Last updated: August 25, 2026
Wondering where to eat in Santa Cruz? This is the middle of the island, covering Santa Cruz and the Varadero area behind the airport. Here, the island eats without a single tourist menu in sight. These are the local stops, straight from people who grew up on them.
Huchada — the bakery pilgrimage
Santa Cruz’s beloved bakery is worth planning a morning around. Additionally, it is the cheapest great breakfast on the island. The must-orders, no debate: the pastechi — Aruba’s golden fried pastry, filled with cheese or meat — and the croquette, crisp outside and molten inside. Arrive early; locals clear the trays fast.
The Fish House — Varadero’s catch
The Fish House sits in Varadero, tucked behind the airport. It does exactly what the name promises. Fresh local fish arrives simply and honestly prepared. Moreover, the prices respect people who know what good fish should cost. Worth the small detour every time.
Priki Bos — the airport-area local stop
Priki Bos also sits in the neighborhood behind the airport. It feeds the area the local way. Consequently, expect unfussy plates, generous portions, and prices set for regulars rather than visitors.
Santa Cruz Bar — the district’s Chinese bar-restaurant
Here is an Aruban tradition most visitors never learn: nearly every district on the island has its own local Chinese bar-restaurant — a legacy of the island’s deep Chinese community. Santa Cruz Bar is this district’s: cold drinks, generous plates of Aruban-Chinese cooking, and a room full of neighbors. Delicious, and completely authentic to how the island actually eats.
The Santa Cruz food run
- Morning: Huchada — pastechi and croquette, no substitutions.
- Lunch: the Fish House in Varadero, or Priki Bos nearby.
- Evening: Santa Cruz Bar for Aruban-Chinese plates.
- Heading east after? Arikok National Park starts practically next door.
The other districts live in our guides to Oranjestad, Noord & Palm Beach, San Nicolas, and Savaneta — plus the island-wide where locals actually eat.
New to the menu names? Our Aruban food dictionary explains every local dish — pastechi to keshi yena — before you order.
