Cruisin’ the Caribbean: ABC Island Eats That Are Actually Worth It

Tens of millions of people flock to the Caribbean each year to enjoy the pristine beaches, adventure activity opportunities, and relaxed vibes that pair perfectly with a fruity, cold beverage. Preferably served with a tiny umbrella. In 2023 alone, there were over 60 million visitors with nearly half arriving via cruise ship.

What do tourists bring? Money of course! Not only are prices high in island nations because nearly everything is imported. But locals know tourists will pay premiums whilst on vacation. Hot temperatures, cool vibes, and zero responsibilities are a dastardly trifecta for loosening the purse strings. $27 jerk chicken plate? Sure!!! $16 rum punch? Why not!

We are working on a cruise sailing around the Caribbean, and our desire to be frugal trumps eating ashore. But there’s one itinerary where we throw that to the wind: The
ABC Islands.

“ABC” refers to Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, and they are the three westernmost islands of the Leeward Antilles, and my favorite stops in the Caribbean. Each island has a unique culture with plenty of things to do with some solid eats to be had.

Let’s dive into ABC island eats that are worth trying on your cruise.

Stop 1: Aruba

Aruba is a small but mighty island that’s a mere 21 miles long by 6 miles wide. It is a constituent country within the Kingdom of the Netherlands. Meaning it mostly governs itself, but “it shares certain powers, such as defense and foreign policy, with the Netherlands.” . Which I interpret as, “Feel free to do your thing, but be on call if we need you….”

The island has a buzzing hospitality scene with plenty of restaurants and bars. But unless you are willing to shell out over a hundred dollars for a fancy feast, the mid-range eats are a bit of a crap shoot as to whether or not the adjective “good” is applicable. There is one spot where you can get a delectable taste of Aruba’s Dutch heritage for a semi-reasonable price: The Dutch Pancake House.

Dutch Pancakes are made with a batter consisting of flour, milk, and eggs, but no leavening agent. Which makes them more akin to crepes than fluffy America pancakes. They can be sweet or savory, and The Dutch Pancake House has over 60 options to choose from.

Our MO is one sweet, one savory, split half and half. On our latest visit, we tried the berries and cream as well as the Shanghai, which was filled with bacon, onion, leek, peppers, and egg. The texture of the pancake is light with just enough chew, and they add in the perfect amount of toppings to add flavor without overwhelming each bite. Paying $16-$20 a pop is far from cheap. But price aside, they are one of my favorite ABC island eats.

(Get the scoop on other unique pancakes HERE!)

Stop 2: Bonaire

Bonaire, familiarly known as Diver’s Paradise, is an idyllic island with a population just shy of 26,000 people. It’s a municipality of the Netherlands, meaning they follow Dutch Law. But the currency is USD, and it’s not uncommon for people to speak 4 languages: Papiamentu, Dutch, English, and Spanish. Adventure activities like kayaking, snorkeling, and diving are the most popular things to do on Bonaire. And the best post fun-in-the-sun treat is gelato from Luciano.

This spot makes fresh gelato each day with a robust selection of flavors on offer ranging from pistachio to salted caramel. The texture is thick and creamy and the flavors are bold without being too sweet. On our latest visit, my best friend was cruising . We did a kayak and snorkeling tour through the mangroves then rounded out the experience with maple walnut and pistachio gelato. A true treat and a must try in Bonaire!

Luciano also has a branch in Sint Marteen. However, it’s more expensive at $7 for a double scoop vs $5.

Stop 3: Curaçao

The last stop in our ABC island eats guide is the “C”, Curaçao. At 38 miles long and 2 to 8 miles wide with a population just shy of 190,000 people, Curaçao is the biggest island of the ABCs. Like Aruba, Curaçao is a constituent country of the Netherlands, and you can see the Dutch influence in the architecture, laws, and way of life. But over 50 different nationalities call Curacao home, and the blend of Afro-Creole, European, and Latino cultures make for a vibrant destination with tasty flavors to match.

For brunch, La Boheme Curaçao is the place to go. (Although their lunch and dinner menus look great too!) Enjoy everything from avocado toast to coconut pancakes. And you’d be remised to not wash it down with a fresh smoothie or juice. An entrée and beverage will set you back around $25USD, which isn’t too shabby for the Caribbean.

For drinks, my pick is the Swinging Old Lady. This microbrewery opened in 2019, and they have crafted some seriously good beers. Each beer is named after a style of dance, and the list is heavy on the IPAs. That’s a win-win if you ask me! Good beer, cool vibes, and a good looking food menu are all reasons to put the Swinging Old Lady at the top of your list.

Nextdoor to the Swinging Old Lady is Grand Café ‘Gouverneur De Rouville’. This spot serves bistro fare with a Caribbean twist with everything from banana soup to charcoal grilled steak. On our last visit, we started with an appetizer sample platter. The tuna tartar tasted pure and fresh, the beef was top tier, and I loved the sweet meets savory banana soup. For the main, Amber and I shared the mixed grill and fettuccine truffle pasta. The perfectly medium rare tenderloin was the highlight. Jeremy got a hangar steak, which was unfortunately chewy. But hey, I suppose you can’t win them all.

Grand Café ‘Gouverneur De Rouville’ isn’t frugal. But it’s easy to convince yourself it’s worth it as your enjoying bold flavors in a beautiful courtyard stetting.  

When it comes to ABC island eats, frugal finds are few and far between. But enjoying the food a country has to offer is a travel experience in of itself.

These spots aren’t cheap. But they are certainly delicious and a fun way to experience the hospitality scene of the ABC islands.