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Is ZIMA Rooftop Bar at JOIA Aruba worth the trip up? For sunset drinks with small plates and a view over Eagle Beach, our ZIMA Rooftop Bar Aruba review says yes: go for the golden hour, order a few plates to share and stay for one more cocktail. The menu is built around snacks, sliders and signature cocktails, so think of it as the start of a night rather than a three-course meal. Here is the setting, what visitors say, what to order and when to go.

ZIMA Rooftop Bar at a glance

  • Cuisine: snacks, sliders and small plates, plus signature cocktails
  • Area: Eagle Beach
  • Best for: sunset drinks, couples, a first stop before dinner
  • What to order: artichoke ceviche, crab brioche, Nikkei pork belly bao, granadilla cheesecake
  • Price gauge: $$$ (our estimate)

A rooftop above Eagle Beach

ZIMA is the rooftop and pool bar at JOIA Aruba, fully open to the air with views of Eagle Beach. Xclusivo Magazine, reporting on its opening, describes a modern and sophisticated design, and My Aruba Guide mentions sweeping views across Eagle Beach and out to the Caribbean Sea. It sits next to the resort’s infinity pool, and SheBuysTravel calls it a must for couples.

What visitors say

The view is the headline. Guest reviews collected on My Aruba Guide keep returning to the outlook and the sunset from the roof, and Urbaine City’s hotel review describes panoramic views of Aruba and calls the rooftop ideal for a sunset cocktail. If you only come once, come for the last hour of daylight.

What to order at ZIMA

The menu is built for sharing, with snacks, sliders, a few sandwiches and wraps, and desserts. Our picks, described in our own words:

  • Artichoke ceviche with mushroom, yellow chili pepper, lime and quinoa: a bright, meat-free start.
  • Crab brioche, a crab roll with sour cream and chipotle mayo.
  • Pekin duck spring rolls with shiitake mushrooms, carrots and red bell pepper.
  • Octopus “al olivo” with olive mayo, avocado and cherry tomato on toast.
  • Nikkei pork belly in a bao bun with sesame, ginger and pickled turnip.
  • Ceviche ZIMA, with fish, shrimp, crispy calamari and corn cakes.

Save room for the granadilla cheesecake with passion fruit and mango. From the bar, two signature cocktails stand out: the Sea and Sand, with tequila, Kahlúa and coconut cream, and the Incazteca, which mixes pisco, mezcal and grape juice with a yellow chili salt. SheBuysTravel picks out both by name. Gluten-free guests can ask the server, since the menu notes that some dishes can be adapted. If you enjoy a cigar with your drink, SheBuysTravel notes that ZIMA and the resort’s lobby bar both offer an extensive cigar selection.

Best times and occasions

Sunset is the moment. Book a table for the hour before the sun goes down, order a round of plates and watch the sky change over the water. It works well for couples, for a group of friends starting a night out and as a first stop before dinner elsewhere on Eagle Beach.

A simple plan: arrive a little before sunset, start with a cocktail and one cold plate such as the ceviche, then add warm bites like the spring rolls and the bao as the light fades. Finish with dessert or a last drink. If you would rather have a sit-down meal afterward, keep the rooftop order light and book your dinner table for later in the evening.

If you are planning a full evening, our Aruba nightlife guide covers where to go after the rooftop, and our Eagle Beach guide covers the beach below.

Price level

Price level: $$$. Price level is our estimate, not exact pricing. It is based on the price band the restaurant publishes on its reservation listing.

FAQ

Is ZIMA Rooftop Bar worth it?

Yes, for sunset drinks and shared plates with a view over Eagle Beach. Go for the golden hour and treat it as the start of your evening.

What should I order at ZIMA Rooftop Bar?

Share the artichoke ceviche, the crab brioche and the Nikkei pork belly bao, then add a Sea and Sand or an Incazteca from the cocktail list.

Is ZIMA open to the air?

Yes. Xclusivo Magazine describes it as fully open, with views of Eagle Beach.

How does booking through The Table Desk work?

We book your table and send your confirmation by email. If we can’t book it, your full $20 comes back. The Table Desk is an independent reservation service by All Tours Aruba, not affiliated with the restaurant. Book online through ZIMA Rooftop Bar on The Table Desk.

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