Perched atop a hill at the entrance of Curaçao’s harbor, Fort Nassau offers one of the most breathtaking panoramic views on the island. From this historic vantage point, you can take in a full 360-degree sweep of Willemstad, including the iconic bridges linking Punda and Otrobanda. By night, the city transforms into a shimmering landscape of lights stretching all the way to the horizon—an unforgettable backdrop for dinner.
The restaurant describes its approach as “Casual Fine Dining.” Both lunch and dinner are served in a semi open-air setting that blends the old-world charm of the 18th-century fort with a clean, contemporary interior. The ambiance—historic, elevated, and breezy—adds significantly to the experience.
The bar drinks were very well made, and service throughout the visit was attentive, pleasant, and generally quite good.
Starters
We ordered the Appetizer Trio, which featured:
- Edamame-wasabi crepe with spicy tuna tartare, clementine-ginger gel, and black sesame
- Smoky mushroom & truffle soup enriched with rosemary and thyme
- Tempura shrimp with Furikake seasoning, pineapple relish, and a grilled pineapple aioli
We also had the Pan-Fried Scallops, served with:
- Soy, orange, and sesame oil
- Roasted macadamia nut mayo
- Corn lettuce, purple daikon, and plantain chips
All dishes were flavorful and thoughtfully composed, though portion sizes felt small for the price and presentation.
Mussels Three Ways
- The Traditional preparation (onion, leek, carrots, celery, white wine, peppercorns, bay leaf, cloves) was a bit bland.
- The Thai version (lemongrass, green curry paste, coconut milk, ginger, chili flakes, fish sauce, coriander) delivered bold aromatics but came across as too salty.
Overall
Our experience at Fort Nassau was good overall, with standout views, solid drinks, and a pleasant staff. The food offered interesting flavor profiles, though it lacked consistency and felt light on portions. While the fort itself makes the visit memorable, it remains debatable whether the dining experience alone warrants a return trip.
Rating 7.3/10
