Yemanja Woodfired Grill

After reading the glowing reviews of this restaurant a few years ago we made an effort to dine their on our next annual visit to Aruba. We soon found that the raves were well deserved. We insisted some friends join us that evening and they were equally impressed. First - although not in a pristine location the designers of this eatery have made it welcoming and elegant. Second the food is phenomenal. In my 3 visits to Yemanja we have selected both meat and seafood dishes. All were prepared innovatively and the presentation appealing and appetizing. Our most recent meal this year included a wonderful grilled shrimp app. served in a puffed pastry with a delicious sauce. Our main courses included a creative take on Surf/turf which consisted of skewered jumbo shrimp and melt in your mouth beef tenderloin seasoned and grilled to perfection and served with 5 seperate dipping sauces including a cabernet/truffle sauce that was magnificent. My rack of lamb was excellently prepared in a fruit and port wine sauce. Nearly all entrees include 4 side dishes - sauteed veggies, cuban black beans, basmati rice, and garlic mashed potatos served in seperate portions for the table and all really add something to the meal. Neither I nor my wife are real dessert lovers but since our 1st visit I always make sure to include this course in my meal. My most recent dessert was a mouthwatering creamy coconut mousse served layered between paper-thin vanilla wafers with a side of homemade mango ice cream and the entire masterpiece drizzled with a mango sauce. Service was welcoming and attentive. Our waiter, Charles and our waitress whose name I regret I have forgotten, made us feel at home and were aprreciative of our praise for the meal. Our wine and water glasses were kept filled, and the table tended to professionally and promptly. A new addition to the building this year is a roof for the outdoor patio in the event of a rare Aruban rain storm. This restaurant is a must for any visitor to the island!!

in aruba for 10 days last year...we went to yemanja's FOUR times...we plan to go even more this year..

Totally excellent dining experience. We sat on the terrace (very romantic) and not only was the service outstanding the meal was to die for. I had the grouper stuffed with Boursin and Don had a filet. Both of us thought the presentation was top notch. Dessert was a brownie with ice cream – sounds boring and it was anything but! Would go back in a heartbeat!

LOVE LOVE this restaurant. Fabulous food and service. My husband and I agree. My husband had the grouper and I had the lambchops every entree comes with an assortment of sides that were out of this world. Can't wait to return (great service staff).

All the reviews are saying the same thing. Just a great place to go and have a lovely, relaxing meal. Our favorite meal on our visit of the top 5 recommended sites. Enjoy!

Heard a lot about Yemenja and was not disappointed. Very nice ambience! Attentive staff but somewhat inexperienced (lulls at times between offereings, drinks and the check). My Italiano Grouper was superb as was my girlfriend's New Zealand Rack of Lamb (9 count). The Fillo dough with Goat Cheese appetizer was fantastic. If you're downtown and don't go to this restaurant, it's your loss. Next year's already booked!

Best food we've had on our honeymoon. We had the seafood soup, the scallop salad, the Baricuda and the jumbo grilled shrimp. All were incredible. The banana tart desert was also delicious. Excellent wine list as well. Will defiinately be coming back.

Outstanding in every area. The service was very attentive and friendly. Caribbean fish chowder, boursin grouper and Italiano grouper were wonderful. Each entree came with sides of rice, potatoes, beans and grilled vegetables. The Banana tart tartin dessert was one of the best we have ever eaten anywhere. This was our favorite restaurant and we will be returning!

Excellent!!! We ate here on our last night in Aruba. We just happened to walk by and drop in for dinner. What a plesant surprise. The scallops were awesome and the steak was so tender and tasty. Highly recommended.

Second time to Yemanja in as many years. Never fails to exceed our every expectation. Dick had an amazing steak and Kim had the duck breast. Loved the sides like black beans and garlic mashed potatoes. Very comfortable dining room and great service. It is an easy walk from the Renaissance, so no excuse! We will be back a third time!