Yemanja Woodfired Grill

After reading the wonderful reviews I decided to try this restaurant. We had 8:00 reservations on the patio. When we got there, our table was not ready. After a few minutes we sat down. It took 15 minutes for someone to come over and take our order. I noticed that the waitresses here serve the food, fill the water glasses and make drinks at the bar. There were no busboys. We ordered the lobster bisque soup for appetizer (which was good) and that arrived at approximately 9:15. Our waitress explained to us that one of the grills in the kitchen was not working so they were using a grill outside to cook their food and that it was "hectic" tonight. Ok, but that doesn't explain why I had to wait 1 hour for my soup to be served (which arrived lukewarm). Then we shared a calamari appetizer which was just ok. For dinner I ordered the grouper and my friend ordered the grilled Wahoo (which we both thought was pretty good) That was served to us at 9:45. By the time we ordered dessert and left, it was almost 10:30. The waitress did apologize but some of our dishes didn't require the grill so I don't understand why we waited such a long time between servings. That night I had stomach pains and nauseau. Now, was that a bug or was that from the food? I can't say. Overall, the food was good and the service awful but the food wasn't that good for me to return. (Also, if you decide to sit on the patio, your view will be of a parking lot).

Dined here last week. Had the french onion soup and the strip steak, both excellent. My wife had the lobster bisque and filet mignon. All of the dishes were wonderful. Four sides served with all the meals. Well worth it. A must for steak lovers.

Yemenja is a bit pricey, but worth every dollar (or guilder). My wife and I both ordered the salad with grilled vegetables and agreed that it was one of the best salads we'd ever eaten! She ordered the grilled Wahoo (most akin to swordfish) which was cooked to perfection and plentiful. As a veal lover, I couldn't pass up the 14 oz. mesquite grilled chop, served with a peppery mushroom sauce. Sides of stir-fry veggies, garlic mashed, basmati rice and Brazilian black beans were enough to feed four, let alone two! An Alamos (Argentinian) chardonnay for $30 was a very reasonable complimentary wine, poured by a friendly, attentive wait staff. For steak lovers, the menu offers a diverse selection. Yemanja is a Must!

Every year prior to our annual visit to Aruba, We search for new places to dine. This year we have added a new restaurant to our "must do" list. Yemanja is superb to say the least. Although my wife and I rarely order the same menu item when we dine out we were glad we did this time because it was too good to share. We were both blown away with Grouper fillet filled with boursin. This meal was so wonderful,we decided to return the next night for more. This time we started off with their Puff Pastry Shrimp appetizer and had different Items from their dinner specials menu and we even shared too. Both our dinner selections from their specials menu were out of this world. After two great dinners at Yemanja, we will make it a point to have at least 2 visits to this great restaurant when we return next year for our one week vacation. All we ask is that they do not loose their passion for great food service & presentation, as so many successful restaurants tend to do after many years of being on top. We are confident that Yemanja will be here for a long time and has our vote as one of the very best, Aruba has to offer.

Sincerely,
Ron & Roseann Naldi
Franklin, NJ USA

We refer to Yemanja as "our restaurant" We have been going to Aruba every year, and the first thing we do is plan when dinner will be at Yemanja. This year we went twice. I wish we went more! We have tried about everything on the menue and haven't been disapointed with any of it.

Well worth the trip. Very pleasant dining experience and would return next year. Easy to find right behind the Renaissance Hotel. Beautiful presentation of food, nice selection,wonderful taste experience and fair pricing.

Dined at Yemanja on 8/17/10. This is the 4th time we dined here at the food and service continue to be excellent. This has become a staple restaurant we visit each year while in Aruba. This is a "must" try...

After Brisas del Mar in Saveneta was sufficiently damaged by Omar and subsequently closed two years ago Yemanja became my favorite restaurant on the island. Yemanja was opened probably four or five years ago. In the beginning I wasn't too impressed. After a few visits I found almost all dishes were nicely prepared and presented. Their appetizers and salads are all excellent. I like the Yemanja salads the best. I think I have tried every item on the menu. The lamb chops, duck breast, scallops, are all top quality. The seasonal mussels are also very good if they have them imported. I had it in wine sauce (the French style) but have not tried with the beer (Belgium style).

The portions are European because it is owned by the Dutch despite the name being Brazilian. For example you get only six scallops if you order the dish. The duck breast and lamb chops are sufficient. The dinner sald alone will fill you up without an appetizer. But you will not go hungary if you are used to the huge American portion. The entree comes with mashed potatos, rice, beans, and stir fried vegetables on the side. You will not be able to finish them all.

Expect to pay $45 to $60 per person with tips. It is fit for a romantic setting but can also be very casual. This is one of the best restaurants on the island in my opinion.

We ate dinner here on our New Years vacation. We cannot say enough about the flavor profiles of the appetizers, salads and main dishes. Simply awesome, if only we had enough room for dessert. The presentation and service sealed the deal. Wish we had made reservations sooner and more often. They fill up early so make reservations well in advance. If you miss this restaurant, you will miss one of the best experiences the island has to offer.

been to Aruba four times now, and have ate at numerous places all over island, and I have to say this is one of the best, if not the best dining experience we have had. World Class food!