Culinary tour 2014: Aruba- breakfast and lunch

Like I mentioned in my latest blog Lobi Libi, I owe several people this blog post. And for those that I made this promise, my apologies for the late 'response' and for the other readers I would say 'Enjoy the tour'. It will not only include this year's culinary experiences, but also the ones during my internship.

Why it took me so long to write about it, is that I just don't know how to start. I mean, what angle should I use. Should I write about it like retail websites, where I mostly choose 'prices: low to high' or should I go with my top 5 or top 10? This year, before I went, I made a list with breakfast-lunch-dinner options to choose from and I believe that would be very handy for those traveling. And since some places I've experienced more than once, you will even get an updated version.

Breakfast, the most important meal of the day!! However it is possible you might sleep in and wake up late, it is always possible to find a place to get some eggs and pancakes. This brings me to my favorite breakfast place:
1. Delifrance

At this place, you can get breakfast till 16:00. What makes this place my favorite is that their menu is so broad, but if you do know what ingredients go to everything, you realize that they actually just created options with the same ingredients. Next to that, it's affordable. They even have healthy options for those who are on a strict diet. Not every waiter is giving great service, but there is this short lady, light-skinned. Every time we were there, no matter if it was her table, she would always greet us with a big smile and always willing to help if our server was not around. If you are interested in the menu, please click Delifrance menu.

2. Dunkin Donuts (DD)

I know that for most foreigners, it might be the most normal thing in the world to go to DD. In Suriname, we don't have a DD franchise yet, so grabbing a Choco Kreme filled Donut is a fun thing to do. DD can be seen as either a quick breakfast or a snack. They do have breakfast options, which didn't impress me. Had it once, it was meh... And the name says it already, it's a donut place. Why go to a donut place, to get your eggs-on-a-bagel, right?

3. Taste of Belgium

Aruba News by VisitAruba

What I like about this place is their setting. It's really cozy and you get a feeling that you really can relax. Especially in the morning when you want to just sit back and relax. There is a couch outside, where you can lay down to recover from your hangover if you might have one, while they make your breakfast. I like my eggs for breakfast, so that's mostly my breakfast option. Their prices are a bit higher, but they're located at the Palm Beach Mall, so their rent will be a bit higher I guess.

For lunch, I don't have that many options. During my internship, I mostly ate at staff canteen and during my trip, we mostly had brunch at breakfast places. But there is one place, where you can have affordable lunch: J.H. Yee's Bistro

The place looks really fancy. Forget what you know about Chinese restaurants. This restaurant has style!! Many Chinese accents, with sheer curtains and all staff in Chinese dress. Every weekday, they have lunch specials for a fixed price. With the chosen option, you may choose your soup, your main dish and your snack.

Dinner is always a bit difficult, since there are so many options. And since those, who have visited Aruba, already know, it's not cheap to dine out in Aruba.  Unless, you're gonna cook every night or have fast food every night, it's unavoidable to go into food temptations. For everyone, who's going on vacation, I'd say 'if you want to really have vacay at Aruba and able to enjoy the place without hesitations, calculate at least $100,- per day.' Of course, you can get through it with less, but it all depends how much freedom you're allowing yourself. I mean, you can always make your own breakfast. There are two great supermarkets: Ling's & Sons and Super food. You can get practically everything there, even Surinamese veggies (not always and mostly expensive). You can even do that with every meal on your vacation, but are you really willing to cook on your holiday? I know I don't and I want to experience new restaurants and new food creations, so next to my top 3, I'll also write about my 5-course dinner at Papillon restaurant. All this...in my next blog.