On the way to our destination Marfa’s GoodHangout, formerly Toko Williwood, the most striking landmark is large peach-colored church on a small hill in the village of St. Willibrordus. You can see it from afar. By the time you get there, however, you have already passed our destination and a Hollywood-style sign.

Sint Willibrordus alias WILLIWOOD

After the Flamingo Lagoon by Jan Kok, the small village of Sint Willibrordus is marked with the white capital letters WILLIWOOD. The similarity to the world-famous HOLLYWOOD lettering is no coincidence. Right across the street is Marfa’s GoodHangout. You can’t miss it, because the big sign with her abstract face is really eye-catching.

Marfa’s shop is right on the corner where you head straight towards Coral Estate and the beaches of Porto Mari and Daaibooi. If you turn right, you will come to a road that leads to Park Fontein and Westpunt – the next axis to many other dream beaches of Curacao. Find a free parking space and off you go.

The former Toko Williwood in Sint Willibrordus, now called Marfa’s GoodHangout

4 in 1 location Marfa’s GoodHangout

The name of the location describes very well what Marfa has achieved here in St. Willibrordus: A literally translated ‘good hangout’. It is indeed a great place to hang out. There’s always something going on here, except for Tuesdays, which is a day of rest.

Its strategic location, combined with its elaborate, cozy wooden terrace, attracts many guests. There is also live music every Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. The reputation of the famous Williburger usually precedes the visit, so some come for a burger, others for an after-work drink and many just to experience Williwood live.

Marfas Treff used to be called Toko Williwood. There is also a Toko – the name of a small supermarket on Curacao – to complete the offer. So what we have here is a restaurant, a bar, a souvenir shop and a toko.

A corner store

You can imagine the grocery store as a small corner store where you can find almost everything you need for your daily life. As self-caterers, we managed to get some bread and cheese for the next day’s breakfast at a late hour. All the big supermarkets were closed and we were on our way back to our apartment in the Coral Estate area.

It’s easy to remember the opening hours business days: always from 10 to 11, except on Thursdays only until 10 pm. The food from the restaurant is also available to take away, if you are interested.

The terrace of Toko Williwood in the evening with entrance to the store

Logo shirt

In addition to daily necessities, souvenirs are sold in another area of the store. The highlight is the T-shirt with the goat and the Williwood logo, which is worn by all employees. You may have already seen the Williwood logo on the staff at Porto Mari if you have already visited that beach. Marfa is the licensor for her idea of Williwood and the Williburgers available there at the beach bar.

You can buy the Williwood shirt at Toko in all imaginable colors and sizes. I thought it was cool and have it in red. Another souvenir tip, especially if you had the famous burger.

Home of the Williburger

The goat is the inspiration for the house specialty, the Williburger. The special thing about it is that the burger patty is made from minced goat meat. All ingredients are produced on Curacao. This makes the Williburger a true local product. It is served with coleslaw and excellent sweet potato fries. The latter are definitely something for you as a snack if you follow a vegetarian diet. By the way, the delicious mayo is homemade.

The Porto Mari Beach Bar serves the Williburger and the staff wear Williwood T-shirts

Once in a lifetime experience

“You have to eat a goat burger once in your life.” That’s what a friend said to me who had been on vacation on Curacao before us. I have to admit that eating this burger was a once in a lifetime experience for me. When we told her at home about the unusual, new taste experience, she laughed and said: “What? You really ate that? I would never eat a burger made with goat meat!”

The Taste

I believe that you have to try something before you dismiss it. The Williburger wasn’t mine, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like goat meat. I love kabritu stoba (goat stew), which is also available at Marfa’s. It’s a stew with goat meat and a very long stewing time that tastes super delicious. It reminds me a bit of goulash and I apologize to anyone who doesn’t think so. Well, food is and always will be a matter of taste.

Williburger Club

It is a fact that there is a Williburger Club on Curacao. On the website of the club you can see which restaurants have the goatburger on their menu and serve it. You will also find information about this completely local product and the partners they work with on the island.

Big game on Curacao

You should know that goats are one of the biggest animals on the island. The only other animals are the Curacao red deer, which can be found in larger numbers in Christoffel Park, and the ostriches on the ostrich farm, which live in fenced enclosures.

An interesting aspect that Marfa revealed to us in conversation:

“Next to ostrich meat, goat meat is the healthiest animal meat. It doesn’t make you feel as full as other kinds of meat.”

Attention animal crossing

Goats are the most common livestock on Curacao. They are not kept in pens, but roam freely, so beware of crossing goats. They are especially common in St. Willibrordus. I have given them the nickname “Willigoats”. When such a herd crosses the road in front of you, nothing happens for a few minutes. You can compare it to waiting at a railroad crossing.

The “Willigoats” of Sint Willibrordus

Mountain goats on a Caribbean island?

Not all goats belong to anyone and they are found as wild animals all over the island. And when I say everywhere, I mean everywhere. They will accompany you all the way to the rocky summit of the island’s highest peak, Mount Christoffel (372m): If you can’t see them, you might smell them as you climb the mountain or come across their droppings from time to time. Don’t panic, it’s not that bad. I like to exaggerate sometimes. If you have a similar experience while hiking on Curacao, you’ll probably remember what I said. 😉

Basically, wild goats are not averse to food and are always looking for something to eat. If there weren’t fences, cactus hedges and guard dogs to keep them away from private property, they’d be all over the plants.

This Kunuku house is well protected by a cactus fence

Mäh is not the same as bäh

We think it’s fantastic that Williwood has literally come up with the goat. The Williburger has a large fan base and we highly recommend you give it a try. Marfa’s realm and she as an exceptionally warm hostess are worth a visit.

Local cuisine at Marfa’s GoodHangout

We recently had ribs and keshi yena and loved it. We appreciate that Marfa has real local food on the menu. To our regret, the trend towards Indonesian, Far Eastern cuisine is omnipresent on the island. Although we love to cook and eat Asian food, we like learn about and try traditional local dishes in our vacation destinations.

Have you ever been to Marfa’s GoodHangout or Toko Williwood? Tell us about your personal impressions and experiences. We are curious!