Christmas in Curacao is the busiest time of the year with tourists. And of course, many residents of Curacao also go out to eat at Christmas. Hence, many restaurants go the extra mile. See the restaurants with the tastiest Christmas dinners here.
Eating out on Curacao around Christmas
With December approaching, Christmas is upon us. The Christmas decorations are taken out of the closet and Curaçao slowly turns into an island with lights everywhere, even more coziness and even more parties. Not only the (tourist) center of the city is beautifully lit (Pontjesbrug and Wilhelminaplein), but also in the residential areas many houses look beautifully lit again.
Christmas markets are widely announced and serious thought must be given to gifts under the tree. But perhaps more importantly, think about where you want to eat this Christmas. There are so many good options, we’ve listed a few in advance.
Book on time!
Since “everyone” wants to eat out at Christmas, it is really necessary to make reservations well in advance. In fact, many restaurants work with reservations only at Christmas and have no room for spontaneous walk-ins anyway. So going out on the spur of the moment during Christmas just to walk into a cozy restaurant: forget it.
Blues Restaurant
Craving a 4-course dinner? On Christmas Day, you can visit Blues Restaurant at Avila Beach Resort for a set Christmas menu for US$99. As an amuse bouche you get prawn and as a starter there is a turkey salad on the menu. As a main course, you can choose between a sea bass fillet or a sirloin steak. Does anything else fit then? Then you will be served a brownie with ice cream for dessert. Are you vegetarian? Then, too, you can turn to Blues. For starters you get a salad with avocado, artichoke and tangerine, for main course there is portobello on the menu and a tasty sorbet to finish.
Pen Street 134 (on the beach at Avila Beach Hotel)
WhatsApp +5999-788 1949
Pirate Bay
Pirate Bay is offering a number of Christmas specials this Christmas. For example, you can choose a salad with smoked salmon or a salad grilled chicken. Salmon wellington and half a chicken roasted on the spit were added to the main courses. Are you a sweet tooth? Dessert this year is a surprise from the chef. Are you a fan of a dish that is on the menu all year round? Not to worry. You can also choose from the regular menu. It is possible to walk in, but you are not guaranteed a spot. Fan of pirate bay? Book on time!
Piscaderaweg (from Otrobanda just past Dreams, turn left)
WhatsApp +5999-690 3234
Maira’s Kitchen
No special Christmas menu for Maira’s Kitchen during the holidays. And that’s not a bad thing, either, because the regular menu is delicious and already offers plenty of choices of local and international dishes. You may and can walk in here unexpectedly (for both lunch and dinner), but it is recommended to make a reservation because more people know how delicious Maira’s Kitchen is.
Just a big tip that if you are going to enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner here, that afterwards you should really walk to the Pontjes Bridge and Brion Square a little further on to admire the beautiful Christmas lights.
Hoogstraat 24 (in the middle of Otrobanda)
Phone: +5999-675 3652
El Grill & Mexicano
No special Christmas menu for El Grill & Mexicano. Here during Christmas you can simply enjoy the dishes you come to El Grill for all year round. Reservations are not required but are certainly recommended.
Mambo Beach Boulevard (1st floor, next to LionsDive)
Phone +5999 461 1056
De Buurvrouw
This year during the holiday season, De Buurvrouw supplemented its normal menu with some Christmas specials.
For Christmas Day, The Neighbor is already completely full, so make your reservations quickly for Boxing Day.
Road to West Point (between Grote Berg and Kunuku Aqua Resort)
WhatsApp: +5999-8688 499
Tinto y Cocina
Tinto on Jan Thiel Beach is keeping the normal menu this Christmas, supplemented by a Christmas special. Reservations are required due to large crowds each year. And be sure to make reservations really early, because it fills up fast.
Jan Thiel z/n (on the beach, to the right of Zanzibar)
Phone +5999-747 0633
Extra luxury at Christmas
If you want to go to one of Curacao’s top restaurants for Christmas dinner, these are the options.
Kome
Fan of Kome? If so, you can join them for both brunch and dinner this Christmas on Dec. 24 and 26. Kome is closed on Christmas Day, but they are open for dinner on Boxing Day. Want to come for dinner with a group? Then a menu will be created. Are you coming with the family or just the two of you? Then you can choose from the normal menu with some added specials. Reservations are recommended.
Johan van Walbeeckplein 6 (Pietermaai)
WhatsApp +5999-465 0413
Fort Nassau
In both December and January, Fort Nassau serves a Chef’s Menu with optional wine menu. During Christmas there will be a special Christmas menu which is still being put together by the chef. This will be announced in late November, so keep an eye on the socials. What is important, however, is that you should make reservations for dinner at Fort Nassau and pay a deposit.
Fort Nassauweg (on the Punda side next to the Juliana Bridge)
Phone +5999-461 3450
Baoase Beach Restaurant
Baoase is really top of the top. A luxury resort with a restaurant where you will enjoy a delicious Christmas dinner and accompanying wines immensely anyway. Reservations are required at Baoase this Christmas. A set menu will be served during Christmas, which is not known at this time. A top beachfront dinner? Go to Baoase.
Winterswijkstraat 2 (halfway between Pietermaai and Mambo)
Telephone +5999-461 1799
Just do it…
If you’ve grown tired of all those Christmas dinners, here are two delicious tips for “just” eating with your hands on Boxing Day.
Eetcafé Op=op
When you have a specialty as a restaurant, you don’t really need to deviate from it. And so EetCafé Op=op does not. The spare ribs are so good here that you can also enjoy these delicious ribs around the holidays. Until they run out, of course ;). Reservations are not possible. They are closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, but you can feast here on Boxing Day.
Pietermaai 1-7 (near Wilhelminaplein)
Phone +5999-465 0987
Brgr.Haus
Unfortunately for burger lovers, Brgr.haus is closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. They do open on Boxing Day and there will be a speciala Holiday Burger on the menu, it will be announced in December. You can make reservations if you want to be assured of a spot (and it’s recommended), but you can also walk in.
Kura Hulanda Village (on the square near Kura Botanica hotel, in the middle of Otrobanda)
Phone +5999-519 4545
Where will you eat this Christmas?
Most restaurants opt for Christmas specials in addition to the regular menu, but there are also restaurants that serve a buffet. Many kitchens are still in the process of establishing Christmas menus to ensure that your Christmas is unforgettable. All in all, it is definitely advisable to make reservations in advance if you want to eat out during the holidays. And remember, as long as you are with fine company you will have a wonderful Christmas anyway.
Need more inspiration?
Want some more suggestions for restaurants in Curacao? Check out our restaurant page.
