A magical combination
of museum and
tropical paradise

A magical combination
of museum and
tropical paradise

A magical combination of museum and tropical paradise

Dinner at Papiamento Restaurant is an experience no one will ever forget. Under the stars enclosed by a lush garden, around a sparkling pool with lights in the tree branches, the setting is just magical. The more 100 years-old Aruban `cunucu’ house fronting the pool is filled with antiques from Europe, the oldest that dates back to the early 1800s. It’s the personal touch that makes this place so wonderful: flowers in beautiful arrangements, the polished copper cooking utensils of a former more leisure era, the grounds at this venue, and the intense pride of knowing that you are served wonderful carefully prepared drinks, wines, and dishes.

A magical combination of museum and tropical paradise

Dinner at Papiamento Restaurant is an experience no one will ever forget. Under the stars enclosed by a lush garden, around a sparkling pool with lights in the tree branches, the setting is just magical. The more than 100 years-old Aruban `cunucu’ house fronting the pool is filled with antiques from Europe, the oldest that dates back to the early 1800s. It’s the personal touch that makes this place so wonderful: flowers in beautiful arrangements, the polished copper cooking utensils of a former more leisure era, the grounds at this venue, and the intense pride of knowing that you are served wonderful carefully prepared drinks, wines, and dishes.

old Aruban “Cunucu House” since 1886

The heart of Papiamento

The interior is the graceful work by the lady of the house Mrs. Lenie Ellis-van Welzen placing the furniture and decorating the inside with art and flower arrangements.

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. It’s the personal touches that make this place so delightful.

Papiamento Restaurant was started by Eduardo and Lenie Ellis, Edward’s father and mother in 1983. First located in downtown Oranjestad, the restaurant moved to this historic home in the hotel area, where the four Ellis children grew up. They partly dug the pool, prompting mom and dad to have their own swimming puddle, and helped plant the garden, under the guidance of Eduardo Sr. Amazing detail is that the house had been a riding school and there were just two trees on the property. And look at the garden now! Parents Eduardo and Lenie are still very much involved in the running of the restaurant and managing a great staff. Most of the personnel is by now at Papiamento for more than 15 years, making this a true family business.

old Aruban “Cunucu House” since 1886

The heart of Papiamento

The interior is the graceful work by the lady of the house Mrs. Lenie Ellis-van Welzen placing the furniture and decorating the inside with art and flower arrangements.

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. It’s the personal touches that make this place so delightful.

Papiamento Restaurant was started by Eduardo and Lenie Ellis, Edward’s father and mother in 1983. First located in downtown Oranjestad, the restaurant moved to this historic home in the hotel area, where the four Ellis children grew up. They partly dug the pool, prompting mom and dad to have their own swimming puddle, and helped plant the garden, under the guidance of Eduardo Sr. Amazing detail is that the house had been a riding school and there were just two trees on the property. And look at the garden now! Parents Eduardo and Lenie are still very much involved in the running of the restaurant and managing a great staff. Most of the personnel is by now at Papiamento for more than 15 years, making this a true family business.

Favorites

Check out our most popular dishes

The menu at Papiamento Restaurant offers lots of favorites from our repeat customers as well as our local clients.

If you wish to be daring, however, you are in for a treat.

Tuna Tartare​

Cut up raw tuna with lime & sesame oil wasabi-mayonnaise & toasted seeds

Ceviche

Marinated seafood red onions, jalapeno, cilantro, fresh passion fruit & lime

Hooiberg Salad

An iceberg wedge with local tomatoes, cucumber lime & fresh herb vinaigrette

Oyster Soup ​

Aruba style oyster chowder

Shrimp Chipotle​

Oven baked with smokey Mexican dried pepper, Tequila & sour cream

Keeshi Yena​

Minced tenderloin and chicken stewed with prunes, golden raisins, olives, and cashew flame broiled with Dutch cheese “Our Family Recipe”

Romanesco ​

Pan broiled grouper (pangasius) with fresh & sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic extra virgin olive oil with just a little cream

Cazuela

Caribbean shrimp & rock lobster stewed in an Aruban-style chowder with coconut milk

T-Bone Favorite

Flame grilled bone-in beef short loin cut with Gorgonzola au gratin

Mermaid

Filet of wahoo and Caribbean shrimp served with papaya pepper sauce

Neptune

Caribbean rock lobster, mahi-mahi and shrimp served with lemon butter

New Zealand lamb chops

Marinated in red wine & dried herbs presented with chimichurri
Favorites

Check out our most popular dishes

The menu at Papiamento Restaurant offers lots of favorites from our repeat customers as well our local clients.

If you wish to be daring, however, you are in for a treat.

Tuna Tartare​

Cut up raw tuna with lime & sesame oil wasabi-mayonnaise & toasted seeds

Ceviche

Marinated seafood red onions, jalapeno, cilantro, fresh passion fruit & lime

Hooiberg Salad

An iceberg wedge with local tomatoes, cucumber lime & fresh herb vinaigrette

Oyster Soup ​

Aruba style oyster chowder

Shrimp Chipotle​

Oven baked with smokey Mexican dried pepper, Tequila & sour cream

Keeshi Yena​

Minced tenderloin and chicken stewed with prunes, golden raisins, olives, and cashew flame broiled with Dutch cheese “Our Family Recipe”

Romanesco ​

Pan broiled grouper (pangasius) with fresh & sun-dried tomatoes, basil, garlic extra virgin olive oil with just a little cream

Cazuela

Caribbean shrimp & rock lobster stewed in an Aruban-style chowder with coconut milk

T-Bone Favorite

Flame grilled bone-in beef short loin cut with Gorgonzola au gratin

Mermaid

Filet of wahoo and Caribbean shrimp served with papaya pepper sauce

Neptune

Caribbean rock lobster, mahi-mahi and shrimp served with lemon butter

New Zealand lamb chops

Marinated in red wine & dried herbs presented with chimichurri
enjoy the unique ambiance

Wine vault

1800 bottles of international vintages

The wine cellar at Papiamento Restaurant was a storeroom and cheese factory in the older days as an extension of the 126-year-old manor house. It has been completely transformed into our “Cas di Biña” holding and caring for the wines offered by the glass and by the bottle. The thick walls of that time still help to insulate the room which is kept at temperatures ranging from 61-64 degrees Fahrenheit. Designed by Chef/Owner Eduardo Ellis, it was fashioned by a local carpenter from imported red cedar wood.

 

When fully stocked, the cellar boasts as many as 360 labels and about 2000 bottles of international vintages hailing from such countries as Chile, Argentina, Portugal, South Africa, Tasmania, Sicily, Greece, U.S.A., Italy, Spain, France, and Germany. “With prices ranging from $22-$200 and up per bottle, there is a selection to fit everyone’s taste and budget. We invite the guests to our cellar to see how we treat the bottles, let them make their choice, and enjoy the unique ambiance,” Chef Eduardo explains.

Highly recommend Papiamento, The food was delicious!

authentic experience

Cigar lounge

PAPPA’s cigar lounge

The Ellis family has been providing an authentic experience at Papiamento restaurant since 1983. Today, they continue to enhance the Papiamento experience by incorporating different concepts for the local and international guests, such as their popular wine cellar and their newest addition, PAPPA’s Cigar Lounge.

PAPPA’s is set in what used to be the living room of Lenie and Eduardo’s monumental home. The concept is an ode to Edward Ellis’ father (PAPPA) and his love for cigars.

Its interior is best described as a laid-back speakeasy with original Chesterfield sofas and various artwork selected by Mr. Ellis.

 

Guests are well taken care of by PAPPA’s personal butler who offers a wide selection of cigars paired with exquisite single malt and bourbon whisky’s, rums, tequila, and plenty more, only to be served neat or on the rocks. Dining in and finishing the evening or just in the mood for a cigar and a liquor?…. PAPPA’s is Papiamento’s new hidden gem.

authentic experience

Cigar lounge

PAPPA’s cigar lounge

The Ellis family has been providing an authentic experience at Papiamento restaurant since 1983. Today, they continue to enhance the Papiamento experience by incorporating different concepts for the local and international guests, such as their popular wine cellar and their newest addition, PAPPA’s Cigar Lounge.

PAPPA’s is set in what used to be the Ellises living room in Papiamento’s monumental establishment. The concept is an ode to Edward Ellis’ father (PAPPA) and his love for cigars.

PAPPA’s is set in what used to be the living room of Lenie and Eduardo’s monumental home. The concept is an ode to Edward Ellis’ father (PAPPA) and his love for cigars.

Its interior is best described as a laid-back speakeasy with original Chesterfield sofas and various artwork selected by Mr. Ellis.

 

Guests are well taken care of by PAPPA’s personal butler who offers a wide selection of cigars paired with exquisite single malt and bourbon whisky’s, rums, tequila, and plenty more, only to be served neat or on the rocks. Dining in and finishing the evening or just in the mood for a cigar and a liquor?…. PAPPA’s is Papiamento’s new hidden gem.

A magical setting

Unforgetable experience

A magical setting

Unforgetable experience

Great service! Wonderful staff. Delicious food and wine selection.

TABLE RESERVATION request

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For same-day reservations please call directly at +297 586 4544

Please re-confirm when on the island.

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Contact Details

Reservation Policies

  • Reservations can be made via email at bookings@papiamentoaruba.com
    or you may call (+297) 586 4544 / (+297) 594 5504
  • Email reservations will receive confirmation within 24 hours.
  • Same-day and last-minute reservations are accepted by telephone only.
  • We do not require credit card information to hold your dinner reservation.
  • We only have outside seating available.
  • After receiving your reservation confirmation, we request that you reconfirm your reservation via email and as soon as you arrive on the island.
  • If you need to change or cancel your reservation, we require notification two hours in advance.
  • For our records purposes, it is important for you to provide us your reachable contact number & as to which hotel you will be staying.
  • There can only be no more than 12 individuals at one table. For larger tables, there will be two tables next to each other.
  • Important: If you are late, we kindly urge you to contact us, as soon as possible, so that we can place our best efforts to accommodate you.

It is essential that we are notified of any dietary requirements prior to your visit.

Attire: Elegantly casual. No tank tops or swimming attires.

Under all rights and remedies, we reserve the right to cancel or suspend any reservation, subject to “no-shows” and late arrivals.

We are closed every SUNDAY.

December 24, 25, 31 & January 1 is CLOSED.