Guidebook for Willemstad
Food Scene
Located in Pietermaai. This restaurant doesn’t have the Curacao touch, but has delicious food. It’s primarily American southern food, but on a very high level. The place is always packed. On Thursday’s they have tapas night. No Spanish tapas though, but small plates of their menu. Try out the KFC 2.0 and some of the signature cocktails here.
74 preporuka/e lokalaca
Kome
6 J. van WalbeeckpleinLocated in Pietermaai. This restaurant doesn’t have the Curacao touch, but has delicious food. It’s primarily American southern food, but on a very high level. The place is always packed. On Thursday’s they have tapas night. No Spanish tapas though, but small plates of their menu. Try out the KFC 2.0 and some of the signature cocktails here.
Located in Pietermaai / Punda, so only a short walk away. It looks shabby, but they serve great local food there, especially at ‘Zus di Plasa’. They are open between 12 – 2 on week days. Try out the ‘karni stoba’ there for example. What you should definitely eat as a dessert is the ‘arepa di pampuna’ or pumpkin pancakes, they’re to die for (or bring some home with you). Eating here is quite cheap as well, the arepa’s only cost 1,75 Nafl a piece.
53 preporuka/e lokalaca
Stari Market
De RuyterkadeLocated in Pietermaai / Punda, so only a short walk away. It looks shabby, but they serve great local food there, especially at ‘Zus di Plasa’. They are open between 12 – 2 on week days. Try out the ‘karni stoba’ there for example. What you should definitely eat as a dessert is the ‘arepa di pampuna’ or pumpkin pancakes, they’re to die for (or bring some home with you). Eating here is quite cheap as well, the arepa’s only cost 1,75 Nafl a piece.
This is a restaurant that has a beach attached to it. So during the day you can enjoy the beach and in the evening eat at the restaurant. The food is ok, standard dishes, but the spot makes up for it. If you want to eat here, make a reservation for a table on the beach (+5999-4610183).
Pirate Bay
PiscaderawegThis is a restaurant that has a beach attached to it. So during the day you can enjoy the beach and in the evening eat at the restaurant. The food is ok, standard dishes, but the spot makes up for it. If you want to eat here, make a reservation for a table on the beach (+5999-4610183).
Local food on your way to Westpoint. Only open in the weekends, come here between 12 – 2.
47 preporuka/e lokalaca
Landhuis Dokterstuin "Restaurant Komedor Krioyo"
Weg Naar WestpuntLocal food on your way to Westpoint. Only open in the weekends, come here between 12 – 2.
Restaurant in Pietermaai. You can even walk here from the house. Beautifully located next to the water. Food is very good.
33 preporuka/e lokalaca
BijBlauw
82-84 Kaya Wilson GodettRestaurant in Pietermaai. You can even walk here from the house. Beautifully located next to the water. Food is very good.
Located in Jan Thiel. Sushi restaurant. They serve some great sushi rolls here.
14 preporuka/e lokalaca
Kyoto sushi & grill
1 Kaya ÁrtikoLocated in Jan Thiel. Sushi restaurant. They serve some great sushi rolls here.
Located on the beach of Jan Thiel. You can eat inside (more expensive) or on the beach, from the grill (cheaper). The surroundings are awesome here.
33 preporuka/e lokalaca
Zest
Located on the beach of Jan Thiel. You can eat inside (more expensive) or on the beach, from the grill (cheaper). The surroundings are awesome here.
This is the biggest resort of Curacao. Has its own marina, several restaurants, golf course etc. Entrance is 25 Nafl, which you can later spend in one of the restaurants. We go here from time to time for breakfast. They have a beautiful buffet in the morning (think until 10:30AM). Otherwise go for dinner at Shore restaurant.
Medi Restaurant
This is the biggest resort of Curacao. Has its own marina, several restaurants, golf course etc. Entrance is 25 Nafl, which you can later spend in one of the restaurants. We go here from time to time for breakfast. They have a beautiful buffet in the morning (think until 10:30AM). Otherwise go for dinner at Shore restaurant.
They’re on the Caracasbaaiweg, towards Jan Thiel on your left hand side. Can’t miss them, it’s the spot where all the people are blocking the road ;-) Try out the mixed grill with ‘galinja and lomito’. Put all the sauces on there that you can find, and you’ll love it.
12 preporuka/e lokalaca
BBQ Express
177 CaracasbaaiwegThey’re on the Caracasbaaiweg, towards Jan Thiel on your left hand side. Can’t miss them, it’s the spot where all the people are blocking the road ;-) Try out the mixed grill with ‘galinja and lomito’. Put all the sauces on there that you can find, and you’ll love it.
Located on the St Rosaweg, next to the McDonalds, this place is always packed as well. More or less the same thing as BbqExpress so worth the try.
Koki Riba Bloki
Santa RosawegLocated on the St Rosaweg, next to the McDonalds, this place is always packed as well. More or less the same thing as BbqExpress so worth the try.
Inside Cafe de Tijd you'll find Op = Op eetbar. This place is famous for their great spareribs.
8 preporuka/e lokalaca
Cafe De Tijd
1-7 PietermaaiInside Cafe de Tijd you'll find Op = Op eetbar. This place is famous for their great spareribs.
The pinnacle of fine dining on Curacao must be Baoase ($$$$$). If you have anything to celebrate or are looking for a beautiful experience, make a reservation here. You can also private dine here. Then you get a table for two, with your own waitress.
26 preporuka/e lokalaca
Baoase Luxury Resort
2 WinterswijkstraatThe pinnacle of fine dining on Curacao must be Baoase ($$$$$). If you have anything to celebrate or are looking for a beautiful experience, make a reservation here. You can also private dine here. Then you get a table for two, with your own waitress.
($$$$): they call themselves a modern European restaurant. But they have many Italian influences, since they also have an Italian chef in the kitchen. They import an amazing burrata which is not always available. Contact them first if you want to make sure that it’s there.
11 preporuka/e lokalaca
Serafina
12 Lombokstraat($$$$): they call themselves a modern European restaurant. But they have many Italian influences, since they also have an Italian chef in the kitchen. They import an amazing burrata which is not always available. Contact them first if you want to make sure that it’s there.
($$$$): located next to Serafina is Mosa. A brand new restaurant serving small plates that are to be shared. International tapas are what they serve, and all the reviews are good.
24 preporuka/e lokalaca
Mosa Restaurant
41 Penstraat($$$$): located next to Serafina is Mosa. A brand new restaurant serving small plates that are to be shared. International tapas are what they serve, and all the reviews are good.
Drinks & Nightlife
Omundo throws a good party with live music on Tuesday. They're located at Zuikertuin. Advise would be to not wear flipflops or shorts here, dresscode is a little more formal.
26 preporuka/e lokalaca
Omundo
MagdalenawegOmundo throws a good party with live music on Tuesday. They're located at Zuikertuin. Advise would be to not wear flipflops or shorts here, dresscode is a little more formal.
Great place to go out, located on Cabana beach. Nice place to eat dinner before too. Party starts between 10 – 11 PM. It can get quite busy there. They have a live band and a DJ. Party ends at 0130 AM. If you want an after party, you can go to Spoonz in Saliña. They are open til 4 AM
62 preporuka/e lokalaca
Cabana beach Curacao
Great place to go out, located on Cabana beach. Nice place to eat dinner before too. Party starts between 10 – 11 PM. It can get quite busy there. They have a live band and a DJ. Party ends at 0130 AM. If you want an after party, you can go to Spoonz in Saliña. They are open til 4 AM
The Pietermaai district is very bustling that night. A nice place is St Tropez. They have a happy hour at 9 PM and it’s always busy.
83 preporuka/e lokalaca
Saint Tropez Ocean Club
152 PietermaaiThe Pietermaai district is very bustling that night. A nice place is St Tropez. They have a happy hour at 9 PM and it’s always busy.
This bar/nightclub has good parties on two days: Friday and Sunday. On Friday a lot of people after work have a drink there. On Sunday, the happy hour starts at 5PM and the party lasts til 3AM.
42 preporuka/e lokalaca
Wet & Wild Beach Club
This bar/nightclub has good parties on two days: Friday and Sunday. On Friday a lot of people after work have a drink there. On Sunday, the happy hour starts at 5PM and the party lasts til 3AM.
The place to be on a Saturday is Zanzibar on Jan Thiel beach. Happy hour starts at 5 PM already and all beers are 2-for-1. You can also go later, the party is until about 11 PM. For an after party, walk your way up to Mojito’s.
99 preporuka/e lokalaca
Zanzibar Beach & Restaurant
The place to be on a Saturday is Zanzibar on Jan Thiel beach. Happy hour starts at 5 PM already and all beers are 2-for-1. You can also go later, the party is until about 11 PM. For an after party, walk your way up to Mojito’s.
Parks & Nature
This mountain in Westpoint you want to climb. Go early, arrive at 9AM the latest, because it gets hot up there. It’s quite a climb, but the view is awesome and the achievement is even better.
114 preporuka/e lokalaca
Christoffel mountain
This mountain in Westpoint you want to climb. Go early, arrive at 9AM the latest, because it gets hot up there. It’s quite a climb, but the view is awesome and the achievement is even better.
This is a nature park which you can easily combine with the Christoffel mountain. Here you’ll have a beautiful view of the north side of the island and the sea which hits the rocks.
71 preporuka/e lokalaca
Nacionalni park Shete Boka
Weg Naar WestpuntThis is a nature park which you can easily combine with the Christoffel mountain. Here you’ll have a beautiful view of the north side of the island and the sea which hits the rocks.
Located across the Hato airport. Reportedly, former slaves have lived there and tried to hide. The tour guide will make it very interesting.
53 preporuka/e lokalaca
Hato špilje
Franklin D. RooseveltwegLocated across the Hato airport. Reportedly, former slaves have lived there and tried to hide. The tour guide will make it very interesting.
It’s one of the bigger beaches in Curacao, located in Westpoint. Many locals go there during the weekend with their own bbq, music, coolers, etc, especially on Sunday. So bring your own bbq too (just buy one of those single use bbq’s from a supermarket). If you decide to go in the weekend, make sure you’re there early, because it can get quite busy and you want to make sure you’ll have a spot in the shadow. The beach is free by the way.
83 preporuka/e lokalaca
Grote Knip
It’s one of the bigger beaches in Curacao, located in Westpoint. Many locals go there during the weekend with their own bbq, music, coolers, etc, especially on Sunday. So bring your own bbq too (just buy one of those single use bbq’s from a supermarket). If you decide to go in the weekend, make sure you’re there early, because it can get quite busy and you want to make sure you’ll have a spot in the shadow. The beach is free by the way.
Also located on Westpoint. This beach is a lot smaller than Grote Knip, but beautiful nonetheless. It’s right in between two huge cliffs. It’s also an ideal diving/snorkling spot. Quite often you get to see turtles there too! This beach is for free too.
45 preporuka/e lokalaca
Playa Lagun
Also located on Westpoint. This beach is a lot smaller than Grote Knip, but beautiful nonetheless. It’s right in between two huge cliffs. It’s also an ideal diving/snorkling spot. Quite often you get to see turtles there too! This beach is for free too.
Together with Cas Abou beach, these are the bounty beaches of Curacao. In Porto Marie you can find a diving school and a restaurant. On some days they’ll have a band playing some relaxed music there, which you’ll hear on the entire beach. Cas Abou has a snack counter. Both beaches require a small entrance fee, but it’s not much. And you have to pay for the beach chairs too.
118 preporuka/e lokalaca
Playa Porto Marie
Together with Cas Abou beach, these are the bounty beaches of Curacao. In Porto Marie you can find a diving school and a restaurant. On some days they’ll have a band playing some relaxed music there, which you’ll hear on the entire beach. Cas Abou has a snack counter. Both beaches require a small entrance fee, but it’s not much. And you have to pay for the beach chairs too.
Located in Coral Estate, a gated resort. At the entrance you just have to say that you’re coming for Karakter and they’ll let you pass. This resort has beautiful villas, all on a cliff with sea view. Karakter itself is a pretty good and recommended restaurant. They have an artificial beach next to it. Although it’s artificial it’s accompanied with great service from the restaurant. On the beach you can order drinks and food, there’s relaxing music playing and all beach chairs are in the shade. Eating dinner here is recommended too. When you swim out in the water and go to the right (so opposite side of going towards the restaurant) you’ll find a ‘hidden’ beach. The water is quite shallow, it
84 preporuka/e lokalaca
Karakter Beach - Lounge - Restaurant
Located in Coral Estate, a gated resort. At the entrance you just have to say that you’re coming for Karakter and they’ll let you pass. This resort has beautiful villas, all on a cliff with sea view. Karakter itself is a pretty good and recommended restaurant. They have an artificial beach next to it. Although it’s artificial it’s accompanied with great service from the restaurant. On the beach you can order drinks and food, there’s relaxing music playing and all beach chairs are in the shade. Eating dinner here is recommended too. When you swim out in the water and go to the right (so opposite side of going towards the restaurant) you’ll find a ‘hidden’ beach. The water is quite shallow, it
Together with Jan Thiel Beach these are the standard beaches everybody goes to. Surrounded with plenty of restaurants and nightlife and just a short drive away.
208 preporuka/e lokalaca
Mambo plaža
Bapor KibráTogether with Jan Thiel Beach these are the standard beaches everybody goes to. Surrounded with plenty of restaurants and nightlife and just a short drive away.
Entertainment & Activities
Located in the St Jorisbaai. This is really an ostrich farm. Sounds dull, but is actually quite entertaining to see those ostriches. Somewhere out there you can also go on a quad ride tour.
87 preporuka/e lokalaca
Curaçao farma nojeva
Located in the St Jorisbaai. This is really an ostrich farm. Sounds dull, but is actually quite entertaining to see those ostriches. Somewhere out there you can also go on a quad ride tour.
SUPping (Stand Up Paddling): do this at the very end of the Caracasbaaiweg. You can book a tour with them. They’ll take you through the mangroves, passed beautiful houses and it doesn’t require any experience. Just make sure it’s not a windy day or they won’t go out (+5999-7380883 / +5999-5244974).
13 preporuka/e lokalaca
Windsurfing Curacao
SUPping (Stand Up Paddling): do this at the very end of the Caracasbaaiweg. You can book a tour with them. They’ll take you through the mangroves, passed beautiful houses and it doesn’t require any experience. Just make sure it’s not a windy day or they won’t go out (+5999-7380883 / +5999-5244974).