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Is Papillon worth it? For a French dinner with Caribbean touches on Palm Beach, our Papillon Aruba review says yes. The menu covers the French classics, from escargots and onion soup to Dover sole for two, alongside a duck breast with passion fruit sauce and a full vegan menu. The restaurant has been open for more than 17 years, and its whole look is built on the Papillon escape story. Here is the room, what to order and which nights it suits.

Papillon at a glance

  • Cuisine: French with Caribbean flair
  • Area: Palm Beach
  • Best for: romantic dinners, celebrations, vegan diners, families
  • What to order: escargots, Canard a Passion, Dover Sole à la Meunière for two, the Eggplant Bouillabaisse
  • Price gauge: $$$$ (our estimate)

A dining room built on an escape story

The theme comes from Henri Charrière, the Frenchman known as Papillon after the butterfly tattooed on his chest. aruba.com tells his story as the first prisoner ever to break out of Devil’s Island, and says the design, the décor and even the restrooms nod to his thirteen years in prison in French Guiana. The restaurant itself credits the film starring Steve McQueen, and aruba.com links the menu to his road to freedom: French classics with a daring Caribbean edge.

You can eat in the air-conditioned dining room or out on the terrace, and the restaurant pitches the terrace for a romantic dinner. On Sundays, Marisela plays live music, according to the restaurant. Tina van Mal owns it, and its sister restaurant on Palm Beach is the Belgian bistro L’Avenue.

What the critics notice

TripExpert’s summary of the expert reviews it collects picks out the duck and the seafood, and gives the setting much of the credit.

What to order at Papillon

The current dinner menu keeps the French classics front and center. Our picks, in our own words:

  • Escargots in a creamy sauce with mushrooms and garlic, or the Onion Soup finished with a crouton and Dutch cheese melted on top.
  • Goat cheese Crème brûlée, a savory starter with caramelized apple, walnuts and balsamic.
  • Dover Sole à la Meunière for two, in brown butter with parsley and lemon, served with new potatoes, when it is available.
  • Canard a Passion: duck breast seared skin-side down, with sweet potato mash, a sauce of orange and passion fruit, and a drizzle of chocolate.
  • Wild Boar, a slow-braised shank in its own gravy over red beet risotto.
  • Poisson Rouge, a Cajun-spiced tuna steak with mango compote and spicy papaya sauce.
  • A 10 oz Caribbean lobster tail in white wine and garlic butter.

Save room for the Tarte Tatin à la Papillon, made here with caramelized pineapple, or the Chocolate Lava with pistachio ice cream. The restaurant also says its specials change daily.

A real vegan menu

Papillon has a separate vegan menu, not just one token dish. The Eggplant Bouillabaisse is a vegan take on the French fish stew, made with eggplant, chickpeas and a vegan fish filet, simmered in a gently spiced tomato and garlic broth and served with funchi. The vegan crab cakes come as a starter or a main, and there is a mushroom version of escargot.

When to go

For couples, the terrace is the restaurant’s own pick for a romantic dinner. Families are covered too, with a kids’ menu of nuggets, a petite steak, fish or pasta, and the restaurant says it hosts group dinners and private celebrations. There is also an early bird menu early in the evening, three courses with a glass of house wine. Our Palm Beach guide covers the area, and our guide to the best restaurants in Aruba has more ideas. When you are ready, book a table at Papillon.

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 Papillon worth it?

Yes, if you want French cooking with Caribbean touches on Palm Beach. The menu runs from escargots and Dover sole to duck with passion fruit, and expert reviews on TripExpert point to the duck, the seafood and the atmosphere.

What should I order at Papillon?

Start with the escargots or the goat cheese crème brûlée, then choose the Canard a Passion, the wild boar or, for two, the Dover sole.

Does Papillon have vegan options?

Yes. There is a separate vegan menu with dishes such as the Eggplant Bouillabaisse and vegan crab cakes.

Why is it called Papillon?

It is named after Henri Charrière, the escaped convict known as Papillon, and the décor nods to his story and to the film starring Steve McQueen.

How does booking a table at Papillon 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 Papillon and send your confirmation by email. If we can’t book it, your full $20 comes back.

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