Zeerovers Fish Market

Zeerovers is the most authentic food experience in Aruba: a waterfront fish market where local fishermen bring their morning catch and it gets battered and fried within the hour. The setup is entirely no-frills — paper plates, plastic forks, picnic tables, and cold Balashi beer served from a cooler — but the fish is as fresh as it gets anywhere on the island.

The standard order is a paper plate of fried fish pieces (wahoo, red snapper, or whatever came in that morning), served with a side of jonchi (fried cornmeal crackers) and a squeeze of lime. Portions are generous and prices are laughably cheap: a full meal rarely costs more than $10 per person.

Zeerovers is located in the Pos Chiquito neighborhood, a short drive east of Oranjestad. It is a weekend-morning institution for locals — arrive before noon if you want the best selection. There is almost always a wait, but the fish is worth it.