Willemstad Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Willemstad

August 21, 2017 Tonie Szymanski

The lively capital of Curacao is a welcoming, upbeat destination with two distinct historic districts divided by the lovely St. Anna Bay. Punda, site of neat, narrow streets, is crammed with shops and museums. Otrobanda, or "The Other Side," is a maze of twisting residential streets, contrasting with the organized grid across the bay. Willemstad's colorful colonial architecture has won it UNESCO Heritage site designations. Diving and swimming with dolphins are popular activities in the bay.
Things to do in Willemstad

1. The Wine Cellar

Ooststraat at Concordiastraat, Willemstad, Curacao Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi French, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +599 9 461 2178
Excellent
79%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

The Wine Cellar

Reviewed By cmunroemd - The Villages, Florida

We have spent the last 18 days on vacation in Curacao and have been to The Wine Cellar three times. It remains our favorite restaurant here. Great quite atmosphere, excellent service and delicious food. Everything we have enjoyed in the past continues unchanged. Yes,we will be back next year.

2. Gouverneur de Rouville

De Rouvilleweg 9-F | Otrobanda Waterfront, Willemstad, Curacao Takeout, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Reservations, Wine and Beer, Accepts Credit Cards Caribbean, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Drinks, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$78 - HK$251 +599 9 462 5999
Excellent
50%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
3%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 2 reviews

Gouverneur de Rouville

Situated directly at the Anna Bay, with a beautiful view over the Handelskade and harbor entrance, you will find restaurant De Gouverneur (the Governor).This stately Curacaoan location you shouldn't miss, welcomes you from early morning to late at night for drinks, lunch and dinner. Lunch is served from 10:00 AM till 4:00 PM, dinner is served from 6:00 PM till 10:30 pm. Apart from their extensive, internationally orientated menu, they serve good local cuisine as well. De Gouverneur's service is a byword for friendliness, and the restaurant is therefore also very popular among st local inhabitants. For ten years now! Open: daily from 10 till midnight Prices: Lunch sandwiches, salads and authentic main courses: USD 13 - USD 22.70 Dinner: Starters USD 14.80, Soups USD 9.60, Main Courses USD 27.45, Desserts USD 9.60

Reviewed By davppp - Ontario, Canada

Very friendly staff with good food and a nice view. Tried it for lunch. Lots to chose from and reasonably priced.

3. Rozendaels Original Cuisine

Penstraat 47, Willemstad, Curacao Takeout, Parking Available, Validated Parking, Full Bar, Free Wifi, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Accepts Discover Caribbean, Mediterranean, European, South American, Fusion, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Dinner HK$39 - HK$314 +599 9 461 8806
Excellent
55%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 723 reviews

Rozendaels Original Cuisine

Nice and romantic outside garden bistro, Local and international fusion style meals. The restaurant is an authentic product of the island. We have also a permanent art exposition from local artist and we sell them as well. The building is an historic 150 years old building. We are open from Sunday true Fridays only for dinner from 5 o'clock till 10. Saturdays we are closed. We hope to welcome you as our guest.The management.For details of our menu check out our website.

Reviewed By agatha56 - Ellicott City, Maryland

We really enjoyed this restaurant, both for its atmosphere and its food. We dined al fresco and the decor is successfully designed to make one smile. The service was quite good and very friendly. They exemplified the personality of Curacao. The food was also very good. One of us had Dradu Krioyo Style and one of us had Gambas al Pil Pil. Both were prepared very well and plated is a most attractive manner. A very good meal indeed.

4. Karakter Curacao

Coral Estate, Rif St Marie, Willemstad, Curacao Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi French, Caribbean, Dutch, Seafood, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch, Late Night HK$63 - HK$220 +599 9 864 2233
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Karakter Curacao

Reviewed By sunburn2017 - Calgary, Alberta

We went to Krakter twice during the third week of February 2018. Karakter has a great location right on the water at Coral Estate. The setting is perfect. Prices on the lunch menu are quite reasonable. The food is average but decent. Our first experience was reasonably good so we tried it again a few days later. This time service was very poor. After Seating ourselves we waited for at least ten minutes before a waiter came around. We had to tell him that we wanted to order drinks and also get some water for the table. Eventually another waiter delivered our drinks and took our food order. It seemed like the servers were not assigned tables so service was random. Typically servers were no where to be seen. I would say the wait time for our food was close to 45 minutes. My paella was served cold though I suspect that the kitchen may not be at fault. I ate it because I didn't want to wait again. Not once did any of the servers ask us if we wanted our drinks refreshed. I thought restaurants made the most profit by selling as many drinks as possible. The staff are not helping the owner at all.

5. Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant

Winterswijkstraat 2 | Willemstad, Willemstad, Curacao Valet Parking, Highchairs Available, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover Caribbean, Seafood, International, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch HK$157 - HK$981 +599 9 461 1799
Excellent
79%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 716 reviews

Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant

Baoase Culinary Beach Restaurant is an exclusive culinary restaurant on Curacao. Be welcomed in a paradise ambiance and let our top chef Rene and his professional team amaze you in design, texture & taste! Baoase offers a unique dining experience on a private beach. Nothing at Baoase is by coincidence. Every detail is taken care of. Surrounded by a fusion of Caribbean Beauty with Asian elegance, Baoase Beach Restaurant is the perfect choice for your special evening. Reservations recommended.

Reviewed By maddog305 - Geneva

Had dinner in a private gazebo, which added to the evening. The four-course with wine pairing was perfectly sublime, along with the very professional and courteous staff. Was a true dining experience.

6. Trio Penotti

Savonet 79 | Christoffel Park, Willemstad, Curacao Outdoor Seating, Buffet, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Reservations, Accepts Credit Cards Caribbean, International, European, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Dinner HK$39 - HK$173 +599 9 864 1795
Excellent
73%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 584 reviews

Trio Penotti

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday: 5 pm - 9 pm. Every second Saturday of the month a Theme Night. Following day closed. Reservations strongly recommended. Please, no Reservations through e-mail after 3 pm.

Reviewed By LaurinFegley - East Greenville, Pennsylvania

The African Peanut Soup with Bananas is one of the best dishes I've ever eaten. Wow! We all ordered it the second time we went to this restaurant. The service is good but operates a little on island time, no fast! The food is fresh, well worth the price and sitting outside at night is just an added bonus! They clearly prefer Reservations, but they are not required. We did make one for our second visit.
The fresh fish selection (usually sea bass) and the curries are amazing. No one (even those who didn't order the fish or curries) didn't love their dinners.
Not overly expensive and they have alcohol as well.

7. Kome

Johan van Walbeeckplein 6, Willemstad, Curacao Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Street Parking, Free Off-Street Parking, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Digital Payments, Free Wifi, Accepts Discover, Accepts Credit Cards Caribbean, International, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Late Night HK$39 - HK$275 +599 9 465 0413
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
2%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Kome

Located in the historical district of Petermaai, Kome features a chef driven menu where worldly cooking techniques lay the foundation for the creative freedom Chef David and Pastry Chef Susan live for in the kitchen. The chefs cook things that make them happy, like homemade sausage, tasty sandwhiches, curry’s or stews; fried chicken, fresh bread, pie or something altogether surprising and new.

Reviewed By DCFlack - Washington, DC

This beautiful, modern restaurant is a bit off the beaten track, but just a five-minute walk from where we were staying, Scuba Lodge. They have an awesome "tapas night," but every weekday for happy hour, they serve half-price drinks and selected items from their tapas...MoreDear DCFlack, Thank you for this very positive review about our restaurant Kome. We are glad to hear that you liked all the tapas meals. We hope to welcome you once again in the future. Kind regards, Team Kome

8. Miles Jazz Cafe

Nieuwestraat 42 | Pietermaai Smal, Willemstad, Curacao Outdoor Seating, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Pub, Bar Late Night, Drinks +599 9 520 1358
Excellent
61%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 168 reviews

Miles Jazz Cafe

Reviewed By Penny T - Oneonta, New York

Definitely visit this place while on the island. Ice cold beer...great talks with the owner/bartender. Very comfy local place...try the cheese tray while enjoying your drinks.

9. Restaurant Cristal Curacao

Johan Van Walbeeckplein 20, Willemstad NA, Curacao Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar European, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +599 9 461 1639
Excellent
64%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 228 reviews

Restaurant Cristal Curacao

Restaurant Cristal on Curacao is all about making your evening an absolutely tasteful one. Whether you would like just an entree from our new menu, a 3-course dinner or go all out with a 5-course dinner, anything is possible. Our menu purely exists out of fresh ingredients and homemade products turned into classic dishes with a modern twist. We offer lunch and fine dining complemented with a perfect glass of wine. Call us to make your reservation today!

Reviewed By Vanamstel - Amsterdam, The Netherlands

We enjoyed dinner here. Friendly staff. Really nice gazpacho, tuna tartar, duck and more. Nice ambience for a long evening dining with friends. Good selection of wines. Would get 5 stars if the prices we not so high (compared to other restaurant in same area).

10. Hajimaru Sushi & Jazz

Snipweg 10 | Damacor, Willemstad, Curacao Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Free Off-Street Parking, Serves Alcohol, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar, Accepts Credit Cards Japanese, Sushi, Asian, Soups, Seafood, Vegetarian Friendly Dinner, Lunch +599 9 696 9663
Excellent
81%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 160 reviews

Hajimaru Sushi & Jazz

Reviewed By Melissa H - Carthage, Texas

We weren't sure what to expect from a sushi restaurant in Curacao but it was delicious! We met the owner and he was very informative (ask him about constructing the building). The restaurant was immaculate.
They are now open again for lunch but apparently the word hasn't gotten around as we were the only guests.
If you like sushi, you will love Hajimaru!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.