Food · Curaçao
What to eat in Curaçao
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Curaçao, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Quick answer
Start with Keshi yená, Stoba and Funchi. The old market hall behind Punda's waterfront is a cluster of local cooks serving stoba, keshi yená, fried fish and funchi at long shared tables — the classic krioyo lunch. Prices in tourist restaurants are often quoted in US dollars as well as guilders; check which currency your bill is in.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Keshi yená
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 5
- Tipping
- Many restaurants include a 10–15% service charge.
- Food experiences
- 4
11 foods to try
Dish
1.Keshi yená
A ball of Edam or Gouda cheese hollowed out and stuffed with spiced chicken, olives, raisins and capers, then baked — a dish said to have been created from leftover cheese rinds in colonial kitchens.
Where: Local restaurants and the cook-stalls of Plasa Bieuw in Punda.
Dish
2.Stoba
A slow-cooked stew of goat (kabritu), beef or papaya with peppers, tomatoes and spices, usually served with funchi or rice.
Where: Plasa Bieuw in Punda and local 'krioyo' restaurants around the island.
Dish · Vegetarian
3.Funchi
Cornmeal cooked with water, butter and salt until firm, similar to polenta, and served sliced or fried alongside stews and fish.
Where: As a side at almost any local restaurant and Plasa Bieuw.
Snack
4.Pastechi
Crescent-shaped fried pastries filled with cheese, spiced beef, chicken or tuna, eaten as a breakfast or on-the-go snack.
Where: Snèks (local snack bars), bakeries and roadside stands across the island.
Dish
5.Kadushi soup (Sopi di kadushi)
A thick, green and slightly slippery soup made from the column cactus that covers the island, cooked with meat or fish and spices.
Where: Traditional krioyo restaurants; it is not on every menu, so ask.
Dessert · Vegetarian
6.Pumpkin pancakes (Arepa di pampuna)
Sweet pancakes of mashed pumpkin, flour, sugar and cinnamon, fried until golden and served as a side or dessert.
Where: Local restaurants, Plasa Bieuw and some breakfast spots.
Dish
7.Fried fish with funchi
Whole fried red snapper or other local fish served with funchi, fried plantain and a spicy onion sauce (salsa krioyo).
Where: Seaside restaurants at Caracas Bay and Westpunt and fish shacks along the coast.
Dish · Vegetarian
8.Pika
A fiery local relish of pickled onions and Madame Jeanette chilli peppers in vinegar, added at the table to fish, stews and snacks.
Where: On the counter at snèks and krioyo restaurants; bottles are sold in supermarkets.
Drink · Vegetarian
9.Blue Curaçao
The orange liqueur flavoured with the peel of the Laraha orange, sold clear, blue, orange or green; it appears in many island cocktails.
Where: Landhuis Chobolobo for tastings, and bars across Willemstad.
Dessert · Vegetarian
10.Bolo pretu
A dark, dense cake of dried fruit soaked in rum and wine, served at weddings, birthdays and Christmas.
Where: Bakeries, especially in December, and some restaurants as a dessert.
Snack
11.Bitterballen
Dutch deep-fried croquette balls of thick beef ragout, served with mustard as a bar snack, a reminder of the Netherlands connection.
Where: Bars and cafés in Punda and Pietermaai, often alongside a cold beer.
Food experiences
Lunch at Plasa Bieuw
The old market hall behind Punda's waterfront is a cluster of local cooks serving stoba, keshi yená, fried fish and funchi at long shared tables — the classic krioyo lunch.
Pastechi breakfast
Start the day like many islanders with a hot pastechi and coffee from a snèk or bakery.
Sunset dinner in Pietermaai
Restaurants in restored mansions and on sea terraces serve island fish and cocktails as the sun sets over the Caribbean.
Blue Curaçao tasting
Tour the Chobolobo distillery to learn how the Laraha orange becomes the island's best-known export, then taste the flavours.
Quick bites and street food
- Pastechi — Snèks (local snack bars), bakeries and roadside stands across the island.
- Bitterballen — Bars and cafés in Punda and Pietermaai, often alongside a cold beer.
Vegetarian options
Of the 11 foods in this guide, 5 are usually vegetarian: Funchi, Pumpkin pancakes, Pika, Blue Curaçao and Bolo pretu. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Prices in tourist restaurants are often quoted in US dollars as well as guilders; check which currency your bill is in.
- Plasa Bieuw is a lunchtime operation, so plan to eat there in the middle of the day.
- Many restaurants add a service charge; check the bill before tipping again.
- Tap water is desalinated and safe to drink, so refill a bottle rather than buying plastic.
- Book dinner in Pietermaai and at popular waterfront restaurants on Friday and Saturday nights.
Tipping
Many restaurants include a 10–15% service charge. Where it is not included, around 10–15% is normal; tip dive guides and drivers for good service.
| Phrase | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Bon dia | Good morning |
| Bon tardi | Good afternoon |
| Masha danki | Thank you very much |
| Kon ta bai? | How are you? |
| Ayó | Goodbye |
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Curaçao famous for?
Keshi yená, Stoba, Funchi and Pastechi. A ball of Edam or Gouda cheese hollowed out and stuffed with spiced chicken, olives, raisins and capers, then baked — a dish said to have been created from leftover cheese rinds in colonial kitchens.
+Is Curaçao good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Funchi, Pumpkin pancakes and Pika.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Curaçao?
Many restaurants include a 10–15% service charge. Where it is not included, around 10–15% is normal; tip dive guides and drivers for good service.