Cuba's Cookin Aruba: Cuban Food, Mojitos, and a Story Worth Knowing

Cuba's Cookin has one of the better origin stories in Aruba's dining scene. The owner, Douglas Marcus, is a Canadian who spent three decades falling in love with Cuba - its people, its art, its music, its food. He started going in 1994, fully against his will, dragged along by friends on a cigar business trip. Three nights turned into years. He came back with over a hundred Cuban art canvases, a deep knowledge of Havana, and eventually a restaurant that tried to bottle everything he had found there.

There is also a detail worth knowing if you are reading this on myarubaguide.com: Douglas was the original owner of Aruba Knights, the tourism magazine that eventually became My Aruba Guide. The team has eaten here many times over the years, sitting with Douglas and talking about the magazine, the island, and Cuba. This is not just a restaurant we recommend - it is one we have a real history with.

The Setting

Cuba's Cookin is at the Renaissance Marketplace on Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard in Oranjestad. The inside walls are lined with Cuban art - paintings, photographs, and pieces collected personally by Douglas over his years in Havana Vieja. There are pictures of Douglas himself among them. The bar is solid, the music cues you in from outside, and the whole effect is a room that feels genuinely transporting without trying too hard.

You can sit inside for a slightly quieter experience or outside under cover, where you are still sheltered but part of the marketplace energy - people walking by, the open air, the evening buzz of Oranjestad.

The Essentials

• Address: Cuba's Cookin', Lloyd G. Smith Boulevard, Renaissance Marketplace, Oranjestad
• Phone: +297 588 0627
• Website: www.cubascookin.com
• Best for: Everyone - families, date night, business lunch, group dinners, drinks with friends
• Reservations: Not required - walk-ins welcome
• Dress code: Smart casual - no bikinis or beach wear
• Music: Live music and DJ on select nights
• Parking: Renaissance Marketplace - first 3 hours free in the back lot, paid after. Front lot is paid.

What to Order

Food

The tacos are excellent and one of our team's personal favourites after many visits. The menu leans Cuban and Caribbean, with dishes that reward the adventurous eater. Ask the staff what is best that evening - they are happy to guide you.

Drinks

The mojitos are what Cuba's Cookin is most famous for, and they deserve the reputation. Order one at the bar while you wait for your table - or several, and stay at the bar entirely. Fresh mint, the right lime-to-rum balance, made properly. The best version of this drink you will find on the island.

Who Cuba's Cookin Is Perfect For

Everyone. Families, couples, groups of friends, solo diners at the bar, business lunches, after-work drinks. The format is flexible, the atmosphere is welcoming, and the menu works for most tastes. If you want to eat somewhere with genuine personality - not a resort restaurant, not a chain - this is it.

Who It Might Not Be For

If you are looking for a quiet, romantic dinner for two, the open energy of the Renaissance Marketplace and the social atmosphere of Cuba's Cookin may not be what you had in mind. It is lively and communal - that is its strength, but it is worth knowing in advance.

Insider Tips

Come through the back of the Renaissance Marketplace for the free parking - three hours is more than enough for dinner. Ask about live music nights when you arrive or call ahead. The mojitos at the bar are worth lingering over even if your table is ready.

A Memory from Our Team

Douglas Marcus, the owner of Cuba's Cookin, was the original owner of Aruba Knights - the magazine that became My Aruba Guide. We have shared many meals at this table over the years, often with Douglas himself, talking about the island, the magazine, and where it all began. There is something satisfying about eating at a restaurant whose owner helped shape the guide you are reading.

Should It Be One of Your Nights on Aruba?

Yes - especially if you want somewhere with real character. The food is good, the mojitos are excellent, the art on the walls has a story, and the whole place feels like it was built by someone who genuinely loves what he is doing. Come for dinner, stay for the music if it is playing, and order a mojito the moment you sit down.