Top 5 Cheap Places to Dine in Aruba

When arriving in Aruba you may hear the natives scream out "Bonbini", which means "Welcome" in their native language of Papiamento. Aruba isn't called 'One Happy Island' for nothing. Even the beaches smile at you as the coast curve with a smile with peaceful palm trees and calm Caribbean waters.

In another location of the island, you will find desert lands with cacti that grow to the height of a full grown man and great big boulders. Follow the winding roads to hidden coves and rocky landscapes. The natural air is wonderful and magical; you may see a giant green parakeet calling their lover or bright orange toupials providing a flash of contrasting color to the deep blue Caribbean sky.

The food, like everything else, is very exotic, giving you a wide variety of cuisine to please your palette. Finding somewhere to have a quick, cheap meal isn't difficult at all. Like the U.S., many fast food restaurants can be found, such as: Wendy's, McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell, and Subway. Yet, there are also other cheap dining experiences that you will enjoy.

Salt & Pepper

Salt & Pepper is a wonderful, and affordable, casual dining experience located across from Allegro Resort. Some of the things on the menu are sandwiches, entrees, tapas, and salads. As a matter of fact, many people rave about their tapas. Depending on what you order, the proportions of food is more than enough to fill you up. The prices are reasonable, and the atmosphere is superb. The only downside is the amount of flies you have to swat away from your delicious tapas!

Smokey Joe's

Just follow the high-rise hotel area to find this jewel of a restaurant. Serving only freshly caught local fish, you will find filet mignon, rotisserie-grilled chicken, baby back ribs also on the menu. They pride themselves in calling their baby back ribs the "Best Ribs in the CARIBBEAN!" I haven't eaten every baby back ribs menu item in the Caribbean, but so far I wouldn't disagree with them. Their prices are reasonable, the food is great, the atmosphere is lively, and the service is a 10. What else could you ask for?

Tomato Charlie's

No matter if you want to dine in, take out, or get it delivered, Tomato Charlie's has theses options to fit your dining needs. Serving a wonderful Chicago Style Thin-Crust Pizza that would make your mouth water; I should know since I am from Chicago. Pasta, salad, and sandwiches are also on their menu. One of their locations is in the high-rise hotel area, so they are easy to find. They have two other locations around the island.

Iguana Joe's Caribbean Bar & Grill

Iguana Joe's is Aruba's most popular restaurant and it has been that way for the past nine years. The menu includes chicken enchiladas, island jerk fire-roasted chicken, coconut shrimp, mahi-mahi, and world renowned Argentine grass-fed filet mignon. The portions are huge and will have you delightfully full. I really enjoyed the food and the prices, but the service weren't top-notch. I don't know if it was due to the crowd, but our server wasn't interested in servicing us, although we did receive our food pretty quickly. I would say the service was spotty and hushed at best. With all that, I still enjoyed the experience and would return again.

Rumba Bar & Grill

Located in the downtown area, Rumba is the prime location to dine while shopping in Oranjestad. With the open kitchen, you get the added benefit of watching the chefs cook up your meal. Only being open for about 5 years, Rumba has quickly garnished a reputation for great food, wonderful service, tantalizing desserts, and relaxing atmosphere. Grouper Livornese, Beef Capaccio, Rumba Salad, Caipirinhas, banana pancakes, coconut shrimp, and apple pie are just some of the things that I loved on their menu. Serving breakfast, lunch, and firing up the grill during dinner, you will find a wonderful dining experience here.

Aruba is a wonderful vacation spot, offering wonderful dining experience along with great scenic views. You won't get bored there, and you definitely won't go hungry. Happy Eating!