Aruba Family Restaurants

Go there as much for the funky atmosphere as for the fresh seafood. Located in San Nicolas, about a 10-minute drive from Baby Beach, this eatery has drawn locals and savvy tourists since 1941. Many patrons donate items to add to the owners' decor, which includes U.S. license plates, Pittsburgh Steelers and Boston Celtics pennants, along with Navy caps and paintings done by the family. Old cameras, hurricane lamps, ships' bells, life buoys and lots more hang from the ceiling. We especially liked the sauteed shrimp scampi and the fresh steamed shrimp. A kids' menu is available.

Located in the Palm Beach area, Gasparito is one of the few island restaurants that serves traditional Aruban fare. You can try keshy yena, chicken with gouda cheese; kerry Kerry, minced fish with curry; stoba di bestia chiquito, stewed goat; and other typical dishes. Entrees come with fungi, a corn meal concoction, rice, vegetables and plantains. The restaurant also serves such staples as filet mignon, red snapper, shrimp and lobster. Don't worry: The kids' menu is American and offers chicken fingers, fish strips and cheese pasta.

This casual, open-air eatery edges the sands on Eagle Beach. You can even admire the turquoise sea if you can spot it through the bevy of lounge chairs that separate your table from the water. The restaurant is a good place to pause for salads, wraps, burgers and fries.

Located in a 150-year-old Aruban home that's been enlarged over the years, Papiamento is special. Most diners opt for tables surrounding the courtyard pool, a romantic setting with moonlight and twittering birds. Well-behaved children, as well as teens and twentysomethings, will enjoy the outdoor ambience and the European cuisine with Caribbean influences. Although there's no children's menu, kids younger than 12 can order half portions for half price. Make reservations in advance.