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Is Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano worth it? For a classic Italian dinner on Palm Beach with a bit of tableside theater, our Gianni’s Aruba review says yes. The signature spaghetti is tossed inside a flaming wheel of Parmigiano at your table, and the rest of the menu covers house pastas, seafood risotto, veal and steak. aruba.com notes that the Ferrara family owns and runs it, and AAA says it has stayed popular for more than 30 years. Here is the room, the pasta that made its name and what to order beyond it.

Gianni’s at a glance

  • Cuisine: Italian, with pasta, seafood, veal and steak
  • Area: Palm Beach, on the main restaurant strip
  • Best for: families, groups, celebration dinners
  • What to order: Spaghetti Al Formaggio Parmigiano, Risotto Alla Pescatora, Ossobuco Alla Milanese
  • Price gauge: $$$$ (our estimate)

A long-running family trattoria on the strip

VisitAruba traces the story back to 1984, when Gianni’s opened in downtown Oranjestad before the family moved it to Palm Beach. You can eat outside under white canopies, which aruba.com recommends for people-watching on the strip, or inside in the trattoria-style room. AAA adds that the interior is air-conditioned.

The kitchen leans toward the cooking of Naples, according to VisitAruba, with other Italian regions folded in. The menu also marks vegetarian and vegan dishes, and the restaurant says gluten-free pasta and gluten-free desserts are available if you ask.

The pasta everyone comes for

The house signature is the Spaghetti Al Formaggio Parmigiano. aruba.com describes it as the most popular dish on the menu: the spaghetti is flamed with whisky inside a Parmigiano wheel at the table. The current menu describes the base as spaghetti in Napoli sauce with fresh basil, finished in the wheel of Parmigiano Reggiano DOP.

It is also the dish guests talk about: Wanderlog’s review summary and a food blog written after a meal at Gianni’s both single out the cheese wheel pasta.

What to order at Gianni’s

Beyond the cheese wheel, the current menu has plenty worth sharing. Our picks, described in our own words:

  • Saffron Mussels, simmered in a white wine and saffron broth, or the Branzino Carpaccio with a citrus dressing, to start.
  • Scampi Gianni: spaghetti and shrimp in Napoli sauce built on a house lobster stock.
  • Risotto Alla Pescatora, a lobster risotto loaded with shrimp, calamari, clams and mussels.
  • Short Ribs and Ricotta-stuffed Conchiglioni, large shells filled with braised short rib and ricotta.
  • Pappardelle Alla Bolognese, house-made ribbons in a Napoli meat sauce with a Grana Padano crisp.
  • Ossobuco Alla Milanese, braised veal shank served with saffron risotto.
  • Filetto Ai Funghi, sliced filet mignon with king oyster mushrooms and a porcini sauce.

Vegetarians have real choices too, such as the Gnocchi Al Tartufo with black truffle sauce and the Risotto Funghi, and the Bruschetta Napoli is marked vegan.

Who it suits

The restaurant says its indoor and outdoor areas host small and large parties, from birthdays to wedding rehearsals, and aruba.com highlights the long menu and the fine wines. That makes it an easy pick for families and groups with mixed tastes: share a few starters, order the cheese wheel spaghetti for the table and let everyone choose a main. There is also a Sunday brunch from 11 AM to 3 PM, and the restaurant says the brunch menu changes every month.

If you are staying nearby, our Palm Beach guide covers the area, and our guide to the best restaurants in Aruba has more dinner ideas. When you have picked your night, book a table at Gianni’s Ristorante Italiano.

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 Gianni’s worth it?

Yes, if you want a classic Italian dinner on Palm Beach with tableside theater. The Ferrara family has run it for decades, the cheese wheel spaghetti is made at your table, and the menu runs from house pastas to veal and steak.

What should I order at Gianni’s?

Order the Spaghetti Al Formaggio Parmigiano for the table, then try the Risotto Alla Pescatora, the Short Ribs and Ricotta-stuffed Conchiglioni or the Ossobuco Alla Milanese.

Does Gianni’s have gluten-free pasta?

Yes. The restaurant says gluten-free pasta and gluten-free desserts are available if you ask.

Does Gianni’s serve brunch?

Yes. There is a Sunday brunch from 11 AM to 3 PM, with a menu that changes every month.

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

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