Redefining All-Inclusive Cuisine
Text by Tina Causey-Bislick / Images by Steve Keith
Aruba’s diverse array of accommodations offers travelers the full gamut of hospitality options—from luxury resorts and boutique hotels to private homes, villas, and condominiums. Several resorts specialize in the all-inclusive vacation experience, and leading the pack on the island are the Divi Aruba All-Inclusive Resort/Tamarijn All-Inclusive Resort and the RIU Palace/RIU Antillas.
For some vacationers, all-inclusive is the only way to go, as it promises them the ease of budget planning, the comfort of knowing that all their food and beverages and many activities are included in the room rate, and the convenience of having everything they need just steps away and all in one place. For others, however, the old-school stigma of just so-so culinary offerings at all-inclusives can be discouraging. Given that many of today’s travelers are also savvy foodies, all-inclusive resorts have raised the bar, offering quality, diverse, and on-trend culinary experiences, including restaurants that feature the best of Aruba’s authentic local cuisine. The Divi and RIU resorts enjoy some of the highest room occupancies on the island, spoiling their guests with luxury amenities and distinct dining.
Divi Aruba All-Inclusive Resort/Tamarijn All-Inclusive Resort
Located on the pristine shores of Eagle Beach, these neighboring resorts, both with recent refurbishments and updates, work in tandem to deliver inspiring gastronomic experiences. Guests can enjoy the hospitality of both resorts.
Dining highlights at Divi Aruba All-Inclusive
The Red Parrot: The resort’s signature restaurant brings a casual Caribbean flair to fine dining. International and Caribbean fare is featured here, including dishes like escargots with risotto, coconut shrimp with a spicy mango sauce, and grouper stuffed with spinach in a white wine sauce.
Pure Lime: Guests can sip house-made sangria and margaritas at Divi’s newest culinary experience, where the authentic flavors of Mexico are prepared in the open-view kitchen.
Dining highlights at Tamarijn All-Inclusive Resort
Paparazzi: Classic Italian cooking is featured here, with pasta complemented with from-scratch sauces, fresh fish, and beautiful wines to pair.
Ginger, New Asian Flavors: The contemporary Asian fusion cuisine here features exotic and classic dishes, as well as a variety of sushi and rolls.
Palm Grill: Specialty tableside hibachi grills allow guests to enjoy the interactive dining experience of stir-frying beef, chicken, shrimp, swordfish, and veggies right at the table.
Pizza per Tutti: Enjoy made-to-order brick oven pizza at this poolside pizzeria and bar.
RIU Palace/RIU Antillas
Located side-by-side on popular Palm Beach, RIU Antillas (adults-only resort) and RIU Palace partner European sophistication with casual Caribbean character for a 24-hour all-inclusive vacation experience.
Dining highlights at RIU Antillas and RIU Palace
Rimini (RIU Antillas) & Milano (RIU Palace): Guests can take their time and graze at the soup and salad bar with hot and cold antipasta while the culinary team prepares upscale Italian cuisine from the à la carte menu.
Palm Beach Steakhouse (RIU Antillas and RIU Palace): Certified Angus steaks and burgers are the stars of the show here, but seafood lovers can opt for Caribbean lobster tail, grilled salmon, or shrimp skewers.
Malmok (RIU Antillas): Guests can experience several authentic Aruban dishes, including keshi yena, a favorite local dish with chicken, olives, prunes, capers, and melted Gouda cheese.
Krystal (RIU Antillas and RIU Palace): Contemporary fusion cuisine is presented with artistic style in this fine dining restaurant that capitalizes on fresh ingredients and bold flavors that add intriguing complexity to a menu of sharing plates, starters, main courses, and desserts.
Sayuri (RIU Palace): This Japanese restaurant serves a variety of sushi and rolls with its Sushi Board, as well as Asian-inspired appetizers, main courses, and desserts.
