7 Best Restaurants in Curaçao

This urban street food complex and bar is a perfect fit for the new creative vibe overtaking this historic neighborhood (bario) with all its new outdoor art and cultural attractions. Part of the Bario Boutique Hotel, it's a destination in its own right for trendy fusions of local and international eats served from kiosks made out of old shipping containers. Each kiosk has its own specialty and the barkeeps craft killer cocktails using as many local ingredients as they can---try an Otrobanda Colada! There is always live or DJ-driven music to snack by, and it's become the Friday Happy Hour hotspot for locals. 

This exciting and trendy gastropub is located on the 4th floor of the famous historic Rif Fort complex, offering a menu dedicated almost exclusively to creative takes and combos of every kind of ceviche imaginable (including vegan). Choose a terrace perch outside for incredible views of the comings and goings of the ships in Santa Anna Bay and a postcard-perfect frame of the famous Handelskade. Reserve ahead for the best seat as it can be a very lively spot that’s as popular with locals as it is with visitors. 

Located in an 18th-century bastion of defense that affords sparkling harbor views, this is one of the island’s classic, don’t-miss restaurants. The diverse menu spans land and sea with local and international specialties for dinner and creative cuisine for lunch; if you book an early dinner on the deck you'll be treated to spectacular sunset views over the water.

Have lunch on the verandah of a restored 19th-century Dutch mansion overlooking Santa Anna Bay for spectacular views of the harbor, or in their charming colonial courtyard in the back. The menu offers consistently good local and international dishes. Be sure to stick around after dinner for live music at the bar, which stays open late, especially if it’s a Thursday night when fireworks explode over the water at the end of Punda Vibes night.  

Recently redecorated with an awe-inspiring mural by famed local artist Francis Sling, Kome serves up creative fusion fare. The menu is divided into small (chiki) and big (grandi) plates, with dishes ranging from grilled octopus and chicken and waffles to Cuban ropa vieja. A constant effort to source locally has led to surprising results on the regularly changing specials menu. Their small terrace outside is the place to be for a more romantic setting.

On a fabulous beach protected by man-made breakwaters, the stylish anchor of the Mambo Beach Boulevard complex offers first-rate fare at lunch and dinner. It also has a great beach bar, a massive pool and surf-side lounge, and daybed rentals. Lively pool parties, special events, and performances by hot DJs and live bands make this the place to see and be seen.

The sheltered terrace at La Bahia is so close to the harbor that it feels as if you can almost touch the passing ships. The menu runs the gamut from burgers and pastas to keshi yena (seasoned meat wrapped in cheese and baked) and other local specialties; this is also a great spot to relax with a cup of coffee or a cocktail.