Aruba restaurants and must do's?

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

We tried the Radisson Buffet and were disappointed - not that it was bad but just not good compared to everyplace else.

LOVE the bar at the Radisson- has some of the best Martini's I have had in my life - must be 40-50 choices -we went twice this trip - and it is outdoors in their beautiful garden, just steps away from Sunset Grille.
Mira Solo
Meaning "Look at the Sun" in Papiamento, is a favorite gathering place surrounded by cascading waterfalls, lush gardens and tropical birds, Mira Solo is Aruba's first martini bar.

Offering sophisticated cocktails, tropical concoctions, and entertainment it is sure to become one of your favorite meeting places, before or after dinner, or your lucky trip to the casino.

Monday - Thursday: 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday: 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Saturday - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM


http://www.radisson.com/aruba

[CNYTraveler Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CNYTraveler]

some recommendations

Restaurants we enjoyed:

Texas de Brasil TEXAS DE BRAZIL CHURRASCARIA Details Texas de Brazil - a gaucho style Brazilian steakhouse in the high rise area. I believe it's based in Texas but has excellent food and service.

La Fondue - La Fondue d'Aruba / Aruba Restaurants Aruba By Night - La Fondue d' Aruba it's a fondue restaurant (duh!) in Oranjested. We enjoy fondue and this was very enjoyable.

Flying Fishbone - we loved the setting but thought the food was good, not great. Still a nice dinner with your toes in the sand is pretty cool.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Another goodie!

Matilde Restaurant & Downtown Monument - Home

From Chez Mathilde to Matilde ...
Welcome to restyled Chez Mathilde, welcome to ... Matilde

Celebrating it's twentieth anniversary Chez Mathile once again reinvents itself.
After extensive renovations Matilde offers an entirely new "Caribbean Chic" but relaxing atmosphere under the same original owners and management.
A more buttoned-down experience yet maintaining the same standards of excellence and world class cuisine we have always been known for.

Now you can be chic, trendy or both... only at Matilde.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Yippee

Mira Solo at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino
My FAV Martini Bar - and the MENU for all those yummy drinks!

And here is a webcam of the bar Radisson Aruba Resort, Casino & Spa

And the new shopping center by the Marriott/Holiday Inn/Playa Linda/Hyatt
Paseo Herencia - Aruba By Night

[arubarob Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close arubarob]

Second best spareribs we ever had were at Smokey Joes!!!-- Right across the street from the Playa Linda.---Also on Tuesdays they feature all you can eat--- but the racks are so large,that might be overkill---enjoy.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Second best spareribs we ever had were at Smokey Joes!!!-- Right across the street from the Playa Linda.---Also on Tuesdays they feature all you can eat--- but the racks are so large,that might be overkill---enjoy.

Home | Smokey Joe's Island Grill

Thanks Rob - we enjoy Smokey Joes and Salt n Pepper - a leisurely stroll from the Marriott/

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

LOVE the bar at the Radisson- has some of the best Martini's I have had in my life - must be 40-50 choices -we went twice this trip - and it is outdoors in their beautiful garden, just steps away from Sunset Grille.
Mira Solo
Meaning "Look at the Sun" in Papiamento, is a favorite gathering place surrounded by cascading waterfalls, lush gardens and tropical birds, Mira Solo is Aruba's first martini bar.

Offering sophisticated cocktails, tropical concoctions, and entertainment it is sure to become one of your favorite meeting places, before or after dinner, or your lucky trip to the casino.

Monday - Thursday: 4:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Friday: 4:00 PM - 2:00 AM
Saturday - Sunday: 11:00 AM - 2:00 AM


Radisson Aruba Resorts: Aruba Hotels: Hotels in Aruba

New Link

Mira Solo at the Radisson Aruba Resort & Casino

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

1. Aqua Grille, yes !! We used our Marriott T/S Tour gift certificate here.

5. Moomba beach. MooMba Beach Bar & Restaurant - Home Didn't like. (edit - GrayFal does like it not as a gourmet experience so much as just a great casual spot with GREAT drinks...and right next to the Marriott - has a very nice buffet breakfast for $10)

Great overall link for Aruba: Aruba Tips & Information | Fodor's Travel Guides


B.

We went to Aqua Grill for the first time - great service, wonderful food :: WELCOME TO AQUA GRILL ARUBA ::

X out Moomba for food - went for lunch this year and last and the service was excruciatingly slow and the food very bad.

Still a great place to drink!

And returned to Mirandi and had a wonderful meal with spectacular views. Marandi Restaurant

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

2011 Updates?

Since I am now FINALLY going myself in a few weeks, I thought I'd ask for updates here. I know there's another thread going on in relation to LaCabana in the BG forum, but we are staying at Casa Del Mar.

Questions: which restaurants are kid friendly and which should we save for babysitter nights? I'm guessing Madame Janette's and need one, maybe two others - Flying Fishbone and Lighthouse - for just us. Thoughts?

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Since I am now FINALLY going myself in a few weeks, I thought I'd ask for updates here. I know there's another thread going on in relation to LaCabana in the BG forum, but we are staying at Casa Del Mar.

Questions: which restaurants are kid friendly and which should we save for babysitter nights? I'm guessing Madame Janette's and need one, maybe two others - Flying Fishbone and Lighthouse - for just us. Thoughts?

My two favorites restaurants from my last trip were Passions on the Beach, and Marandi. Both are very romantic with terrific sunsets, and great food. Neither are kid friendly......Passions on the beach was just so lovely. You eat right on the beach....white table cloths touching the sand, barefoot waiters, the stars lighting up the sky, a fine bottle of wine............


http://www.passions-restaurant-aruba.com/

http://www.marandi-aruba.com/index.php?page=default

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Take the kids to Madame Janettes...great meal and kid friendly outdoor seating - also has singer in the evening (or used to) around 8 pm.

Salt N Pepper - casual outdoor seating with a fun tapas style menu. Kid friendly....and there are two other outdoor restaurants right in a row there....also kid friendly.

Romantic - buy a Marriott Dinning certificate for two for $109 and eat at the Marriott Feet in the Water restaurant - Simply Fish - make a sunset resie - 6:60, 6:45.....

Second Mirandi for wonderful food and beautiful setting.

Check the menu at Mathilde or Chez Mathilde - very, very good.

People also say good things about Matthews right at CDM but I have never been.

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

The Butterfly Farm was really great today. Gorgeous butterflies and very informative. Butterfly Farm - Home We are thinking about visiting the Donkey Sanctuary tomorrow or Friday. Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

Then went on across the street to the Phoenix (Divi Phoenix) for the best lunch we've had all week at Pure Beach. We plan to return tomorrow. Restaurants Aruba - review Pure Beach Lounge Bar & Restaurant

Followed by the best dinner of the week at Papiamento. Welcome

We have a sitter tomorrow and are supposed to go to Aqua Grill but are considered going back to Papiamento instead. The grilled goat cheese w/honey was insane.

[GrayFal Silver Contributor and supermoderator Find all posts View Profile Close GrayFal]

Chez Mathilde is also quite special.

intromatilde

Edit.....too bad - closing! or closed....

The "Chez" is bidding farewell
Change is and always will be part of life. Is also said that every beginning unavoidably will have to conduce to an end. After 24 wonderful years serving royalty, notables and thousands of satisfied customers, Chez Matilde is waving goodbye.

We leave behind a tradition of unwavering commitment to excellence, the same one that granted us the highest AAA rating, the same one that brought many customers back time and time again.

We want to say thank you to all those that made Matilde their dining place. To all those that through their hard work and dedication maintained the high standards that Matilde was always known for. To everyone that helped us be the leading dining experience in Aruba for almost a quarter century.

It was a wonderful journey, and one full of cherished memories that we will never forget. To everyone, thank you and goodbye. It was our pleasure and privilege to serve you

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

Two more great meals:

Simply Fish at the Marriott, we scored an oceanfront table and food was excellent. We tried to go to back to Papiamento but it was closed for a private party - this was a great alternative; the setting was to die for.

And we went back to Madam Janette tonight at the kids' request. Much better than our first dinner there as we ordered better - the chilean sea bass was perfection. And the Mango Mojitos are fantastic!

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Sounds like you guys are having a great time!.......One of the nicest things about Aruba are the many good restaurants, and beautiful sunsets. Reading about your trip is making wish I where there! Lol. The weather still stinks here, btw. Oy, will Spring ever arrive?

Enjoy!