The Aruban Foodie Chronicle - Issue #11

Bon Dia, Foodie!

Welcome back to The Aruban Foodie Chronicle! We are firmly into November, a time of spectacular sunsets and holiday anticipation. This issue brings you the best of both worlds: highly refined dining and simple, comforting staple food.

In this issue, we spotlight Windows on Aruba, where world-class dining meets panoramic island views. We demystify the ultimate Aruban staple side dish, Funchi, and explore how these comforting cornmeal cakes tie every traditional meal together.

Chronicle Spotlight: Windows on Aruba - The View from the Top

If you seek a refined dining experience defined by elegance and panoramic views, Windows on Aruba is your destination. Located within the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, this circular restaurant offers a spectacular 360-degree vista of the resort grounds, the golf course, and the turquoise Caribbean Sea.

The Windows Experience: Windows on Aruba specializes in sophisticated dining, making it ideal for celebrating special occasions or simply indulging in a high-end meal. The floor-to-ceiling windows ensure that every table enjoys the light and scenery. The atmosphere is quiet, elegant, and focused on presentation and excellent service.

The Cuisine: The menu features contemporary international cuisine with a focus on fresh, high-quality ingredients and modern plating.

• Elevated Classics: Look for exquisitely prepared seafood, prime cuts of steak, and seasonal dishes crafted with European technique.

• Brunch Excellence: Windows on Aruba is also famous for its elaborate Sunday Brunch, a premium experience featuring live cooking stations and endless mimosas.

Why It Matters to The Aruban Foodie Chronicle: Windows on Aruba showcases the island’s capacity for elegant, white-tablecloth dining outside the typical beachfront setting. It offers a fresh perspective—literally—on the island’s beauty, proving that Aruba’s culinary scene caters to every level of refinement.

Your Chronicle Local Tip: While a popular dinner spot, try their Sunday Brunch. It offers an incredible selection and a beautiful daytime view that is worth the reservation.

Location: Located at the Divi Village Golf & Beach Resort, Oranjestad.

Aruban Kitchen: Simple Funchi - The Essential Cornmeal Side

Funchi (pronounced foon-chee) is the heart of every traditional Aruban plate. This simple side dish, made from cornmeal, is similar to Italian polenta or Surinamese fungi. It is served alongside almost every stew, grilled fish, or vegetable dish, often soaking up the rich sauces.

Simple Funchi (Aruban Cornmeal) Recipe

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water

• 2 tsp salt

• 2 cups cornmeal (fine-ground, preferably white or yellow)

• 1 tbsp butter (optional)

• 1/2 cup grated Gouda or Edam cheese (optional, for Cheesy Funchi)

Instructions:

1. Boil Water: In a large saucepan, bring the water and salt to a rolling boil over high heat.

2. Add Cornmeal: Reduce the heat to medium-low. Slowly pour the cornmeal into the boiling water in a steady stream, stiring continuously and vigorously to prevent lumps from forming.

3. Cook & Stir: Continue stirring the mixture. It will quickly thicken into a heavy, stiff porridge. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 5–7 minutes, still stirring frequently. The funchi is done when it pulls away from the sides of the pot and forms a solid mass.

4. Finish (Optional Cheese): Remove from heat. Stir in the butter and/or grated cheese until fully incorporated.

5. Serve:

   • Traditional: Serve immediately by spooning the funchi onto a plate next to your main dish.

   • Funchi Hasa (Fried Funchi): Pour the hot funchi into a round, buttered dish or bowl. Let it cool completely. Once solid, slice it into wedges or squares, and pan-fry them in hot oil or butter until golden and crispy on the outside.

Your Chronicle Local Tip: Don't throw away any leftover funchi! Cool it down, cut it into small squares, and fry it in butter or oil until crispy. This is called Funchi Hasa—perfect for dipping!

Behind the Bites: The Quick Fuel of Aruba - Street Snack Culture

While global influences gave us Nasi Goreng and Dutch Pancakes, local resourcefulness gave us the Pastechi. In Aruba, the breakfast and lunch rhythm often revolves around the quick, affordable sustenance found at local bakeries, snèks, and food trucks (or truki pan).

The Pastechi, along with the Kroket (Croquette), Pan Bati, and Arepa, aren't just snacks—they are economic and cultural anchors. They provide a vital function: quick, hearty fuel for working locals and an accessible taste of authentic island flavor for visitors. This street food economy thrives on early mornings and late nights, offering a constant counterpoint to the resort dining scene.

Choosing a simple pastechi from a corner snèk connects you instantly to the daily life and Dushi spirit of the island.

Foodie Event Calendar: What's Cooking & Where? (Starting November 17th)

This week marks the conclusion of a major event and shifts focus entirely to holiday planning!

• Aruba Open Beach Tennis Championships: Final Day! (Monday, November 17, 2025)

  • Where: Bushiri Beach/Beach Tennis Aruba Courts.

  • What: The tournament concludes today! Head down for the final championship matches and the surrounding pop-up food and beverage vendors and parties. This is your last chance to catch the energy, bar food, and specialty drinks of the tournament zone.

• Thanksgiving Dining Reservations (Thursday, November 27, 2025)

  • What: Reservations are now critical! With Thanksgiving just ten days away, high-end restaurants and resorts are filling up their fixed-price dinner slots fast.

  • Action: Contact places like Windows on Aruba, Atardi, L.G. Smith's Steak & Chop House, and others immediately to secure your table for the holiday.

• Bon Bini Festival (Every Tuesday Evening, Ongoing)

  • Where: Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad

  • What: Your weekly dose of authentic Aruban culture, music, dancing, and local food vendors continues every Tuesday evening.

Your Chronicle Action Plan:

1. Thanksgiving Final Call: Finalize your holiday dining plans immediately—don't miss out on securing the best table.

2. Game Day: Head to Bushiri Beach today (Nov 17th) for the final action and the unique party atmosphere!

Happy hunting for these exclusive Aruban culinary experiences in the coming months!

That's it for this issue of The Aruban Foodie Chronicle!

We hope you're feeling inspired to explore more of Aruba's incredible culinary landscape.

Discovered a hidden gem or a new favorite dish? Let us know by replying to this email! We love hearing from our foodie community.

Enjoying the Chronicle? Please share it with a friend who loves food and dreams of Aruba!