After exploring around the island, we liked to end our day with a delicious dinner. We found that most of our favorite dinners ended up being in Willemstad.
By the time we sat down for dinner, I was already thinking about what we were ordering and whether we accidentally needed two appetizers (we did).
It helped that we already had reservations and had our spots picked out ahead of time, because these are popular restaurants and fill up fast. Renting a car also made it easy since we could go where we wanted and weren’t stuck in one spot on the island—I usually find the best deals with Discover Cars.
If you want a full day in Willemstad, check out my blog Willemstad Walking Guide: What to See, Do, and Eat—it makes it easier to picture where you’ll actually be throughout the day.
We sat down here already hungry (as I usually am), ordered a mix of dishes to share, and everything that came out just worked.
MosaCaña Bar & Kitchen ended up being my favorite dinner of the entire trip. The menu is creative, and every plate felt like it belonged together.
This is the one I would go back to first without even thinking about it. If you’re picking one dinner in Willemstad, this is the easiest decision.
If you want more details on what we ordered, see my full review of MosaCaña Curaçao Review (Dinner + Atmosphere).
We went here for dinner wanting something a little nicer, and it felt like a step up right away—from the space to how everything came out.
Kome is more of a fine dining spot, but it doesn’t feel formal or uncomfortable, and the space has a more artsy feel to it. The menu changes frequently, which I liked, and everything we ordered had a lot of flavor and came out looking polished without feeling over the top.
This is a good option if you want a nicer dinner that still feels easy to sit down and enjoy, casual dining meets creative food.
The drive up here sets the tone—you’re heading uphill, away from the city, and then suddenly you’re looking out over all of Willemstad.
Fort Nassau is where you go for the view. It overlooks the city, and once you’re seated, it’s hard not to keep looking out instead of at your plate.
The food was really good, but the setting is what makes this one stand out. The dishes and drinks felt a little more playful (I stuck with mocktails), and it’s one of those dinners that feels more like an experience than just a meal.
It’s a short taxi or drive from Willemstad, which makes it easy to work into your plans without rearranging your whole day.
If you’re planning this as a sunset dinner make sure to get reservations in advance.
We ended up here wanting something different from a traditional sit-down dinner, and the format makes that easy.
SOi95 leans into Asian-inspired dishes with a shared dining setup, so everything comes out in smaller portions. It gives you room to try a few things without committing to one main (which I always prefer because I want to try everything).
Everything we ordered had a lot of flavor and came out looking just as good as it tasted. This feels more like a fun night out than a standard dinner reservation.
After getting into town, checking in, and walking around a bit, this is the kind of place that works without requiring any planning.
De Gouverneur sits right in the middle of everything, which makes it easy to find when you’re still figuring out the layout of the city.
It’s a solid, straightforward dinner option that doesn’t require a reservation strategy (although I am type A so I did have a reservation)—just a good place to land on your first night.
These came up constantly while planning and researching, and they’re the ones I’d prioritize next time.
Rozendaels Original Cuisine focuses on Caribbean flavors with a more elevated approach. This would be a good option if you want something a little more traditional but still refined.
The Wine Cellar leans into classic fine dining with a strong wine focus. This feels like more of a date-night dinner.
Ginger blends Caribbean and Asian flavors. If you liked the idea of SOi95, this looks like a similar direction with a different take.
BijBlauw sits right along the water. This would be a good option for lunch or dinner if you want something scenic without it feeling too formal.
Plein Café Wilhelmina felt limited in options (for breakfast), and there are better places nearby that are more worth your time.
If you’re planning breakfast in Willemstad, I’d look elsewhere.
Dinner ended up being the main event each day, so this is how I’d structure it based on what we did.
One night at MosaCaña or Kome gives you a strong starting point for dinner. Adding Fort Nassau as your one “experience” dinner brings in something different with the view and setting.
Breakfast in Willemstad didn’t feel as strong overall, so grabbing something quick nearby or planning a bigger breakfast elsewhere on the island worked better for us.
If you want more ideas outside the city, check out my guide on Best Restaurants in Curaçao (Where to Eat + What to Order).
Save this for later on Pinterest so you don’t forget it.
Willemstad ended up being one of the best areas to eat on the island. The variety is there, the quality is there, and once you have a plan, it takes the guesswork out of deciding where to go at the end of the day.
If you’re figuring out where to stay nearby, you can find hotels in the area here—it helps to be close enough to walk or take a quick taxi to dinner.
And if you want to see how this all fits into your trip, learn more in my post about Curaçao 7 Day Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Curaçao.
“Outside Terminal 3” is not a pickup location at PHX.
Before your driver pulls in, text them four things: your terminal, north or south side, door number, and inner or outer curb. Grab your bags first, then call them in. Drivers can wait free in the cell phone lot instead of circling. Getting through security is easy; getting picked up is the hard part.
Save this for your Phoenix trip ✈️
Come for the architecture, stay for the view.
The Chapel of the Holy Cross has been built into Sedona’s red rocks since 1956. The outside overlooks get busy, but inside is quiet, with huge windows framing the rocks. It’s free, takes 30-45 minutes, and has a paved, wheelchair-accessible ramp. Make sure to bring water in summer.
Save this for your trip planning!
Order it well done. Trust me.🍑🍕
Peach & Pancetta Pizza at Hideaway House in Sedona: roasted peaches, salty pancetta, ricotta, basil, extra-crispy crust. Split the house salad, grab a prickly pear lemonade, and get a patio table facing the red rocks. Skip the bread if you want room for another slice.
Save this for your Sedona trip✈️
Pack your bags, Denver is not just a mountain layover. RiNo alone can eat a full day between the murals, food, and bars. Skip the concert and hit Red Rocks midday instead, you’ll basically have it to yourself. Golden’s a 30-minute trip if you want a change of pace, and if food drives your travel like it does mine, Denver Central Market and BRUTØ deserve real time on the calendar. Give it three days minimum, four if you’re eating your way through it. Save this.
Stayed at The Maven in Denver’s Dairy Block and the location alone sold me, walking distance to Union Station and most of downtown, string lights right outside at night. The room was spacious and quiet, even had a swing in it. Real talk though, there’s a $28 daily resort fee and parking isn’t cheap, valet ran us $59 a day. Bed was a little firm, but that’s the only complaint I’ve got. Save this before you book.
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
