Santa Anna Curacao — Restaurant in Curaçao

We rolled in late after exploring Willemstad all day, but they were still seating and eager for us to have a great experience, which we did!

Our server was charming and engaging and gave us great commentary about the menu (which was impressive). After we ordered, the owner came out the chat with us and personally deliver our wine. It was really fun to hear about his background and path to restaurant entrepreneur in Curacao, and I think you should get it first hand, so I won't retell here. He came out again when our food came and gave us the low-down on a ground spice additive that comes from his hometown... It's delicious... do not miss out. I told him that he should mass produce and sell bottles there in the restaurant, but the pepper crop / limits to what he can import are too restrictive. Alas, you'll just have to go there to see what I'm talking about.

We enjoyed a shrimp salad with said spice added, and then tore into the seafood lasagna. I know what you're thinking. I thought it too.... "keep yo' fish away from my pasta" - but DAMN. This was the most delectable conglomeration of really fresh seafood in a creamy white sauce that was somehow really light and fresh and traditional lasagna... I don't know how it was done, but it was delicious, and I highly recommend.

On top of all of that, the view was great, the decor was whimsical and fun and sparked a lively conversation over whether the status by the main entrance were Neptune, Poseidon, or, ... you know... King Triton ;)

@me...

We came here because we wanted a waterside restaurant. It's not quite waterside though- there is a road in between (and the occasional noisy car/motorcycle). That's a good thing to know just expectations-wise.

The owner/manager was really nice and friendly. Our server seemed a bit uninterested and aloof, though. She rarely checked on us and didn't seem interested in answering our questions about the menu. She also did not seem very knowledgeable about the menu (whether we could ask for a kids portion for our kid or what styles the fish could come in). We were not sure if this was a language barrier (for English), though.

The mahi mahi was fresh and tasty though very underseasoned. The manager said that a lot of visitors don't like a lot of seasoning, which I guess could be true? I ordered it "blackened" but there was very little of the seasoning. I was hoping for more authentic.

The alfredo sauce was top-notch though, would...

The owner of this tiny restaurant is from Chile. An avid fisherman who sources local fish, such as the big eye jack. But they have Atlantic salmon and Chilean fish, too.

My tip— order what is local— not the cheap fried fish for the locals.

The seafood empanadas were amazing. 3 of them, each filled with something different- one was scallops, another salmon, and third with shrimp.

The desserts are made in house. I had the flourless chocolate cake and Parker had the coconut flan. Not bad.

This place opened in January 2023, so don’t be discouraged at the low number of reviews.

The owner is trying really hard to showcase local flavors and it comes through. A+ on that from a food critic who has been to many seafood...