The Aruban Foodie Chronicle - Issue #8

Bon Dia, Foodie!

Welcome back to The Aruban Foodie Chronicle! With the calendar flipping to October, the atmosphere on the island is buzzing with anticipation for the biggest culinary event of the year. This is the issue you need to plan your ultimate foodie adventure!

In this issue, we dive into Alfie's in Aruba, a local hidden gem famous for comforting Caribbean flavors. We share a simple recipe for Ayaca, a truly traditional Aruban comfort food, and give you the insider roadmap for conquering the upcoming Autentico Culinary Festival!

Chronicle Spotlight: Alfie’s in Aruba - Craft Brews, Gourmet Bites, & Live Beats

Looking for gourmet comfort food paired with the best craft beer selection on the island? Head to Alfie's in Aruba. This isn't your grandma's traditional Aruban kitchen; Alfie’s is a local favorite known for its lively, modern pub vibe and its focus on high-quality, inventive bar food.

The Alfie’s Experience: Alfie’s is the ultimate hangout, perfect for lunch or a lively night out. The atmosphere is energetic, casual, and often features local singers or bands performing live music. It's the kind of spot where you can unwind with friends, grab a specialty brew, and stay for the entertainment.

The Cuisine: Alfie's elevates classic pub and Canadian-style dining with Caribbean flair:

• Gourmet Burgers: Their specialty is the gourmet burger, known for high-quality patties and inventive toppings.

• Craft Beer Selection: Alfie’s is celebrated for offering a wide variety of local and imported craft beers, making it a destination for beer enthusiasts.

• Bar Bites: Look for other favorites like signature fries, wings, and appetizers designed to be shared while you enjoy the live acts.

Why It Matters to The Aruban Foodie Chronicle: Alfie's perfectly represents the modern, social side of Aruba's culinary landscape. It shows how local entrepreneurs blend international trends (like the craft beer movement) with island hospitality, creating a reliable spot for fun and satisfying dining.

Your Chronicle Local Tip: Check their social media feed to see who is performing live. Alfie's has built a reputation for showcasing excellent local musical talent—the perfect pairing for a gourmet burger!

Location: Dominicanessenstraat 10, Oranjestad, Aruba

Aruban Kitchen: Prepare the Traditional Holiday Comfort - Ayaca

While many associate Ayaca (pronounced ah-yah-kah) with the Christmas and New Year holidays, this savory, meticulously prepared package is a culinary cornerstone of the Caribbean and Northern South America. It’s a labor of love, representing community and tradition. Making it yourself is a rewarding act of culinary history.

Ayaca: The Aruban Holiday Tamale

Ingredients (Overview):

• The Dough: Made from fine cornmeal and a touch of broth, creating a soft, pliable shell.

• The Filling: A complex mixture of savory, slow-cooked meats (pork, chicken, and/or beef), often marinated and mixed with ingredients like capers, raisins, olives, almonds, and spices.

• The Wrap: The filling and dough are carefully spread onto layers of plantain leaves (or banana leaves), tied securely with kitchen twine.

Instructions (Simplified Focus):

1. Prepare the Filling: The meats are marinated and slow-cooked to tender perfection, often involving paprika, annatto oil (for color), and local herbs.

2. Assemble the Wrapper: Plantain leaves are washed, softened over heat (to make them pliable), and laid out in overlapping layers.

3. Layer the Ingredients: A spread of the cornmeal dough is placed on the leaf, followed by the savory meat filling, and finally, a few decorative toppings (olives, almonds).

4. Wrap & Tie: The packet is meticulously folded into a neat rectangle and secured tightly with twine.

5. Cook: The Ayaca parcels are steamed or boiled until the dough is firm and the flavors have fully melded.

Your Chronicle Local Tip: Ayaca is a multi-day family affair to make. If you don't have time to steam them yourself, many local homes and small vendors sell them frozen around the holidays—a true Dushi treat!

Behind the Bites: The Local Ethos of "Catch of the Day"

The ubiquitous "Catch of the Day" isn't just a menu item in Aruba—it’s a commitment to supporting local fishermen and celebrating the ocean’s immediate bounty. Unlike many tourist destinations where seafood might travel great distances, the Aruban philosophy is rooted in direct, daily sourcing.

The daily ritual involves small, independent fishermen heading out before dawn and returning in the early afternoon. Restaurants like Driftwood and many smaller, authentic local spots buy their stock directly from these fishermen at the pier or the small fishing harbors in Savaneta.

This direct relationship dictates the menu: if the Wahoo bite was good, that’s what’s on your plate. This approach guarantees unparalleled freshness and, importantly, helps maintain the local culinary economy. Choosing the Catch of the Day is choosing the local Aruban way of life.

Foodie Event Calendar: What's Cooking & Where? (Starting October 6th)

We are now just days away from the biggest annual celebration of gastronomy on the island!

• Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival: Restaurant Week (October 11 - October 17, 2025)

  • Where: Various participating restaurants island-wide.

  • What: The kickoff to Autentico! Top restaurants across Aruba will offer special fixed-price menus designed to showcase the best of Aruban ingredients and international fusion. This is your chance to dine at upscale spots and discover hidden local culinary talent without the full price tag. Start making reservations now!

• Autentico Aruba Culinary Festival: The Grand Pavilion (October 18 - October 19, 2025)

  • Where: Wilhelminastraat, Downtown Oranjestad (Outdoor Culinary Festival).

  • What: The festival culminates in two days of open-air celebration! Over 40 restaurants and beverage partners will gather, offering tasting portions, signature drinks, live music, and chef competitions. Day Passes are on sale now (AWG 36 / $20, including food credit). This is the ultimate Aruban foodie block party!

• Bon Bini Festival (Every Tuesday Evening, Ongoing)

  • Where: Fort Zoutman, Oranjestad

  • What: This ongoing folkloric celebration is a vibrant way to immerse yourself in Aruban culture, featuring live music, dancing, and vendors selling authentic local food and craft drinks.

Your Chronicle Action Plan:

1. Book Autentico Tickets: The Grand Pavilion tickets are often limited. Visit the official Autentico website to purchase tickets and view the list of participating restaurants for Restaurant Week.

2. Dine Local: Plan a trip to Alfie's or another authentic local spot to experience the true heart of Aruban cuisine.

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!