Papillon Restaurant

Staff is friendly, professional and knowledgeable. The food is amazing. It is high end cuisine. A great restaurant that provides an excellent experience. Style French Caribbean cuisine. Thank you for the amazing food and experience.

Great French restaurant in the heart of Aruba. Loved the food and service. 10/10

I booked a reservation on OpenTable and it was an unforgettable night! Our waiter, Miguel Icart was so kind and helpful. I had escargot, filet mignon, and crème brûlée! To die for!!! I will definitely come back!💕🫶🥰

We had a table of 8(4 couples). Carpaccio De Boeuf was amazing as our appetizer. Wow! Poisson Rouge was very good as well. Many in our party had the grouper special and all loved it. Our server Allen was fantastic.

Hidden gems like this are worth their weight in gold! Indulged in an unforgettable culinary adventure at the best-kept secret in Aruba. From an extensive menu to top-notch service, every bite was a delight! Don't just take my word for it—discover this treasure for yourself!

5 stars! The food was delicious and our server, Julian was amazing. He was attentive and provided excellent recommendations. We enjoyed our flavorful meals and the warm atmosphere. A great way to spend your birthday or any special occasion.

Amazing experience! Didn’t take a single bad bite! Allan was an amazing waiter and taught us all about the local Aruban culture. Would show dessert photos but we ate it so fast! Highly recommend the lava cake with pistachio ice cream

This was surprisingly one of the best restaurants we tried in the area, even though we weren’t expecting it to be so amazing! We had some of the most delicious ceviche we’ve ever had and the french onion soup was the absolute best. The fish and steak were also wonderful. We can’t wait to return!

Love this place! We had pretty high expectations based on reviews from others and they were all true! Service was great and the food was excellent. We originally thought it would be a bit of a tourist place but it was so not. A fine dining experience with a family feel... definitely will go again when we go back to the island!!!!

Great fine-dining experience located right in the heart of the Palm Beach downtown. Our group had several dishes blow us away including the Wild Boar entree. Highly recommend!

Our last night in Aruba was def a memorable one. We had such a beautiful table right next to the entertainment of the night. The restaurant has so many delicious vegan options on top of their already beautiful dinner menu. The entertainment of the night was a talented artist that had such an amazing voice that made the dinner memorable. I highly recommend their vegan dessert and also their chocolate lava cake.

The bartenders made us cocktails that were work of art, Claudia and Alexandra the waitresses were very attentive and the manager was very helpful. 10/10 Recommend this place.

The restaurant's name is butterfly in French. This is a French inspired restaurant. It's quite small, so I strongly recommend making reservations here. We were a walk up and waited about 50 minutes. I'm glad we waited to dine here. It was worth the wait. There's outside and some inside seating. There's a romantic ambiance here, though very family-friendly. Service here was friendly, attentive, and helpful. Everything we ordered was to temp and delicious. The onion soup and lobster bisque were on point. The beef bourguignon wasn't on the dinner menu but was available on request. It was wonderful. And their chicken entree was delightful. The food had a beautiful presentation. The cocktails we ordered hit the spot. They also serve a complimentary bread with garlic butter. Leave room for dessert. The creme brulee was wonderful. Resort pricing, but it's definitely worth it.

"Hidden in plain sight" gem... Top notch... wonderful ambience with a talented young woman and her guitar singing/playing softly in the background. Comfortable seating/spacing, our waiter, Julian was knowledgeable and presented with a good mix of attention and privacy. The food was delicious, perhaps the best onion soup I've had and definitely the best Escargot my wife has had. The skirt steak & duck were well seasoned, perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. We've eaten in a number of nice restaurants here in Aruba and so far, had our best meals here.

Really delicious!!! Highly recommend! Special made: the best on the island, Fettuccine Alfredo Cauliflower and zucchini- yummy and buttery Mashed potatoes- id skip these, sweet Grouper and shrimp- my friend loved it!

So intimate, gourmet good, portions are enough, Wild Boar tastes more like beef & not pork at all & it was amaxing! including the fish dinner I had. Cool "jail bars" on windows & low key lighting made it romantic. Service was impeccable. The nicest waiters.

Worth a visit. Good service and atmosphere. The lobster bisque and the Poulet Dijon were very good. The Poisson Rouge was very tasty, but the texture was a little off -- the outside was overdone but the center was cold. The Goat Cheese Crème Brûlée was an incredible and inspired dish. We all enjoyed ourselves.

Came here for our Christmas dinner and it was absolutely perfect. Everything we ordered was beyond amazing. Our server Max was the best and the rest of the wait staff were really nice as well. Highly recommended!

This Tuna changed my life! Perfectly cooked with a Cajun seasoned crust. Service was attentive and friendly. After dinner I went to the casino and tripled my investment at the roulette table, then I got lucky. Perfect night.

My favourite restaurant in Aruba! Best boeuf bourguignon early bird specials! The meat was amazing! Soup, boeuf bourguignon or Grouper fish, a glass of wine and desserts for 37 USD! Delicious! 🤤

Some of the best seafood you will find. The Shrimp au Gratinwas a terrific appetizer. Cozy atmosphere in Palm Beach district. Low key and efficient wait staff. A 5 star experience.

This is a great restaurant, the staff is extremely friendly, nice, and knowledgeable. The food was cooked to perfection, the Escargot, the Grouper and Shrimp. The Filet mignon was cooked to perfection, and the presentation of main courses was impeccable. the Classic apple strudel was so tasty! We'll definitely be here again on our next trip!!

We tried Papillon's for the first time. We loved it. The cocktails were spectacular!! The food amazing! Our server Allen, was very nice and so personable. We'll definitely be going back!

My husband and I visited Aruba for our honeymoon and had an incredible dinner at Papillon! He ordered the steak, and I had the fish with lemon risotto—it was absolutely fantastic. The espresso martinis were also marvelous. The service was excellent, and everyone was so friendly and welcoming. If you’re visiting Aruba, this is a must-visit spot for dinner!

My husband and I are celebrating our 22nd anniversary in Aruba. Today we decided to dine in Papillion and we don't regret it a bit. The service was phenomenal and so was the food. Camilo was so kind and went out of his way to bring us such a lovely desert. Thank you.

Papillon Restaurant – French Accent, Island Soul When dining in Aruba, options are abundant and eclectic. Within one lively stretch of restaurants—almost a culinary world market—you’ll find this French-leaning outpost offering a pleasant and flavorful detour from the island’s many steakhouses and seafood grills. Atmosphere: Aruba First, France Second Though the menu confidently waves the French flag, the ambiance tells a different story. The setting feels relaxed, warm, and unmistakably Caribbean. There’s no hushed Parisian bistro mood or Left Bank drama—rather, it’s Aruba with a French accent. That’s not a criticism; it simply defines expectations. If you’re looking for a slice of Montmartre, you may not quite find it. If you’re looking for a comfortable evening with refined food in a tropical setting, you’re in the right place. Being surrounded by a cluster of other international eateries makes standing out a challenge. The cuisine does most of the differentiating here, because visually and atmospherically, the restaurant blends comfortably into its island surroundings. Service: Attentive Without Hovering Service was polished and professional. Water glasses never sat empty for long, utensils were replaced without prompting, and staff seemed genuinely engaged. The attention to detail was evident but never intrusive—a fine balance that many restaurants strive for and few consistently achieve. Starters: A Creative Win The Goat Cheese Crème Brûlée with caramelized apples, walnuts, and balsamic reduction was an inspired opener. Creamy, tangy, sweet, and nutty—each element played its role without overpowering the others. It’s the kind of dish that makes you pause mid-conversation and say, “That’s clever.” A strong recommendation and easily one of the more memorable bites of the evening. Mains: Very Good, Just Short of Wow The Poisson Rouge featured a Cajun-spiced tuna steak, seared and finished with soy and brown sugar drizzle, mango compote, and spicy papaya sauce. The preparation was spot-on—beautifully seared and served close to rare, exactly as it should be. However, the tuna itself fell just shy of greatness. While flavorful and enjoyable, it lacked that buttery, melt-in-your-mouth quality associated with higher-grade cuts. The texture was slightly firmer, a bit more chew than silk. It was very good—but not transcendent. Both plates were finished with satisfaction, yet neither sparked that “you have to try this” enthusiasm. Final Verdict French cuisine is known for richness, depth, and indulgence, and this kitchen delivers on those fundamentals. The flavors are thoughtful, the combinations interesting, and the execution competent. Is it worth visiting? Absolutely. Is it extraordinary? Not quite. It’s a very good restaurant offering a refined break from typical island fare. Would we return? Likely yes—especially to explore more of the menu. In a destination brimming with dining choices, this is a solid and enjoyable option—just not the one that will redefine your vacation’s culinary narrative.

Located same area where most of the fun for dining is to be found, yet a bit hidden off the main road. Limited number of tables, so make sure you reserve. The check in was amazing and courteous. The quality and style of cuisine is outstanding. I think it was one of the best onion soup I ever had. The braised boar shank is an excellent choice. Sit outside, you will get better atmosphere. Restaurant could have done better with the inside atmosphere. Service is fast and people are very friendly.

Since I can give this restaurant a 4.5, had to go with a 4. Service was great, ambiance was also nice, and lice music was really good. Just the right volume and great casual and relaxed vibe. Beef carpaccio and onion soup were excellent. However the drinks were just ok, considering they charged as .uch as $19 for some cocktails. The Dutch steak was prepared well, but not for me. Was surprised they don't add salt or pepper to the meat, prior to preparation or after. I would recommend this restaurant

Great spot for live music and yummy food. There were many options for vegetarians and nice drinks! Starting bread was great and we had a lovely time. Some of the dishes were better than others: from our dinner the escargot, vegan crab cakes and wild boar were excellent. Great vibe and nice staff

The food, the service, and the atmosphere were really good. I was really impressed with the kids' meals they offered. The kids' steak was cooked just how we ordered it, and it was a nice sized skirt steak. They had live music, which gave it a really nice touch. I recommend going for a nice family meal.

Update June 2023 - This place is still amazing, food and Staff are all amazing. It's located across the street from the Hilton behind Fat Tuesday. ************************** Great food, staff & Ambience. Even with Covid they do a great job of social distancing everyone and provide excellent service. There is a slightly reduced menu but the taste and quality of the food is on point. Not a bad idea to call for a reservation.

Caesar salad not so great asked for more dressing. Octopus salad for $25 only had 3 pieces as you see. Shrimp au gratin was tasty but rich and needed crusty bread. Lobster was delicious but full after the shrimp au gratin. Dover sole was good served with burnt butter. 2 glasses of champagne and a bottle of wine. Service was perfect. Would I return for $350.00 dinner for 2. You decide

We originally tried to get into Gianni‘s for dinner, but the weight was over an hour so we walked down the street a little bit and found the Papillon restaurant. We are very happy with the service in the food. It was French and I had the duck breast, which was very tasty. The only downside was it’s right next-door to a Senor Frog restaurant, which was extremely loud with thumping music.

My escargot and boar shank were delicious. My wife's fish was not cooked correctly either time. We would go back.

On our second day, we decided to try a French restaurant. While the service was excellent, I have to say the dining experience didn’t quite match the price we paid. We ordered frog legs, duck, and tuna, but the portion sizes were rather small.

We visited a lot of French restaurants in France and all around the world. I hate to say it, but this one was the worst. It's a beautiful restaurant; food presentation is nice too. But food was hardly average, they kept taking our plates from our table before we even finished our food. It looked like they want us to leave, which is weird because restaurant was half empty. It was also overpriced compared to much better restaurants in the area. They call it French restaurant, but it has nothing to do with experience in "real" French restaurant.

I usually wouldn’t review a place I dislike this much. Better to say nothing at that point but this place is lacking too much to not be critically reviewed. I have been to thousands of high end restaurants this one needs help to be at the level of the prices they charge. For starters the wait staff… knowledge of the menu is rudimentary at best don’t bother asking for suggestions because it will not be helpful at all. Next ordered bottled water and they left on table unopened. It apparently according to the waitress is policy of the restaurant not to pour the water for customers. I told her, “Every other high end restaurant on this island does” At this point an intelligent service oriented person would get the hint… but sadly no. The experience got worse from there when she mentioned that she was actively fighting off a cold sniffling and some minor coughing. Well that’s just wonderful! Anyway we were knee deep already having already ordered our appetizers foie gras (not bad), sweetbreads (pretty good), and escargot (just ok). Once the apps hit the table a kitchen staff member brought out our main course immediately to which the waitress turned the staff member away and sent her back to the kitchen. When it finally was served to us the medium rare Filet was dry and overcooked. The fish was mediocre at best. At the end of the main course the check was bought immediately no offer for dessert or coffee. As of they were trying to get us out of a packed restaurant asap. The thing was it wasn’t packed it was fairly empty. So we didn’t bother to order anything more and paid the bill with minimal tip offered for abysmal service. The only nice part of the whole experiences were the hostesses were warm friendly snd welcoming. As we left we asked the hostesses if they had a manager on the premises she said yes. I had no intention of talking to them I needed to know if this mockery of a high end french restaurant was actually managed. The place needs a ground up restructuring or it will be a memory like other french places that were on Aruba. For now don’t waste your money here.

We came as a group of 10, arrived on time, and our table was ready, which was the only positive part of the evening. Unfortunately, once we started ordering, we were told that almost half of the menu was unavailable, which was very disappointing. The food quality was poor. I was told by the server that my dish would be grilled, but it was not prepared that way at all. My child ordered a steak and received it, but the salad and side dishes did not come out with the meal. We had to wait and remind the staff to bring them. Overall, this was a very bad experience, especially since it was our last night in Aruba, and we were expecting a nice dinner. Sadly, it was not memorable for the right reasons.

I don’t recommend for vegans. They have a vegan menu but the quality of food was poor. The vegan bread was hard as a rock - inedible The vegan crab cake was a mushy baked meatball instead of a crispy fried cake. The eggplant bouillabaisse was pretty bad. The eggplant was spongy, they substituted chick peas instead of butter beans, all in a watery tomato broth with little seasoning.I took 2 spoonfuls and left the rest. A expensive failure of a meal. Vegans should look elsewhere.

Completely ruined our last night in paradise. Heard great things, did not live up to the hype at all. Apps came out before bread did, eventually had to ask for it. Gave us an appetizer and then was told it’s not finished so they took it back? Cod sun-dried tomato and parm topping was burnt, food was insanely salty, and to top it off, waiter clearly forgot it was my wife’s birthday as he offered us dessert menus and then came out with a birthday offering 30 minutes later. We come to Aruba all the time, do yourself and favor and go somewhere else. Too many great restaurants on the island to have such a poor experience. Very disappointing.