Papiamento is one of Aruba’s most premium dining experiences you will have.
Papiamento Restaurant was started by Eduardo and Lenie Ellis, Edward’s father and mother in 1983
The more than 100-year-old Aruban `cunucu’ house next to the pool is filled with gorgeous antiques from Europe, the oldest dating back to the early 1800s
Located in the historic Hôtel area of Aruba this restaurants representation precedes it.
Due to the buzz about this restaurant reservations are highly recommend.
And so I decided to a make a eight -thirty Wednesday evening reservation.
Admittedly I was not expecting that a Wednesday evening would be as busy at it actually was.
Already that was a good sign of how good this restaurant was.
And since they close at midnight people were arriving throughout the entire evening.
Opening hours
They are open from Monday to Saturday and closed on Sunday.
Seating hours 6:00 pm – 10:30 pm.
The restaurant closes at 12 midnight.
Now lets talk food.
Firstly I decided to order some Cocktails while we looked over the menu.
I went with their specialty cocktail called “Aruba Nights“
My drink was absolutely deliciously so good that I ordered more than one.
After that it was on to the appetizer which was their “Shrimp Chipotle”
Oven Baked with smokey Mexican dried pepper tequila & sour cream
One of the best fusion of flavors I have ever had in an appetizer !
Next the server brought out my entree I went with the “West Indies“
Caribbean shrimp in curried coconut milk sauce.
This dish was literally perfection.
It was so good that I wish I had this recipe to make this dish at home!
Last but not least something sweet to end the evening which was their “Pan Bollo“
Local bread pudding with Ponche Crema made with their home Aruban dessert
served with vanilla ice cream
Absolutely delicious and I especially loved the Ponche Crema as we have that in Trinidad as well.
Ponche crema is a cream-based liqueur that originates in Venezuela and was brought to nearby Trinidad and Tobago who developed their own version, Ponche de Crème
In short if you are planning on visiting Aruba in the near future I would highly recommend Papiamento.
The staff here is great, warm welcoming and super attentive.
Sitting poolside taking in that beautiful Aruban air truly makes this restaurant magical.
PAPIAMENTO-$$$$
SUPERB!