3 Great Meals Under $30 in Aruba

Aruba Austin
May 19
3 min read

Updated: May 25

Whether you are dining out or dining in, I have you covered on ALL THINGS FOODIE here on the One Happy Island of Aruba.

Sushi rolls topped with avocado on a black plate, garnished with sauce. Wasabi, ginger, and soy sauce in small dishes in the background. — Shrimp Tempura Roll at Yang Ming Cuisine in Aruba ($12)

The worldwide success of my budget-friendly Aruba Tiktoks illustrates to me that there is a significant need for high-quality information about non-tourist restaurants.

Therefore, I have curated a list of the best off-the-beaten-path locals spots (located close to the main tourist area) that will surprise and delight you.

Yang Ming Cusine (Sushi/Chinese)

Located in the Metro Mall shopping Center near Eagle Beach, Yang Ming offers quality sushi at affordable locals prices.

Known for its excellent Asian food and not its ambience or location, Yang Ming is located in inauspicious digs at the Metro Mall inland from Eagle Beach.

The interior is large and ideal for big parties with its circular tables with lazy susans, and the eatery also does a brisk takeaway business.

When I arrived on a Sunday at 6pm, Yang Ming was empty except for locals streaming in for their evening takeout.

My friend and I were on a mission to eat exquisite sushi for less than $30 a person - and we succeeded easily.

Here are the dishes we enjoyed:

Crab Salad - $11

We struggled to make a dent in the decadent mountain of imitation sushi crab lined with mango, avacado and salmon roe.

Shrimp Tempura Roll - $12 (8 pieces per roll)

I love anything tempura, and the plentiful shrimp was warm and perfectly cooked, with an avocado-wrapped top that melted in your mouth.

Pure Ocean Roll - $15 (8 pieces per roll)

My favorite item we tried, the Pure Ocean roll invites you with an inventive "shell" of crab and wakame salad and a center of salmon and shrimp.

Tuna Tataki - $13

We were full by the time this dish arrived, but the tasty tuna topped with seaweed salad was the perfect final dish.

All in all, with tip, we were right at $30 per person (please note we did not have any beverages except tap water).

For lunch, Yang Ming offers combo specials for $10 or less including teriyaki chicken, sesame chicken and sweet and sour chicken.

La Granja (Caribbean/Chicken)

Located on the Noord road leading away from the high-rise hotel Palm Beach area, La Granja offers the ultimate in rotisserie chicken lunches.

La Granja's $11 half chicken lunch special is a thing of legend. Served with heaping helpings of two sides and a can of soda, you will never go hungry again. In fact, there is so much food, I usually have leftovers.

Plate with roasted chicken, potatoes, and yellow rice on a table. Sprite can, cup with ice, sauces nearby. Dining setting, casual mood. — Half Chicken Lunch Special at La Granja ($11)

La Granja also has locations in downtown Oranjestad and in Savaneta, so you can enjoy your chicken all across Aruba.

Casa Tua (Pizza/Happy Hour)

With two locations in Aruba (Palm Beach and Oranjestad), Casa Tua is known by tourists and locals alike.

However, what you may not know is that Casa Tua's happy hour offers the best pizza special on the island - a generously-sized Margherita pizza for only $10.