Oranjestad Restaurant Tips by seamandrew Top 5 Page for this destination

Sushi Ya: Great Sushi in Oranjestad.

On the second night of our trip, I was in the mood for seafood, but unfortunately, most of the seafood restaurants we looked up had no vegetarian options (or limited) for Elisabeth. We then stumbled upon the name of Sushi Ya, located in the Renaissance Marketplace. Sushi immediately appealed to both of us so off we went.

At first, we were a bit put off by the fact that we couldn't sit in a table for four because we were only two. The server also seemed a bit cold, but once we found a seat, she warmed up and the experience just got better and better. Our rolls were fantastic. We ate 4 different rolls between the two of us and they were all very creative and just scrumptuous! If I had the room, I would have asked for seconds, but I was full!

I highly recommend Sushi ya. The creativity alone made this restaurant fantastic!

I would however avoid dining here on Friday or Saturday evenings as the local traffic into the marketplace and neighboring cinema is loud and annoying. Plus who wants to inhale fumes with their meal. If you do dine during this time, ask for a table inside.

Favorite Dish: The four rolls we had, all of them fantastic! The lime thing on the Arikok roll was really unique (in a good way)!

Mix Tartar roll - Chopped fish with scallion, avocado topped with seafood & flying fish eggs

Arikok roll - Tuna, tobiko, avocado topped with fresh salmon & lemon

Dynamite Special - Salmon, seaweed, crab, mango, crispies topped with spicy mayonnaise

Veggi roll - avocado, wakame, cucumber, carrots & mango

Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard #9, Oranjestad, Aruba

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Located at the Renaissance Marketplace.

Other Contact: sushiyaaruba@setarnet.aw

Phone: +297-583-9982

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 5

Theme: Japanese/Sushi

The Villa Germania: If you're in the mood for German cuisine...

On our last night, we decided to skip the fancy restaurant we had made reservations for and opted to go to "the Villa" because they had apfelstruedel (apple struedel) which Elisabeth wanted. The service was certainly friendly, and the food good. The restaurant itself looked nice inside, but the patio seating wasn't as comfortable. The restaurant won us over with the excellent soups, just like the one's in Germany/Austria, and delicious food. Unfortunately, the apfelstruedel, our main reason for dining there was sub par. They did give Elisabeth a free strawberry daiquiri which she rather enjoyed. Avoid dining in the patio of this restaurant on Friday and Saturday evenings as the local traffic going to the marketplace and neighboring cinema is annoying to say the least. This may be a better place for breakfast.

Favorite Dish: The pancake soup and pumpkin soups were delicious. Elisabeth's season green salad was also great. My wienerschnitzel was good, but not the best I've had.

Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard #9, Oranjestad, Aruba

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located at the Renaissance Seaport Marketplace.

Phone: +(297) 5836161

Price: US$21-30

Rating: 3

Theme: German/Austrian

't Pannekoekhuis: Crèpes the way you want them!

On our third day in Aruba, our 2nd day of diving was cancelled so Elisabeth and I decided to have a big breakfast instead. We had seen 't Pannekoekhuis the night before and so we decided to go try their Dutch pancakes (crèpes really). The menu had all sorts of varieties of crèpes from sweet to savoury. Unfortunately, one wasn't enough for me, so I had to buy two. Fortunately, they weren't terribly expensive. The crèpes were delicious but the restaurant wasn't as remarkable and the service was friendly and adequate. I would certainly recommend this place for breakfast. The do offer lunch and dinner, but we only had breakfast there. This restaurant belongs to a chain from the Netherlands, but the chain has only 4 locations in the Netherlands and this one in Aruba.

Favorite Dish: My favorite crèpe was called "The Dutch". It was ham, with gouda cheese, and leeks. Yummy! My other crèpe was apple with currants and that was also fantastic. Elisabeth had the "Fruits of the Forest" crèpe that was also delicious. But the Fruits of the Forest were blended into a jam which wasn't what she had expected. Still tasty though.

Address: L.G. Smith Boulevard #9, Oranjestad, Aruba

Comparison: about average

Directions: Located at the Renaissance Seaport Marketplace.

Phone: +297 583-7180

Price: US$11-20

Rating: 3

Theme: Breakfast

Website: http://www.pannenkoekhuis.nl/

L.G. Smith's Steak & Chop House: Excellent Surf & Turf!

On our first night in Aruba, Elisabeth and I weren't in the mood to travel too far for dinner and so we decided to try one of the Renaissance Hotel's on-site restaurants. It turned out to be a very pleasant experience with fantastic food, great atmosphere, and attentive service. At first we worried that this restaurant would be a problem because of Elisabeth's vegetarian diet, but she managed to find just enough options to keep her happy. L.G. Smith's certainly looked like the top restaurant on-site and we certainly would vouch for that. As mentioned before, the food was fantastic and we flirted with going back there prior to our departure from Aruba. I would definitely recommend this restaurant, especially if you're a guest of the Renaissance Marina Hotel. Open 6:30 to 11:30 pm.

Favorite Dish: I started with the Seafood Ceviche which was awesome, and my main meal was the surf & turf, which was an 8 oz. petit filet (unfortunately medium, not medium-rare as requested) and a carribean lobster tail with drawn butter. Scrumptuous! Elisabeth started with a tomoto cream soup that she loved and then had a baked potato with asparagus served with sauce Hollondaise. She loved the asparagus. For dessert, we shared a mango crumble which is a must!

Address: L.G. Smith Blvd #82, Oranjestad

Comparison: more expensive than average

Directions: Located at the Renaissance Marina Hotel

Other Contact: Fax: +297) - 583 4389

Phone: +(297) - 583 6000

Price: US$31-40

Rating: 4

Theme: Steakhouse

Website: http://marriott.com/property/abouthotel/restaurants/auabr