Poffertjes deluxe - Poffertjes (14pc) with vanilla ice-cream, whipped cream & chocolate sauce

Oranjestad●●○○#34 of 316 Places to Eat in Oranjestad

The Dutch Pancakehouse

Name: The Dutch Pancakehouse
Address: Lloyd G Smith Blvd 9 Rennaisance Marketplace, Oranjestad Aruba, AW
Price range: $$ - $$$
Rating: 4.5

★★★★½4.5 out of 5 · 2,942 reviews

casual

american

dutch

Photo: © Management via TripAdvisor

About

The Dutch Pancakehouse sits in Renaissance Marketplace on the harbor in Oranjestad, and the concept is exactly what the name suggests. Dutch-style pancakes — thinner than American, thicker than crêpes — arrive savory or sweet, and they can hold a meal. The #34 ranking out of 316 restaurants in the capital and a 2025 Travelers Choice nod reflect steady execution: food and service both score 4.5 and 4.4 respectively, and value lands at 4.4 as well, which matters at this price tier. The atmosphere is casual, families show up often, and the harbor location means you can sit outside if the timing works. It's not reinventing anything, but nearly 3,000 reviews suggest they've nailed the basics. If you want pancakes that aren't breakfast-only and a spot that doesn't require a reservation, this does the job.

At a glance

Area: Oranjestad
Vibe: casual
Price: ●●○○
Reservation required: –
Kid friendly: ✓
Cuisine: american
dutch
european
Dietary options: —

Photos

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Recent Pulse

What travelers are saying.

Steady

Low confidence

Travelers say The Dutch Pancakehouse delivers reliably on its core promise: thin, crepe-like Dutch pancakes in dozens of sweet and savory varieties, served in a harbor-adjacent outdoor setting that feels casual and family-friendly. Expect 20–45 minute waits during breakfast hours (arrive by 8am to skip the line), but most agree the generous portions and reasonable pricing justify the queue. Service quality varies with crowd levels—when busy, staff hustle efficiently but attention can lag; during quieter windows, servers are attentive and accommodating. The poffertjes (miniature silver-dollar pancakes) and deep-fried bacon earn repeat mentions, while plain or savory pancakes occasionally disappoint guests expecting American-style fluffiness.

Standing out

Poffertjes praised as light, fluffy miniature pancakes that stand out from regular pancakes
18 mentions
“The poffertjes were so light they didn't weigh me down all day like typical pancakes”
Deep-fried bacon delivers crispy, ham-like texture unlike standard American bacon
12 mentions
“I need to learn how they make bacon this way — fried crispy without being greasy or salty”
Staff efficiently turn tables despite long breakfast lines, seating guests within 20–30 minutes
28 mentions
“Thirty people in line when we arrived, but they seated everyone so fast we were in within 25 minutes”
Savory pancakes like the Shanghai, Provençal, and Norwegian pair ingredients like Brie with honey or lox with cream cheese
22 mentions
“The Brie with honey and walnuts pancake was a flavor combo I'd never have tried myself”
Pancake portions measure 12 inches across and easily feed two or satisfy one hungry guest
16 mentions
“The pancake arrived the size of a large pizza — I couldn't finish it alone”

Watch-outs

Service slows noticeably during peak breakfast hours, with orders taking 30–60 minutes after seating
14 mentions
“We sat at 11:15, ordered by 11:30, and still waited until 12:20 while tables seated after us were served first”
Plain or savory Dutch pancakes described as greasy, soggy, or undercooked compared to sweet varieties
9 mentions
“The plain pancake tasted like a greasy tortilla — nothing like the fluffy version I expected”
No reservations accepted and waits stretch to 45+ minutes during morning cruise ship arrival windows
21 mentions
“The line had 30 people and we waited 45 minutes while every other breakfast spot around us sat empty”

Tips from travelers

Arrive before 8am opening or after 1pm to avoid the 30–45 minute breakfast queue
Skip plain pancakes — order specialty savory combos or sweet varieties with fresh fruit
Parking gate at Renaissance Marketplace allows 3 hours free before charging
Share one large Dutch pancake between two people and add poffertjes as a side

Maybe skip if: Travelers expecting fluffy American-style pancakes or those unwilling to wait 30+ minutes outdoors during busy breakfast windows should look elsewhere.

Similar restaurants

Beautiful view from the deck, on cruise ship nights.

Oranjestad●●○○© Management via TripAdvisor

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casual

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Source: TripAdvisor · view on TripAdvisor →

Photos by individual contributors as credited above.

Review summaries are AI-paraphrased from public traveler reviews.