About Us

Owned and operated by Haitian-born Marc-Alain Arcelin (aka Chef Makaveli) and his Aruban wife, Mereline, Dessalines is a culinary love letter to the chef’s roots—a homage to a childhood filled with an abundance of humble ingredients that delivered bold flavors and fond memories of family meals where everyone—mom, dad, aunts, uncles, cousins—cooked and contributed. The chef and Mereline hustled hard and diligently saved to make their dream of owning a restaurant come true. While he was encouraged to find a spot among the many restaurants in the hotel area of Palm Beach, the chef was firm in his belief that guests should be drawn to San Nicolas, where old-school Caribbean charm offers a perfectly authentic backdrop. “I want this to feel like a destination dining experience,” shares the chef, “and transport them to a world away from the hotel areas for something different.” He and Mereline found just the right spot—the former Aruba Rum Shop, a building steeped in San Nicolas history and waiting for a new occupant to bring renewed energy to this beloved and iconic location. On the menu, guests will find a treasure trove of classic Haitian dishes, each crafted with simple, fresh ingredients and prepared with heart and soul—just as the chef’s family did. Pate kode, a Haitian-style pastechi; soup joumou, a pumpkin soup brimming with vegetables; and Haitian vegetable bouyon, an even heartier soup with an abundance of vegetables and dumplings, are just a few of the starters to choose from. Red snapper creole, Haitian spaghetti with sausage and smoked herring, fritay—a Haitian mixed grill platter with beef, pork, and chicken—and a Caribbean seafood trio in a delicate coconut cream sauce are among the flavorful main courses featured on the menu.