Aruba Activity and Restaurant Reservations

[Kamala]

My fiancee and I will be on our honeymoon in Aruba in mid/late January. (I know it's a just a few weeks, but I haven't freaked out. Yet.) Some friends who have been to Aruba have recommended some restaurants/activites and told me that reservations are generally necessary. My fiancee and I aren't huge plan-in-advance types (even though we already booked our scuba trips with Dive Aruba) and would prefer to wing it. The friends who have been have always gone during Christmas or other peak periods. Neither they nor the internet have been helpful with information about mid/late January. Can we get into the better restaurants/activities with same day reservations or none at all or should we be looking to make reservations a week or more in advance? Thanks for any help.

 

[ronrosa]

My fiancee and I will be on our honeymoon in Aruba in mid/late January. (I know it's a just a few weeks, but I haven't freaked out. Yet.) Some friends who have been to Aruba have recommended some restaurants/activites and told me that reservations are generally necessary. My fiancee and I aren't huge plan-in-advance types (even though we already booked our scuba trips with Dive Aruba) and would prefer to wing it. The friends who have been have always gone during Christmas or other peak periods. Neither they nor the internet have been helpful with information about mid/late January. Can we get into the better restaurants/activities with same day reservations or none at all or should we be looking to make reservations a week or more in advance? Thanks for any help.

Plenty of good places to eat in Aruba. Reservations are a good idea, but I wouldn't be too concerned about it. If a restaurant is booked, make a reservation for the next night. If you like meat, try the Brazilian steakhouse. Chicken wrapped with bacon was delicious.

 

[LChan]

I was just in Aruba in July.

Restaurants.... it really depends on what type of food you like.
Unfortunately, there is no such thing as good cheap food.
it seemed every entree was at least $20.
I guess that is what you get for going to a resort island where they have to import everything.

My ex and I (we were together then) really liked Le Dome.
It is a Belgian restaurant. Great Belgian beer, the escargot was incredible. We paid about $60 for two including drinks (beer). They require that you dress up a little more. I wore a polo shirt and Khaki pants. There were people in suits there. Great atmosphere. good place. This place is near the "low rise hotels/timeshares" so you will need to cab it.

The Driftwood: this is downtown. Their snails were very good. Good fish. This place is usually packed. Similar price to above.

Cuba Cooking: also downtown. A Cuban restaurant. The Mohitos are good. Get the pulled pork. it is really good. we were there when they had live music. really fun.

Lastly: We went to a Brazilian steakhouse. I have forgotten what it is called. This place is very cool. all you can eat food. their specialty is MEAT Definitely an Atkins friendly place. price about 35 per person without drinks. They come by with big skewers of meat and great stuff. Their best meat dish was filet Mignon wrapped in bacon. That was phenomenal!!!!

O yeah, before I forget. We ate on the beach at the Marriott. I have forgotten the name of the restaurant. They clean up the beach of all the chairs and stuff. Then they put several tables on the beach with an incredible view of the sunset. The food was average. But the view was incredible. Huge bonus points. You will need reservations here.

Good luck.
congrats.

 

[fins]

My fiancee and I will be on our honeymoon in Aruba in mid/late January. (I know it's a just a few weeks, but I haven't freaked out. Yet.) Some friends who have been to Aruba have recommended some restaurants/activites and told me that reservations are generally necessary. My fiancee and I aren't huge plan-in-advance types (even though we already booked our scuba trips with Dive Aruba) and would prefer to wing it. The friends who have been have always gone during Christmas or other peak periods. Neither they nor the internet have been helpful with information about mid/late January. Can we get into the better restaurants/activities with same day reservations or none at all or should we be looking to make reservations a week or more in advance? Thanks for any help.

For Argentinian Steak - El Gaucho is the best. Located on the south end of Orangestad

Iguana Joes is a great place for an afternoon burger (or jerk chicken sandwich) and beer located on the north end or Orangestad

La Trattoria El Faro Blanco - Great Italian restaurant on the north end of the island at the lighthouse. Also a great place to see the sunset.

If you really want a top shelf dining experience try Ruinas Del Mar at the Hyatt

For a local dining experience there was a small place downtown orangestad with great pumpkin soup and jerk chicken. I can't remember the name of the place but it shared a building with an African restaurant (which was upstairs). The restaurant was just a couple blocks inland from the casino.

And then there's always Tony Roma's, Outback, Wendy's Taco Bell etc

The time of year you are going I would recommend reservations well except for Wendy's and Taco Bell

Hope you have a great honeymoon

 

[michaelp68]

I was in Aruba during mid-to-late January, two years ago.

There were five of us on the trip.

We went to many different restaurants, some of them quite nice.

We did not have a problems getting into any of our restaurants, and I know that we did not make reservations before the trip.

So, whoever was in charge on our trip (wasn't me) made the reservations while we were in Aruba. My best memory is that we made some of them early in the week when we first arrived and we also made some of them on the particular day that we were going to that particular restaurant. So, I think it was a little of both.

I know we had reservations and I know we did not make them before the trip.

I hope that helps a little, and I hope you enjoy.

Michael