Café 080 | The nicest Dutch café in Aruba

It had to happen at some point! An interview with my cousin Japie, the extrovert owner of Café 080 op Aruba, known by many as the nicest café on the island. We are at Jaap's house to do part of the interview. The family's photos hang on the wall The Netherlands. Myself, my sister and many other family members. It's just like I'm at home!

Café 080 is known among locals but also beyond. Most Nijmegen residents know where to find a café far from home. In general, Dutch people like to come there because it is one of the few places in Aruba where you can still get a good plate of food for a reasonable price. A place where everyone really feels at home. The reviews don't lie. I would like to know why Café 080 is so immensely popular.

Table of contents

Who are you and what do you do?

(Jaap) I am Jaap Rikken, also known as Japie. Co-owner of Café 080 (my partner is Sjoerd Rutten) and I am really a business person with a long history. Married to a hell of a woman and proud father of two very sweet children.

(Chris) How do I know Jaap? 'Heyyyy beautiful!!' goes loudly across the terrace when a well-known lady, an older lady, arrives at Café 080. A big kiss soon follows. A few minutes later: 'Great friend! Where were you all this time man!? We missed you here'If someone hasn't been around for a while. Everyone receives a warm welcome, and you can clearly see the guests enjoying it.

That's Jaap. Thoughtful. Slightly ADHD, nice and extroverted. Gets energy from the people around him. Jaap knows everyone and everyone knows Jaap. Likes to talk and share strong stories, haha.

Why Café 080?

(Jaap) I always wanted to have a catering business. After many catering jobs in both Nijmegen and Aruba (including Salt 'n Pepa & the Bugaloe), I drove past this beautiful dilapidated building. I actually came across this by chance and then I got the idea. There was still a lot of work to be done, but I didn't care about that. This is going to be it!

Of course, there still had to be a name. We wanted something that is understandable to everyone in all languages. We soon arrived at 080, the old telephone area code of Nijmegen. Easy for everyone, and yet with a bit of roots from home. Café 080 was born!

What is the nicest or craziest thing you have experienced at Café 080?

(Jaap) The Football World Cup in South Africa. The World Cup where the Netherlands played in the final. Every match there were a few hundred people jumping and cheering for the Netherlands. It was complete madness. Even in that sweltering heat. We had just been open for a year, it was a great experience. The feeling of togetherness, far away from home. I had never given away so much free beer before, haha.

What is the most annoying thing you have experienced at Café 080?

(Jaap) Someone who drove straight through the outside wall of the terrace on my birthday last month. Fortunately no injuries or worse. Quite a shock, after all, you are on the corner of a fairly busy intersection. There were many friends and acquaintances on the terrace and it could have ended really unpleasantly. Fortunately, in the end it remained just concrete and damage to the bodywork.

Why should people come to Café 080?

(Jaap) Good meals for a reasonable price and a bit of Dutch conviviality. Every now and then Dutch-language live music, just because it's possible. In general there is a nice mix of nationalities here. Many locals and catering people also know where to find us. After a day of working in the many cafes and restaurants in Aruba, they often come to us for a plate of kale with sausage or a babi-pangang fries, with a nice cold beer of course. For most Dutch people who come here, 080 is a home, far away from home. There is also always something going on at the intersection in front of the door, haha.

When did you decide to move to Aruba permanently?

(Jaap) I went to Aruba in early 2003 to work in the catering industry for a friend. A year later my cousin Bas also came to Aruba and in 2005 I decided to settle permanently in Aruba. The way of life appealed to me. nice and relaxed, less agitated. Cozy everywhere. And the weather of course.

What do you miss most since living in Aruba?

(Jaap) Day of the song of life at the Valkhof in Nimwegen. And of course the family. My dear mother and sister, the uncles and aunts and cousins. You see each other a lot less, Aruba is not really around the corner, so to speak. It is really great when friends or family come to visit us here in Aruba. It's heart-warming when people want to make that trip for us.

What do you absolutely not miss?

(Jaap) Can I be brief about this? All the rules. So many incredible rules. We Dutch have rules for everything. Very irritating. And of course, I don't miss the cold either. In the winter of misery you can no longer feel your hands and toes. Trying to get the keys in your lock with your cold paws, no thank you. Then the depressingly gray winter months that seem to never end. No, really not for me.

Aruba is one happy island. Have you found your happiness?

(Jaap) Yes. Every country has its pros and cons. In any case, the carefree existence here does me good. I have built something. My passion and life are here in Aruba. I am happily married and live in a beautiful house. What else do you want?

What does the future look like?

(Jaap) Rosy. We hope to continue to grow with 080 and expand the menu. We will also increase the capacity with the help of the building next door. We are slowly growing from a party cafe to a party & eatery. More and more people are coming for that too. The Dutch stews and snack bar snacks do really well here. Who wouldn't want a delicious frikandel special with a croquette sandwich and a Mexicano on holiday?

What are you most proud of?

(Jaap) Café 080 of course. Making something from nothing. Built from the ground up. Worked really hard for it for years. After a while it paid off, and still does. I still get a lot of satisfaction from 080, I wouldn't want to do anything else. And of course my family, I am proud of that too.