Oranjestad by Day & Night: Your Guide to Aruba's Capital
The complete Oranjestad guide: shopping and sightseeing by day, restaurants and nightlife after dark. Plus the best tours starting near downtown
Oranjestad, Aruba
CuisineCaribbeanFusion
Price per personAWG 20 to 60About US$ 11 to 34
Opening hoursDaily from 5 PM
ReservationsBy phoneCall ahead for groups
A fine dining fusion of Caribbean flavor and European elegance in Aruba
Chef’s Life Restaurant brings refined dining to the heart of Palm Beach in Aruba. Located at the lively Paseo Herencia mall, this elegant terrace restaurant is led by Executive Chef Moises Carvajal, known for blending Caribbean flavors with European culinary techniques. Visitors can expect premium seafood, high-quality steaks, and an inviting atmosphere perfect for a memorable evening in Aruba.
What to expect
Insider tip
Request a terrace table for the best dining experience. The lively atmosphere of Paseo Herencia adds a charming backdrop to your evening in Aruba.
More than just a restaurant
Chef’s Life Restaurant also offers Chef Life Catering, delivering Caribbean flavors with a European touch for weddings, private dinners, and special events across Aruba.
AddressOranjestad, Aruba
This was arguably the best experience and food I’ve ever had! We travel the world and enjoy the 5 star experiences. This was a quick decision to try out chefs life! One of the best decisions we’ve made! We will 100% be back! The server was amazing! The bartender came to us to make sure we were happy. The chef came down and spoke to us about the dishes! Overall I can’t say enough great things about this place other than you must try it when in Aruba!!!!
One of the best dinners we’ve ever had! Our previous dinner plans were canceled due to weather and we ended up stumbling upon this place - SO happy we did! My husband who is rarely impressed by anything, especially food, LICKED HIS PLATE CLEAN. Service was wonderful. Pina coladas are authentically made, no premix. The chef literally took our order/served us. We plan to come back again during our trip. Highly, highly recommend!!
Don’t waste your money! Group of 10 two of us ordered octopus which the owner the claimed was so tender and delicious it was his specialty. When it came an hour later we couldn’t even cut it with the knife they provided it was so tough. They made us another one and I showed the waitress when it came I couldn’t even stab my fork in it. Everything was way over priced. Supposed to be 2 for 1 drinks 😂. Scammed us
Went here based on Google reviews. Was a little nervous because there was only 12. They were so good though we decided to give it a try. Glad we did too! We started with the BBQ Shrimp. Wasn’t a huge fan because you have to peel them but they tasted great! For dinner my wife had the catch of the day blackened and it was out of this world!!! She said one of the best pieces of fish she’s ever had! I had the shrimp linguine and it was amazing. Definitely had some slap yo mama garlic but still really crisp with a nice lemon zest. We also got a cosmopolitan and manhattan and both were 100% legit!
(Updated in 2026) This one is still a hidden gem. Chef Moises is an incredible chef who cooks with both passion and talent. You simply will not find higher quality food or this level of culinary execution on the island. The service was excellent, the staff was wonderful, and everything was on point. It’s an outdoor setting and very walkable to other cool spots or the beach once you’re finished. Photos are the fish trio (blackened, grilled, and pan-seared snapper), seafood risotto, & short rib. All were top notch. No need to search further - just book your table, and like this review after as a thank you for the recommendation. 😉
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The complete Oranjestad guide: shopping and sightseeing by day, restaurants and nightlife after dark. Plus the best tours starting near downtown
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