Getting away on a beach holiday always sounds like a fantastic choice — shimmering turquoise waters, miles of gorgeous white sands, cloudless days — sounds like paradise, right? Well, only if there is something to eat! In my experience, Caribbean getaways can be excellent for relaxation, but a diversity of vegan food? Not so much.
Luckily things are changing in Aruba.
Over the last few years, the island has gone from having a stray veggie burger in a few restaurants to many restaurants with full vegan menus (hooray)! It’s truly becoming a vegan paradise.
So, if you were thinking about heading off to this sun-filled island but were worried about having to pack food (been there, done that), worry no more! Check out these fantastic restaurants for a great lineup of vegan food in Aruba.
Tantalizing Vegan & Vegan-Friendly Restaurants in Aruba
If you’re in need of more suggestions while hanging out on Aruba, be sure to check out Vegan Aruba!
One Happy Bowl
Cas di Cultura, Vondellaan 2, Oranjestad, Aruba
If you’re gluten-free and vegan, you will want to take advantage of this stop in the Renaissance Marketplace. This is the only restaurant in Aruba that is 100% gluten-free and vegan, so there is no need to worry about reading menu keys or asking questions — get ordering! The charming café is open for breakfast and lunch with a mouthwatering menu. Start your day with a savory tofu scramble wrap or a superfood smoothie bowl packed with fresh berries and powerhouse ingredients.
When lunch rolls around, don’t miss one of their signature bowls made with quinoa, rice, or zoodles and packed with creative ingredients like smoked zalmon, BBQ-pulled jackfruit, and more.
Yemanja Woodfired Grill
Wilhelminastraat 2, Oranjestad, Aruba
Long before many restaurants on the island were thinking about veggie fare, Yemanja was creating an array of show-stopping vegan and gluten-free dishes! The globally-inspired menu is well-marked for various allergens and features favorites like vegan BBQ with sticky ribs and pulled pork, along with a veganized steak made from cauliflower. Don’t forget about dessert! They always have at least one vegan option, like house-made mango cream pie or a creamy selection of Italian gelato.
One important note, they are only open for dinner and are popular! It’s best to make reservations to ensure you get a table.
Aruba Experience Café
John G. Emanstraat 37, Oranjestad, Aruba
This vegan-friendly breakfast and brunch café is helping you start your day with food inspired by positivity! “I am Elegant” is not only a lovely thing to tell yourself over and over in the mirror, but also is a fruity acai bowl with seeds and crunchy granola — one of their many vegan options. Aside from feeling elegant, you can also dive into a stack of syrupy pancakes, golden waffles, or a savory Just Egg scramble.
The menu is well-marked, so there is no confusion about which affirmation you are ordering.
Garden Fresh Café
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba
Just steps from the beach, this vegan-friendly café is a terrific place to start the day or pop in for a mid-day refuel! For breakfast, you can get moving with a hearty oatmeal bowl with plump berries or a fresh green smoothie with a good dose of fruits and veggies! At lunch or dinner, you can grab one of their pre-created salads, bowls, house-made veggie burgers, or create your own bowl with a massive list of crunchy veggies and plant-based proteins.
Ike’s Bistro
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 55, Aruba
Tucked into the lovely Manchebo Resort, this vegan-friendly restaurant has fantastic options for breakfast and dinner! While enjoying the sunrise, relax with a sweet acai peanut butter bowl or hearty apple oatmeal casserole (sounds interesting, right?), along with many other options. Everything is well-marked for vegan and gluten-free options, so there are no surprises.
Come back for their creamy truffle porcini risotto with crispy tofu or fish-free filet with roasted cauliflower when dinner rolls around. This is an excellent spot for something special!
Elements at Bucuti
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 55B, Oranjestad, Aruba
This beautiful beachside restaurant is perfect for a romantic date night with a fantastic vegan meal! The restaurant offers a full vegan menu that covers all bases; no need to worry if you’ll be hungry afterward!
Start with an avocado tartare with mango on a bed of microgreens, then feast your eyes on a hearty selection of entrees, including a lentil-packed steak — indeed, the only free-range steak out there! Save a little room for dessert because they even have options — mango mousse, house-made carrot cake with almond ice cream, and more.
Opus Ocean and Grill
Havenstraat 36, LOK 6, Oranjestad, Aruba
Most wouldn’t expect a surf and turf spot to be vegan-friendly, but luckily, this fine dining spot features a vegan dinner menu! Although it isn’t as extensive as some others, it does deliver various options to please vegan palettes.
Dive into a hearty helping of meat-less meatballs with linguine and tomato sauce, or check out one of their fish-free options, which includes a Ribbon Fish made with tofu and shrimp scampi.
Marhaba Lebanese Cuisine
Salinja Cerca 9M, Noord, Aruba
I don’t know about you, but I always appreciate Middle Eastern restaurants — no matter where you are, there will be a vegan option! Enjoy a Turkish coffee with nondairy milk while diving into a vegan platter loaded with crispy falafel, salad, spinach pie, and fluffy house-made bread. In addition to traditional eats, they also have a vegan burger with French fries.
Eduardo’s Beach Shack
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 87, Noord, Aruba
I’ll admit, I was skeptical — a vegan-friendly beach shack? It sure is! Hooray! As you’re planning your beach day, make a stop here for an order of golden waffles covered in coco whip, watermelon tuna poke, tacos, smoothies, and even the creamiest coco whip vegan soft serve you’ll find in Aruba! This little shack has an endless selection of things you will love — I wouldn’t be surprised if you wanted to stop by every day!
Eduardo also operates another super vegan-friendly spot called Eduardo’s Hideaway on Saliña Cerca. The breakfast spot has everything under the sun that you could want and more to start the day!
Vegan-Friendly Resorts & Hotels in Aruba
So now that you know where you’re going to eat what about where you will stay? Wouldn’t it be fabulous if you could find a vegan-friendly hotel in Aruba? Well, you can! Check out these charming hotels for the most picture-perfect stay.
Manchebo Beach Resort
J.E. Irausquin Blvd 55, Oranjestad, Aruba
Located right on Eagle Beach, this wellness resort is the perfect place to unwind and enjoy vegan eats all day long! The resort also offers drop-in yoga, Pilates classes, and a beautiful beachside spa — the best place for a hot stone massage.
Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort
L.G. Smith Boulevard 55B, Oranjestad, Aruba
Just steps away from Eagle Beach is this eco-friendly and vegan-friendly resort! Aside from enjoying delicious vegan fare from their onsite Elements Restaurant, the resort offers a wellness-focused lineup of activities like vegan cooking classes, yoga on the beach, mindfulness, and more! This is also the only certified carbon-neutral resort in Aruba.
Boardwalk Boutique Hotel
Bakval 20, Noord, Aruba
This brightly colored beach boutique hotel will make you smile the moment you arrive. The resort comprises 46 casitas with everything you could need to have a terrific stay. All of their food and beverage are provided by the vegan-friendly beach shack, Eduardo’s, so you know you’re in for a treat no matter the time of day! In addition to the abundance of vegan options, the resort is also eco-friendly and uses solar panels, water-saving practices, LED lighting, and sources locally as much as possible.
Vegan-Friendly Tropical Travel
If you’re still considering other warm weather destinations, be sure not to miss these vegan guides and articles.
Guide to Vegan-Friendly Caribbean Islands
Tips for a Turks & Caicos Getaway
The Best Vegan Travel Guide to Maui
The 30 Best Vegan Gifts to Give
Vegan-Friendly Resorts in Mexico
Escape to Paradise: Vegan-Friendly Resorts in Costa Rica
