I mentioned in my last blog post how wonderful the foodie scene can be on the island of Curacao. I shared my top 5 restaurants that I frequent on the island, all of which offer fresh high quality ingredients. When I moved to the island, I was shocked that I could still get the foods I’m about to share in this post. Compared to the island’s sister, Aruba, Curacao has a lot to be desired when it comes to food commercialization so I was excited to find the following:

Denny’s

Opened just last year in the Eden Mall toward Jan Thiel is a Denny’s Diner. Yes, you read that right. You can get classic American breakfast diner food on the island of Curacao. Not only that, but it’s one of the few sit down restaurants on the island open 24 hours.

I’ve been to this Denny’s once and the food is exactly the same as what you’d find at a US Denny’s, except the eggs taste fresher here. It’s important to note, however, that this is a franchise location and they operate by their own rules. This means that they lock the doors when they’re too busy and service levels are slow without leaving a note on the door (just island things, right?). Even when the door is open, the service can be incredibly slow but if you’re patient it’s worth it for that familiar Denny’s taste.

Popular Fast Food Chains

After moving to Curacao, I remember telling my friends how surprised I was at how many fast food chains there were on the island. Curacao is not that popular or well-known, so the last thing I was expecting to see was a Domino’s Pizza. On the island I’ve seen: McDonalds, Burger King, KFC, Pizza Hut, and Domino’s. Other American “fast food chains” include Baskin Robbins and Starbucks. Sadly, no Taco Bell or Chick-fil-A but I wouldn’t say never! Prices are a little bit higher than what you’d find in the US, but the flavors are the same. It’s fun to try out the Caribbean special edition items, like the Caramel Blackberry Waffle McFlurry at McDonalds!

Bubble Tea and Bubble Waffles

Where we used to live in Boston there was a Gong Cha Bubble Tea chain nearby our apartment. I grew up drinking milk teas with tapioca pearls (also known as bubbles or boba) and was curious whether I’d ever have it again moving to this island. I have found exactly one shop that specializes in bubble tea called Bubble Fantasy.

This shop offers multiple bubble tea flavors on their menu including thai tea, coconut milk tea, brown sugar milk tea, fruit slushies, and more. They also offer a variety of toppings similar to traditional bubble tea shops, like popping bubbles, regular tapioca pearls, and jellies. New on their menu are Hong Kong-style bubble waffles as well which are topped with mochi, whipped cream, sprinkles, and fruit. I frequent this place often when I want to get my bubble tea fix in!

Authentic Neapolitan Pizza

I know you can find pizza in most countries all over the world, but what about authentic Neapolitan-style pizza? What I mean when I say Neapolitan-style is pizza you’d find in Naples, Italy with fresh made-from-scratch pizza dough baked in a wood-fired pizza oven. The pizza also features a bright tomato sauce, imported mozzarella cheese, and premium Italian toppings. My go-to place for authentic Italian pizza is Pizzaroni on Caracasbaaiweg!

Pizzaroni feels like a mom and pop Italian pizza restaurant that you’d find in Naples. There is always either an Italian football match or Italian music videos playing on the wall-mounted TV. In the center of the open kitchen is a custom wood-fire pizza oven with the Italian owner constantly slinging pizzas in and out. Having just been in Naples a couple of years ago, I feel transported right back to Italy whenever I’m at Pizzaroni.

Authentic Filipino Food

I almost shed a tear when I found out that Pan Asian Bistro in Pietermaai offers authentic Filipino dishes on their menu. The restaurant is actually run by Filipino women who are proud to serve their home country’s famous dishes. Being part Filipino myself, I come here often when I want to eat food that my mom used to cook for our family growing up. My favorite dishes are the sinigang (a savory tamarind soup) and the crispy pork belly with pancit. I’ve also had their sushi before which is fantastic and fresh, but I’m usually there for one thing and one thing only: Filipino food.

American-style Burgers

Greasy, beefy, and filled to the brim with toppings – American burgers are something I can’t live without. Okay, maybe that’s a bit dramatic but it is something my partner can’t live without! We had purchased some beef patties from the local supermarkets and tried some burgers at restaurants prior but they were all missing that oomph. One evening we decided to check out Kura Hulanda Village in Otrobanda and stumbled upon Brgr Haus.

Brgr Haus is a simple yet tasty burger joint with only outdoor seating in the gorgeous Kura Hulanda courtyard. The menu is small but packs a punch with its burger flavor offerings. The restaurant specializes in smash patties and they create their own sauces and pickles (if you’re lucky to get them!). Flavors are fantastic and french fry portions are generous. The outdoor seating area is a lively affair with live music on the weekends and kids playing around the courtyard having fun.

Italian Gelato

Finally, I’ve had my fair share of gelato when I was in Italy two years ago but never did I think I’d be able to eat real gelato on the island. Also located in Kura Hulanda Village down a string light decorated alley is an authentic Italian gelato shop called Il Gelato. This family-run gelato shop, run by Italians Mino and Patty, offer unique and traditional artisan gelato flavors. The texture is creamy and rich, just like you’d find walking down the street in Italy. Get a few scoops of the tiramisu flavor and thank me later!

Activities

If you’re a foodie, I highly recommend participating in food-related activities while on the island. There is no better way to enjoy food than with others! Here are a few recommended activities through Viator that will show you the true foodie nature of this island:

Disclaimer: the following are affiliate links which, when clicked and booked, generate a small income to maintain this blog. Thank you for your support!

Final Thoughts

One of the things I love most about living in Curacao is that there are plenty of options for amazing dining and familiar creature comforts. You can eat local iguana soup and grab a Whopper from Burger King in the same day. Wild! I appreciate that I live in a country that has a lively food culture, and I’m happy to keep sharing my foodie guides as I continue to explore this beautiful island.

Do you have any creature comforts you look for when you’re traveling? Let me know in the comments below!