The West Deck Aruba – Casual Waterfront Dining at Governor’s Bay

Atmosphere & Story

Perched on Aruba’s Linear Park at Governor’s Bay, The West Deck brings a no-fuss island vibe to the water’s edge. The entire restaurant sits on an expansive wooden deck above white sand, with front-row views of incoming planes, cruise ships departing the harbor, and flaming sunsets over the Caribbean. Locals drop in for happy hour, families gather for easy dinners, and visitors wander in from downtown for a breezy lunch in flip-flops. It’s laid-back, lively, and unmistakably Aruba.

Location Perks

• 5-minute walk from Renaissance Resort and downtown Oranjestad shopping.
• 12-minute drive from the Palm Beach hotel zone.
• Close to the airport (about 7 minutes by car).
• Public transport friendly: hop off at the main bus terminal and stroll 15–20 minutes.

Caribbean Tapas & Starters

• Spicy Shrimp & Fish Ceviche – Lemon, papaya pepper, cilantro, red onion.
• Governor’s Bay Beach Salad – Baby greens, berries, rum raisins, cinnamon pecans, orange vinaigrette.
• Green Papaya & Mango Salad – Refreshing rice wine vinaigrette.
• Trocadero Garlic Shrimp – House recipe loaded with garlic.
• Arashi Chicken – Panko chicken topped with grilled pineapple and cranberry-chipotle sauce.
• Island Coconut Shrimp – Balashi beer batter, mango chutney.
• Fried Funchi with Dutch Cheese – Aruban staple done right.
• Caribbean Jerk Wings, Samosas, Fish Cakes, and Crunchy Calamari – Perfect for sharing.
• Aruban Keeshi Yena – Gouda-wrapped chicken with prunes, cashews, tomato basil sauce.

House Specialties & Mains

• BBQ Chicken & Ribs Combo – Served with fries and mixed vegetables.
• BBQ Mix Skewer – Chorizo, beef, pork, chicken on one skewer.
• Surf & Turf – Tenderloin medallion with garlic shrimp.
• Whole Baby Red Snapper – Crispy fried, served with rice, plantain, pan bati, and creole sauce.
• Seafood Duo – Mahi-mahi fillet with garlic shrimp.
• Pan-Fried Grouper or Grilled Snapper Fillets – Lightly dusted and sauced with creole.
• Spicy Jerk Shrimp – Pan-fried with jerk seasoning, Caribbean rice, and vegetables.
• Caribbean Pirate’s Pot (for two) – Shrimp, squid, wahoo, grouper, mussels in tomato broth.

Sandwiches & Wraps

• Tenderloin Steak Wrap – Sweet peppers, mushrooms, Dutch cheese, garlic sauce.
• Island Fish Sliders – Pineapple-curry mayo, shredded lettuce.
• West Deck Fish Sandwich – Crispy catch with tarragon sauce.
• The Beach Burger – Angus beef, Gouda, grilled apple.
• Crunchy Chicken Sandwich – Cranberry-chipotle sauce and grilled pineapple.

Dozen & Sides

• By the Dozen – Garlic shrimp, BBQ ribs, jerk wings, samosas, coconut shrimp, Bacalao croquettes, and more.
• Sides – Banana hasa, tostones, Caribbean rice, sweet potato fries, pan bati, johnny cakes, veggie of the day.

Sweet Endings

• NY and Oreo Cheesecakes, Key Lime Pie, Tres Leches, Dark & White Chocolate Mousse Cake, Caramel Flan, Bread Pudding à la mode, Ice Cream Scoops.
• Taco Tuesdays – Fish, shrimp, beef mix-and-match combos served all day.

Good to Know

• Location – Lloyd G. Smith Blvd, Oranjestad (Linear Park waterfront).
• Hours – Daily lunch and dinner; kitchen typically open late afternoon into the evening (check social pages for current hours).
• Dress Code – Casual; beach cover-ups and sandals welcome.
• Payment – Major cards and cash accepted.
• Reservations – Recommended for sunset nights; walk-ins welcome for bar seating.
• Perfect For – Casual family dinners, budget-conscious travelers, plane-spotting happy hours, and groups craving shareable plates.

Why Visit

The West Deck combines unbeatable Oranjestad views with crave-worthy Caribbean comfort food—without the resort price tag. Grab a Balashi, order a table full of tapas, and watch the harbor come alive as the sun dips into the sea.