Yemanja Woodfired Grill image

Yemanja Woodfired Grill

Restaurant Cafe Seafood restaurant Steak house Vegan restaurant Gluten free restaurant Caribbean restaurant

One of the Best Places To Visits in Ponton


Address

Wilhelminastraat 2, Oranjestad, Aruba

Website

www.yemanja-aruba.com

Contact

+297 564 8467

Price rating

$$$ $

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (1.1K reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Wednesday: 5:30 to 10 pm
  • Thursday: 5:30 to 10 pm
  • Friday: 5:30 to 10 pm
  • Saturday: 5:30 to 10 pm
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 5:30 to 10 pm
  • Tuesday: 5:30 to 10 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: good (43) service (42) restaurant (37) Aruba (35) delicious (30) great (25) recommend (22) amazing (18) nice (17) meal (16)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Rafael Morales J. 2 years ago on Google
    If I could give this place 10 stars I would. The food, the service, the drinks and the atmosphere was amazing. The best meal we had during our entire trip. Make sure you make reservations, chances are slim you will be able to just walk in and get a table.
    7 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Andrew M. 2 years ago on Google
    Yemanja had great food, friendly and quick service, and a nice ambience. We ate the prime rib, lamb chops, and lava cake, and all were cooked to perfection. I also appreciated how clean everything was in this restaurant; they clearly take post-pandemic precautions seriously (compared to many places that just do it for show). The only items I’d caution are that the food preparation took a while (which I expected because of how perfectly it was cooked), and while the ambience was nice indoors, it looked even better outside (so request an outdoor table when you make your reservation).
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alison T. 1 year ago on Google
    If you come to Aruba, make a reservation at Yemanja. Everything is delicious here! The meat is cooked to perfection. All of the food is flavorful, lovely ambiance.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Brianna G. 1 year ago on Google
    I was really excited to try this place while visiting Aruba. The piece of bread and the two types of butter they give you are really good. The shrimp app was a great way to try shrimp 5 different ways and it was also really good. My boyfriend and I both didn’t really like our entrees. He got the skirt steak and didn’t like the taste of it, but everyone has their own taste so that doesn’t mean much. I just think it wasn’t his preference but he did get really sick after getting back to the hotel, I guess it didn’t agree with him. I got the tenderloin kebab and asked for it medium well. The meat was really juicy (in a good way), but to me most of it was too rare so I didn’t eat most of it. The loaded potato skewer was fantastic though. I feel like most of our money was wasted since we didn’t eat most of our entrees, but it is what it is. Staff was welcoming and very kind.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Will A. 2 months ago on Google • 257 reviews New
    Quite possibly the best restaurant in Aruba. Creative drinks and knowledgeable bartenders, servers and supervisors are extremely conscientious, Jasmine is top notch! Filet skewer was incredible. Beef Carpaccio Salad was delicious. Wine selection was fabulous.

  • 5/5 William C. 3 months ago on Google • 253 reviews New
    One of the best restaurants on the island. A diverse menu with lots of wonderful choices. I ultimately chose the Caribbean BBQ over the Picanha. Other entrees at our table included the tenderloin kabobs and the lamb chops. For dessert the molten lava cake is great. Several wonderful drinks. The Citrus Mary was a great gin drink and the Caribbean Dream was a wonderful rum drink. I highly recommend visiting this place if visiting Aruba.

  • 5/5 Masha N. 3 years ago on Google
    We were in Aruba for a week and came here twice because it was so good. We have tried all the top rated restaurants on the island and Yemanja was on a completely other level. The filo dough stuffed with goat cheese was amazing, as was the shrimp stuffed with crabmeat. You must go for the tenderloin skewer with the loaded potato. Coming from NYC, we are not deprived of top notch restaurants and we couldn’t think of a comparable place in the city. Make sure you make it here for dinner at least once.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Angelica B. 2 years ago on Google
    By far the best meal we had in Aruba! The atmosphere was great, the service was phenomenal, & the food.. the food was delicious! For appetizers we had the wedge salad & lamb dumplings, which were both very good & for dinner we had the group & the leatherjack fish which were SO good!! We started outside on the patio, then it started to rain & they quickly moved us inside. We had already ordered everything & everything came just like it was supposed to even though we had changed locations & servers due to the weather. Highly recommend this restaurant & will be back!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Xhan H. 1 year ago on Google
    Do not come here if you are hungry, the food takes entirely too long! I had the Caribbean BBQ Mahi Mahi Filet, Vegan Truffle Mac & Cheese with Sweet Passion Yemanja Specialty cocktail. The fish barely had any taste (lack of seasoning); the vegan mac was delicious! The wait staff was attentive (not pushy) and very polite. A reservation is required to dine here. Not much parking available, though the restaurant is within walking distance of a few hotels and local shops.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sheena G. 1 year ago on Google
    This restaurant offers an intimate and impressive dining experience. Everyone we interacted with was warm and helpful. The warm white lights lining the bar area and tropical colored lights lining the patio dining really set the mood. The smoked old fashioned was fun and tasty. The picanha was tender and delicious. My husband had the tomahawk pork chop and that was a must try (if you have the appetite!). The prices were pretty standard for the area. Definitely try this place for dinner!
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 santiago b. 4 months ago on Google • 104 reviews
    This is a great fine dining experience. The place itself is beautiful. I suggest requesting to sit inside as it is a bit more private. I also suggest calling for a reservation as they tend to be busy every day. The staff here are so friendly and attentive to your needs. You can tell that the staff here work together to create a positive atmosphere and to provide a wonderful experience to the costumer. Kevin (the manager), not only does he manage well but he is also hands on helping his staff out. The chefs in the kitchen work very hard to produce a delicious experience. My favorites are the Caribbean Calamari & Octopus, truffle Mac and cheese, and kebab and twisted potatoes. But, you cannot go wrong with anything in their menu. Everything looks and taste so delicious and cooked to perfection. I think the part that I loved the most was my cocktails made by manuel and Etati. These two bartenders are true geniuses. Manuel was able to make my amaretto sour with egg whites like no one before (literally the best one I’ve ever had). Etati made the best red sangrias I’ve ever had. If you are getting a cocktail, please make sure one of these two people are making it for you! Lastly, you have to try their chocolate lava cake. We get it every time we come. Sometimes we eat at other places and come for dessert and drinks, as they are our favorite things! I highly recommend trying this restaurant at least once. You have nothing to lose!

  • 5/5 Jibran Q. 2 months ago on Google • 80 reviews New
    The menu has a wide selection of dishes. Staff were very friendly. We got the garlic shrimp lasagna and picanha. Peach cobbler cheesecake was very light and creamy. Would definitely come back. You need reservations a few days in advance.

  • 3/5 TGG 3 years ago on Google
    We have vacationed in Aruba for more than 20 years. Yemanja has become one of our favorite restaurants. However, tonight we were seated and disappointed to see that you can no longer order a prime piece of beef — only skirt steak or beef tips! What a shame. 322 varieties of vegetarian choices, pork and seafood but no serious steak choices. No NY strip, T-bone or even the basic of basic cuts of beef: filet mignon. We left our table and headed to El Gaucho.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Shaun-Paul S. 4 years ago on Google
    A mostly Vegan/Vegetarian meal restaurant. But I have to say the service and the food was excellent. A must try if looking for a healthy, filling course meal. Some meals are a bit pricey, but its well worth the money. Carribean creole grilled shrimp was out of this world. A little kick of spices, excellent service!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 blake w. 3 years ago on Google
    The food was hands down some of the beast food we have eaten on the island. We were lucky to sneak in without a reservation before it got busy! The menu had a good variety of but my wife and I both went with a steak dish. The tornado potato is out of this world and flavors in the dish overall were incredible. Would definitely recommend and go back. On the pricey side but worth it!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Inna A. 3 years ago on Google
    Everyone we asked for food recommendations seemed to recommend this restaurant so we decided to give it a try. Our group was not disappointed. They are great about COVID standards so we felt safe eating here. The drinks were so good, fresh fruit and craft cocktail. Everything we ordered was delicious and flavorful. Steak portions are rather large but make for a great leftover midnight snack even cold.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Alex T. 3 years ago on Google
    This restaurant is a shining example of how restaurants should operate. Kevin, the manager, and Kenduard, our waiter, were both so wonderful and helpful in getting us a table outdoors and helping us find indoor seating when an unexpected rainstorm occurred. The food was consistently superb, and the ambience was among the best we encountered on the island. Highly recommended!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Jennifer M. 2 years ago on Google
    Artistic presentation, beautiful ambience, excellent service - an ideal spot for a special occasion. The portions were large. The chef combines a unique mix of herbs.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Carolyn M. 2 years ago on Google
    This restaurant is a foodie’s paradise. Gorgeous and delicious plates with an intimate, upscale ambiance. Their Filo Dough with Goat Cheese appetizer should not be missed. Only thing we weren’t impressed with was (surprisingly) the truffle Mac and cheese. My husband got the Grilled Octopus, Shrimp, and Chorizo dish and I got the Shrimp Tasting. The coconut shrimp was excellent. We got the Caribbean Dream dessert which was very rich but very tasty.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Jeanne H. 1 year ago on Google
    This place is amazing. We had escargot, Unicorn Leatherjack, and Rib eye top cap. OMH the best beef I’ve had on this island in 11 years. The service (Alex) was impeccable to say the very least. Loved the ambiance and music as well. We will definitely be back. Maybe even this week.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael R. 1 year ago on Google
    This was hands down the best food my wife and I ate while we were in Aruba! The food is super creative and equally tasty. I ordered the Caribbean Shrimp and it was incredible! The portion size was nice and filling. Not too big but definitely plentiful. My wife ordered the grouper fillets and that was also great and well plated. We also started our meal off with possibly the best calamari I’ve ever tasted! Def try that if you have room for an appetizer. They have to-go boxes as well so just order the whole menu and take home what you can’t finish lol.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Larry O. 1 year ago on Google
    The Yemanja Woodfired Grill in Aruba is a true gem. The beef tenderloin was cooked to perfection, with a deep, rich flavor that lingered on the tongue long after the meal was finished. And the Thai salad was an excellent complement, with a tangy, spicy kick that balanced out the richness of the beef. But the true highlight of the meal was the service. Our server was attentive and knowledgeable, and she made sure that our dining experience was nothing short of fantastic. However, there was one disappointment - the lack of a paper menu. In a world where everything is digital, it's nice to have something tangible to hold onto, especially when trying to decide on a dish. Overall, the Yemanja Woodfired Grill is a must-visit for anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience in Aruba. Just be sure to bring your own menu.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Merel B. 11 months ago on Google
    This place is amazing! We've had a hard time making a choice and we weren't disappointed when the plates came. The meat is so tender and the chimichurri makes it perfect. Also, the potatoes were delicious. We'll recommend this place! It's a bit expensive, but every restaurant in Aruba is expensive compared to restaurants in Europe. We even came back a couple of days later to order the kebab again, it was so good to just eat once. By far the best dinner we had in Aruba!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Intervention302 7 months ago on Google
    Yemanja was a wonderful experience. We've to Aruba a handful of times, and are just now making our first trip. We have in the past thought Barefoot was our favorite upscale dining restaurant on the island, but we think Yemanja is our new favorite. Service was spectacular, and the food was just as good. We shared the onion soup, and had Picahna and Grouper as the mains. Delicious dishes. Finished with the molten lava cake. We will make an effort to come here every future trip! Our server, Sara, was incredible. Fast, hardworking, and very attentive as a waitress.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Adrian 9 months ago on Google
    Excellent place for vegetarian options! It’s definitely unique cuisine, flavors are mixed and exotic. Meat lovers should definitely come try this place out! Great drinks and deserts too!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michael Z. 7 months ago on Google
    What a fabulous meal. The food was eclectic. The service was excellent. Definitely going back. You will not be disappointed at this restaurant. If you like fish Definitely try the Unicorn Leatherjack Fish Filet. It is out of this world.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 David S. 6 months ago on Google
    Food was unbelievable. Cooked perfect, plates were a work of art this chef knocks it out of the park with every plate. There is quite a Wait of course, worth waiting for. When I return to Aruba I will be making reservations again. They handled a big group and the food came out at the same time and again true artwork. And the drinks were awesome.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 M b. 5 months ago on Google
    Seems like they treat the white customers better than the black ones but the food was delicious. My service wasn’t that good but a lot of the white customers looked like they were having a lovely experience. But again the food was amazing
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sebastian D. 3 months ago on Google • 73 reviews New
    The ambiance is island chic - comfortable chairs and each table is unique. My Negroni was well prepared. You can dine at the bar with no reservations - had we known we would have done that. I had the Carpacio for starters - too much sauce Loved presentation and concept - the carpacio was wrapped around the arugula salad. Sauces were overwhelming - this is why I give the food 4 stars. My bride and I both had the Jack fish filet and grilled shrimp with crab meat bisque sauce which was outstanding - would like to see it offered on risotto instead of mashed potatoes. We enjoyed splitting the the Caribbean Dream dessert. Expensive but worth it.

  • 5/5 Martin S. 3 months ago on Google • 32 reviews New
    First time at Yemanja and certainly not my last. Had the beef carpaccio which was excellent. Then the pichana that was cooked perfectly. A side of tornado fries which we ate everything and unfortunately left no room for dessert.

  • 5/5 curtis s. 3 months ago on Google • 14 reviews New
    Great food, service and overall experience. Everything was really well presented seasoned and taste was there. We ordered to share and portions were large! Definitely would go back!

  • 5/5 Joseph H. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing experience, the service and the food were excellent, I would highly recommend it when you're in Aruba

  • 5/5 Julie M. 3 years ago on Google
    I did not eat in but wish I did. The atmosphere was so cozy. I got the vegan BBQ platter and it was delicious! Personally did not care for the cole slaw but that is because I dislike curry. Otherwise it was soooo good!

  • 5/5 Kyle L. 5 years ago on Google
    Maybe the best restaurant on the island. Yemanja does not disappoint with elevated food at the right price. I started with the beef carpaccio salad which was firstly very impressively put together and delicious. For my main I had the stuffed pork tenderloin which is to die for. The pork was perfectly cooked and the risotto with pesto was amazing. Both dishes were expertly put together and looked like a piece of art. 0 complaints, absolutely amazing restaurant.

  • 5/5 J N. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing food, great vegan plates. Def recommend.

  • 5/5 George D. 5 years ago on Google
    Again, a very good restaurant here in Aruba. This one it has all tables outside in a nice garden, that was nice. I missed the breeze... but that because we were there at 5:30. If you go after let’s say 7 then is fine. Purse server did a great job in paying attention to our needs. Food is good. We were told that the fish, all fish, is imported... and that we didn’t like a lot, we were expected fresh fish. However , the fish was good, we ordered some mahi-mahi and grouper. Overall, great location, great food!

  • 5/5 Eric B. 3 years ago on Google
    fabulous food, beautiful presentation top notch service

  • 5/5 Michelle T. 4 years ago on Google
    The bass was delicious, it will melt in your mouth. The fresh bread was also delicious. Very welcoming staff. I would highly recommend this restaurant.

  • 5/5 Jordon P. 5 years ago on Google
    Staff was great. Food was great. This place is to die for.

  • 5/5 Cassandra E. 3 years ago on Google
    Both the service and the food were amazing. So good, I didn’t even leave the restaurant before writing this review. We had the lamb dumplings, short ribs, and the pork chop. I think we agreed the pork chop was the best but it was all so, so good! Everything was cooked to perfection and had so much flavor!

  • 5/5 Berkys R. 3 years ago on Google
    The food is absolutely amazing. We went two nights in a row while vacationing in Aruba. Highly recommend it.

  • 5/5 Auggie F. 3 years ago on Google
    Best meal in Aruba by far and one of the best ever. great vegan choices and delicious seafood, grilled veggies, and steak. grill perfection.

  • 5/5 Raj G. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing food! I had the Grouper which was spectacular. Friendly staff and nice atmosphere. I definitely will be back here.

  • 5/5 Milouska S. 3 years ago on Google
    Awesome food! Super service! Highly recommend! Cozy atmosphere!

  • 5/5 Robert S. 3 years ago on Google
    One of the best! Very excellent service and food. While I would recommend everything on the menu, the potato truffle soup is unique and amazing. We also enjoyed the Picanha, which was tender and flavourful. A must when visiting Aruba.

  • 5/5 miguel g. 3 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very good food and attention. Recommended 100% (Original) Muy buena la comida y la atención. Recomendado 100 %

  • 5/5 Jerry V. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent menu! This is the best restaurant in Aruba we've been to so far. The salmon carpaccio was amazing!

  • 5/5 Lydia L. 3 years ago on Google
    Food is delicious

  • 5/5 Asha A. 3 years ago on Google
    Great service and food, thank you.

  • 5/5 Nina H. 3 years ago on Google
    What a wonderful experience! Such a quaint restaurant which a warm vibe and vibrant ambiance. Food was EXCELLENT especially the calamari and bbq mahi mahi on the power bowl. Deserts and coffee were delicious too. Really impressed by the quality of the ingredients and the preparation/presentation. 10/10 would recommend!

  • 4/5 Tuzzolino i. 3 years ago on Google
    Amazing food

  • 3/5 Kasim K. 3 years ago on Google
    Very very expensive. Decent food but not worth the price. For example the Mahi Mahi was overdone. For a 40$ dish you would expect the fish to be perfectly cooked.

  • 5/5 Arthur L. 3 years ago on Google
    Their pumpkin soup is calling me...

  • 5/5 david f. 4 years ago on Google
    Excellent food and service

  • 5/5 Vanessa C. 4 years ago on Google
    This place probably had the best service out of the places I went in Aruba. Our server was so nice and accommodating. The food was absolutely delicious! The beef carpaccio was probably the best one I have ever had. Can't wait to go back next year on my return to Aruba.

  • 5/5 James R. 4 years ago on Google
    Lucky that we got the reservation. Good service. Appetizers we had are just alright. French onion soup is good. Main dishes are good taste and suprisingly good portion of them. Desserts are amazziiing.

  • 5/5 Joan E. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A place that brings together all the flavors of Aruba. (Original) Un lugar que reúne todos los sabores de Aruba.

  • 5/5 Ginette B. 4 years ago on Google
    Surprising gem. Small and intimate and the food and service are out of this world

  • 5/5 Juan C. 4 years ago on Google
    Benn there three times, great restaurant, really good food nice place.

  • 5/5 Marc G. 4 years ago on Google
    One of the best in Aruba - a must

  • 5/5 Howard B. 4 years ago on Google
    This is our first time on the island and it was recommended by the valet at out motel. The food was incredible, very fine dinning I would say. Reservations a must as this is a very popular dining spot.

  • 5/5 Alan S. 4 years ago on Google
    You have to try the potato truffle soup ! Call for a reservation, it's always busy here. Vegan options.

  • 5/5 Todd W. 4 years ago on Google
    Very good food and pleasant service.

  • 2/5 Tatiana E. 4 years ago on Google
    Was excited for this place as in my previous visit to Aruba it was my top choice. Atmosphere is nice but quality of food went down over the years. Ordered Caribbean Creole Shrimp with Grilled Flatbread. Let me tell you...this "grilled" flatbread was something they warmed up in the microwave. Creole sauce which was supposed to be creamy and delicious was sour and made me want to gag. Shrimp wasn't grilled to perfection. Couldn't even finish my dish. My partner had the same dish and we were both very very disappointed. When you are paying $40 US/plate you are expecting something nice but disappointment was all we got.

  • 1/5 Ron F. 4 years ago on Google
    Mai Mai was in-etable !!

  • 5/5 Jim V. 4 years ago on Google
    Food was great!

  • 5/5 Christine T. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing food and service!

  • 4/5 Kevin W. 4 years ago on Google
    Food is here is very good and they are very accommodating to Gluten free and other allergies. Everything is marked on the menu as gluten free, peanut free, vegan, etc and the server we had was very knowledgeable. We really appreciated all of the gluten free options and they even brought gluten free bread. The only reason I wouldn't give it five stars is that service was very slow. It took a really long time for our food to come out. Perhaps that was because they made it separately and carefully, but it took a really long time. If you are on island time and don't care, then have a drink and enjoy. But if you are in a time crunch to do other things and/or you are hungry then be aware it could be slow.

  • 5/5 Ruth S. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing food 5*

  • 3/5 Carl Fredrik M. 4 years ago on Google
    Didn't book a table but managed after roughly 30 mins get a table for two, yay! =) We receiced the menues but had to wait an additional 15 mins to order (staff busy), and after we placed our order we had to wait 35 mins to get the food. Even had to wait to pay... So + for the food which was okay, but - for all of the waiting! Was nice to visit but the food was neither worth the price nor the waiting

  • 3/5 Roberto A. 4 years ago on Google
    Im vegan the vegan bbq plate was Ok nothing special I found it very expensive

  • 5/5 Joe M. 4 years ago on Google
    Always excellent food and service

  • 5/5 Zubia K. 3 years ago on Google
    Ambience- AMAZING! Well we sat outside and wanted to due to Covid so it worked out otherwise this place was packed. I’m pretty sure you have to make reservations but we just walked up and got lucky. This is how good this place is. We ordered the kebab and skirt steak and boy were both delicious. The potatoes were the best I’ve ever had. They were slightly crunchy on the outside which did it for me since I’m definitely a texture appreciator of foods. The truffle...just thinking about it is making my mouth water. Next time we visit Aruba- we are definitely coming back here.

  • 5/5 Denisse A. 3 years ago on Google
    Their vegan options are amazing! Our favorite place to dine out. Don't miss it!

  • 5/5 Mitch B. 3 years ago on Google
    Best French Onion Soup EVER. Great food. Great Service. Beautiful presentation. A MUST when visiting Aruba.

  • 5/5 Flow J. 3 years ago on Google
    First meal in Aruba also happened to be our best. Would recommend for creative, tasty menu with many healthy options.

  • 4/5 Matthew G. 3 years ago on Google
    Food was fantastic, service was amazing. How ever if you eat outside go after dusk otherwise the flies may be troublesome.

  • 5/5 Dennis K. 3 years ago on Google
    Best french onion soup on the island. It's all good here

  • 1/5 Aimee O. 3 years ago on Google
    If I could give it 0 stars I would. Firstly I called on December 28th for a reservation for 3. Was told only two can be seated on January 1. I agreed. My guest and I arrive to our 8:30 reservation, with a long line of people. No order so we had to ask which was the line so we don’t skip anyone. The guest directed us to the right place and one informed us, they are still waiting to be seated for a 8pm reservation. It was 8:42pm. Eventually we get to the hostess and she literally says we have no reservation. I asked to speak to a supervisor which took 10 mins in front of eating people because it started to rain. He also mentioned there is no reservation. We had to pull up our call log which showed the number to their restaurant and the 2 mins long call. And still the supervisor named Kevin says “you may have called to make a reservation but we can not find it and can not accommodate you.” With service like that I’d leave and make sure to inform everyone the mistreatment I received especially if the restaurant has a decent rating. However, there is a 10pm curfew in place and we had no other choice if we wanted to eat tonight as there is not a single establishment not even a gas station to sell chips. Nothing. So to not suffer a night with no food we had to deal with the ignorance this supervisor and his staff has bestowed upon us. After a good 20 mins, he decides to sit us down for a reservation he can not find but we have proof we made saying “he can not promise to serve everything on the menu.” We are now seated at 9pm. A young brown skinned beautiful girl served us. She was sweet. We put in an order for appetizers. Because we didn’t want to make it tough we ordered a simple calamari and salad. It’s now 9:36pm and nothing has come out but chicken, the chicken that belongs in my salad. So I ask them to take it back cause it’s now cold so I can enjoy with my order. We are now literally speaking to 3 different waiters and Kevin the supervisor who if offering NO solution, NO comfort, NO accommodation. Just saying he can’t control the kitchen and it’s backed up orders lol (in case you’re wondering my guest is a black woman and I’m a brown skin Afro latina.) we’re the only people of color in the restaurant so I’m not sure what’s at play here. Just so you can catch my drift. Everyone has a plate of food in the restaurant but us. It’s now 9:42 and the appetizers come out. (Remember there is a 10pm curfew.) and as we start to eat our appetizers, 10 mins later the main dish arrives leaving us no time to enjoy our appetizers. I ask for it to be wrapped and we move to main dish. By the way, there’s no napkins and it’s the 3rd time I ask for utensils. I finally eat my main dish. The food was decent. But does not make up for the service. The bill for 2 people, with the experience we had comes out to $150. It’s nothing to me but this was not worth $150. I’d rather spend that in McDonald’s and I’d have better service. I listened to two other tables as everyone was preparing to leave due to curfew and one table said they waited an entire hour for food. While another table with a young boy mentioned food was good but he was surprised how long it took to come out. So it’s maybe safe to say it wasn’t a race thing but an overall lack of hospitality, accommodation and respect in general. They have no type of customer service etiquette here so if I can I will give the entire place a 0 out of 5 stars and I will not recommend. The island has tons of high end restaurants with better views, better food and better service. I love aruba but Yemanja is a sad location. And they should lose the name. It’s beyond disrespectful to be named after a powerful Orisha and it’s service is disappointing and appalling altogether. If you’re looking for a restaurant, anything on palm beach is good and Flying Fishbone gets 5 stars. Beautiful view, location, food and service. When you go ask for the server Luwatani! She’s a doll. And gives good recommendations.

  • 5/5 Dries H. 3 years ago on Google
    Best restaurant on the Island. Chill atmosphere, friendly service, large selection of fusion food with a local blend. Cocktail menu on point. As for the orange wine. Would definitely recommend.

  • 5/5 David S. 3 years ago on Google
    They say that first impressions are Very important - Yemanja pulls it off with The Island's Best baked bread and accompanying butter and olive spread ! The rest of our meal went up from great to outstanding! Service was professional and exceptional. Highly recommend !

  • 5/5 Kimberely H. 3 years ago on Google
    Lovely dining experience and delicious food.

  • 5/5 Angie F. 3 years ago on Google
    Started with the wedge salad and lamb dumplings, the sauce for the dumplings is delicious and has a slight hint of sweetness that you spend all night trying to put your finger on. For dinner I got the tenderloin skewer and my boyfriend had the pork chop, the pork chop was amazing. Tender and juicy, cooked perfectly. The skewer was a little undercooked but full of flavor and the potato that came with it was delicious as well. Most definitely would return!

  • 4/5 Alison Kao L. 3 years ago on Google
    The meal was pretty solid! The tuna tartare was nothing to write home about, but the grouper with Boursin and the blackened red snapper were delicious! That charred broccoli was surprisingly good. The caribbean dream pie had a bit too much gelatin for my taste, but still good. I probably would not get it again. Overall atmosphere was nice!

  • 5/5 Allison Z. 3 years ago on Google
    Great service from Brian at the bar.

  • 5/5 Rhabs 3 years ago on Google
    I would recommend eating here food and service was outstanding!!!

  • 5/5 Emma H. 3 years ago on Google
    Hands down best restaurant in Aruba! We go every year and have never been disappointed!

  • 5/5 Tony A. 3 years ago on Google
    Just great food and great service

  • 5/5 Merli E. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely amazing food and service. Went twice and both times didn't disappoint but definitely that fish Soooooo sooooo good. It's definitely a must to visit. I did a walk in but I would rrecommend reservations if you're a part of 3 or more.

  • 5/5 Evan P. 2 years ago on Google
    The best place I’ve eaten at in Aruba by far. The staff is great and the portions huge. Not cheap but you get a lot for your money and the food is phenomenal!

  • 5/5 tamara b. 2 years ago on Google
    Delicious! From start to finish Yemanja was on top of their game. Their menu is well thought out; there is a good variety of options that accommodate any dietary restrictions. I decided to try their Beef Carpaccio Bombe, the Salmon Carpaccio, the French Onion Soup and the Seafood Medley. My favourites were the beef carpaccio and the French Onion. I did not like the Seafood Medley at all; however this may have been more of a palette issue than anything, I just didn’t like the flavour. Our server was helpful with her suggestions however she rarely came over to refill our water glasses despite having bought the bottled water they were upselling. Overall I enjoyed my visit at Yemanja and I recommend a visit.

  • 5/5 Rob W. 2 years ago on Google
    Great family dining experience. Large portions on most items. The skewers of meat were well cooked and tasted amazing. The service was great and the waiters were very attentive to our needs. We made a reservation and sat in the outdoor covered area. Lava dessert was good. Price point was high by US standards. But inline with other similar restaurants on the island. I would definitely go here again if given the opportunity.

  • 5/5 Teresa j F. 1 year ago on Google
    Loved everything about this restaurant. The food was delicious and portions large; the service was friendly and attentive; the atmosphere was cosy and comfortable. We ordered the shrimp sampler and calamari and octopus appetizers, which were well presented and delicious, followed by the blackened three tail and the Unicorn fish - both delicious. I would definitely recommend.

  • 5/5 N P. 1 year ago on Google
    Another good place downtown. I enjoyed everything here. I we had our dinner at the bar. I the drinks were professionally crafted. I so big we only had one. We the meal was delicious and a bit large as far as serving size goes. We didn't have room for dessert. Can't say enough good things about this place... It is tough getting a reservation though.

  • 5/5 Aram P. 11 months ago on Google
    This is the first restaurant we visit when arriving to Aruba. We also try to get here a second time during our visits. The food is always cooked to perfection, and the flavors leave you wanting more. Service is just as fantastic as the food.

  • 4/5 Tim H. 7 months ago on Google
    Seating was not preferred. Asked to be moved they said no other table besides outside. Table was in a very high traffic areas where staff and guess walked pass consistently. While the food was good the seating made the experience less enjoyable. Steak was good the fish was a little dry.

  • 5/5 Joseph Fulmore J. 7 months ago on Google
    I see why this spot has so many reviews. The fusion technique with all the foods is amazing! Told the wife we need to hit this place again before we leave! Compliments to the chef!

  • 5/5 Chris L. 10 months ago on Google
    Heard great things and have to agree. Sara was excellent and helped us choose the Caribbean calamari and grilled octopus app which we loved. I had the tripetail with truffle risotto and my wife had the branzino for our main dishes. The servings were larger than we expected and the flavor combinations had us savoring every bite. Will absolutely be back to try other dishes!

  • 5/5 Mari B. 6 months ago on Google
    Our experience was a bit rocky but this place was amazing! We decided we would go out for a nice dinner and Yemanja was one of the most highly rated so we made a res two weeks in advance and requested to sit outside. The restaurant was nice enough to let us change our res at almost the last minute due to an un-foreseen scheduling conflict. Our server was incredibly friendly and made sure to note that someone in our party had a severe mushroom allergy. Drinks were all nice. The red sangria was fantastic and quite a large portion. For apps two of us got french onion soup and two split the wedge salad. Both were some of, if not the best, i’d ever had. Around this point a large lizard crawled on the wall near where we were sitting outside. One of our party members is very scared of them and the restaurant was gracious enough to move us away from it. For dinner we ordered the mahi mahi, the ribeye, the butcher steak, the skewer and the picanha. I was worried how the portion sizes would be but these were all good servings of food. We requested a substitute for the truffle butter on the ribeye and the stir fry veggies for the whole table because of the mushroom allergy. Let me start by saying the food was all AMAZING. We all agreed it was 5 star worthy. The meat was all tender and well seasoned. The tornado potato that came with the skewer was one of the best potatoes i’d ever had. None of us had ever tried picanha but it was delicious. I personally thought it was the best meat on the table. However, there was a serious problem with the ribeye meal. Unfortunately, it turned out there was a piece of mushroom in the vegetables of the person allergic. Luckily she did not actually eat it (she would have probably died if so), but it did contaminate her food and she experienced a severe reaction. We alerted our waitress who was genuinely PISSED that there was a screw up. It seemed the issue was with the kitchen staff. When she came back after alerting the kitchen and manager she was almost in tears apologizing for everything. We understand that mistakes happen. This was a serious mistake but not her fault at all. We did not need to call an ambulance thankfully but our mother (the one with the allergy) was ill all night. The restaurant comp’d her entire meal and her two glasses of wine. The manager also came over and also apologized profusely. Despite all this though, the thing we were all upset about (our mom included lol) was that we couldn’t stay for dessert. We will definitely still come here again in the future and we still recommend it. The price is high but if your going to have a nice dinner on vacation this is definitely an excellent choice.

  • 5/5 Courtney N. 6 months ago on Google
    Amazing restaurant. Food incredible. Alcoholic beverages strong and worth the money, compared to other places that clearly water them down. Service was top tier. Really enjoyed it. Chocolate lava cake was unreal 👏🏼

  • 5/5 Joe C. 6 months ago on Google
    If I could give this restaurant 10 stars I would. Everything cooked here is word-fired. From your apps to your entrees and all are over the top. For starters we shared the Shrimp tasting offering five different type of shrimps cooked five different ways all were exceptional. Our entrees were next and both were the best meal we had during our entire stay in Aruba. From my wife’s incredible skirt steak in orange teriyaki sauce to my Double cut Pork Chop grilled to perfection with perfect mashed potatoes and veggies. Put this on your list on your next visit to Aruba!!!

  • 3/5 Maggy 6 months ago on Google
    The ambiance and the service was really good but I personally think the food is really overhyped. I had the Caribbean mahi mahi and while I don’t doubt it was high quality fish, locally sourced, etc etc, I can’t taste it. It was one of the driest fish I’ve ever eaten. They also charged $10 for a bottle of sparkling water, which is double the price of normal restaurants in US or Europe. I had the seafood rice at the restaurant next door, Deli Mar Peruvian, the day before and it was tastier and half the price. I would recommend trying that restaurant instead.

  • 5/5 Mary C. 5 months ago on Google
    I picked this place it was such a romantic atmosphere. My friends and family said So far while on this vacation I’ve picked great good places and this one did not disappoint. We got a free dessert because our waitress felt we waited longer than we should have to be served. Nice!

  • 5/5 Dennis H. 4 months ago on Google
    Delicious food and service. The tenderloin Shiskabob and stuffed/fried potato was so good. My wife had the calamari trio appetizer which is enough to share as her main course….it was yummy

  • 5/5 Rikki F. 2 months ago on Google • 2 reviews New
    One of our favorite restaurants in Aruba! We love they have fantastic vegan options. The bbq plate is fantastic and everyone in our party enjoyed all of their dishes. A MUST when in Aruba!


Call +297 564 8467 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Parking
    • ✓️ Free parking lot
    • ✓️ Free of charge street parking
    • ✓️ Somewhat difficult to find a space
  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
    • ✓️ NFC mobile payments
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Spirits
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✓️ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Kerbside pickup
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating
  • From the business
    • ✓️ Identifies as women-owned

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