With traditional Afro-Caribbean cooking, fresh fruits and veg brought in daily from Venezuela (its neighbour to the south) and culinary influences from over 50 other nationalities, Curacao has a lot of depth to its cuisine. While most visitors flock to the waterfront restaurants crammed with cruise ship passengers, I decided to go on a mission to get a real taste of the island. From inexpensive meals at local markets to upscale dining, I feasted everywhere and discovered some mouthwatering finds along the way. Here is my list of what to eat and drink in Curacao:
Arepa di Pampuna – Head to Zus at the Marshe Bieu (Old Market), order these deliciously dense pumpkin pancakes and grab a seat at a communal table with the locals. It doesn’t get more authentic than this: Marshe Bieu is where you’ll find Curaçaoans lined up every weekday for lunch. If pumpkin pancakes aren’t your thang, there’s a nice range of local cuisine to choose from at the 5-8 stands. The food is cheap (you can eat for under $10), incredibly flavourful and filling!
Blue Baoase Cocktail – Made with Blue Curacao, pineapple juice, coconut cream and coconut rum, this was the best cocktail I had on the island. Well-balanced and visually stunning. Where can you find this beaut? It’s a signature cocktail at one of the island’s most exclusive hotels: Baoase Luxury Resort. Don’t worry, if you’re not a guest you can still reserve a table for lunch or dinner to experience their hospitality…
Smoked Salmon Napoleon – To get a taste of modern fare on the island head to Kome. The Curaçaoan gem has a slight obsession with food — from its name right down to the ever-changing, chef-driven menu. A popular spot with locals, it is a resto I highly recommend adding to your list. Chef David and Pastry Chef Susan are incredibly talented and understand how to create elevated comfort food. I fell in love with the Smoked Salmon Napoleon that I devoured during brunch (yup, they do brunch in Curacao – hooray!!)
Keshi Yena – Gouda or edam cheese stuffed with meat (usually spiced chicken), olives, capers, onions, tomatoes and baked until gooey. Although its origins are linked to the island’s horrifying slave trade (kitchen workers would eat leftover cheese rinds stuffed with bits of discarded meats), Keshi Yena is still Curacao’s signature dish. Some restaurants stick to traditional preparations while others will put a gourmet spin on the much-loved meal. I suggest heading to Avila’s Belle Terrace or you can try your luck at Yvonne’s in Marshe Bieu…
Iguana – Referred to by locals as “tree chickens” you’ll likely find iguana meat in a stew (Yuana Stoba), soup (Sopi Yuana) or fried up like wings. Said to be a powerful aphrodisiac, the meat is boney and tastes like a cross between frog, rabbit and chicken in my opinion. Although everyone has their favourite spot for yuana, most recommend heading to Jaanchie’s in the scenic northwestern tip of the island (bonus: you can also swim at my favourite beach – Playa Kenepa Grandi – when you’re in the region).
Fish Tacos – I’m always on the hunt for fab fish tacos so I got really excited when I spotted them on the menu while staying at Santa Barbara Beach And Golf Resort. To be honest, I wasn’t expecting much, but the chef at Splash blew me away with his tacos. Left to my own devices, I could’ve devoured these beauts at every meal…
Cocktails With A View – Although I already shared my fave cocktail on the island, when it comes to ambiance I’d recommend visiting Saint Tropez Ocean Club. It’s the perfect place to watch the sun set with a drink in hand. Oh and it has a lovely pool if you want to spend the afternoon poolside…
Lionfish – Yes, I’m suggesting you eat one of the most venomous fish in the world. But don’t worry, you’ll be ok. There’s actually no harm in eating lionfish meat (they dispose the spines during prep) — in fact, it is one of the most delicious fish varieties I’ve EVER had. The white meat is so buttery and flavourful! Side note: lionfish are some of the most invasive and destructive marine species out there so you can consider it population control when you devour them. I suggest heading straight to Baoase Luxury Resort and ordering the Ribbon Pasta with Lionfish. You won’t regret it. Oh, and do NOT skip out on the bread and butter…
Batidos – As I walked around Willemstad, I noticed many locals sipping on a smoothie-like drink. Curious (as always) I had to ask for directions to the source so I could try it myself. 100% Batidos is a food truck in Punda that whips up tasty smoothies by combining fresh fruit, milk and sugar. Flavours range from passion fruit and papaya to watermelon and guava. It’s a refreshing drink and a great way to cool off and re-energize on a hot day!
Bon Bini Breakfast – There’s nothing quite like enjoying a cup of coffee and inhaling breakfast with the sound of waves crashing on shore. You ARE on an island after all… For this beaut experience, I suggest heading to Scuba Lodge, ordering their famous Bon Bini Breakfast (basket with freshly-baked bread, spreads, fresh fruit, eggs, locally-produced yogurt, muesli and freshly-squeezed juice) and taking a couple hours to really enjoy the surroundings…
Blue Curacao – You’ve seen it make an appearance in cocktails around the globe, but unless you’ve tried The Genuine Curacao Liqueur you haven’t tasted the original Blue Curacao. That’s because it is the only liqueur that is still made via traditional methods using the dried peel of a bitter citrus fruit called Laraha (which only grows on the island of Curacao). If you have a bit of time, head over to Landhuis Chobolobo for a short tour of the factory and free tasting or indulge in a cocktail at the Chobolobo Café…
Red Snapper & Funchi – It’s all about the seafood in Curacao so I asked just about every local I met about their favourite fish restaurant. The majority pointed me to an unmarked, seaside fisherman’s hut wedged between the lively Mambo Beach and Sunscape Curacao Resort. I had a feeling it would be a hidden gem — and it was. Kenchi (the owner) is only open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, but serves up the best fish on the island in my opinion. Order the funchi (similar to polenta) and red snapper. You will not regret it…
That wraps up the culinary highlights from my trip! There’s definitely a thriving food scene in Curacao, but you do need to dig around to get the good recos. Hopefully this list points you in the right direction. Oh, and make sure to hit up the truk’i pan food trucks dotted around the island — they serve up some great late night eats! Sigh, there are so many dishes (like kadushi, giambo and kokada) and places (local faves like Ginger and Restaurant Fishalicious) that I didn’t get a chance to try, but there’s only so much feasting one can do on a week-long trip. I shall return for more gluttony!
Some of the meals above were complimentary as part of a press trip to Curacao. As always, all opinions are my own. What do you think of my What To Eat And Drink In Curacao list? Have any recos? I’d love to hear them!
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