Gasparito

We had a wonderful time. The owner was very cognizant of covid restrictions. He had a great sense of humor and we enjoyed the riddles. The goat stew was delicious.

We found this nugget on our first trip 14 years ago. A true taste of the locals. We eat here on every trip (8 trips later) I always take home a piece of jewelry or art. It is amazing and I highly respect and recommend Gasparito to anyone visiting on the island.

My husband and I were so lucky to attend a beautiful dinner at Gasparito Restaurant and Art Gallery. This local gem is renowned for authentic Aruban dishes, the historic architecture of their building and inspiring Aruban art. The restaurant is family-run by the Barros family and we were immediately greeted by the owner, Raymond, upon our arrival. He explained the origins of the restaurant to us and that his son, Chef Dan, was the culinary mastermind behind all of their delicious dishes. My husband and I decided to keep it truly Aruban and ordered everything that is native to the island.

We began with an appetizer of Warm Ravioli at the recommendation of the owner. This award winning appetizer features Gasparito’s house made Ravioli stuffed with cheese on a bed of Kerry Kerry upon request, a local delicacy, served in a mild bell pepper sauce. I decided to opt for the Gasparito chicken as my entree - a SECRET RECIPE of tender chicken breasts pan seared then baked and served in a succulent sweet tangy sauce. My husband chose the Aruban combo which included many of Aruba’s Specialities like tasty fish, Keshi Yena chicken, a recipe from their ancestors of Dutch cheese melted and filled with slow cooked chicken, and Kerry Kerry. For dessert we both shared a slice of scrumptious cheesecake as well as the traditional Aruban/Venezuelan flan, called quesillo. 

All the while, we were taken care of like family, with Raymond continuously coming up to us and the surrounding tables telling jokes and making us feel like we were enjoying a home cooked meal. Gasparito was by far the best food we have eaten in Aruba and I’m so happy I got to take my husband for a true Aruban feast!

It's like being invited to a private home for a special Aruban home cooked meal. Very intimate with personalized service. Great Aruba flavors with the 'Aruba Combo' and my wife's coconut shrimp was the best she has ever had. Owner/server was great and really made the evening. Make sure you make reservations as they only serve a limited number of plates each day. Will come back next year.

Since reviews were very positive in general, we went to Gasparito this evening. We arrived at a empty restaurant with a grumpy host. We reluctantly got a table but assumed that a good local dish could make us forget the frosty entree. Sadly this was not the case. After a small bowl of watery soup, we got our main dishes. The plates were searing hot, which might be the reason for the food being overcooked. Together with the overcooked meat, I received a piece of plantain the size of a grape, a spoonful of rice and a oreo-sized piece of funchi. When it took quite some effort to order a beer, I ran out of patience. Yes, the family sauce was great and okey, the quesillo was decent. But when the box with the bill was thrown on the table, I almost felt compelled to toss it back. Very disapointing.

well worth the trip, excellent small and friendly local restaurant with great food, great prices and very personable host and owner. we go back every year and have never been disappointed. no advertising makes it less crowded and much quieter than most at this time of year. an annual regular that never ceases to please. very reasonable wine prices as well which is a big plug. more restaurants should do this. will be back again.

We happened upon this restaurant in 2013 and made a point of returning again in 2014. The onion soup was a good as remembered and our entrees delightful. Good flan, too! Would definitely recommend you try this hidden, local gem. Skip the high-rise hustle.

I've been here once before many years ago and I don't know why I haven't been back. But since I go to Aruba every year I will make it a point to come here! For appetizer I had their delicious homemade raviolis. For entrees, I had their Keshi Yena and my friend had their mixed platter with filet mignon and seafood. Both portions very plentiful and delicious. My only negative was the waitress made a weak apple martini! The service was very good and friendly. I will definitely return.

Very nice place, great old Cunucu house and patio. Very good value and very good portions. First time here and will definitely be back. Nice wine pour and very reasonable prices for the quantity and quality. sorry we did not find this place before this trip.

Don't know what happened as we have been here each trip for the last 12 years. We arrived and were promptly seated on the terrace. While looking at menu three other tables arrived. Each of them received bread; we did not. We had to ask for it, and waiter apologized. No problem. My husband and I ordered wine and all we can say is it was bad....so so warm and terrible. It was nice they did not charge us. I ordered onion soup with Gouda cheese. The cheese was good; broth tasted like lipton and hardly any onion; just huge bay leaves! My main course was the shrimp with coconut sauce. All I can say is that I have been on the island for 13 days; whenever I ordered shrimp they were large and seemed fresh. These were tiny and tasted like they were frozen as well as the veggies. The shrimp were not clean and had black veins running through them. My husband had the veggie selection. He said the veggies also tasted like they were frozen, and barely touched his entree. He did, however, like the fish soup. We were very disappointed as we have been here many times throughout the years and liked it. Don't think we will return next year. The waiter was apologetic for the wine; but tried to make it seem like we did not know what we were talking about.
Hope they can get their act back together soon. It was a really nice restaurant.