Azar Open Fire Cuisine
About
Azar sits on L.G. Smith Boulevard in Noord, tucked into the stretch of high-end dining that runs through the Palm Beach hotel zone. It's a serious steakhouse — #4 out of 161 restaurants in Noord — and the ratings reflect it: 4.9 for food, 4.9 for service, 4.7 for value even at the top price tier. The 2025 Travelers Choice award came from over 2,000 reviews that are remarkably consistent. The kitchen cooks over open fire, and the focus stays narrow: beef done right, plus a short list of international plates. The bar gets as much attention as the grill — cocktails are made tableside with enough craft that people mention it specifically. The atmosphere is upscale without tipping into stuffy, though this isn't a place for kids. Reservations matter here. The dining room fills, and walk-ins don't always work. If you want steak on Aruba and you care about execution, this is the address.
At a glance
- Area
- Noord
- Vibe
- upscale
- Price
- ●●●●
- Reservation required
- ✓
- Kid friendly
- –
- Cuisine
- steakhouseinternational
- Dietary options
- —
How to decide
- ✓You want expertly crafted cocktails with entertaining bar-counter preparation beyond standard dining
- ✓High-quality steakhouse fare matters more than seafood or Italian options
- ✓You prefer a focused upscale steakhouse over peers with declining quality or uncomfortable humidity issues
- You're dining with children, as Azar isn't kid-friendly while Gianni's welcomes families
- You want waterside seafood ambiance; The Flying Fishbone or Barefoot Restaurant offer coastal settings
- You prefer casual, lower-priced dining without reservations like The West Deck
Azar stands out for consistent steak quality and cocktail craftsmanship where peers like Madame Janette face criticism for declining standards and uncomfortable conditions. While Barefoot Restaurant wins devotees as a personal favorite, Azar's bar experience and focused steakhouse approach differentiate it from the seafood-centric Flying Fishbone and family-oriented Gianni's.
Photos
© Management via TripAdvisor© Management via TripAdvisor
© Management via TripAdvisor© Management via TripAdvisor
© Management via TripAdvisor© Management via TripAdvisor
© Management via TripAdvisor© Management via TripAdvisor
Similar restaurants
Noord●●●●© Management via TripAdvisorOcean Z Restaurant
Ocean Z sits at the Bucuti resort on Eagle Beach in Noord, and while it's technically open to non-guests, reservations are mandatory — this isn't a walk-in spot. The #2 restaurant ranking in Noord and a Best of the Best award for 2025 both track with the numbers: 4.9s across food, atmosphere, and service, with nearly 2,000 reviews holding that line. The menu leans seafood with international and fusion touches, and the price tier reflects it — this is a four-dollar-sign dinner. What stands out is the consistency; when value still clears 4.8 at this price point, the kitchen and front-of-house are doing something right. The setting is upscale without being stiff, and the beachfront location helps. It's not a casual family spot — no kids' menu, and the vibe skews couples and special occasions. Book ahead, expect to spend, and plan your evening around it.
Noord●●●●© Management via TripAdvisorOpus Ocean & Grill
Opus Ocean & Grill sits in Noord, inland from the high-rise strip, and it's ranked #3 out of 161 restaurants in the area for a reason. The upscale vibe and Italian-leaning seafood menu draw a crowd that knows what they're paying for — this is the top price tier on the island — but the 4.9 rating across nearly 1,900 reviews suggests people walk out satisfied. Service gets the highest subrating at 4.9, which tracks with the Travelers' Choice award for 2025. The kitchen does Italian and European dishes alongside seafood, and the atmosphere rating matches the food, both at 4.8. It's not a casual shorts-and-sandals spot; expect tablecloths and a quieter room. Value scores 4.7, which is strong considering the price point — you're not getting bargain pasta, but the execution seems to justify the check. Reservations aren't required according to the attributes, but with this kind of ranking, calling ahead is probably the smarter play.
Noord●●●●© Dot1259 via TripAdvisor"Anna-Maria's Autentico Ristorante Italiano".
Anna-Maria's sits in Noord, a few blocks inland from the high-rise strip, and it's been pulling the upscale Italian dinner crowd for years. The #18 spot out of 161 Noord restaurants reflects consistency more than fireworks — the 4.6 food score and Travelers Choice award suggest they're doing something right with the menu, even if the 4.3 value rating hints that the $$$$ price tier shows up on the check. The atmosphere score matches the food, which makes sense for a place that leans upscale but still welcomes families. Service sits at 4.5, so the room doesn't run itself, but it's not flawless either. The review volume — over 1,400 — means you're not discovering anything, but you're also not gambling. Reservations aren't required, though calling ahead on a busy night probably helps if you want a table before eight.
Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →
Photos by individual contributors as credited above.
Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.