Photo by Bottom photo courtesy of Barefoot Aruba. Facing page photo by Can Stock Photo

Date-Night Diningby Susan Campbell

On this island every night can be date night since there are so many dreamy and

downright sexy places to share a meal together. So get all decked out in your most

seductive duds and set out to explore Aruba’s canoodling culinary spots.

Soul mates in the sandThe only thing that is more romantic than

long hand-in-hand walks together on a beautiful

beach is dining tête-à-tête together surfside by

tiki torchlight with your bare toes touching in

soft white sand. The soothing sound of gentle

waves and the brilliance of the stars in a tropical

night sky set the stage for a night to remember

forever. Aruba has many beachfront dining

options with tables in the sand, each with their

own individual appeal. And if you reserve early

enough, in many of these spots you’ll also be

treated to a spectacular sunset over the sea.

These fine dining establishments are typi-

cally known for their gourmet specialties, which

include some or all of the following: fresh catch

of the day, seafood, meat specialties, compre-

hensive wine lists, and signature dishes and

drinks. You’ll find them on beautiful beaches

dotted all over the island. Barefoot Aruba offers

elegance in flip-flops on Surfside Beach, while

Simply Fish at the Marriott Resort is one of the

top fish and seafood restaurants on the island.

Flying Fishbone, near the quaint fishing village

of Savaneta was the first toes-in-the-sand dining

locale. Sunset Beach Bistro at the Divi Phoenix

Resort livens things up with live music nightly.

Some resorts offer special lover’s dinners in

very private surroundings, these include the

Hyatt’s Footprints Beach Grill, with only five

tables, and the private palapas at the Bucuti &

Tara Resorts. (Reserve well in advance for these

two.) For a sweet finish to your beachside E

Barefoot Aruba

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Top photo by Pavel Losevsky. Bottom photo by Pierre Arsenault

soiree, Passions on the Beach at Amsterdam

Manor on Eagle Beach offers the Passion Sur-

prise dessert for two.

Sizzle inside, surfside, or alfrescoIf you prefer your sandals and stilettos re-

main on solid ground but still seek a dining spot

close to the sea, this island has many magical

spots of that ilk as well. Pinchos Grill & Bar is

situated on its own sparkling private pier and

is so romantic that it was chosen to host one of

The Bachelor’s rose ceremonies. Then there is

lovely Driftwood for fresh-fish lovers where

they will cook up your very own catch if you

go on one of their deep-sea fishing outings.

Romantic Matthew’s and trendy Pure Beach

are also steps from the sea and the surf, and La

Vista provides amazing sea vistas from inside and

out. There are all kinds of alfresco options – like

lovely French-inspired Amuse Bistro along the

strip next to the highrise hotels – that are just

perfect for people-watching while you cuddle.

In fact, you might want to plan a progressive

dinner along this lively street to experience as

many spots as you can in one night. Choose one

for an appetizer, another for a main course, and

end at the court yard of the beautiful colonial-

style Paseo Herencia Mall for dessert and to

watch the wonderful waltzing waters show. If

you’re dressed to the nines and seeking an inside

escape, then Windows on Aruba offers an über-

upscale and sophisticated vibe with a pano-

ramic glassed-in view. Or hide away in your own

dimly lit corner amidst 7 West’s modern neon

decor. And though Aruba is famous for its fresh

fish, lovers who are passionate about red meat

are well accommodated at top establishments

like Ruth’s Chris Steak House, L.G. Smith’s Steak

& Chop House, and French Steakhouse – all

classy indoor spots with air conditioning should

you need to cool down a bit from your steamy

attraction to one another! E

Pinchos Grill & Bar

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Top photo by Andrey Popov. Bottom photo by Famke Backx

Love around the worldFeed each other amazing tidbits from

around the globe at some of Aruba’s finest inter-

national restaurants. Discover amore at Italian

La Trattoria El Faro Blanco or Sole Mare, or

how about some Cuban cuisine, killer mojitos,

and sultry live Latin music at Cuba’s Cookin’?

Asian delights abound at Sushi-Ya, and if you

want to curry more favor with your special

someone, treat them to some hot Indian cui-

sine at Taj Mahal or Tandoor. For international

and distinctly Aruban fare, a visit to the lush

garden terrace of Papiamento is a must; it’s one

of the most romantic enclaves on the island.

Share unique experiencesAruba has some unique dining venues

where passions can be fueled by food and wine

as well. You are bound to launch the libido le-

vel up a notch if you head to Screaming Eagle

where you can actually dine in a gorgeous ca-

no pied bed. Or you can embark on a dreamy

sunset dinner cruise aboard Mi Dushi or with

Red Sail Sports, De Palm Tours, and Pelican

Adventures. And if you really want to make a

grand entrance as a couple, then float above the

waves by whirlybird to touch down at Ventanas

del Mar, the award-winning signature restau-

rant of Tierra del Sol’s Golf Club on the island’s

northwestern tip via Aruba Heli-Tours’ Fly &

Dine option.

Last but not least, don’t forget to ask about

special “lovers’ menus” for two wherever you

go because many resorts and establishments

offer them, but don’t always present them on

the regular menu. K

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