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Welcome to the ultimate Curaçao food guide, where we take you on a mouthwatering journey through some of the best Curaçao restaurants—all based on our personal experience after spending a full month on the island. From flavorful local dishes to satisfying international cuisine, we’ve tasted it all—and kept the receipts!

Whether you’re a foodie looking to splurge or a budget-conscious traveler, these picks will satisfy your cravings without breaking the bank. So, let’s dive into the top restaurants in Curaçao!

Unique Curaçao Food Worth Trying

If you like to try unique local dishes when you travel, then there are 3 unique foods that you should try while in Curaçao.

1. Keshi Yena: This was my favorite dish in Curaçao! It is a traditional Aruban and Curaçaoan dish with stewed chicken topped with Gouda cheese. It was so delicious that I still dream about it.
2. Iguana stew: It’s not very often that you get to eat iguana, but in Curaçao it’s a tradition! Surprisingly enough, iguana has a lot of flavor and is thought to have medicinal properties as well. So if you are a brave eater, then give it a try. We are sure glad we did!
3. Lionfish: Lionfish are an invasive species in the Caribbean, so it is beneficial to catch and eat them to prevent them from harming the native Caribbean marine life.

But now that you know which dishes to look out for, I’ll share with you the best Curaçao restaurants to try these dishes.

The Best Curaçao Restaurants

Curaçao is a foodie’s paradise where vibrant Caribbean flavors meet international flair! Whether you’re craving a hearty traditional stew or a wood-fired pizza, Curaçao’s restaurant scene has something for every palate—and every budget.

While Curacao does have some expensive restaurants with main dishes costing up to $50 USD per person, we choose to skip the more pricey restaurants and focus on places that have affordable, but delicious food. Prices at the restaurants below will range from $15-$26 USD per plate and will be affordable for most budgets.

And if you want to see these places in action, don’t forget to check out our full video on Lucas World Travel on YouTube below!

1. Ginger – Caribbean-Asian Fusion in a Charming Alley

Located on a cozy little street with white picnic tables, Ginger blends Caribbean spices with Asian flair. We kicked things off with Batata Vada, which are crispy potato balls paired with a vibrant green chutney. Soft, salty, and bursting with flavor, it was a fantastic start!

For the main course, we ordered:

• Keshi Yena – A traditional chicken stew topped with gooey Gouda cheese. A local favorite, and this version stood out for its added vegetables and rich flavor. This dish was absolutely delicious and gets my highest recommendation!
• Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp Pasta – which was creamy, hearty, and well-balanced.

💵 Total Cost: $67 USD (2 mains, 1 appetizer, and 2 soft drinks)
📍 Located in the Pietermaai District

2. Mi Familia – The Best Italian Food in Curaçao

Just across the street from Ginger, Mi Familia serves up authentic Italian dishes in a lively, bustling atmosphere. The place was packed with customers—and for good reason! Our pizza and salad were packed with flavor and absolutely delicious! The wine here was also rich and fruity.

We ordered everything below and it was absolutely delicious!

• Vegetarian Pizza – Salty, crispy, and delicious.
• Vegetarian Lasagna – Packed with flavor and perfectly layered.
• Fresh Salad & Wine – Surprisingly, one of the best salads we’ve had in a while!

💵 Total Cost: $64.86 USD (wine, soda, salad, lasagna, and pizza)
📍 Google Maps Location: Across from Ginger in Pietermaai

3. La Bohème – Affordable and Flavorful

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, La Bohème delivers quality without the high price tag. While the Arepa appetizer looked better than it tasted, the pasta dishes more than made up for it.

• Seafood Pasta – Creamy, rich, and packed with mussels.
• Vegetarian Pasta – Savory and satisfying.

💵 Total Cost: $44.50 USD (2 drinks, 1 appetizer, 2 mains)
📍 Google Maps Location: Downtown Willemstad

4. Komedor Krioyo – For Traditional Local Flavors

For authentic Curaçaoan cuisine at unbeatable prices, Komedor Krioyo is the place to go. They have two locations. One location is near the liqueur distillery in Willemstad. The other is in the north of the island in a lovely old colonial house, so when you’re out visiting the Shete Boka National Park, you can try Komedor Krioyo for lunch.

Our favorites:

• Stewed Chicken – Tender meat in a bold, flavorful sauce.
• Mahi Mahi – Comes with plantain, taro, salad, and fried cornmeal.
• Rice and Beans – Huge portions!

💵 Total Cost: $32.50 USD (for two full meals and drinks!)
📍 Google Maps Location #1: In the heart of Willemstad

📍 Google Maps Location #2: In the north of the Island

5. Bario Urban Street Food – Hip, Colorful, & Delicious

Set in a vibrant, Instagram-worthy environment, Bario Food Yard offers great options for both vegetarians and meat-eaters.

We tried:

• Chickpea Stew – Served with soft bread and a flavorful tomato base.
• Vegan Burger with Sweet Potato Fries – Surprisingly “meaty” and delicious.
• Chips and Sauce Appetizer – Meh, but the mains stole the show.

💵 Total Cost: $49 USD (2 mains and an appetizer)
📍 Google Maps Location: Bario Food Yard

6. Iguana Café – Great Views & Caribbean Vibes

Set right on the bay with live music and a beautiful view of the famous Queen Emma Bridge, Iguana Café combines ambiance with tasty food.

Here, we enjoyed:

• Pasta Carbonara – Which was creamy and rich.
• Salmon and Shrimp in Cream Sauce – Which was creamy and delicious!
• A Brownie Sundae Dessert – We liked the food so much that we tried the dessert, but the dessert didn’t live up to expectations. So we can’t recommend the dessert here.
• Drinks – Wine and beer range from $5–$8 USD.

💵 Total Cost: $63.27 USD
📍 On the waterfront in Willemstad

7. Van Gogh Café – Coffee Lovers, Rejoice!

For your caffeine fix, head to Van Gogh Café. With artsy décor and expertly crafted drinks, it’s a perfect morning or afternoon stop.

• Oreo Frappe – Sweet and satisfying.
• Chai Tea Latte – Rich with just the right spice.

💵 Prices vary but are reasonable.
📍 Downtown Willemstad

8. Plasa Bieu – The Old Market Food Hall (Local Must-Visit!)

No Curaçao food guide is complete without a visit to Plasa Bieu, also known as The Old Market. This no-frills spot is the best place to taste local dishes at local prices.

Our must-tries:

• Fried Shrimp – This was a favorite! The sauce of the shrimp was amazing. Combine that we the great sides of plantain, potato salad, and rice. It was a delicious feast!
• Iguana Stew – Yes, really! We tried iguana stew here and it was absolutely delicious. Iguana tastes surprisingly like chicken however, it has a lot of bones like a fish. All the bones make it a little hard to eat, but the flavor is rich and hearty.

💵 Total Cost: Around $33 USD for 2 mains
💡 Pro Tip: Cash only!

📍 Google Maps Location: Downtown Willemstad

9. Playa Forti Restaurant

When you head out beach hopping, Playa Forti Restaurant is a great place to stop for lunch because they have a spectacular sea view and really delicious food!

We ordered:

• The Shrimp Enchilada – which is shrimp sautéed in a spicy but delicious red sauce
• A Veggie Burger – a solid burger, but nothing to write home about

💵 Total Cost: Around $44 USD for 2 mains and 2 drinks.

📍 Google Maps Location: Downtown Willemstad

10. Lionfish Caribbean

Another unique find in Curaçao is the Lionfish Restaurant. Since lionfish are an invasive species in the Caribbean, their mission is to hand-catch each lionfish and serve it as a way to reduce the effects lionfish have on the marine ecosystem in Curaçao.

The food here is uniquely presented with the spines of the lionfish visible, creating an unforgetable experience. We tried,

• Lionfish and Chips – It’s a whole other way to eat fish and chips with those long black spines present
• Lionfish Ceviche – Here, the fish is cooked in lime and passion fruit juice, creating a nice fresh flavor to eat with chips

💵 Total Cost: Around $36 USD for 2 mains

📍 Google Maps Location: Downtown Willemstad

Final Thoughts

From fusion cuisine to local staples, Curaçao offers a rich variety of dining experiences. Whether you’re in the mood for gourmet Italian, spicy Caribbean stews, or vegan burgers in a street art setting, there’s a perfect Curaçao restaurant for you.

Now that you know about several different Curacao restaurants, get even more Caribbean travel tips below.

• 25 Unmissable Things to Do in Curacao
• The Best Things to Do in the capital, Willemstad, Curacao
• Things to Know Before You Go to Aruba
• The Best Places to Stay in Aruba

Don’t forget to save this guide and share it with your fellow food lovers.

Which restaurant are you most excited to try? Drop your pick in the comments below!