Restaurants in Curaçao
Thursday night is lobster night at popular seafood eatery Brakkeput Mei Mei, or head to Jaanchies for cheap and tasty snacks. Prices at the Il Forno Pizzeria are equally pleasing while the menus at upmarket Bistro Le Clochard and Belle Terrace provide the perfect excuse for a gastronomic splurge.
Bistro Le Clochard
Elegant harbourside dining
Willemstad's Bistro Le Clochard boasts a backdrop of stunning ocean views
from the historic setting of Baron Krayenhoff's rugged fortress. Umpteen
delicacies created by the Swiss chef and patron fuse exquisite European
flavours with local island produce. Opt for the seafood for the ultimate
decadence, or try the delicious pan-fried duck or veal.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-2pm and 6pm-10.45pm
Address
Riffort Otrabanda, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 462 5666
Belle Terrace
Superb island cooking
Willemstad's Belle Terrace serves a fine menu under a thatched roof dotted
with fairy lights. Regular themed gastronomic nights offer a superb range of
authentic Curaçao dishes each Wednesday. A Saturday grill is also highly
popular with frequent entertainment courtesy of a live steel band.
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Opening Hours
12pm-2.30pm & 7pm-10pm
Address
Avila Hotel, 130, Penstraat, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 461 4377
The Boathouse Restaurant
Great food and views
There are beautiful views from The Boathouse Restaurant, a highly-regarded
Willemstad eatery. Enjoy international dishes and accompanying wines. Choose
from dishes like succulent steaks, broiled grouper or a rich lamb shank.
Booking is recommended, especially at weekends.
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Opening Hours
5pm-10.30pm, closed Tue
Address
Brakkeput Ariba, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 767 2221
The Wine Cellar
Wine, dine, sublime
Established for more than 30 years, Punda's Wine Cellar is synonymous with
fine French dining. Patrons Nico and Angela Cornelisse present
well-conceived fish dishes using the freshest lobster, red snapper and
shrimp as well as superb cuts of imported beef, lamb and venison - all
perfectly paired with an impressive wine list.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Fri noon-2pm & 6.30pm-11pm; Sat 6.30pm-11pm
Address
Concordiastraat , Punda, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 560 6589
Emerald Lounge Seafood Beat
Seafood simplicity
Emerald Lounge Seafood Beat is a popular Willemstad meeting place with an
enticing light seafood menu of ceviche, spicy crab cakes, fresh tuna,
calamari and bouillabaisse - plus more. Try a frozen mojito (a house
specialty) during happy hour, 6pm-7pm or arrive for Champagne and oysters
Rockefeller at lunchtime.
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Opening Hours
Sun-Thu 11am-1am; Fri & Sat 11am-2am
Address
Marriott Beach Resort, Piscadera Bay, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 736 8800
Fort Nassau
Hilltop tropical flavours
Perched atop Sablica Hill, overlooking Willemstad town and the whole of the
island, Fort Nassau is set in the 18th-century defensive structure from
which it takes its name. International dishes are given a tropical twist,
like spicy peppered jumbo shrimp or coconut crème brulée. Sip cocktails on
the outdoor terrace while the sun goes down.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Fri 12pm-2pm; daily 6.30pm-10.30pm
Address
Sablica Hill, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 461 3450/5999
De Fontein
Family pancake favourite
Occupying a pleasant terrace within one of Willemstad's most popular shopping
malls, De Fontein opens at breakfast for Dutch pancakes with light lunches
and early dinners served all day. A child-friendly family diner, it has a
playground for toddlers and plenty of menu options for hungry kids.
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Opening Hours
Mon-Sat 8am-8pm
Address
Patio Promenade Shopping Centre, Schottegatweg Oost 82, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 360 500
Beach Bar and Grill
Beachside barbecue
This beachfront Piscadera Bay diner serves ever-popular light lunches and is
a great place to grab a drink overlooking the Caribbean. Sunday night gets
crowded, thanks to a highly popular barbecue complete with live
entertainment on the sand. No need to dress up - beachwear and flip-flops
are de rigueur at the Beach Bar and Grill.
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Opening Hours
Daily 10am-6pm
Address
Hilton Hotel, Piscadera Bay, John F Kennedy Boulevard, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 462 5000
Brakkeput Mei Mei
Modern food, ancient setting
Located in a magnificent historical plantation house, Brakkeput Mei Mei
serves reasonably priced wholesome food cooked on an aromatic grill. Expect
local dishes with an international twist with fish and meat specialties,
salad bar, lobster nights and live music at weekends.
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Opening Hours
Daily 6pm-11pm; Sun lunch at 12pm
Address
Spaanse Water, Westpunt Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 767 1500
Azzuro Beachbar and Restaurant
Plantation-style dining
Set amidst the palms of the Blue Bay Village on the former plantation Blaauw,
the Azzuro Beachbar and Restaurant transforms from a casual lunch venue into
a tropical restaurant after dark. Choose from the menu or ask for the chef's
choice selection, with beach tables available on request for romantic
dining.
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Opening Hours
Daily 11.30am-11pm
Address
Blue Bay Village, Landhuis Blaauw, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 888 6489
Christoffel National Park Food Stalls
Authentic local barbecue
At the entrance of Christoffel National Park on Sunday, these food stalls
offer the chance to sample local specialities dished out by islanders in a
setting as authentic as the food. Try chicken or iguana cooked on makeshift
barbecues fashioned from tyre rims.
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Opening Hours
Sunday only, from mid-morning
Address
Christoffel National Park, Westpunt Curaçao
Transport
Taxi
Chopstix Sushi and Raw Bar
Seasonal seafood
Crab, oysters, mussels and clams are piled high at the cafe-style Chopstix
Sushi and Raw Bar in Willemstad. The seafood changes with the season and is
served with sweet vinegary rice wrapped in seaweed. Ask about setting up a
group sushi workshop to learn the tricks of the trade.
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Opening Hours
Tue-Sat 11.30am-2.30pm; Tue-Sun 5pm-10pm
Address
33c Santa Rosa Weg, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 738 4846
Il Forno Pizzeria
Home-style Italian
Il Forno Pizzeria offers the taste of Italy at this home-style Willemstad
diner. Everything on the menu is prepared using fine island produce - try
the wood-fired pizzas, crispy fresh salads, pasta dishes and speciality
desserts.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-12am
Address
SBN Doornmanweg 35C, Mahaai, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 736 2323
Transport
Free shuttle bus from major hotels and resorts
Marsche Bieuw (the Old Market)
Hearty Creole staples
Marsche Bieuw (the Old Market) is a low-key Willemstad venue serving simple
Creole (Krioyo) food made by local housewives armed with pots and pans and
piles of fresh herbs, vegetables and meat. Claim seating on a
first-come-first-served basis for generous helpings of stew, rice and beans
at bargain prices.
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Opening Hours
Early until mid-afternoon
Address
De Ruyterkade, Willemstad Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 461 1170
Transport
Taxi
Jaanchies
Curried iguana anyone?
This rustic Westpunt eatery is Curaçao's most famous, and popular with locals
and curious tourists alike. Since opening in 1936, oddball owner Jaanchie
has retained a hands-on role, announcing daily specials of fresh fish,
chicken and iguana dishes in the absence of a conventional menu.
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Opening Hours
Daily 12pm-10pm
Address
15, Westpunt Curaçao
Telephone
+599 9 523 3119
