CURACAO DINING

With its numerous nationalities, Curaçao enjoys many cuisines. Indonesian rijstaffel or rice table is especially popular. Local specialties include stoba di cabrito (goat stew), fried plantains, seafood, and conch or karko. Amstel beer, Dutch gin, and local rums such as San Pablo are choice drinks. For an after-dinner liqueur, try Senior Curaçao's Blue Curaçao (it comes it several other colors as well.) Made from a bitter orange grown on the island, select from flavors including orange, chocolate, rum raisin, and coffee.

Old Market
Breede Straat (Punda)
Willemstad
011-599-9-612178
Dress code: casual
Reservations: no
$
Don't expect anything fancy at this cafeteria called Grandma's Kitchen by many locals. Located behind the post office and within walking distance of the Punda's shops, this is where residents come for Curaçaoan dishes like kadushi (cactus) soup, steak di weja, and giambo (gumbo). Diners line up and order from the cooks, who label generous helpings out of gargantuan pots. Wash it all down with a glass of cold Amstel. Open for lunch only, daily except Sundays.

Fort Nassau
(Otrabanda) Willemstad
011-599-9-4613450
Dress code: elegant
Reservations: suggested
$$$
The most romantic night view in Willemstad is from this historic fort. Dine indoors or out on continental dishes at your table lit by candlelight. Enjoy dishes as varied as saltimbocca (veal cutlets with sage and proscuitto) or fried sunfish breaded with pecan nuts, served with a choice of excellent soups such as mustard or rich coconut.

Landhaus Brieguengat
011-599-9-8648087
Dress code: casually elegant
Reservations: suggested
$$$
Rijsttafel, an Indonesian feast, is served in this historic country house. Diners sit outdoors beneath a web of tiny lights strung in the trees. Come with a big appetite to this spread. The meal begins with an appetizer of egg rolls followed by main courses such as sateh ajam, skewered chicken covered with a spicy peanut-flavored sauce, kerrie djawa (beef curry), daging ketjap (beef braised in soy and ginger sauce), and telor (egg in spiced coconut sauce.) You can work off the calories on the dance floor, then return the next day to tour the landhuis which is furnished with period antiques.

Mambo Bar
Seaquarium Beach
Dress code: bechwear
Reservations: no
$
Casual fun is the order of the day at this beachside joint, where the tables are located right on the sand. Choose from pasta dishes or look for lighter dishes like tuna, shrimp, and crab on a baguette.