Gluten Free in Aruba: My Celiac-Safe Travel Itinerary

Aruba’s reputation as a tropical paradise extends beyond its stunning beaches and warm hospitality—it’s also surprisingly accommodating for those of us with celiac disease! This is my first time being back since my diagnosis (my first trip being in the beginning of 2022!), and I was so impressed with how much I was able to safely eat! I was lucky to travel with Ethan’s family, who have been incredibly supportive of my gluten-free needs since my diagnosis. With a little bit of planning and some excellent restaurant experiences, I enjoyed an incredible trip in Aruba for a long weekend of July 4th. Here’s a breakdown of my itinerary, along with my, as always, honest reviews of each dining experience:

aruba bites list

Looking for the food highlights list? —>

July 3rd

Lunch: Madero Pool & Beach Grill – I ordered a salad with balsamic dressing and chicken. The staff was accommodating with substitutions, and I enjoyed it so much that I ended up getting it almost every day! Nothing beats a reliable safe meal for a trip full of eating out.
Dinner: Casa Nonna – This spot had gluten-free bread, which was a nice treat upon our arrival. I ordered a chicken salad - yes, again, but you know the stress of traveling and ensuring safe GF meals (otherwise you wouldn't be here ;).

July 4th

Breakfast: Solanio a la carte – My go-to breakfast spot for the entire trip. They were excellent with gluten-free protocols. Can't recommend this place more! I got an acai bowl without granola and an iced coffee. To be clear, I can't handle oats which is why I skipped the granola, but I'm not entirely sure if the granola is certified gluten free so be sure to double check!
Lunch: Madero Pool & Beach Grill – Stuck with my favorite salad, balsamic dressing, and chicken.
Dinner: BLT Steak – A fantastic experience! They provided gluten-free bread to start, and I had steak with a side of mashed potatoes. Everything was delicious and safely prepared! There were fireworks for the 4th which was super fun to watch after dinner!

July 5th

Breakfast: Solanio a la carte – Shared breakfast with Ethan finally: acai bowl (no granola) and gluten-free avocado toast with eggs. Plus, of course, iced coffee.
Lunch: Divi Sushi Bar & Lounge – Opted for a deconstructed veggie sushi bowl. They were surprisingly knowledgeable about celiac protocols, so I felt safe eating here. I liked it so much that I came back later in the trip!
Dinner: Atardi – Enjoyed a lobster tail with some yummy tropical sauce and gluten-free bread, which seemed to be the same kind served at BLT Steak and other waterside restaurants.

July 6th

Breakfast: Solanio a la carte – The usual acai bowl (no granola) and iced coffee.
Lunch: Madero Pool & Beach Grill – My go-to salad again!
Dinner: Ruinas del Mar – Ordered chicken with mashed potatoes, and it was absolutely delicious. A great experience overall and everyone enjoyed their meal!

July 7th

Breakfast: Solanio a la carte – Same as always! Acai bowl without granola and iced coffee.
Lunch: Madero Pool & Beach Grill – Yep, the salad again!
Dinner: Hadicurari – Truthfully, this was my least favorite dining experience of the trip. The server didn’t know what gluten was, and my first meal wasn’t actually gluten-free when I double-checked. When I finally got a safe meal, it wasn’t good, and the rest of my group didn’t like their food either for what it's worth. For my fellow celiacs, especially I do not recommend this place for a safe gluten-free meal.

July 8th

Breakfast: Solanio a la carte – Shared breakfast with Ethan again: acai bowl without granola and gluten-free avocado toast with eggs.
Lunch: Divi Sushi Bar & Lounge – Went back for the deconstructed veggie sushi bowl. Once again, they were great with celiac protocols.

Today was the first day we actually left the beach and pool, and head into the town before dinner!
Dinner: Azar – This was one of my favorite meals of the trip! The steak was absolutely incredible, and everyone in our group loved their meals. Highly recommend!!

July 9th – Flight Home

Had one last breakfast at Solanio before heading to the airport and flying back to NYC.

Final Thoughts

Overall, navigating a gluten-free diet in Aruba was smoother than expected. Many restaurants were knowledgeable and accommodating, with some clear standout experiences (shoutout to Solanio, Divi Sushi Bar & Lounge, BLT Steak, and Azar!).

If you’re planning a trip to Aruba and have celiac disease, rest assured that there are plenty of delicious and safe options—you just need to know where to look. Let me know if you have any questions, and happy (gluten-free) travels! 🌴✨

TLDR: GF Aruba bites

✅ Highly Recommended:

Solanio a la carte – Best for breakfast, excellent gluten-free protocols. Wouldn’t recommend the buffet but a la carte never failed to be the best!
Madero Pool & Beach Grill – Safe, reliable salad option with balsamic dressing and chicken. Very accommodating staff.
BLT Steak – Gluten-free bread, steak, and mashed potatoes.
Divi Sushi Bar & Lounge – Healthy deconstructed veggie sushi bowls.
Atardi – Delicious lobster tail with tropical sauce and gluten-free bread.
Ruinas del Mar – Great chicken and mashed potatoes.
Azar – One of the best meals of the trip; amazing steak!