Eat · Main Street (Caya G.F. Betico Croes) and Schelpstraat

Pastechi and bakery countersPastechi

A pastechi (fried pastry with cheese or meat) and a coffee at a bakery counter for US$2 to 6: breakfast or a snack, standing or on a plastic chair, best before 10:00.A pastechi (fried pastry with cheese or meat) and a coffee at a bakery counter for US$2 to 6: breakfast or a snack, standing or on a plastic chair, best before 10:00 AM.

last order: unknownmixedArubanNot field-verified

Key facts

Per person: AWG 3–8; Aruban
Hours: unknown; see note below
Walk in: 06:30–10:00; easiest window
Seating: mixed
Card: ask; carry cash
Getting there: Walk from Main Street; 4 min walk

Go now?

Open?

Early morning to early afternoon; check the counter

Busy this hour

Estimate by hour below

Easiest walk-in

06:30–10:00

Reservations

Walk-in, no reservation

Paying

Bring cash

Per person

AWG 3–82026 estimate · check

DirectionsWhat to order ↓

A local breakfast
Cheap
Fast
Order: Two pastechi and a coffee
Tables and stools
Walk-in window: 06:30–10:00
Queue risk: after 15:00 and Sundays
Bring cash

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 9Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bah…Town pavements are narrow and shared with cars

Caribbean ↗Several islands (Turks and Caicos above all, also the Bahamas and Jamaica) jail visitors for a single stray bullet or cartridge in their luggage; empty every bag and pocket before you pack.
Caribbean ↗From August to October keep a free last day before your flight home and check the national hurricane centre daily; airports close when a named storm approaches.
Caribbean ↗Wearing camouflage clothing is illegal for civilians in several islands, including Barbados, Antigua, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, Grenada, Dominica, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica; leave it at home, children's clothes included.
Aruba ↗Aruba sets its own entry rules as part of the Kingdom of the Netherlands: every air arrival completes the online ED card at edcardaruba.aw within 7 days before arrival and pays the US$20 sustainability fee there (aged 8+, once per calendar year — check).
Aruba ↗Flights to the US clear US immigration and customs at Aruba airport before boarding: arrive 3 hours early and have your ESTA, visa or US documents ready.
Aruba ↗Arikok National Park covers much of the north-east; some tracks need a high-clearance or 4x4 vehicle, so check before driving a standard rental car in.
Oranjestad area (Aruba) ↗Taxi fares are set by zone: agree the amount before you ride.
Oranjestad (Aruba) ↗Beachwear is for the beach: cover shoulders and knees in town, shops and restaurants.
Oranjestad (Aruba) ↗Town pavements are narrow and shared with cars: large bags go from the taxi to the door, never on a walk.

Actions

Map & directions

Google Maps Apple Maps Street View

Directions

From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay

Walk-in windows

06:30–10:00: high10:00–14:00: highafter 15:00 and Sundays: risky

A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.

A bakery or snack counter with a glass case and a few chairs

When to go, hour by hour

desk estimate · not live

Quietest listed hour: 14:00 (quiet).

07:00busya short wait is possible
08:00heavyexpect a line
09:00busya short wait is possible
10:00lightlittle or no wait
12:00busya short wait is possible
14:00quietlittle or no wait

Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and public holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.

How to order here

The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.

No shared language? Tap dishes in the order builder below and show the waiter the full-screen list in the local script. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.

What to say

In English	Say or show	Sounds like
Good morning	Bon dia	bohn DEE-ah; say it before asking for anything
Good afternoon	Bon tardi	bohn TAR-dee
Good evening	Bon nochi	bohn NOH-chee
Thank you	Danki	DAHN-kee; masha danki means thank you very much

Portions and sharing

Point at the case and say how many.

Extras, condiments and what costs extra

Coffee refills: May be charged — Ask before a second cup.

Paying and tipping

Service is usually on the bill already; unlike in the US, don't add 15–20% on top.

Pay at the counter and take a napkin; eat on the spot.
Ask the price of each item; the counter usually posts it.
Cash preferred; some accept cards.
Tipping: Check the service charge; otherwise tip about 15%.
Check the bill for a service charge before tipping.

At the table

Ask for cheese (keshi) if you do not eat meat.
Ask the price of fish specials before they are cooked.
Cover up over swimwear in restaurants.
Book marina restaurants on ship nights.

Menu and prices

2026 estimate

PastechiPastechiBest hot.AWG 1.50–3if hungry
Pan batiPan batiA change from pastry.AWG 2–4if hungry
CoffeeKofiStrong.AWG 2–4if hungry
Fresh juiceSumoCheck the sugar.AWG 3–5if hungry

2026 estimate, US dollars.

Build your order

Tap + on what you want, or let Voykit suggest a starting order.

2 people

Pastechi
Pastechi
AWG 1.50–3
0
Pan bati
Pan bati
AWG 2–4
Contains (from menu notes, check): wheat
0
Coffee
Kofi
AWG 2–4
0
Fresh juice
Sumo
AWG 3–5
0

Food and drink

Nothing picked yet.

Menu prices are 2026 estimates (check the board or menu on the day).

Split the bill 2 ways

Pick dishes to see each person's share.

Service is usually on the bill already; unlike in the US, don't add 15–20% on top. Local custom: Check for a 10–15% service charge; add 5–10% only for good service. Tipping calculator

Pick at least one dish to make the full-screen list.

Price and paying

Typical spend: US$3–8 per person (2026 estimate)

Paying

Cashyes

Preferred.

Cardask

Some accept cards; ask.

mobileno

Rare.

Diet and allergies

Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.

Vegetarianask
Cheese pastechi; check the fillings.
Show: Sin carne, por favor. Solo queso.
Veganno
Mostly cheese, meat and eggs.
Halalno
Not certified.
Show: No jamón, por favor.
Gluten-freeno
Pastry and bread.
Nut allergyask
Ask about the fryer and sweets.
Allergynot on file
Cross-contact is likely in a fryer.
Show: Soy alérgico a...

What is in the dishes

Pan batiPan batiwheat

Read from the menu names and notes; recipes vary and cross-contact is not tested. Check with the kitchen.

Make an allergy and diet card for Oranjestad (Aruba) →

Who it suits, booking, closures

goodSolo — Stand and eat in ten minutes.

goodKids — Small, mild and cheap.

cautionStroller — Narrow entrances.

cautionGroups of 5+ — Small counters.

cautionWheelchair — Check for a step.

How to book: No bookings.
How far ahead: Not needed
No-show / cancel fee: Not applicable
Dress code: Casual; cover up over swimwear.

When	Status	Note
Sunday	check before you go	Many close or open late.
Public holidays	check before you go	Closed.

On the ground

Hygiene and comfort

Seating: Standing or a shelf: no proper seats
Kids: kids' menu: no · stroller: caution · Simple and mild food
Access: step-free: check · Small counters, some with a step

Hygiene

Choose a counter with fast turnover so the food is fresh.
Use hand wipes; counters rarely have a sink.

Facts

Reservations: Not taken — Walk-in counters.
Capabilities: food · seated_rest
Getting there: Walk from Main Street · ~4 min walk

Cons

Most items are fried and made with cheese or meat.
Hours vary; many close in the early afternoon.
Some counters are cash only.

Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check2 parts

Dish glossary

On the menu	What it is	Order it how
Pastechi	A half-moon pastry, fried, with cheese or meat.	Order two and a coffee.
Keshi	Cheese.	Say pastechi di keshi for a cheese one.
Pan bati	A small flat pancake-like bread.	Ask whether it is sweet.

Price check

2026 estimate

locals pay: A pastechi costs about US$1.50 to 3.
tourist price: Hotel cafés charge two or three times more.
rule: Ask the price of each item; the counter usually posts it.

Extra on the table	Typical charge	What to do
Coffee refills	May be charged	Ask before a second cup.

Deep dive

Questions, nearby food and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated

When is the best time?

07:00 to 10:00, when it is hot from the fryer.7:00 AM to 10:00 AM, when it is hot from the fryer.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Is it enough for lunch?

Two pastechi and a drink can be.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

What is a pastechi?

A fried half-moon pastry with a filling, an Aruban snack.

Can I eat there at 15:00?

Many counters close by then; go before noon.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby alternatives

walk minutes · estimate

If it is closed or the line is too long

Go to Aruban home-cooking restaurants, about 2 min on foot (straight line × 1.3); no reservation needed.

Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h3 mph.

All places to eat in Oranjestad (Aruba), with filters →

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Used as a seated rest node in Oranjestad (Aruba) in 4 days.

Sources

officialAruba Tourism Authority (official)
secondaryWikivoyage: Oranjestad