El Gaucho Curacao — Restaurant in Curaçao

I have stayed on Curacao for many weeks last year and found El Gaucho at Piscadera a really good place for a evening dinner. So when my work have taken me to Curacao again this year I told me colleagues that we need to go El Gaucho but since the one at Piscadera is closed we went to this one. While the menu looks almost the same that was the only good thing about this place. The waiter was quite fast in seating us and to get our order. We all had the Porterhouse signature steak along with a bottle of red wine and one beer. Our steaks arrived to the table before our drinks and the waiter apologized about this but did not offered any kind of compensations since we had been sitting with a empty table for around 20-30 min waiting for our drinks. The steaks looked really good but all of them was a mess of fat and sinewy not tender at all. After cutting a lot of in the side of the steak the meat got more and more hard to cut the closer we got the bone. At one point one of my colleagues started to bit the meat of the bone instead of using his knives as it was to though for the knives. Another of my colleagues had ask for a medium steak but it was more raw then medium, not even just red but raw. When the waiter came to ask how the food was he complained and see offered to take it back to the kitchen but at that point it was to late. The rest of us pointed to our piles of discarded meat to show how much of this signature steak that was uneatable and she just went away. After that point we were not asked if we wanted any more to drink or coffee/dessert so apparently the way they handle bad steaks is just to ignore the costumers. All of this can seem petty but when you pay 78 NAF for one steak it needs to be good and when I compare it will all my good times at the other El Gaucho it really bothers my that this one can be so bad and disappointing. We are never going...

🌅 Ambiance 🌅

Perched atop a hill in Willemstad, El Gaucho offers a magnificent view. The open-air terrace creates a warm and romantic atmosphere, ideal for a couple’s evening but also suitable for families. The attention to detail, such as the use of quality glassware and plates as well as biodegradable straws, demonstrates their commitment to an exceptional customer experience.

🥩 Culinary Experience 🥩

Our meal began with appetizers: octopus served on a delicious sweet potato purée, and equally delightful tacos. For the main course, we opted for the picanha steak and the hanger steak, both cooked and seasoned to perfection. The side dishes, including classic fries, yucca fries, house salad, and grilled vegetables, harmoniously complemented the main courses. The grilled vegetables were particularly good. For dessert, the carrot cake was satisfying but nothing extraordinary, followed by mint and ginger teas prepared with fresh ingredients—real sliced ginger and fresh mint leaves—accompanied by exquisite honey.

🍹 Drinks and Cocktails 🍹

The cocktails offered are carefully crafted. My caipirinha, in particular, was one of the best I’ve had in a long time—balanced and refreshing. I really wanted to mention that!

💰 Value for Money 💰

Although El Gaucho is not the most economical option, the prices remain reasonable given the quality of the food, good service, and exceptional ambiance. It’s an ideal establishment for celebrating special occasions or simply treating yourself with a memorable dining experience in Curaçao.

⭐ Conclusion ⭐

El Gaucho Steakhouse Curaçao offers an exceptional culinary experience, combining delicious Argentinian steaks, good service, and an enchanting ambiance. Whether for a special celebration or an enjoyable evening, this restaurant is a must-visit during a stay in Curaçao,...

REVIEW BY AN ARGENTINE. Great restaurant! Had the garlic bread and ceviche as our apps, followed by the picanha and short ribs with yuca as our main courses. Those entrees were more than enough for our party of 2. Great variety of desserts, and a delicious cappuccino to wash it all down.

Negatives: chimichurri that came with the meats were NOT real chimichurri. It was a vinegar base, while real chimichurri has an oil base. Seems like garlic was also missing. Maybe their other batches of chimichurri could have had more of those ingredients but my wife and I had a chimichurri with too much vinegar and parsley. There are 3 things we Argentines take VERY seriously: futbol (soccer), the shade of blue in our flag, and our chimichurri.

Another negative was the tiramisu. It was very dry and cake-like. I am a tiramisu enthusiast and I had high hopes for this dessert. The coffee taste was almost non-existent, ladyfingers were questionable, and the dryness really was the final blow.

The restaurant has no control over this next topic but it’s something guests should be aware of: there are stray dogs that like to hang out outside if the restaurant. Not by the entrance but below the balcony. I have a soft spot for man’s best friend and had to pay the pupper tax (threw some short ribs and yuca over to them). They are not intrusive if you don’t pay any attention to them. NOTE TO THE OWNER: please look out for these pups. Most guests do not know how to properly eat the spare ribs. Give the leftovers to these starving creatures who did not ask to be put in their...