Iguana Café
Good times and harbour views on the Handelskade, from breakfast to the last cocktail
Known for the terrace facing the Queen Emma Bridge · sunset drinks and frozen cappuccino · happy hour Monday to Friday 18:00 to 19:00 · live music several evenings a week · ribs, mixed grill and the catch of the day
Photos
Menu
What to order
Snacks & AppetizersFried Chicken Wontons (8 pcs)18 XCGEight crisp chicken wontons with the house tropical coriander sauce.- Main DishesSautéed Salmon with Shrimp48 XCGSalmon and shrimp in a rich garlic sauce.
- Main DishesThe Magic Duo53 XCGTempura shrimp and calamari with the house tropical coriander and garlic sauces.
Prices shown are indicative, last updated 25 September 2026, and could be outdated. Confirm with the restaurant.
About
Iguana Café is the terrace on the Handelskade, the row of coloured merchant houses on the Punda waterfront of Willemstad, at Handelskade 13, facing the Queen Emma pontoon bridge and the Otrobanda facades across St. Anna Bay. There is hardly a better seat in the city for watching the bridge swing open, the cruise ships pass and the sun go down, which is why it opens from breakfast and runs to the last cocktail, with a happy hour from 18:00 to 19:00 Monday to Friday and live music several evenings a week, including Thursday's Punda Vibes street event.
The kitchen does international and island food: a breakfast card, burgers, sandwiches on baguette with Dutch cheese, arepitas, pork ribs and mixed grill, karni stobá and other local stews, coconut seafood soup, and the catch of the day such as red snapper in coconut sauce with funchi. The drinks are the other half of the story: frozen cappuccino, piña colada, Blue Curaçao cocktails made with the island's own liqueur, the Secret Iguana coffee cocktail and large draft beers. The iguana is the terrace mascot statue; it is not on the menu.
As of September 2026 it holds a 4.0 rating on Google from more than 1,900 reviews and 3.8 on TripAdvisor from more than 2,600 reviews; the location, the view, the cocktails and the frozen cappuccino are what reviewers single out. It is listed by the Curaçao tourism board and is a few minutes on foot from the Mathey Wharf cruise dock; from the Mega Pier, walk across the Queen Emma Bridge. Prices on this page are in Caribbean guilders.
Hours
| Monday | 08:00 - 23:00 |
| Tuesday | 08:00 - 23:00 |
| Wednesday | 08:00 - 23:00 |
| Thursday | 08:00 - 23:00 |
| Friday | 08:00 - 23:00 |
| Saturday | 08:00 - 23:00 |
| Sunday | 08:00 - 22:00 |
Note: Breakfast 8:00 to 12:00. Happy hour Mon to Fri 18:00 to 19:00, live music Wed to Sat 19:00 to 22:00.
Find it
We'll drive you there
Vacation Deals Curacao runs private transfers across the island. Tell us your hotel or cruise terminal and we drop you at the door, and pick you up again after dinner.
Good to know
Where is Iguana Café in Willemstad?
Iguana Café is at Handelskade 13, Handelskade waterfront, by the Queen Emma Bridge, Punda, Willemstad, Curaçao. Punda is the historic east side of the bay, the side with the coloured Handelskade waterfront.
What kind of food does Iguana Café serve?
Iguana Café serves Brunch, Caribbean, American and Contemporary food, with a menu of 18 sections including Snacks & Appetizers, Breakfasts and Sandwiches. Prices are in the $$ range and listed in XCG, the Caribbean guilder.
What is Iguana Café known for?
Iguana Café is known for the terrace facing the Queen Emma Bridge, sunset drinks and frozen cappuccino, happy hour Monday to Friday 18:00 to 19:00, live music several evenings a week and ribs, mixed grill and the catch of the day. The full menu with prices is on this page.
Does Iguana Café serve brunch?
Yes, brunch is part of the menu at Iguana Café. Dish names and prices on this page are copied from the restaurant's own card.
Does Iguana Café serve Caribbean (krioyo) food?
Yes, Caribbean (krioyo) food is part of the menu at Iguana Café. Dish names and prices on this page are copied from the restaurant's own card.
What are the signature dishes at Iguana Café?
Iguana Café marks Fried Chicken Wontons (8 pcs), Sautéed Salmon with Shrimp and The Magic Duo as its signature dishes on the menu. Prices for each are listed on this page in XCG.
What is on the menu at Iguana Café?
The menu at Iguana Café has 18 sections: Snacks & Appetizers, Breakfasts, Sandwiches, Salads, Side Orders, Main Dishes, Burgers, For the Kids, Desserts, Soft Drinks, Coffee & Tea, Frozen Coffee, Pastry, Shakes & Smoothies, Cocktails, Beers & More, Wines and Liquors. Every dish is listed on this page with its price in XCG.
How much does a meal at Iguana Café cost?
Menu prices at Iguana Café run from Cg 2.00 to Cg 80.00 (XCG, the Caribbean guilder, pegged at about 1.79 to the US dollar), which puts it in the $$ range for Willemstad.
What are the opening hours of Iguana Café?
Iguana Café is open Monday to Saturday 08:00 to 23:00, Sunday 08:00 to 22:00.
Is Iguana Café open on Sunday?
Yes, Iguana Café is open on Sunday 08:00 to 22:00.
Does Iguana Café have a happy hour?
Yes. Breakfast 8:00 to 12:00. Happy hour Mon to Fri 18:00 to 19:00, live music Wed to Sat 19:00 to 22:00.
Is Iguana Café a good place for breakfast in Willemstad?
Yes, Iguana Café serves breakfast (doors open from 08:00 on a typical day) in Handelskade waterfront, by the Queen Emma Bridge, Punda. The breakfast dishes and their prices are on the menu on this page.
Does Iguana Café have vegetarian options?
Yes, the menu at Iguana Café marks vegetarian options, such as Quesadilla, Veggie Spring Rolls (6 pcs) and Arepitas (6 pcs). Look for the marked dishes on the menu and confirm details with the restaurant.
Does Iguana Café have vegan options?
Yes, the menu at Iguana Café marks vegan options, such as Vegan Popsicle. Look for the marked dishes on the menu and confirm details with the restaurant.
Can I reserve a table at Iguana Café?
Yes. Use the Reserve a table button on this page (a US$10 booking fee, not taken off your bill, and an optional taxi there and back), or message Vacation Deals Curaçao on WhatsApp at +599 9 560 5422.
How do I get to Iguana Café from my hotel or cruise ship?
Vacation Deals Curaçao runs private transfers across the island and can drop you at the door in Handelskade waterfront, by the Queen Emma Bridge, Punda. From the Mathey Wharf cruise dock it is about 5 minutes on foot; from the Mega Pier about 20 minutes via the Queen Emma Bridge. See the transfers page to arrange a ride.
How far is Iguana Café from the cruise port?
Ships at the Mathey Wharf dock are about 5 minutes on foot from Iguana Café; from the Mega Pier allow 15 to 25 minutes, crossing the Queen Emma Bridge into Punda.
How do I cross the Queen Emma Bridge to reach Iguana Café?
The Queen Emma pontoon bridge links Punda and Otrobanda and swings open for ships several times a day. When it is open, a free ferry crosses the bay in a few minutes from the same spot.
Is Punda safe at night?
Punda is one of the most visited and best lit parts of Willemstad, with the waterfront busy into the evening; normal city care applies. Thursday evenings bring the Punda Vibes street event.
What currency does Iguana Café use?
The menu at Iguana Café is priced in XCG, the Caribbean guilder (Cg), which is pegged at about 1.79 to the US dollar. Most restaurants in Willemstad also take US dollars and cards; change comes in guilders.
Do I need to tip at Iguana Café?
In Curaçao a service charge of 10 to 15 percent is often already on the bill. When it is not, tipping 10 to 15 percent is customary; US dollar tips are welcome.
What is the dress code at Iguana Café?
Casual. Willemstad restaurants are relaxed; smart casual is plenty for dinner and beachwear is best left at the beach.
What is krioyo food?
Krioyo is Curaçao's own cooking, a blend of African, Dutch, Spanish and Arawak influences: stobá (stew), keshi yená (stuffed cheese), funchi (cornmeal) and fresh fish. Iguana Café lists its Caribbean dishes on the menu on this page.
Can you see the Queen Emma Bridge from Iguana Café?
Yes. The terrace sits on the Handelskade quay directly facing the pontoon bridge, so you watch it swing open for ships and see the Otrobanda waterfront across the bay.
When is happy hour at Iguana Café?
Monday to Friday from 18:00 to 19:00, according to the restaurant's own social pages; check on the day, as times change.
Is there live music at Iguana Café?
Yes, several evenings a week, and on Thursdays the Punda Vibes street event brings music and dance groups along the waterfront.
What should I order at Iguana Café?
Reviewers keep coming back to the frozen cappuccino, the piña colada and Blue Curaçao cocktails, the ribs and mixed grill, and the catch of the day; the Pineapple Tropical dessert is a favourite too.
How far is Iguana Café from the cruise ships?
From the Mathey Wharf dock in Punda it is a few minutes on foot along the waterfront; from the Mega Pier in Otrobanda, walk across the Queen Emma Bridge and it is right there on the Punda side, about 15 to 20 minutes.