Yemanja Woodfired Grill, located in a beautifully restored historic building in downtown Oranjestad, is one of Aruba’s most popular dining spots. The restaurant blends international cuisine with bold Caribbean flavors, offering an innovative and well-curated menu that appeals to a wide range of palates. Both indoor and outdoor seating are available, with a casual yet stylish atmosphere that feels relaxed and inviting.

From the moment you arrive, the welcoming and knowledgeable staff make you feel at home. Service is attentive, accommodating, and polished without ever being pretentious. The restaurant’s warm energy, coupled with its creative menu, makes for a memorable dining experience.

We began the evening with drinks — an Aperol Mango Sour and a glass of wine — both excellent choices. Yemanja’s cocktail list is inventive, and its wine menu is extensive, offering plenty of options to complement any meal.

For starters, the Beef Carpaccio Bombe stood out as an exceptional dish. It featured thinly sliced raw Angus beef tenderloin served with a blend of salad greens, arugula, pine nuts, cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, scallions, and Old Amsterdam cheese. The dish was beautifully presented, with sourdough croutons, pesto truffle sauce, and a touch of balsamic crème bringing together a perfect balance of flavor and texture.

For main courses, we ordered the Herb-Crusted Atlantic Cod Filet and the Blackened Triple Tail. The cod filet was wrapped in prosciutto and coated with Provençal breadcrumbs, served alongside crispy fried calamari (not my personal favorite), creamy pesto risotto, charred broccolini, and a scallion-tomato dressing. The Blackened Triple Tail was equally impressive — tender and flavorful, accompanied by truffle risotto, glazed snow peas, charred broccolini, and a white wine garlic sauce finished with Sicilian tomato dressing.

We also shared a side of lobster macaroni and cheese, which was rich, creamy, and full of flavor — a great complement to the seafood dishes.

To finish the evening, we enjoyed a scoop of chocolate chip ice cream, a simple but delicious finale to a satisfying meal.

Overall, Yemanja Woodfired Grill delivers a refined yet approachable dining experience, where creativity, presentation, and flavor come together seamlessly. With its outstanding food, excellent service, and inviting setting, it’s a restaurant we would gladly return to.

Rating 8.3/10