Nusa Restaurant

Mannnnn, fresh off a plane. Dropped my luggage at the Airbnb and knew i needed some food. Chill spot with great ambiance, cool vibes and waterfront location. Prices were exceptional too. 5 dishes for 24.50 a person. Grilled duck was chefs kiss. Servers were friendly. This is a must visit spot.

Nusa Aruba in Oranjestad is a true culinary gem that offers an unparalleled dining experience with stunning marina views. This establishment specializes in a tapas-style rice dish concept, where diners can select an array of exquisite options to create a memorable meal. The menu at Nusa Aruba is brimming with standout dishes that showcase the exceptional quality and freshness of the ingredients. Each item we sampled was bursting with vibrant flavors, seamlessly blending the diverse culinary influences that make Aruba's cuisine so captivating. The attention to detail and execution of these dishes is truly impressive, elevating the overall dining experience. One of the highlights of Nusa Aruba is the opportunity to curate your own tapas-style journey, selecting a variety of rice-based plates that cater to your individual preferences. This format allows you to explore a range of flavors and textures, creating a well-rounded and satisfying meal. While the savory offerings were undoubtedly impressive, it's worth noting that saving room for dessert is an absolute must. The desserts at Nusa Aruba are a true revelation, providing a delightful and balanced conclusion to the culinary experience.

Came with my family of 5 for New Year’s Eve. Easy parking in the lot for the shops. We were a little early and our reserved table was ready to go. We opted for the 9 dish rice table with some suggestions from the server. Our drinks came fast and so did our food. The beef stew did not disappoint and we also liked the duck and slow braised chicken. We added fried rice. I thought there could have been more peanut sauce on the salad is my only criticism. Servers were attentive and the location on the dock was breezy and attractive. Owner was very friendly. We will definitely return on our next trip.

The server was outstanding excellent service. The food is unbelievably fresh and delicious. We’ve spent months in Bali and wow this is even better than there.!!!!!! Probably the best meal I’ve had in Aruba and this is my third trip :)

This is a very nice restaurant. The menu concept is amazing, it gives you the “rice table” experience of the Indonesian cuisine. The dishes are real nice. Specially the duck. But do they underestimate the green beans. The garnishes that comes with the food is a perfect combination. The price for the dinner is very good. And you sit close the waterfront. With a pleasant view of the surroundings. Highly recommend restaurant.

Absolutely a pleasure to dine-in at Nusa! Authentic South-east Asian flavors and generous portions. The service is great, and the ambience matches the food and the friendly service at Nusa. I ordered a few appetizers, and then the pandan cake dessert. Cocktails (espresso martini) and sangria are worth trying here!

So glad we came across this place while on our vacation! love the decor, the ambiance , service and of course the food! Great concept and wish the portion sizes were a tad bigger. All the dishes tasted great although some did feel like there was too much coconut milk - but I guess that is what makes it taste so good. The service was really good and they answer questions about your dietary needs. For a different kind of meal in Aruba, make sure you stop by here! We ate here twice on our trip and it was satisfying on both occasions

Flavors were great, attention to detail and our server (blonde lady, unfortunately I couldn't get her name) were more than outstanding.

Joost greeted us so warmly, and explained the food and menu. The pride was showing on his face as he told us about his wife and her food. When we decided to take a seat, it was like we were being welcomed into his home. The rice table menu was a new experience for us, but one that was absolutely worth the leap of faith. They even went out of their way to provide a vegan option for one in our party. We did the 7 choice option, and every single plate was unique and flavorful. The Kroepoek with Peanut Sauce was delicious. Also, try and save space for the dessert. Spekkoek (layer cake) was airy, moist and delicious! Whenever we get back to Aruba, we'll be back. Until then, I'll recommend Nusa to anyone coming to One Happy Island.

After a week of eating mediocre resort food, we took a taxi into town, and this was by far the best meal we had during our time in Aruba. Actual flavor!

We had a delicious meal here and the bang for our buck was worthy, a great taster of many foods. Having been to Bali for our honeymoon we were impressed with quality food and very warm service. Would totally recommend!!!! Our favorite dishes were the different grill meats which were more flavourful than the stews

This place is a gem! The staff are wonderfully sweet and the food is delicious. We went last night and sat outside and the ambience was lovely, romantic even. It was my birthday and they surprised me with their fried banana (ridiculously good, I'm not kidding), ice cream and a sparkler-- it was the perfect way to end the night. Try the fried rice, ribs, beef stew, curry fish... actually everything we had was delicious honestly. Also, love the concept. Thank you for an awesome evening Nusa!

Nusa is absolutely amazing! Friendly staff and cozy environment near the harbour front. We ordered two appetizers, which is the Gado Gado salad and kroepoek with peanut sauce. Both are fantastic. For lunch, we ordered fried noodle with chicken skewer and rendang kroketten with bread (breaded beef stew). The taste is authentic Asian food and I would go back again and try other dishes.

A great spot for dinner. There is plenty of space for both outdoor and indoor seating. There is no AC but it isn’t needed with the Aruba breeze traveling throughout the restaurant. We were seated right away and our waiter Guido was very friendly and explained the menu to us. As a group of 4 we got 7 shareable dishes, a side of noodles, plus an appetizer of the shrimp chimps with freshly made peanut sauce. For the shareable dishes we chose the pork belly, veggie lumpas, coconut veggies, fish curry, Bali ribs, beef stew, and shrimp skewers. Everything was extremely delicious and we had about a plate’s worth of food to take home. This restaurant is walking distance from the marketplace/downtown. The restaurant can also call a taxi if needed.

Amazing service, food and atmosphere! Everyone in the restaurant was so friendly and nice. The food was great. You pick 5, 7 or 9 small dishes and share. The offer nice set of cocktails as well. The athmosphere was very cozy and nice. Highly recommended!

Can I tell you about the food offerings here at Nusa??? The braised chicken is simply amazing!!! Our server, Keon was the consummate host and made the best recommendations!!! The ambience is beautiful and romantic. A must visit place when in Aruba.

Everything was amazing!! Truly loved all of the meats and sauces. We ordered the rice table that allowed 7 side dishes. Some of our selections were the duck, ribs, shrimp skewer, fried spicy egg, fish curry. This all came with rice to share and we ordered an additional side of noodles. Honestly everything was fantastic, and the place wasn’t really busy so we had low expectations but we were so wrong. Everything had a lot of flavor and super satisfying. The only thing I wouldn’t recommend was the fish curry- but this may be a matter of personal taste vs. faults in the actual dish. I’ve never had fish curry before and this just tastes soapy to me so this would be the only item I’d steer clear from. Otherwise, highly recommend Nusa!

Great, great, great food. Share a meal with your favorite people, out of the same plate because this is the place for that too. Great food....did I say great food? You can also have your own plate. MUST TRY THE Ricetable meal. You can substitute rice with fried rice or fried noodles (more tir fried). Great food if you're willing to try Indonesian cuisine.

Very flavorful food and amazing service. Owner was very friendly, helpful, and welcoming. Loved the beef stew and shrimp skewers! Also the atmosphere is very well decorated. Loved my experience here.

The vibes here are incredible and the service is top notch! The food is incredible and I loved getting a giant feast where every single things was phenomenal! I am SO glad we added this place to our itinerary. I highly recommend doing the same!!

A very unique dining experience right on the water. You have the option to do a ricetable dinner, basically you pay x amount per person depending on how many meals you get. Options are 5, 7, and 9. We were a couple and did the 7 but honestly should have done 9, everything we ate was delicious and we were really able to discover the Indonesian flavor. Affordable, varying flavors, a very friendly staff, and a great ambiance make this a great option for dinner while in Aruba.

Very well decorated Indonesian restaurant with great food and drinks. The tapa like small dishes is a great concept. The 2 of us (small appetite) ordered 7 dishes and it was the right portion for us. All 7 dishes were very tasty and I especially recommend the grilled duck and fish curry. Also highly recommend the local mango beer.

We live in Aruba and have been to Nusa quite a few times. We recently were there with family who were here on vacation. It was soooo delicious! Joost (owner) was our server and he was fantastic! I really loved their old location but the new one has a harbor view and at night the lights are so pretty. We had the rice table and white sangria. It was all amazing!

Great service. Does feel like eating authentic Indonesian food. Ribs were really good. Shrimp skewer pretty good. Coconut rice delicious. The food packs a little heat but that’s what makes it good.

Stopped by as a solo diner and sat outside. The decor and restaurant itself are very nice and the food was phenomenal. I had the mini rice table for 1 person and was blown away by everything that came with it. I will certainly be back next time I am in Aruba!

Amazing Dinner at Nusa Indonesian Rice Table! From the moment we walked in, the warm atmosphere and inviting aromas set the tone for an unforgettable evening. Every dish was bursting with authentic Indonesian flavors — rich, vibrant, and perfectly balanced. The rice table experience was a true culinary journey, allowing us to taste a variety of beautifully presented small plates, each one better than the last. The staff were friendly, attentive, and clearly passionate about the food they serve. They took time to explain each dish and made us feel so welcome. The presentation was stunning, and the mix of spicy, sweet, and savory dishes made the meal exciting from start to finish. A little heat in some dishes. We left completely full, happy, and already planning our next visit. Nusa Indonesian Rice Table is a must-visit for anyone who loves bold flavors, impeccable service, and a dining experience that feels both special and authentic. Our personal favorites were the spring rolls, shrimp skewers, beef stew (amazing), and string beans.

The food buffet has limited selections. The make your own noodle bowl was a great idea, I definitely did need to add some sauce to the soup. It was very warm indoor to me. I would recommend a water container for us to self pour since their was only one server for indoor and outdoor and we glad we brought a filled water container since we did not get our water refill.

This was our second time at Nusa. The first was a year ago and they were located in a neighborhood off the beaten path and the food was incredible. So our second time to Aruba, we thought we must visit again. They have moved location and they're now where the ships come in next to Lima. Anyway, our second time fell short. Not sure if some of the recipes changed, but expectations fell a little short. "Isle"? (sp) our server was great and she made sure we were taken care of, often coming by to see how we were snd if we needed anything. Maybe, if was a one off night, I dunno. We were expecting more spice bowls, like last time. Most the dishes were really good. Only a couple missed the mark. Wontoon dumpling soup, fish curry, spring rolls, fried dumplings, were all really good. Bali ribs were ok, I was expecting more flavor and the beef stew was dry, no "stew" involved. Our last visit, the beef stew was our favorite, and there were several spice bowls to mix or top with each dish. Like I said, maybe it was a one off night. It's worth a visit if you're looking for something different. The rice table is the way to go to allow shareable plates. You will find something for everyone. Not dragging them under the bus so give them a go. Ron

Went here on a date with my partner. We were welcomed by a friendly host. Got seated right away. We did have to wait a while before a server showed up with our menus. We didn't mind as it was super busy. When the food came it was decent and delicious. We would definitely visit again

This Asian shop offers food that's quite authentic, with flavors leaning toward Cambodian and Thai cuisine. For dinner, they serve dishes alongside white rice, which makes for a comforting and familiar meal. The food is generally easy to eat, even for those not used to Southeast Asian flavors. However, the portion sizes are a bit small for the price, which might leave some diners wanting more. On the plus side, the service is very good—friendly and attentive. Overall, it was a good experience, and I'd consider coming back.

Not familiar with Indonesian food but what we tried was pretty tasty. The menu was a bit confusing because we didn't know the size of the tapas and how many we will need to order, however, we enjoyed the views and overall a nice experience.

We stumbled onto this place on our way to Lima Bistro. The food was wonderful! We did the 5 dish menu. Some items we would reorder, some we would recommend passing. 1. Shrimp skewers. Get more than one if you can. 2. Spicy fried egg. It wasn't spicy but more sweet. 3. Beef stew. This could use some more flavoring. 4. Green beans something. Very flavorful. The chef gave us this by mistake and glad they did bc what we ordered suck. 5. Spicy chicken. Not spicy and lacks flavors. I would not reorder. 6. Vegetable in coconut. Super bland. I would not reorder. The Aruba Arriba drink was delicious. Don't skip on this drink. OJ taste like it was from concentrated or tang. At $3 for 6 ounces, it was not worth it.

Decent Indonesian food in the downtown area. The flavors are true, however, significantly watered down. We came here for my three year-old son‘s birthday, we were walking in last minute on a night, where they were not busy. The downside is that they did not give us a table that was available outside in the fresh air, but rather seated is inside in the hot stifling heat stating that they had just had a reservation for the outside table. This was unfortunately not true as the table was vacant the entire evening. The wait staff were very nice and attentive otherwise , they did explain the menu well and there’s a very decent variety of food to choose from.

Good food. Good location. Nice ambiance. Would come back. Only con was my drink (Aruba Ariba) was way too sweet and I the alcohol might have been non existent. They might have forgotten to add the alcohol.

Showed up without a reservation with a 3 yr old. No problem. They made us a table. Food was great, the chicken skewers were amazing. The atmosphere was relaxed and drinks were good. Recommend highly and would always go back for the people and food.

We thought the concept of the rice table was really cool! You get a bowl of rice and pick a predesignated number of sides to go with it and it's all based on per person pricing and quantities which is unique and prevents food waste. The food was good and the homemade sambal was different and unique to what we've had in Canada. The atmosphere inside the restaurant and on the patio is very unique, warm, classy and inviting. We've shared the experience of the whole rice table concept with a few friends since we've been back. The waitress was attentive but didn't exude the warmth or friendliness that we noticed from the owner/manager we saw. However, one thing we noticed was that it was really quiet at the restaurant that night but the restaurant 2 doors away was jam packed with a line waiting. Likely filled with people from the cruise ship. The owner or manager was outside trying to sell/call people into the restaurant as they walked by (likely headed to the busy restaurant which is at the end of the pier). While he was doing it in a friendly and happy way, it felt a bit tacky given the feel and vibe of the rest of the restaurant. It was hard to watch, and disrupted the few tables of people who WERE dining on the patio of your restaurant. An important takeaway might be that the consumer's restaurant choice isn't happening in the moment they are passing by your restaurant. It's happening long before that with viral social media posts, Google reviews, friend recommendations etc. By the time they are walking by your restaurant it is already too late. I'd recommend to keep it classy and focus those efforts into social posts about your unique offering. Best of luck in the future!

The presentation was beautiful and the flavors were bold and authentic—clearly a lot of care went into the spice blends and sauces. However all the meat dishes we got today (pork, chicken, and beef) were unfortunately overcooked and very dry, which made them tough and less enjoyable.

By Asian authenticity standards, the food is just OK. But, it's a nice location with wonderful staff service, so if you are desperate for Indonesian food, give this a go.

Four of us went to Nusa for a 7 dish rice table experience We were told each dish was suitable for 4 people to share The rice was suitable and the shrimp skewers and spicy eggs were as well The others you could get a tablespoon for each person out of the tiny sauce bowl size containers. At 32 plus Dollars a person for this. It was not even a small lunch size amount. The duck was all bones. The fish curry had two 1/2 size pieces of fish in it. The spring rolls were dry and hard. The desserts were awful. The banana one was greasy and too much dough The cake one was okay by quite small. Our guests were nice about it - I was embarrassed. Thus was supposed to be a feast Not going back

We were personally invited in by the owner, who told us about his years in Bali, his Balinese wife and “authentic Balinese cuisine.” Having actually been to Bali, we were excited - but what we received was nowhere near authentic, or even edible. The food was simply awful. The noodles were completely overcooked and glued into a soggy, flavorless mass. The duck was dry and overdone, and the salad with peanut sauce looked bad and tasted even worse. We each took one bite and literally had to spit it out. We immediately asked to return the food and pay only for our drinks. Instead, we were kept in the restaurant for over 20 minutes while they tried to reach the owner, and even told that “this is how noodles should be.” In the end, we were forced to pay for the drinks and a full meal for one person. We left hungry, frustrated and very disappointed. Do yourself a favor and skip this place. Very not recommended.