Willemstad’s historic Pietermaai area is being reimagined as Curaçao’s vibrant centre for chic hotels, restaurants and bars The most recognizable landmark on the tiny Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao may be a row of postcard-perfect pastel buildings that line the waterfront in the capital city, Willemstad. But it’s the even brighter character of the city’s up-and-coming Pietermaai neighbourhood that’s drawing a younger crowd. Within just two cobblestone blocks, more than a dozen bars, restaurants and hotels have recently opened.

Its roster of new establishments includes Miles, a jazz café where patrons – and the sound of live performances – spill out onto the street. For foodies, there’s Ginger, a Caribbean-Asian-Indian fusion restaurant hidden in a courtyard under swooping canopies. Diners chase their meals with a cocktail at Mundo Bizarro, a multi-level Cuban-inspired bar. The lineup of must-visit spots also includes Blessing, a restaurant in a former chapel, and Mosa, a tapas eatery with a seafood-heavy menu.

Read the full post, originally published on March 9, 2017, on The Globe and Mail.