on the table.

My experience has only been with lunch visits but I recommend this restaurant at any time. For me, it’s either thumbs up or thumbs down.

O’Niel Caribbean Kitchen in San Nicolas Aruba is a big thumb’s up.  

Doc

2.ZEEROVERS

Zeerovers is located in the village of Savaneta. It’s almost in the middle of the island on the southeast coast.  Savaneta is a fishing village. It’s also the oldest settlement in Aruba, dating back approximately 5,000 years ago.

Zeerovers started as a family local fish market and it grew into a local attraction in Aruba.

Today still, fishermen will come in and deliver their fresh catch and this is sold to the general public or delivered to local restaurants or hotels.

The owners saw the potential for expansion a few years ago and now Zeerovers is an internationally known local hangout. With this expansion, the owners started to serve food based on a simple but successful concept.

You walk in and you order your food at the first window. Here the staff will weigh your shrimp and or fish by the pound. You can eat this plain or you can order French fries, tartar sauce, pickled onions and local bread. You pay for the food and you get a wooden block with an order number. 

You walk around to the next window where you can order your drinks, including your choice of the locally brewed beers. You pay and go find yourself a table. If you’re lucky, you can sit on the pier section or the pier extension.

Within 10-15 minutes your food will be brought to your table in a basket. The staff collects the number and they provide a bottle of hot sauce and plastic utensils, but you might as well eat with your hands. You will most likely have to peel the shrimp anyway.

Zeerovers is the only type of local hangout like this on Aruba. Locals and tourist alike go there because of the atmosphere and the simplicity of it.

The food is good. It’s consistent and no guessing. It’s fish, shrimp or both. If you don’t eat fish or shrimp, maybe you can still enjoy a cold beer or a coconut flavor ice-cream.

You can’t call it a “restaurant” because the staff doesn’t serve you. You can’t make reservations and there are no menus. They bring the food to the table and that’s it. If you want to re-order a beer, you will have to do it yourself at the window.

The place is simple yet very popular. If you order a little too much, they will wrap it up for you to go. They are closed on Mondays and they take cash ONLY!

Zeerovers is a must do and for around $ 40.00 dollars per couple, it’s definitely thumbs up!

Doc

3.MADAME JEANNETTE

Reservations are definitely required here! 

This restaurant serves an average of between 400-500 people per evening. During high season this can reach up to 700 guests per evening. This is probably THE busiest or one of the busiest restaurants in Aruba.

Madame Jeannette offers an international French Caribbean fine dining cuisine. Personally, I would recommend this restaurant any time in terms of the food and service. This restaurant is very good.

Despite the fact that they serve a lot of people, the average waiting time to be seated is 15 minutes and you can have a very nice dining experience in about 1.5 hours.

You can be seated in several different areas of the restaurant. They offer covered areas and open areas in the garden.  They have nine seating’s starting as early as 17:30. Madame Jeanette is closed on Sundays.

The Madame Jeanette bar offers a cocktail and wine list menu and has the largest selection of international craft beers.

The restaurant has a main menu and specials menu. From the “Le Poisson Cru Ceviche”, (Made with the Madame Jeanette pepper), to the “Old Butcher Steak”, all dishes are prepared to perfection.

Madame Jeannette is a little bit on the pricey side. Expect to spend around 50-60 dollars per person. 

However, if you want to dish out the money and please your honey, this is an excellent choice for an anniversary dinner or any other type of celebration. 

Again, the service is great and very attentive! Big thumbs up.

Doc

4. WHITE CUISINE

Photo source: White Cuisine

White Cuisine has a concept of blending their dishes in order to create a unique dining experience based on taste. So, selecting your appetizer, main course and dessert is carefully orchestrated by the staff.

One of the best cuisines in Aruba, so when my girl and I went there recently for lunch, and there was no avocado for the salad or the Mexican burrito, I was a little disappointed. On top of it, the service was slow.

Despite this, they managed to create a very good lunch without the avocado. 

As mentioned before, the opinions on here are uncut and straightforward.

My recommendations are simple. I have had lunch and dinner here before and the food is great. This is also why I would still recommend this restaurant.

White Cuisine is not an “all you can eat” concept. Their dishes are prepared as culinary artwork and not based on large quantities. Some dishes will look “tiny”.

They don’t advertise mainstream. The restaurant is located in a gated community but anyone can make reservations.

We selected to sit inside during the day because outside it is very warm and uncomfortable.

At White Cuisine you can easily spend anywhere between 65 to 85 dollar per person for dinner and about 30 to 40 dollars per person for lunch.

 Personally, I’m not a fluff artsy food person. I’m pretty easy and simple with it comes to food. It doesn’t have to be fancy, pretty or tiny. It has to be good.

This may not be for everyone, especially at those prices.

Having said this, I still enjoy the culinary experience and taste. Therefore I’m giving White Cuisine thumbs up! 

Doc

5. THE WEST DECK

The West Deck is a family owned and operated restaurant. 

My girl loves this place. You can sit here overlooking the sea while enjoying your lunch, dinner or just drinks. Airplanes can be seen landing or cruise ships departing from port.

The staff is very service minded and friendly. The service is great! The ambiance is excellent.

The West Deck is an island grill, beach bar-restaurant that serves lunch and dinner. They are open daily from 10:30-23:00.

The West Deck has an extensive food and drinks menu. From their “Brain Freezers”, margaritas, cocktails, non-alcoholic to their wine lists, there is something for everyone. 

Their burgers, ribs, shrimp, chicken and fish dishes are plentiful. 

The ceviche has a bite to it. If you are not used to Picante food, skip the ceviche. 

The fish is to die for. The burgers are juicy but not greasy. All food portions are generous.

Their desserts range from local delicacies to the New York cheesecake. 

The tamarind juice is great thirst quencher and it’s homemade in-house. This fruit can be found on the island in the wild and is used for several different recipes.

The West Deck is casual and reservations are not mandatory but recommended due to the limited seating capacity. Thumbs up!

Doc.

6.DELICIOUS

A new restaurant in the Palm Beach area where the owner and Chef Annelotte Ellis does her dishes from scratch. Open for lunch and dinner, Delicious offers a variety of personalized dishes with an artistic touch.

Delicious restaurant also does takeout and delivery orders. 

The restaurant is casual attire. The food is delicious and the quality is good. The portions are reasonably sized and the price is also very attractive.

The unique thing about this restaurant is that Chef Annelotte makes every dish a personal work of art. Unlike bigger restaurants where mass production can take away from the touch, here your dish is personalized. She shops daily for supplies and creates the dishes based on fresh ingredients.

They offer daily specials next to an ever-changing menu.

The restaurant has been open less than a year and they are working on their staffing. The place is clean and can seat about 20 people.

There is no particular décor or setting. The place is simple and not wow. The food, however, speaks for itself.

It can be a little hot during the day because it’s an open terrace and inside there is no air conditioning.

Reservations are not mandatory but calling ahead wouldn’t hurt. Thumbs up.

Photo source: Delicious Restaurant

Doc.