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Is El Gaucho worth it? Our El Gaucho Aruba review says it is, if you want an Argentine steak dinner in downtown Oranjestad rather than another meal on the sand. It opened in 1977 as Aruba’s first Argentine restaurant, and it still sticks to what made it last: Argentine steaks, charcoal-grilled, served in an old townhouse decorated with Argentine decor.

El Gaucho at a glance

  • Cuisine: Argentine steakhouse, with seafood
  • Area: downtown Oranjestad
  • Best for: family dinners, groups and meat lovers
  • What to order: the Gaucho steak, the Argentine grill platter, Lola’s combo
  • Price gauge: $$$$ (our estimate)

An old townhouse with a cowboy soul

El Gaucho Argentine Grill feels like a step away from the beach scene. It is set in a colonial townhouse with rustic decor, and the private dining rooms are decorated in honor of the legends of the Argentine cowboy, useful for a birthday or a team dinner. Strolling guitarists play romantic tangos and boleros, which turns a steak dinner into a small event.

aruba.com also mentions a kids’ playroom with arcade games, Disney videos and Lego, a rare thing for a steakhouse. On the wine side, the restaurant pours Argentine wines from its cellar, and aruba.com notes that Wine Spectator magazine has applauded the wine list.

Long-running places earn loyal guests. A local news piece from December 2013 described the steakhouse full to overflowing on Thanksgiving, as families made a steak dinner at El Gaucho their way of marking the holiday.

What the guides single out

The written guides agree on the basics. aruba.com describes the Argentine steaks as charcoal-grilled, and among the specialties GAYOT names the veal chop, T-bone steak, beef short ribs and the Gaucho steak.

What to order: go Argentine

The menu is long, so here is where we would start:

  • The Gaucho steak, a one-pound churrasco of premium Argentine beef, natural grass fed.
  • The Argentine grill, a platter of five meats: tenderloin, chorizo, ribs, pork loin and beef short ribs.
  • The Pincho Toro Caliente, a skewer of grilled beef tenderloin, chorizo and pork tenderloin with char-grilled vegetables.
  • The tenderloin trio, 6 oz each of beef tenderloin, pork tenderloin and New Zealand lamb chop, if you want to compare.
  • A grilled Caribbean lobster tail for the seafood lover at the table, or Lola’s combo of grilled Caribbean lobster tail and Argentine tenderloin if you want both.
  • Shrimp scampi smothered in roasted garlic purée, or the Caribbean seafood combo of stewed squid, garlic shrimp and battered fish.

Side orders include fried plantain, coconut rice and corn on the cob, so you can give the meal an island accent. As listed on the menu dated January 2025, tax is included in the menu prices and a 15% service charge is added to the bill.

A simple plan for four: one Argentine grill platter and one Gaucho steak for the middle of the table, a seafood plate for anyone who wants a break from beef, and a couple of sides. You get the range of the grill without everyone ordering the same cut.

Who El Gaucho suits best

Families. The playroom, the music and a separate kids’ menu make it easy to bring everyone.

Groups. The mixed grill platter is made for sharing, and the private dining rooms help when you are a big party.

Meat lovers on a beach trip. After a week of fish, an Argentine steak in town makes a change. It also works as a holiday dinner; our Christmas and New Year in Aruba guide has more ideas for the season. If you are exploring the capital, our Oranjestad guide pairs well with an evening here.

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 El Gaucho worth it?

If you love steak, yes. It is Aruba’s first Argentine restaurant, open since 1977, and the charcoal-grilled cuts, the townhouse setting and the strolling guitarists make it more than a quick meal.

What should I order at El Gaucho?

Order the Gaucho steak, or share the Argentine grill platter with five meats. Lola’s combo pairs a lobster tail with Argentine tenderloin.

Is El Gaucho good for families and groups?

Yes. There are private dining rooms, a kids’ playroom, and a grill platter built for sharing.

Does El Gaucho serve seafood?

Yes. The menu includes a grilled Caribbean lobster tail, shrimp scampi, a deep-fried grouper fillet, a New Zealand salmon fillet and a Caribbean seafood combo.

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

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