Breakfast in Curaçao ended up being one of my favorite parts of the trip! I already had a handful of spots picked out, and after trying them, it was clear which ones were worth keeping and which ones I wouldn’t go back to. Having those decisions made ahead of time made mornings feel a lot smoother, especially on days when we had beach plans or were out exploring most of the day.
If you’re mapping everything out ahead of time like I do, it helps to see how these fit into your days—check out my guide on Curaçao Travel Guide for First-Time Visitors so you can line everything up.
We sat down here for breakfast and within a few bites, I knew this would end up being my favorite of the trip.
The setting is open and surrounded by greenery, and it feels a little more elevated than a typical breakfast spot without being formal. Everything we ordered tasted fresh and intentional—nothing felt like an afterthought.
This is the one I’d plan around. If you only have time for one standout breakfast in Curaçao, this is it.
If you want a full breakdown of what we ordered and what to expect, you can see my full review of Hofi Cas Cora Curaçao Review: Hidden Garden, Food & What to Expect.
We came here one morning when we wanted something a little nicer than just grabbing breakfast, and it ended up being one of the better meals we had.
The menu leans more elevated than a standard café, and there’s a good variety to choose from—including vegan options (I’m not vegan, but throwing that out there for all of you who are). Everything we ordered tasted fresh and balanced, and it felt like a full sit-down meal instead of something quick before heading out.
They also make their own coffee, which is always a good sign. And they had hot sauce available to purchase, which I’m not usually a hot sauce girl—but it had just the right amount of spice (I even brought some home).
Walking into Number Ten feels different right away. It’s set in a garden, open-air, and feels like a quiet little oasis.
We ended up staying here longer than expected, mostly because of the setting (and because there was a restaurant cat that I basically pet for my entire breakfast). The food was good, but the atmosphere is what really makes this one stand out.
This worked well on a morning when we didn’t have anything scheduled right away and could just sit and enjoy it for a bit.
If you’re planning out your days around food (which I clearly was), save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
We came here for breakfast and it just didn’t stand out.
The options felt limited, and with how many better breakfast spots there are on the island, this one didn’t feel worth fitting into the schedule. I mostly ended up just eating bread (which I love, but I need a little more than that to carry me through the day).
These came up multiple times while I was researching Curaçao, and I’d try them next time.
This sits right on the water, which already makes it appealing for breakfast.
It seems like a good option for a slower morning where you’re lingering over coffee and not in a rush to get anywhere.
This is more of a quick stop kind of place.
It looks like a solid option for mornings when you want something simple before heading out—especially if you have a full day planned.
After a few days of testing different spots, this is the mix that worked best.
Start with Hofi Cas Cora for a standout breakfast and cool vibe. Add in De Dames for a slightly more elevated sit-down meal, and then use Number Ten for a slower morning where you’re not watching the clock.
That combination gave us variety without feeling like we were structuring every minute of the day around food (even though, realistically, we kind of were).
If you’re renting a car, it makes getting to these spots much easier—especially Hofi Cas Cora and Number Ten. I booked mine here to compare options before our trip, which helped narrow things down quickly.
And if you’re staying near Willemstad, it helps to have a central base—this is where I usually look for options so everything is within a reasonable drive.
Breakfast isn’t the thing most people plan ahead for, but here it ended up shaping our mornings more than expected.
The right spot set the tone for the entire day, especially on mornings when we had beach plans or a full schedule ahead. The difference between a quick, forgettable breakfast and one you’re still thinking about later is pretty noticeable here.
If you’re already mapping out where to eat later in the day, check out my guide on Best Restaurants in Curaçao (Where to Eat + What to Order) so your lunches and dinners line up just as well.
Let’s talk about when to actually book that Dubai trip you’ve been pinning for two years. I get asked this constantly, so here’s the honest breakdown: October through April is your window. Anything outside that and you’re basically touring in a sauna!
October and November give you warm days and cooler nights, which is basically the sweet spot for wandering around without melting. December through February is peak season: gorgeous weather. March and April are the quiet insider pick, right before summer heat shows up and ruins everyone’s plans.
Saving this for later? That’s what it’s here for. Full breakdown linked in bio.
If you’re chasing energy, beaches, nightlife, and nonstop luxury, Dubai takes the crown. If you’re craving culture, iconic architecture, and meaningful landmarks at a slower pace, Abu Dhabi shines.🤍
My advice? Base yourself in Dubai and do Abu Dhabi as a day trip! The perfect balance of excitement and culture in the UAE.
Want the full breakdown? Check out my Dubai and Abu Dhabi guide for tips, itineraries, and must-sees!
I do not like seafood. 🐟 So when I booked a tasting menu at a restaurant built around aquarium walls at Atlantis The Palm, I was nervous.
Ossiano sits underwater fish gliding past the whole meal, moody lighting, the kind of room that makes you lower your voice without meaning to. It’s not cheap, and it’s not trying to be. You’re paying for the entire experience.
Here’s the honest part: they have a vegetarian tasting menu, and I assumed it would be an afterthought. It ended up in my top five meals of all time. Course after course, the same care and precision as the seafood-forward menu everyone comes for. They even swapped in a steak for the main and it still felt cohesive with everything around it.
By course four you’re full. They bring out three more breads anyway. I ate all of it. No regrets.
Small detail that stuck with me my dress was black, so they swapped my napkin from white to black without me asking. That’s the kind of thing that tells you everything about a place.
Full breakdown of the menu, the vegetarian option, and what to expect linked in bio.
Dubai is all skyline until you drive an hour into the dunes and it goes completely silent. Bab Al Shams was that shift for us: slower, quieter, more intentional than anything we did in the city.
If you want nightlife or walkable everything, this isn’t your stop. But if you want a night that feels like a reset, it delivers, polished service, food I’m still thinking about, and a setting that never tries too hard.
Full review (and whether it’s worth adding to your Dubai itinerary) is linked in bio. 🏜️
I flew @emirates economy to Dubai fully expecting to just survive the flight. We booked seats by the exit row — @bradplummer1 got the legroom (he’s 6’7”), I got a normal seat right next to him, and it saved us money over booking two extra-legroom seats. Smart trick if you’re traveling with someone who needs the extra space and you don’t.
The food alone earned this post. Warm chicken, a Waldorf salad that actually tasted fresh, real butter on the roll, and a breakfast spread that put most airport brunches to shame. Add in the twinkling-star cabin lighting once dinner wrapped, and it felt less like a flight and more like the trip had already started.
Not everything was perfect — the wifi didn’t work for me at all, so if you’re planning to get work done in the air, download what you need beforehand. But that was the only miss in an otherwise excellent long haul.
If you’ve got Emirates lounge access in Dubai, use it. Showers, buffets, quiet corners to nap it makes the layover feel like a reset instead of a slog.
Full review seats, food, lounge, and the wifi situation is on the blog. Link in bio. ✈️
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
