If you want to taste what Curaçao families eat at home, come to Plasa Bieu. The old market hall sits on the edge of the Waaigat in Punda, and inside, a handful of small kitchens cook local dishes over open flames while everyone shares long tables.
The menus change from stall to stall, but look out for stoba, a slow-cooked stew of chicken, beef or goat, served with rice and beans and fried plantain. Adventurous eaters can try kadushi, a soup made from cactus, and anyone with a sweet tooth should order arepa di pampuna, a soft pumpkin pancake. Portions are generous, prices are honest and the cooks are happy to explain what’s in the pot.
There is no fuss here and no view to pay for, just good food and the chatter of people on their lunch break. That is the charm of it, and it is one of the best ways to support local cooks during your stay.
Plasa Bieu is a lunchtime place, so plan to arrive between noon and two, when everything is fresh and the hall is at its liveliest. It is an easy walk from the Handelskade and the floating bridge.
