WILLEMSTAD – Curaçao's restaurant sector has welcomed a new addition with the official opening of Fratè Italian Grill, a new dining concept created by local entrepreneurs Gerrit Schotte and Rudney Garmes.
Located at Caracasbaaiweg 287, the restaurant officially opens its doors to the public on June 2 and is expected to create more than 20 new jobs on the island.
Gerrit Schotte and Rudney Garmes
According to the owners, Fratè Italian Grill combines authentic Italian cuisine, grilled specialties, and a high-end dining experience under one roof, offering a concept they believe has been missing from Curaçao's culinary landscape.
However, the founders say the restaurant is about much more than food.
The name "Fratè" is derived from the Italian word for brother and reflects a friendship that began more than 35 years ago between Schotte and Garmes. Over the decades, that friendship evolved into a long-term business partnership built on trust, loyalty, and mutual respect.
"Fratè represents who we are and what we stand for," Schotte said. "After 35 years of friendship, we are grateful that together we have been able to create a place where people can come together, connect, enjoy themselves, and create memories."
For the two entrepreneurs, Fratè Italian Grill marks their fourth restaurant venture together. Yet both describe the new project as different from anything they have developed previously.
"We believe the most beautiful moments in life are created around a table," Garmes said. "Fratè is not just about food. It is about family, friendship, hospitality, and the people with whom you share your life."
Unique Italian Dining Experience
One of the restaurant's most distinctive attractions is its "Cheese Wheel Experience," where freshly prepared pasta is finished tableside inside a wheel of authentic Parmigiano cheese.
The interactive dining experience has become popular in renowned restaurants around the world and is now being introduced to Curaçao as part of Fratè's culinary offering.
The owners hope the concept will provide both residents and visitors with a unique dining experience while further enriching the island's growing restaurant industry.
With more than 20 new jobs created and a focus on hospitality, quality cuisine, and innovation, Fratè Italian Grill enters the market at a time when Curaçao's tourism and hospitality sectors continue to expand.
The restaurant's opening also represents another local investment in the island's economy, combining entrepreneurship with employment opportunities while adding a new destination for food lovers in Curaçao.