Curaçao's cuisine is a delicious blend of Dutch, Caribbean, Latin American, and African influences. Here are 10 local dishes you absolutely must try.
- Keshi Yena
- Stuffed cheese dish
- Chicken or beef filling
- Baked to perfection
- The national dish of Curaçao
- Stoba (Stew)
- Stoba Kabritu (goat stew)
- Stoba Shimiguri (chicken stew)
- Slow-cooked with spices
- Served with funchi or rice
- Funchi
- Cornmeal porridge
- Similar to polenta
- Staple side dish
- Often fried as funchi
- Ayaka
- Cornmeal dumplings
- Stuffed with meat
- Wrapped in banana leaves
- Holiday specialty
- Pastechi
- Fried pastry pockets
- Cheese or meat filling
- Popular breakfast/snack
- Available everywhere
- Sopi Mondongo
- Tripe soup
- Hearty and filling
- Local comfort food
- Traditional recipe
- Curaçao Seafood
- Fresh catch of the day
- Grilled or fried
- Lionfish (invasive, eat it!)
- Conch dishes
- Dutch-Indonesian Rijsttafel
- Rice table with many dishes
- Colonial influence
- Special occasion meal
- Variety of flavors
- Bolo Pretu (Black Cake)
- Spiced fruit cake
- Holiday tradition
- Rich and dense
- Aged with rum
- Curaçao Liqueur
- Orange-flavored liqueur
- Made from laraha oranges
- Try Blue Curaçao
- Local souvenir
Where to Eat Local Food
- Plasa Bieu (floating market food court)
- Local "snacks" (food trucks)
- Family-owned restaurants
- Street vendors in Willemstad
- Sunday BBQ at Playa Grandi
Food Tips
- Try everything at least once
- Ask locals for recommendations
- Visit Plasa Bieu for variety
- Don't miss Sunday BBQ
- Bring your appetite
Curaçao's food scene is authentic, flavorful, and deeply connected to its culture. These dishes will give you a true taste of the island! For more travel tips and recommendations, visit our FAQ page.
