Have you heard of Marea?

Unless you’ve been living under a rock and have not noticed, Marea is the restaurant facing the boulevard and Eagle Beach, on the JOIA Aruba by Iberostar Resort. Here's what to expect when dining there! 

I had been there before for breakfast (which is excellent, I will definitely dive deeper into it in a separate post), but I was due for the dinner experience. 

Marea is a Caribbean-inspired restaurant where Chef Alejandro Camurri and his culinary team have curated a selection of dishes featuring fresh and locally sourced ingredients. At Marea, you can find dishes from gourmet burgers to grilled meats and fresh catch. Dine inside if your vibe is more air-conditioned; it's beautiful! Or sit on the terrace to enjoy the evening breeze, there is no wrong way.

Sippin’

A good cocktail reflects the restaurant’s quality and personality. There’s no better way to start your evening than sipping on a good one while reading the menu and catching up with friends; it sets the tone for the rest of the experience.

Last Chance

Nothing says “We’re in the Caribbean” more than a pineapple cocktail. This martini says loudly: “We’re having dinner in Aruba”. Gin-based, pineapple juice, orangello, lime, and Drambuie for depth. $22

Pisco Bramble

Pisco cocktails always grab my attention. Blackberry, lime, and orange bitters. Be careful if you are not trained with Pisco, it is a strong one.

Appetizers.

Coconut Panko Shrimp

Definitely not your average coconut shrimp. I’ll admit, the name almost made me pick something else… How special could coconut shrimp really be? But our lovely server, Kristal, insisted. And I’ve got to say: the presentation was stunning—almost sci-fi, in a way. Huge, crispy shrimp perched on a sweet potato purée, topped with a passion fruit and orange foam. Chef’s kiss. $21.

Lobster Pancake Roll

Lobster rolls are one of my favorite foods! if I see one on a menu, I have to order it. I was especially curious to try this version (a friend had already recommended it), and it absolutely delivered. The vibe: a pan bati pancake filled with lobster salad. Thank goodness it wasn’t overly mayonnaise-y, that usually ruins a good lobster roll for me. I did miss a bit of that classic celery crunch, though. $19.

Mains.

We were determined to try a wider variety of dishes and branch out a bit, you know? I could go on about the menu, blah blah blah... but then a rack of BBQ ribs cruised past our table on its way to someone else, and our jaws dropped. Was this the night we traded the Corvina for BBQ ribs?

Baby Back Ribs

Massive—as in “Are you gonna eat all that?”—rack of ribs, slathered in an original honey and pineapple BBQ sauce. Meaty, juicy, tender… All the good things ribs should be. Highly recommend! $38.

Angus Skirt Steak

Skirt steak has become a staple on menus all around, a crowd pleaser! 12oz of steak, onions, red peppers, and chimichurri made in-house. I could see myself coming back for this one. $42

Sides.

Grilled Corn

On the cob, chipotle cream, paisa cheese, just the right amount of charred spots. I’ve never seen corn treated with this much care in any other place. $14

Fully Loaded Baked Potato

Baked and then fluffed with butter, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, and a sprinkle of chives. What if I just go next time to eat a couple of these? $14.

Dessert.

Tropical Pavlova

The classic crunch of a baked meringue with strawberries, passion fruit custard, mango, and dulce de leche. This is the one I would pick for one fresh last bite.

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It would not take me much to go back to Marea, even if just for a drink; the terrace overlooking Eagle Beach is enough of a reason! The shrimp, the skirt steak, and the baked potato have stayed on my mind ever since that day… ah! And next time someone mentions ribs, I’ll be the first to jump and say: “You must try them at Marea!”