Following my stomach
One of the best parts of solo travel?
You get to eat exactly what you want, when you want. No negotiating. No polite “what sounds good to you?” dance. Just pure, honest appetite. Although, the only downside is that I can only eat so much and it’s easier to try multiple dishes when there are two appetites at the table.
Curaçao kept me happily fed and a little surprised. Some meals were just quick bites between swims, but a few were worth writing home about. I always like to make breakfast at ‘home’ when traveling so that I can stay on my own timeline and make sure to get in some veggies and fruit first thing.
The day I tried iguana (and liked it)
My favorite meal on the island wasn’t at a fancy spot—it was at Jaanchi’s, a laid-back open-air restaurant that feels more like someone’s cheerful frontyard.
Here’s how it went:
- I sat down and ordered an oregano punch because it sounded most intriguing (and refreshing!) when the friendly waitress rattled off the options.
- A few minutes later Jaanchi himself appeared, smiling and ready to explain the simple lunch menu.
- I decided to go half-and-half: fish and iguana stew (or as he called it, mountain chicken). Lunch dishes come with meat, rice + beans, and salad.
I hesitated for about half a second, then said yes. When in Curaçao, right?
The iguana tasted a lot like chicken, stewed in spices until it fell off the bone. Jaanchi joked that it was a dish for honeymooners and told me to lock my door afterward—just in case love found me.
After the plate was cleared, Jaanchi waved me toward a rocking chair near the edge of his garden. The restaurant is open on one side, and he keeps the garden stocked with feeders so hundreds of birds flutter in and out like confetti. I sat for a while, just rocking and watching the colors blur.
Eventually he appeared again—this time with a small dish of ice cream.
“You gave it a good effort,” he grinned. “Here’s your reward.”
When I finally settled the bill (around $30 with tip), he presented me with a little Jaanchi’s coin purse. A perfect memento from a meal that was, honestly, a solid ten out of ten.
Other good bites
Not every meal had a story, but these are worth a mention:
- Isabel’s Off the Water – Run by a couple from New York, airy and welcoming. Perfect for a glass of wine, an appetizer and their ridiculously good carrot cake.
- Landhuis Dokterstuin (Komedor Kriyo) – I arrived underdressed and sweaty after my “hike,” but no one cared. The seafood okra soup with a side of steamed cornmeal (“funchi”) was spot on. This time I went for a tamarind water that hit the spot.
- Maira’s in Willemstad – Lovely goat stew in a pretty neighborhood – Otrabanda. I enjoyed sitting facing the street and watching the world move by.
Some places didn’t click. A beach café was closed because the owners were away, another spot’s menu didn’t inspire me, and once I simply forgot my wallet. (Travel magic: problem solved.)
Coffee, sort of
If you love iced coffee the way we know it in the States, temper expectations.
I ordered one and got something closer to a sweet blended dessert. Tasty, yes. Caffeinated, not quite.
Mini Tip Box: Curaçao Food Notes
- Don’t skip oregano punch—herbal, refreshing, and everywhere.
- Iguana really does taste like chicken (and comes with a story).
- Many restaurants are open-air; bring bug spray and embrace the island breeze.
- Coffee culture leans hot; iced versions are more like milkshakes.
Why meals stay with me
Some dinners in Curaçao were just… dinners.
But a few—like rocking in a chair while birds swirled around Jaanchi’s garden—stayed with me in that quiet way good travel meals do.
Food on this island felt less about presentation and more about connection—to the people cooking it, the land and sea supplying it, and the easy pace of island life.
There are so many more facets of local cuisine that I’d love to explore. I didn’t have the occasion to stop at a “Snek” stop while driving around. They looked like old fashioned lunch counters and I’d love to check one out.