In keeping with the latest trends, the house of "Matilde" offers a distinctive, yet contemporary setting.

Enjoy Chez Matilde’s traditional five star service and masterfully delivered selection of French dishes carefully prepared by award winning chefs.

This upscale setting also have our bar lounge, as well as an extensive above-the-ground wine cellar where guests are invited to stroll through one of the island’s largest wine selections.

All this is geared towards making more than a dinner occasion, a lasting dinner experience for our guests.

A tradition of excellence

Our history starts in the summer of 1986 at the height of Aruba’s most significant depression. In the face of economic adversity owners Landa and Raoul enter into partnership with friends and relatives to realize a long time dream. After six months the new venture is in bankruptcy and the partners withdraw.

Left to settle with creditors and employees a second start after weeks of soul searching and intense training becomes a twenty year success story.

Over the course of the next two decades Chez Mathilde hosts Royalty, world leaders, celebrities and most of all hundreds of thousands of loyal patrons. During this time the restaurant is maintained meticulously and only changes looks and feel modestly from time to time as a tradition of excellence and a strong brand-name become a landmark deeply rooted in the community.

After twenty years of fine French gastronomy and numerous awards, including the coveted AAA four diamonds, the couple decides to redesign and rejuvenate in celebration of the restaurant’s twentieth anniversary.

Today Chez Matilde offers the same quality and style our customers have come to expect from us in a twenty-first century setting.

As always it will be our utmost privilege and pleasure to welcome you in Chez Matilde.

History of the "House of Matilda"

Only a few monumental buildings are left in Oranjestad. Among the oldest are "Fort Zoutman" (1798), and the little Protestant Church (1846). The oldest houses in town date back to the middle of the 19th century (1850’s).  Most of these houses have, however, disappeared or were changed in such ways that their original architecture cannot be seen anymore.

Whereas a number of old buildings have been restored in the neighborhood around "Matilde" recently, the house of “Matilda” takes a unique place in the short list of monuments.  The house of "Matilda" is one of a handful of 19th century dwellings in the center of the city which has always been kept in its original state and was never substantially damaged. It is the only privately owned building which has been kept uninterrupted in the same family since the 19th century.

Officially, as far as the records show, the house was registered on November  21, 1883 but in fact it most certainly dates back to the early 1850's during the time this part of the "Paardenbaai" was developed.

The house was originally build as a trading post annex living quarters by merchant sailor brothers Ruiz on the shore of “Paardenbaai”.  On December 22, 1886, the late Regina Clementina Oduber bought the house for 39.50 Florins.  Since then it has been passed on from generation to generation.

Regina Clementina’s grand niece Mathilda Oduber was the last to live in the family home. Ms. Matilda passed away on February 28, 1978 leaving her home to the present generation.

In keeping with Mathilda's love for her home and six generations of family history the house was restored in 1986 and kept in its original state ever since.

Today, we, the generations that follow, pay tribute to our dear Aunt and Gteat-Aunt.