15 Best Restaurants in Curacao (2023)
Are you looking for the best restaurants in Curacao? Then I got you covered!
The cuisine on the Caribbean island of Curacao is, just like it’s population, very diverse and internationally oriented. The Spanish, Dutch, and South American influences on the island resulted in a huge variety of restaurants and food spots to choose from.
Finding a great restaurant for a romantic sunset dinner or an instagrammable brunch in Curacao is far from easy. The endless possibilities of restaurant choices in Curacao can make the task of picking sheer overwhelming.
I have stayed for almost 4 months in Curacao in the last year! Luckily for you, my partner and I have tried the most great restaurants on the island.
To make the choice easier for you, I have created this foodies guide to Curacao featuring the best restaurants on the island!
Table of Contents
- Best Restaurants in Curacao – at a Glance
- 1. Karakter Curacao – Best Curacao Fine Dining Restaurant
- 2. Fort Nassau – Best Curacao Restaurant With a View
- 3. Mosa/Cana – Willemstad Shared Dining Restaurant
- 4. Bahia Beach Bar & Restaurant (Playa Lagun)
- 5. Eetcafe de Buurvrouw
- 6. Saint Tropez Ocean Club (Willemstad)
- 7. Mood Beach
- 8. Bij Blauw
- 9. Origami (Sushi)
- 10. Playa Forti – Best Seafood Restaurant in Curacao
- 11. Koraal Rooftop
- 12. Restaurant & Café de Gouverneur de Rouville
- 13. El Mexicano – Mambo Beach
- 14. Pizza Mare – Mambo Beach
- 15. La Lagoon (Acoya Curacao)
- What is Authentic Curacao Food?
- Dushi Food – Best Curacao Delivery App
- Conclusion: Best Restaurants in Curacao
- FAQ: Best Restaurants in Curacao
- About the Author
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Best Restaurants in Curacao – at a Glance
Best Fine Dining: Karakter Curacao
Best Sunset View: Fort Nassau
Best Breakfast: Bij Blauw
Best Lunch: Saint Tropez Ocean Club
Best Willemstad Restaurant: Gouverneur de Rouville
1. Karakter Curacao – Best Curacao Fine Dining Restaurant
Price: $$$
Notes: amazing sunset spot, bring ID (necessary to get into the estate)
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Karakter Curacao is by far my favorite Curacao dining restaurant spot in Curacao. This place is for many reasons one of the best Curacao restaurants. If you are looking for the most romantic spot for a date night or a special occasion, you simply have to try this place. We went there for our anniversary dinner and were both in agreement: this was the best restaurant experience on the island.
Karakter is a cozy seafront restaurant with possibly the best sunset view of the island. Above all, were lucky enough to be seated right on the sand by the shore, which gave the dinner such a special feeling.
We started our dinner off with the Amuse tasting platter, followed by a shared appetizer of Tuna Tartar on the pumpkin, okra and, a savory mango sorbet. Later, we went for the Corn chicken and the Corvina filet for the main dish. For dessert, we shared a raspberry and chocolate panna cotta.
Every one of the dishes was lovingly decorated and cooked to perfection. Simple ingredients combined in a great manner made for an amazing meal. The cocktail selection was extremely wide and even offered some special cocktails that you cannot get anywhere else on the island. Therefore we sampled the Lime Delight, Cucumber Cooler, and Peach Bellini.
The staff was extremely friendly and even wrote us a small card congratulating us on our anniversary. The tables are quite far apart from each other, so you don’t have to overhear other people’s conversations and the dinner has an intimate feeling.
Overall this was our favorite dinner on the island and I can wholeheartedly recommend this as a great restaurant in Curacao. This is the best beach restaurant in Curacao.
2. Fort Nassau – Best Curacao Restaurant With a View
Price: $$$$
Meals: Dinner
Notes: Select special sunset view for two option when making reservations, great historical building
A close second place in my Curacao dining restaurant ranking was awarded to Fort Nassau. The historical fort is a pretty unique restaurant, with a 360-degree view of the island. You can see the beautiful capital city of Willemstad from above as the sun sets over the sea.
The restaurant offers fine dining in a chic, renovated historical fort. If you make your reservations early, you can snatch one of the 4 tables that are out on a private terrace, from where you can see the sunset even better and have some more privacy (only tables for two).
We decided to go for the Chef’s menu, where you get served a three-course menu including wine pairing. The dinner started with a glass of Champagne, followed by a sample of appetizers with the first glass of wine. We both ordered a steak for the main dish (another option was fish). The dessert was, just like the starter, a selection of cute delicacies.
The restaurant staff was super friendly and the location was amazing! We loved the sunset view and seeing the city lights of Willemstad below us. Compared to other places, the food was a bit more expensive. We would still recommend this food experience for every couple traveling to the island since it is one of the best Curacao restaurants.
3. Mosa/Cana – Willemstad Shared Dining Restaurant
Price: $$$
Notes: def. make reservations, shared dining
Meals: Dinner
Mosa/Cana is a Spanish-Latin American style fusion restaurant right in the capital city of Willemstad. The restaurant is known for its nice atmosphere and tapas-style dishes. For two people, they recommend ordering 3 to 4 different tapas to share.
They have a great selection of fish, vegetarian and meat dishes as well as different filled tacos. We have opted for the fried calamari, the tuna tartar, pulled pork tacos as well as the sweet potato fried. The dishes are pretty big, so we could not fit in one of the special desserts anymore.
The service is quite good and the atmosphere is really upbeat. However, we sometimes felt like the courses came a bit quickly and we were rushed. The food is a bit pricey but the quality is amazing! Definitely a must-do for all foodies, since it is a pretty unique dining restaurant in Curacao.
This is one of the best restaurants in Curacao for a fun food experience.
4. Bahia Beach Bar & Restaurant (Playa Lagun)
Price: $
Notes: I recommend making reservations in the evening
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Bahia Restaurant in Playa Lagun is definitely one of our favorite food spots in Curacao. The place is slightly more casual than the aforementioned restaurants, but is amazingly romantic in its own way. For me this place is definitely high up on the Curacao best restaurants list.
Playa Lagun is quite the drive from Willemstad, but in my opinion, it is well worth it. The restaurant in Lagun is lovingly decorated with fairy lights and you have an amazing view over the bay and the sunset. Another reason why this is a great Curacao restaurant you need to see is the friendly iguanas that stroll around the premises (not in the famous Curacao iguana soup)
The food is incredibly delicious and comes at a great price point. The service is one of the best on the island because the personnel seems genuinely eager to help you (this is not always like this).
My favorite dishes are the Spare Ribs and whatever catch of the day they have. This place is also great as a lunch restaurant, in case you get hungry after a swim.
5. Eetcafe de Buurvrouw
Price: $$
Notes: I recommend making reservations in the evening
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Eetcafe de Buurvrouw is a super nice restaurant in Curacao off the beaten track. It is located right on the Weg naar Westpunt and inside a huge straw hut. The restaurant is very charming and the service is great!
I recommend eating one of their famous steaks with one of their selected wines. The restaurant is also family-friendly with some children’s menus. The atmosphere of the restaurant is very cozy, sadly there is not really a view. Compared to most restaurants in Curacao, the food at the Buurvrouw is relatively cheap.
6. Saint Tropez Ocean Club (Willemstad)
Price: $$
Notes: reservations are not a must, but are recommended in the evening
Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Saint Tropez is one of my favorite Curacao restaurants for lunch in the city. Located in the beautiful Pietermaai district of Curacao, Saint Tropez Ocean Club offers a wide selection of food throughout the day. You can lounge by the pool or sit right next to the ocean while you eat your food.
The quality of the food and drinks is amazing and we absolutely love the view. However, I do not recommend this place for dinner, since the atmosphere turns more club-like in the evening. Also, the service is polite but not super warm.
7. Mood Beach
Price: $$$$
Notes: reservations required
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Mood beach is a restaurant located on Curacao’s famous Mambo Beach. This restaurant is decorated in boho-chic and is located right on the beach. You can dine right by the ocean or a bit more tucked away in a bigger hut.
Mood beach is especially great for fine dining in a very chic environment. The food is exquisite, but also quite pricey. The location definitely makes up for the price point in my opinion. This is also a great spot for a romantic date night in Curacao or as a first stop before one of the numerous beach parties on Mambo beach.
8. Bij Blauw
Price: $$$
Notes: try to make reservations, especially for dinner
Meals: breakfast, lunch, dinner
Bij Blauw is another fabulous restaurant in Willemstad’s famous Pietermaai district. BijBlauw is located right on the ocean and offers great views of the sunset. We have been there for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and I have loved all my meals there.
The location is amazing and the service is super friendly. Especially the dinner menu is more in a fine dining manner, and a bit more expensive, but worth it.
This is one of my favorite all-round restaurants in Curacao – they do every single meal really well!
9. Origami (Sushi)
Price: $
Notes: no reservations needed, Mondays and Thursdays are all-you-can-eat sushi days
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Origami is the best sushi restaurant in Curacao.
It is located right on Mambo Beach boulevard, so you have an amazing view of the ocean while you eat. Mondays and Thursdays they offer all-you-can-eat sushi (but it’s fancy, I promise) and they serve it on cute little wooden boats.
A must-visit restaurant on Mambo beach!
10. Playa Forti – Best Seafood Restaurant in Curacao
Price: $
Notes: you should definitely make a reservation (around sunset time)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Playa Forti is the place to be if you want to eat authentic seafood in Curacao.
With an amazing view over the ocean and the Playa Forti beach, this restaurant is a true hidden gem in Curacao. The seafood stew is divine and prepared with traditional Caribbean rice and plantains (fried bananas).
Make sure to have a nice cocktail with your meal, they have a great selection at an amazing price. During the evening times, this restaurant is sometimes crowded because of its amazing view of the sunset. The restaurant is super charming and the people there were friendly! Definitely a must-visit if you are in the area.For me, this is the best seafood restaurant in Curacao!
Fun fact: right behind the restaurant is a cliff jumping point, so you can jump 20 m deep into the ocean.
Do you need travel insurance in Curacao? Yes, travel insurance in Curacao is highly recommended. Unsafe roads, water sports accidents, and food poisoning are only a few examples of when travel insurance could come in handy. EKTA offers worldwide travel insurance with 24/7 service and no hidden fees or restrictions.
11. Koraal Rooftop
Price: $$
Notes: make reservations in the evening for sunset spots
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Koraal Rooftop Restaurant is right above the Karakter Beach Restaurant.
The food and the atmosphere are slightly more casual, but the quality is just as good. There are many fabulous seafood dishes to try, such as the flatbread pizza with barracuda! This spot is definitely on my list for favorite seafood restaurant in Curacao.
You can have a great view over the ocean for sunset if you reserve your table early. The vibe there is super special and I can fully recommend going there. Also, make sure to bring an ID-card, because they do check at the entrance to the resort for safety reasons.
They do not only serve seafood but rather all kinds of delicious meat and vegetarian dishes. On certain days you can enjoy live music or eat from they special BBQ. They even have a sushi night!
12. Restaurant & Café de Gouverneur de Rouville
Price: $$
Notes: make reservations to sit on the terrace with a view over Sint Anna Bay
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Restaurant & Café de Gouverneur de Rouville is one of the best restaurants in Willemstad, Curacao.
Not only the food is amazing – but the view over the Sint Anna Bay and the Handelskade is amazing. You have some skyline views that will remind you of New York for sure.
They serve both local dishes and international cuisine and decorate them lovingly. Additionally, I loved all the fun cocktails they offered (Espresso Martinis :D)
They also have some great vegetarian options – I had amazing asparagus in this restaurant. Make sure to try some wines from their wine cellar with the food.
13. El Mexicano – Mambo Beach
Price: $$
Notes: try to make a reservation (around sunset time)
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
El Mexicano is my favorite Mexican restaurant in Curacao.
It is also located right on the Mambo Beach Boulevard and has a great view over the ocean. They serve many different Mexican dishes as well as steaks.
My favorite meal there is definitely the Mexican Pasta with a nice fresh pitcher of Sangria.
14. Pizza Mare – Mambo Beach
Price: $$
Notes: you do not have to make a reservation
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Right next to El Mexicano you can find Pizza Mare Italian restaurant. This restaurant has, in my opinion, the best pizza and pasta in Curacao.
Above all, I especially love the German-style Oktoberfest pizza with sausages and french fries.
Additionally, the location on Mambo beach makes this restaurant really convenient to visit.
15. La Lagoon (Acoya Curacao)
Price: $$$
Notes: no reservations necessary, go around 8:00 pm, they have a fountain & light show now!
Meals: Lunch, Dinner
Acoya Curacao is a big Villa-style resort close by Willemstad.
Even if you don’t stay there, the restaurant is a reason to drop by. The kitchen is inspired by the Caribbean-Asian fusion style and is super delicious.
However, it can be a bit pricey, but the quality is great.
What is Authentic Curacao Food?
Many of the best restaurants in Curacao I suggested are fusion-style restaurants. That means, they serve a mixture of Caribbean dishes, but also feature other countries’ cuisine (for example central america).
Curacao does have some special, authentic dishes from the island. Here are a couple of things you should try when in Curacao:
- Keshi Yena: This is a popular dish that consists of a hollowed-out Edam or Gouda cheese filled with some of meat (typically chicken), vegetables, spices, and sometimes raisins. It is then baked until the cheese is melted and gooey. Keshi Yena is considered a signature dish of Curaçao, and I definitely liked it!
- Stobá: Stobá is a hearty stew made from beef, goat, or chicken. It is cooked with local herbs and spices, including annatto, garlic, and onions. The stew is usually served with funchi (a cornmeal side dish) or rice.
- Karkó: Karkó, also known as conch, is a popular seafood dish in Curaçao. The conch meat is marinated with lime juice and spices. It is often served as a ceviche or in a stew-like dish called “sopi di karkó.” We ate it at Playa Forti restaurant, and it was great!
- Iguana Soup: Iguana soup is a traditional Curacao soup made from cute little iguanas. I could not bear to try it because I like the animals so much.
The best place to find local dishes from Curacao is Plasa Bieu. It is a local food market in Punda, Willemstad. Make sure to check it out!
Dushi Food – Best Curacao Delivery App
Last but not least, I wanna introduce you to an app that saved our lives. Dushi Food is the food delivery app in Curacao with many of the best Curacao restaurants participating.
When we had Covid, we were confined to our bedroom and then we discovered this magnificent app. We had pasta from our favorite restaurant delivered right to our bed! Above all, they know most resorts so you can just give them the room number and they will come to find you!
In addition, compared to lots of other places, this is also a cheaper food option than visiting one of the aforementioned Curacao restaurants all the time.
Conclusion: Best Restaurants in Curacao
In this post, you learned about my top 10 restaurants in Curacao. I have also added a couple of more suggestions that will fit your budget.
Additionally, I have added some recommendations on where to get the best local dishes in Curacao: Plasa Bieu! Make sure to try some of those!
My favorite restaurant in Curacao is Karakter Beach – make sure to drop by.
If you are looking for more inspiration, check out my Curacao Travel Guide.
Another great way to experience Curacao food is on a Curacao boat tour with some BBQ.
Looking for something adventurous to do? Go on a diving expedition in Curacao.
FAQ: Best Restaurants in Curacao
The most popular restaurants in Curacao are BijBlauw, Karakter and Fort Nassau. In Willemstad, people love De Gouverneur de Rouville and Kome, as well as Plasa Bieu for local cuisine.
Curaçao is known for its flavorful and diverse cuisine. Some popular dishes include Keshi Yena (stuffed cheese), Stobá (meat stew), Ayaka (cornmeal tamale), Karkó (conch), and Pastechi (savory turnovers). The island’s food combines influences from its African, Dutch, and Latin American heritage, resulting in a unique and delicious culinary experience.
Yes, you tip in restaurants in Curacao. Be careful, some restaurants already add a 10 % service charge to the bill by themselves. In that case, you are not required to tip anymore, but it is still appreciated. Tips between 5 and 15 % are considered normal in Curacao restaurants.
About the Author
Sabrina is a passionate travel blogger and content creator, based in the Netherlands. She spends about half of the year traveling to various destinations together with her husband.
She provides slow-paced itineraries that focus on quality over quantity. Sabrina wants to help her readers to get more out of their travel experiences – while doing less. Read more.
