Savaneta●●●○#1 of 4 Places to Eat in Pos Chiquito

La Tavola By Anate

Name: La Tavola By Anate
Address: Spaans Lagoen Weg 33c, Pos Chiquito Aruba, AW
Price range: $$ - $$$
Rating: 5

★★★★★5.0 out of 5 · 78 reviews

upscale

italian

Photo: © 271genevievem via TripAdvisor

La Tavola By Anate is a $$$ italian upscale restaurant in Savaneta rated 5.0/5 by 78 TripAdvisor reviewers; walk-ins welcome.

About

La Tavola By Anate is tucked into Pos Chiquito, just south of Savaneta, and it's running a perfect 5.0 across food, atmosphere, and service — which is rare enough to notice. The Travelers' Choice nod and the #1 spot in the area aren't accidents; this is upscale Italian done right, with a vibe that manages to feel both polished and relaxed. The value rating sits at 4.9, which suggests the mid-to-high price tier isn't inflated. What stands out is the consistency. Seventy-eight reviews holding a flat 5.0 means the kitchen and front-of-house aren't coasting. It's also marked kid-friendly, so you're not stuck choosing between bringing the family and having a proper meal. Reservations aren't required, but given the numbers and the size of the area, calling ahead probably saves you a wait.

At a glance

Area: Savaneta
Vibe: upscale
Price: ●●●○
Reservation required: –
Kid friendly: ✓
Cuisine: italian
Dietary options: —

Make a day of it

Tours & things to do nearby

Aruba Bob Snorkel & Scuba

Aruba Bob Snorkel & Scuba runs out of Savaneta, on the quieter south coast, and the #8 ranking among 200-plus water sports operators tells you they're doing something right. This is a half-day operation — four hours on the water — hitting both snorkel sites and dive spots depending on the group. The intensity sits at a 3 out of 5, so it's not beginner handholding, but you don't need to be a pro either. Expect to move between sites, not drift in one shallow cove all morning. The 2,160 reviews skew almost universally positive, and a perfect 5-out-of-5 average is rare for any outfit this active. Pricing lands around $75, which is middle-of-the-pack for a structured tour. If you're staying near the high-rises and want a change of scenery, the pickup logistics usually work out. Book direct through their system.

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EL Tours

EL Tours runs land-based excursions out of Barcadera, just southeast of Oranjestad, and the #6 ranking among transportation options in the capital tells you it's doing something right. With over 1,700 reviews holding a 4.7, that's volume with consistency — not easy when you're shuttling tourists through a four-hour tour at moderate intensity. The $75 price point puts it in the accessible middle, and the direct booking setup means you're dealing straight with the operator, not a reseller. Expect to be outside the whole time, likely hitting a mix of natural sites and viewpoints around the island. Four hours is enough to cover meaningful ground without turning into an endurance test, and the moderate intensity suggests some walking or light activity without requiring serious fitness. If you want a structured way to see Aruba's interior without renting a car, this is a credible option that handles the logistics for you.

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Donkey Sanctuary Aruba

The Donkey Sanctuary sits inland near Santa Cruz, a 20-minute drive from the resorts, and it's exactly what it sounds like—a working refuge for rescued and retired donkeys. Over a hundred of them roam the property, and they're friendly in the way animals that see people every day tend to be. You can walk around, feed them carrots (they'll sell you a bag), and learn a bit about how they ended up here. It's free to visit, though donations keep the place running. The #1 ranking in Santa Cruz and back-to-back Travelers Choice awards suggest people find it more engaging than expected. The setting is dusty and open, not manicured, which fits the operation. Kids can get close without much fuss, and the intensity level is about as low as it gets—plan on an hour or so unless you're staying to volunteer. Bring water and wear shoes that handle dirt.

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Similar restaurants

Savaneta●●●●© JamesO131 via TripAdvisor

The Flying Fishbone

The Flying Fishbone is on the beach in Savaneta, and the setup is adults-only French-Caribbean fusion with tables literally in the water at high tide. That #2 ranking among Savaneta restaurants comes with the second-highest review count in the area, and the 4.9 atmosphere score reflects the whole point of coming here — it's romantic in a way that feels less engineered than the high-rise strip options. The food is seafood-forward, competently done, though the 4.3 value score tells you what you need to know: people debate whether the setting justifies the tier-4 pricing. Service scores well, the French influence shows up in the preparations, and the Caribbean ingredients keep it from feeling like imported fine dining. Reservations are required. If you're booking sunset, know that earlier seatings before 7pm can mean harsh direct light — the magic hour matters here more than at indoor spots.

romantic

seafood

Reserve

Savaneta●●●○© Management via TripAdvisor

Marina Pirata Restaurant

Marina Pirata sits right on the water in Savaneta, the kind of beachfront spot where you can watch the fishing boats come in while you eat. It's Caribbean and seafood-focused, which makes sense given the location, and the atmosphere rating of 4.7 tells you most of the story — people come as much for the setting as the plate. The #5 ranking out of 22 in Savaneta puts it solidly in the local conversation, and the price tier ($$ - $$$) lines up with what you'd expect for fresh catch with a view. Service runs at 4.4, so expect attentive staff who know the regulars. Food and value both clock in around 4.1, which is fair — you're paying a bit for the beachfront real estate, but the kitchen delivers consistently enough to keep the place busy. Reservations are required, so don't just show up hoping for a table at sunset. It's kid-friendly if you're traveling with family, but the vibe skews more toward a leisurely dinner than a quick bite.

beachfront

caribbean

Reserve

The Old Man and The Sea

The Old Man and The Sea sits on the waterfront in Savaneta, a quiet fishing village on the south coast. It's the #3 restaurant in the area out of 22, and the 2025 Travelers' Choice nod backs that up. The $$$$ tag and 4.9 atmosphere subrating point to the same thing: this is upscale romantic dining without the reservation pressure or crowd noise you get elsewhere in the village. The menu runs Caribbean, seafood, and international, and the kitchen holds a 4.4 food rating across 412 reviews. Service scores match at 4.5. The value subrating sits at 4.1, which is solid for the price tier — travelers mention it compares favorably to neighbors charging similar rates but delivering less. The setting works for proposals and anniversaries; multiple reviews call out the private, intimate vibe. Walk-ins are fine. If you want upscale Savaneta seafood without the fuss, this is the move.

upscale

caribbean

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Stay nearby

Santa Cruz

Mammaloe's B&B

Mammaloe's sits inland in Santa Cruz, a fifteen-minute drive from the coast, which keeps the price honest and the crowds elsewhere. The #1 ranking among Santa Cruz B&Bs comes down to service and value — both subratings hit 4.7 and 4.8 respectively, and the owner clearly runs a tight operation. Rooms are simple but well-kept, and the 4.6 room score reflects that. The 4.2 sleep quality rating is a half-point below everything else, so light sleepers might want to ask about room placement. This isn't a beach resort. You're here for a quiet base, a personal welcome, and a breakfast worth waking up for. The location rating of 4.5 makes sense — you'll need a car to reach Eagle Beach or the high-rises, but you're also closer to the Arikok trails and the windward coast. If you want less polish and more neighborhood, Mammaloe's delivers.

Savaneta

EVA Resort Aruba

EVA Resort sits on the quieter south coast in Savaneta, away from the high-rise strip. It's a small property — #2 among B&Bs and inns in the area — but the 40 reviews land it at a perfect 5.0, with service and cleanliness both maxed out. That's the kind of consistency you get when a place is small enough to actually care. The subratings tell the story: location, sleep quality, and rooms all sit at 4.9, with service hitting perfect marks. Value comes in at 4.9 too, which suggests you're paying for the attention and not inflated resort fees. Savaneta itself is a fishing village with a few local spots and easy access to the less-trampled beaches on this side of the island. If you want something intimate and well-run without the Palm Beach scene, this is the direction to look. Just know it's small-scale by design — don't expect a sprawling pool complex or nightly entertainment.

Savaneta

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La Tavola By Anate