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Is Nusa Harbour worth it? For a shared Indonesian dinner by the water in Oranjestad, our Nusa Harbour Aruba review says yes. The draw is the rijsttafel, the Indonesian rice table: you pick 5, 7 or 9 dishes from a list of 16, and they arrive together for the whole table to share. Chef Wayan comes from Nusa Penida, the island near Bali that gives the restaurant its name. Here is the setting, how the rice table works and what to choose.

Nusa Harbour at a glance

  • Cuisine: Indonesian and Balinese, built around the rijsttafel
  • Area: Oranjestad, on the harbourside
  • Best for: groups, families, shared dinners, vegetarians
  • What to order: a 7 or 9 dish rice table with rendang, Bali Ribs, grilled duck and satay
  • Price gauge: $$ (our estimate)

A terrace on the harbour

Nusa is a downtown Oranjestad restaurant set right on the harbourside, and aruba.com describes an old house that has been renovated, with a terrace for dinner. The restaurant adds that the terrace has an original Balinese temple, and My Aruba Guide calls the style boho-chic. aruba.com’s own food blogger, writing in Dutch, describes the garden terrace with its outdoor lights as inviting even from the road.

The name means island in Indonesian, and it points to Nusa Penida, where the chef was born. aruba.com notes that the spices are imported from Southeast Asia, and the restaurant says everything is made fresh each day without MSG or artificial flavor enhancers.

How the rijsttafel works

A rice table is a spread of many dishes served at the same time. At Nusa you choose 5, 7 or 9 dishes from a list of 16, and aruba.com explains that they come in separate bowls with rice, pickled vegetables, sambal and fried coconut on the side. The more dishes you pick, the more of the menu you taste: My Aruba Guide recommends the 9-dish version for the full range of spices and textures.

The aruba.com blogger did exactly that. The table shared a 9-dish rice table, snacking on kroepoek and peanut sauce while waiting, and the blogger could watch the chef at work through an open window into the kitchen. The post singles out the crisp spring rolls and the rendang, which simmers for hours, and the writer left full and happy.

What to put on your rice table

The current dinner menu lists all 16 choices. Our suggestions for a balanced table:

  • Rendang, the slow-cooked beef stew.
  • Bali Ribs, listed on the menu as Wayan’s Ribs.
  • Bebek Panggang, grilled duck.
  • Ayam Semur, chicken braised slowly.
  • A satay or two: Sateh Ayam (chicken), Sateh Babi (pork) or Sateh Udang (shrimp).
  • Kare Ikan, a fish curry, or the sweet and sour fish.
  • Sayur Lodeh, vegetables cooked in coconut milk, and Gado Gado, the Indonesian salad with peanut sauce.

The menu marks the spicier dishes with chili symbols, so you can balance hot and mild. Start with Kroepoek with peanut sauce or Soto Ayam, the chicken soup, and finish with Dadar Gulung, the Balinese pancakes, or Pisang Goreng, fried banana, both served with ice cream. A mixed satay platter and Nasi Campur, a mini rice table, are also on the menu.

Good for vegetarians and groups

aruba.com points out that many of the dishes are vegetarian, and the menu marks them: the vegetable spring roll, the tofu fritter, the stir-fried green beans, Sayur Lodeh, Gado Gado and a vegetarian version of the fish curry. Because everything is shared, the rice table suits groups and families who like to try a bit of everything. Our Oranjestad guide covers the area, and our guide to the best restaurants in Aruba has more ideas. When you are ready, book a table at Nusa Harbour.

Price level

Price level: $$. Price level is our estimate, not exact pricing. It is based on the dinner prices on the restaurant’s current menu, checked November 2026.

FAQ

Is Nusa Harbour worth it?

Yes, if you want a shared Indonesian dinner on the harbour in Oranjestad. The rice table lets you taste up to 9 dishes cooked by a chef from Nusa Penida, and aruba.com’s own blogger came away full and happy.

What is a rijsttafel at Nusa Harbour?

It is a rice table: you pick 5, 7 or 9 of the 16 dishes on the list, and they come in separate bowls with rice, pickled vegetables, sambal and fried coconut.

What should I order at Nusa Harbour?

Build a rice table with rendang, Bali Ribs, grilled duck and a satay, add a vegetable dish such as Sayur Lodeh, and finish with Dadar Gulung or Pisang Goreng.

Does Nusa Harbour have vegetarian dishes?

Yes. aruba.com notes many vegetarian dishes, and the menu marks them, from the tofu fritter to the vegetables in coconut milk.

How does booking a table at Nusa Harbour work?

The Table Desk is an independent reservation service by All Tours Aruba, not affiliated with the restaurant. You choose your date, time and party size, we book your table at Nusa Harbour and send your confirmation by email. If we can’t book it, your full $20 comes back.

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