Papillon Restaurant in The Village, across from the Hilton Aruba Carribean Resort in Palm Beach invites you back to history for a formidable exploration, much like Steve McQueen as real-life French prisoner "Papillon" in the famous 1974 movie. The decor, the decorations and especially the restrooms wink at the movie and are the concept behind our lovely restaurant.
Our menu also reflects the Frenchman's arduous journey to freedom: classic French dishes with daring Caribbean flair. The spacious outside terrace is perfect for casual fine dining; the iron bars, flecks of rust and stains on the walls make one very glad not to be in Papillon's shoes but in beautiful Aruba instead!
Our menu also reflects the Frenchman's arduous journey to freedom: classic French dishes with daring Caribbean flair. The spacious outside terrace is perfect for casual fine dining; the iron bars, flecks of rust and stains on the walls make one very glad not to be in Papillon's shoes but in beautiful Aruba instead!
Services
Papillon offers great catering services for any of your corporate and private events. Our private chef service offers very exclusive feel and let you enjoy your stay while doing nothing! Please let us help you make your night extra magical with delicious hor's doeuvres and wine pairings customized to the look and feel of your event.
Papillon is an "a la carte" Restaurant with a combination of French-Caribbean cuisine. At this location, right in the tourist area, with Caribbean atmosphere and appearance, surrounded by all the major resorts and hotels, this is a wonderful place to work. Are you interested to showcase your talents on Aruba and are you looking for a new challenge?
Reviews (28)
Jae Wilson
Jan 24, 2022
Report
Honey Nett
Dec 31, 2021
Report
Arif Khan
Dec 28, 2021
Report
Elizabeth Shea S.
Dec 27, 2021
Report
5 reviews
Disappointed. Booked this as a final dinner in Aruba but it didn't live up to the hype. Service felt rushed - two sips into cocktail and apps arrived - two minutes after apps were cleared main course course arrived. Fish was cooked well but didn't match menu description, vegetables were tasteless and garlic potatoes lacked any discernible garlic flavor. Tart tatin seemed to have been warmed in a microwave because pastry was soggy. Prices are high which would have been fine if quality matched but it didn't.
Disappointed. Booked this as a final dinner in Aruba but it didn't live up to the hype. Service felt rushed - two sips into cocktail and apps arrived - two minutes after apps were cleared main course course arrived. Fish was cooked well but didn't match menu description, vegetables were tasteless and garlic potatoes lacked any discernible garlic flavor. Tart tatin seemed to have been warmed in a microwave because pastry was soggy. Prices are high which would have been fine if quality matched but it didn't.
Kristine Toic
Dec 27, 2021
Report
Nessa
Dec 27, 2021
Report
Albert Z.
Dec 26, 2021
Report
Jim Newton
Dec 04, 2021
Report
We loved this restaurant. Everywhere else in the neighborhood had 30 to 45 minute waits; the Papillon sat us immediately. The service is very fast and efficient, nevertheless they didn't rush us to order nor to enjoy our meal. We ordered one appetizer to share (the ceviche), and two mains (red tuna, and the fish of the day). I also ordered the dessert of the day which was a mango cheese cake with pineapple, mango ice cream. The food came very quickly and was delicious.
Behind us, there was a jazz saxophonist playing softly and sweetly. The must was not at all overpowering, but rather added nicely
Behind us, there was a jazz saxophonist playing softly and sweetly. The must was not at all overpowering, but rather added nicely
G. Patton
Dec 01, 2021
Report
"Hidden in plain sight" gem...
Top notch... wonderful ambience with a talented young woman and her guitar singing/playing softly in the background. Comfortable seating/spacing, our waiter, Julian was knowledgeable and presented with a good mix of attention and privacy. The food was delicious, perhaps the best onion soup I've had and definitely the best Escargot my wife has had. The skirt steak & duck were well seasoned, perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. We've eaten in a number of nice restaurants here in Aruba and so far, had our best meals here.
Top notch... wonderful ambience with a talented young woman and her guitar singing/playing softly in the background. Comfortable seating/spacing, our waiter, Julian was knowledgeable and presented with a good mix of attention and privacy. The food was delicious, perhaps the best onion soup I've had and definitely the best Escargot my wife has had. The skirt steak & duck were well seasoned, perfectly prepared and beautifully presented. We've eaten in a number of nice restaurants here in Aruba and so far, had our best meals here.
Haley M.
Nov 01, 2021
Report
Donna K.
Oct 25, 2021
Report
Wasn't good the dinner was mediocre and our entrées came out cold and one of the staff said because the fan near us made the food cold. I was upset when she suggested that since the fan wasn't even blowing on my husbands meal. For a $35 entree each you would at least check the temperature before you serve. She did end up giving us a discount and a dessert on the house but the dining experience was ruined and our waiter never even bothered coming over to us until the end of the night
Jennifer V.
Oct 25, 2021
Report
Tina Nguyen
Oct 13, 2021
Report
One of my favorite dining experiences on the island in terms of food, service, ambiance, and vegan options! Despite it being situated in a very busy and touristy location, it wasn’t crowded and we didn’t feel too close to any table or persons nearby (COVID). We came to try their vegan crab cakes and eggplant fish dish but neither was available that day but would be available in a couple days once they got another shipment of ingredients. Luckily, they had a few more vegan options to select from and we went with a delicious soup and mushroom escargot with polenta fries to start, followed by
Paul
Oct 04, 2021
Report
I ordered the French Onion Soup, the Fillet and a glass of red wine.
The wine was poor and not being poured at the table had me wonder if they actually gave me the correct one.
The offering of bread and ‘olive oil’ was disappointing; the bread was a torn off piece of bread with the lowest quality of olive oil available to them.
The French Onion Soup was absolutely delicious and one of the best I’ve had in quite a while.
The fillet was over cooked and accompanied by vegetables which were way undercooked and a mushy mash.
The service was great.
At $100+ per head I would expect better
The wine was poor and not being poured at the table had me wonder if they actually gave me the correct one.
The offering of bread and ‘olive oil’ was disappointing; the bread was a torn off piece of bread with the lowest quality of olive oil available to them.
The French Onion Soup was absolutely delicious and one of the best I’ve had in quite a while.
The fillet was over cooked and accompanied by vegetables which were way undercooked and a mushy mash.
The service was great.
At $100+ per head I would expect better
Alejandro Turbay
Oct 03, 2021
Report
My girlfriend and I recently had dinner here and we loved it so much that we went back to celebrate her birthday dinner there two nights later.
We are vegetarians and they have a special menu for vegetarians/vegans. The service is also excellent with a very friendly staff and the drinks and cocktails are delicious! Highly recommended !!
We are vegetarians and they have a special menu for vegetarians/vegans. The service is also excellent with a very friendly staff and the drinks and cocktails are delicious! Highly recommended !!
Kenzie S.
Aug 24, 2021
Report
Karen K.
Jun 26, 2021
Report
Linda K.
Jun 12, 2021
Report
Bianca N.
Jun 09, 2021
Report
Very delicious and lovely patio atmosphere. I don't usually eat bread but so glad that I did on this evening. The complimentary housemade bread they bring out is delicious. We also enjoyed the shrimp appetizer that comes in a skillet. The salmon was excellent and the halibut was light but so well cooked. Our servers were all very kind and helpful. She even made us a list of other great restaurants to visit on the island.
Grizel R.
May 16, 2021
Report
I have this restaurant 3 stars because of the service. I went there this evening for my last night of dinner in Aruba. I have been pestering my husband to try Papillon for years & he finally relented. The food is excellent and the portions are just right. The service is another story... we had to order the same drink 3 times before it was served. The waitress put her hands on my plate while the fork was still in my mouth- and asked if I was done eating! She assumed my husband and children were done too! This was the most expensive meal eaten/not eaten in Aruba this trip. ..and I'm still
Marc H.
Apr 01, 2021
Report
Now I hate to give 4 stars to any place but something was amiss here at Papillon.
The place was gorgeous, the staff was stunning, polite, attentive and caring. The menu and reviews caught our interest so we figured let's try them out.
I am a lover of beef tartare so I had to try theirs. Maybe it's a Dutch style to keep the meet chunky but even for my raw meet cravings it was a bit too chunky. It also had a strange aftertaste to it I would not expect from beef. I assure you I had crazy thoughts as to where the taste came from but I suffered not from this appetizer choice except for
The place was gorgeous, the staff was stunning, polite, attentive and caring. The menu and reviews caught our interest so we figured let's try them out.
I am a lover of beef tartare so I had to try theirs. Maybe it's a Dutch style to keep the meet chunky but even for my raw meet cravings it was a bit too chunky. It also had a strange aftertaste to it I would not expect from beef. I assure you I had crazy thoughts as to where the taste came from but I suffered not from this appetizer choice except for
A. E.
Mar 11, 2021
Report
Alexis H.
Feb 02, 2021
Report
Gianna D.
Jan 23, 2021
Report
I'm so glad this restaurant is still beautifully functioning during COVID. The food was absolutely tasteful and exceeded my expectations. My friend is vegan and was so happy that this restaurant offered vegetarian/vegan options. Not many do in Aruba, but this one did! I would absolutely go here again for dinner. The atmosphere is nice and quiet, and the staff is professional. Cocktails were unique but super good! No complaints, worth every cent!
Lal I.
Nov 02, 2020
Report
Jeffrey P.
Oct 05, 2020
Report
Having been on the island for a few days, Papillon came highly recommended. What a disappointment. The food was fine. the service was GREAT. but honestly, the vibe was what you would get from an overpriced restaurant on South Beach. Why spend $300+ on a mediocre meal when there's other places that are higher quality at lower the price? aruba (i've been told) has plenty of great restaurants (allegedly) but they're hard to find. if you want the best of aruba, papillon is not it.
Sokol V.
Sep 15, 2020
Report
Tom P.
Nov 26, 2019
Report
Came to Papillon to try a new spot and we've made it an annual stop ever since. Very pleasant and relaxed atmosphere with a good wine list. The food is amazing and we have never had anything we didn't like. There is a $32 price fix menu with Fillet Mignon on it! Even the desert was glorious; vanilla ice cream with home made jam and crumbles. Put together it was phantasmagoric!
I highly recommend The Aubergine Provencale; it gave my life new meaning.
I highly recommend The Aubergine Provencale; it gave my life new meaning.
