My wife and I will be on Bonaire 04/10 - 04/15. Can anyone recommend four (4) places we should definitely try for dinner. Price is really not a concern though cheaper is always better. Thanks,
Mike

Mike
Welcome to Bonaire Talks

I'll go cheaper firster
Lost Penguin for Breakfast or Lunch...Primo breakfasts, great burgers, nachos.
Bobbejeans for dinner...Only open Fri, Sat and Sun. Outrageous BBQ ribs, steak, and chicken. Most reasonable.
Gibi's (especially if you're gonna be there on Tuesday (Bonairetalks night at Gibi's) Excellent local food and seafood. A local kind of place.

More expensive.....Casablanca if you need beef...Argentine beef by the tablefull.

We've been to Bonaire twice in the last year and we've never had a bad meal only some that were less excellent

enjoy
Cheesidaddyo

Mike,

We just returned Sunday from our first trip to Bonaire. As Joe said, we never had a bad meal, just some that were less excellent.

For dinner you must try Lighthouse and Casablanca. Donna and Giorgios is good and the pizza at both Pasa Bon Pizza and Cappricios is very good.

For breakfast and lunch I second The Lost Penguin (but if you go at prime eating hours be sure to allow plenty of time) and for lunch we enjoyed Mangos.

Belinda

Mike,
For dinners I would definitely not miss any of the following:

Mona Lisa's in downtown - Excellent food

Richard's - Wonderful food and the view is beautiful - request a table seaside and you won't be disappointed.

Tipsy Seagull at the Plaza Resort - Also a beautiful view while sitting seaside and great food.

Casablanca - Although it doesn't have a view the filets are wonderful. A word of warning though don't order the mixed grill for two. A great presentation but the meat was rather dry.

For breakfast or lunch the Lost Penquin is a must.

Good luck and have a great time.

This was our second visit to Bonaire and as others have mentioned the food is wonderful anywhere and the prices are very reasonable.

Cindy

They are a little expensive, but I liked Zeezicht, It rains fishes, Rendez-vous and Amadeus. For breakfast just go to the bakery at the Cultimare supermarket.

I'ld say Gibi's, It rains fishes, Casablanca and Antreol Catering.

My votes for top four:

Casablanca
Capriccios
It Rains Fishes
Richards

Of course, Gibis !

Sounds like I missed some last week (first visit). I'll promise to try out the others this fall.

Kelly, what about the Italian place we went with Dara...my mind is foggy this morning and I can't remember the name! They had great food and service, and the ambiance is fantastic! OH, and they will quickly get you "out of the monsoon" if one hits while your sitting outside!


A couple of additions:

Lunch, Buddy's, they have a great burger!

Lion's Den has a great lobster ravioli, but ask for prices on their specials, I about fell over the edge and on a tarpon when we got the bill...60 naf for ravioli, it was good, but not THAT good!

Chibi Chibi has a good lunch, and a GREAT view!


Mango's...give it a try and say hi to Ruth (you got any Salitos or is the island still dry when it comes to those??? do you have a replacement drink Ruth???)

For lunch, if you miss the lunch hour (after 2 I believe, there isn't much open downtown...so in a pinch between dives KFC and Whataburger will do!)

Here is what the "platters" look like at Casablanca...definitely HUGE!


Oh, and agree with Lost Penguin for any meal

Now, did we make the decision even harder? I have a BAD BAD BAD case of PBD!

OK, looking at that Amstel on the Chibi railing has thrown me over the edge...I WANT TO GO TO BONAIRE NOW DANGIT!!!!!

we loved the takeout at China Nobo - the lo mein was the best I've ever had. The roast pork was also tender and tasty. They also made fried chicken tenders & fries for my picky 6yr old that he loved and included ketchup.

Crocotinos, that's the Italian place I couldn't remember...it's across the street from Lost Penguin, good food and great warm romantic atmosphere (at least it was for Kelly, Dara and I LOL! next time I'm taking my husband!)

So far no one's mentioned the Swiss restaurant -- is it the Swiss Inn or Swiss Chalet? It's on Kaya Simon Bolivar, where it almost intersects with Kaya L.D.Gerharts, near the church. (Somewhere I have a guide to Bonaire Restaurants....)
-Mary

And the Blue Moon, on the water, just south of the industrial pier. And Lucille's, just south of the Blue Moon.

-Mary

Thanks a lot for mentioning Croccatino's Cynde:-{(}
Usually I go there twice each visit, this year I did not get there at all.

That does it, I am going back in the fall. You can bet your backsides, I will be using a different mode of transportation.

Gibi's has become one of my favorites. Like Mary W. said in another thread, I too ask Gibi what I should have. He knows I enjoy fresh fish and he never disappoints. I call him in the afternoon, let him know how many to expect and he never disapoints.

Last week (crying here, I need a hug) when 6 of us got there on Thursday, I went in and asked him what should I have. The man smiled and said "Thomas wait ten minutes, I have something special." Eight minutes later a truck pulled in and immediately Gibi came out holding a Wahoo so fresh (the truck was the fisherman) its' eyes were still bright.

He then showed it to another table of people, then cut it up on the rectangular table near his back door. I wish I had a photo of the faces of some of the people at the other table. It was special.

Two nights later fellow Vermonters, Harry and Donna Shripka, John Anderson and I returned. Guess what I had:

fresh wahoo of course. Served with some fried plantain and delicious tomatoes.

Oh yeah, I also had an couple servings of:

Eat your heart out Cheezinator.

A second suggestion for breakfast. I think it's Olde Inn, across from Plaza Resort. They bake fresh bread daily to go with awesome omelets. AND they open at 8 am for early risers.

I went two weeks without Mac and Cheese and didn't care

Bon apetit

el cheesener

Thanks to everyone for responding. I guess we won't sleep or snorkel well just EAT ALL THE TIME. I think we will go to Gibi's on Tuesday to meet some fellow BTers. How do you know who's one and who's not. Mike

The people at the long table just inside the fence are the BTers. Just walk up to the table and say loudly "Hi I am Mike and I am a Bonairaholic." they will say "Hi Mike, welcome." Then you may sit down.

Enjoy.

Have some funchi for Joe and I please.

I will do that this fall!
Have fun and goodnight everyone!
Jan

We just got back from our second trip - Awesome time again. We liked:

The Lost Penguin - lunch - very reasonable
Gibi's - dinner - Bonaire talk nite
Zeezicht - Valentines dinner - we were so stuffed we almost had to crawl home - awesome
City Cafe - Crepes in the Corner - dessert crepes to die for.

Have fun!

Mona Lisa is WELL worth the splurge. If you're concerned about the price, do the bar menu. But you won't regret it-expensive, but the best restaurant on the island, IMHO.

I have my journal from '02 packed already (for next week's trip!) so I can't get at the name of one restaurant which we really enjoyed. It has NO ambience, your table sits at the edge of the road (north of town, on the way to Sand Dollar et al.) "Georgio's???" Don't know, but we all had pasta and loved every dish. Reasonably priced as well. Actually, I think it sits at the edge of TWO roads...I seem to remember it's at a fork in the main road. And open late.

I think it's Donna and Giorgios ro something like that. It's still there. We ate there our first trip and thoroughly enjoyed. Cruise the inside though, it's actually a gallery of some sorts.

Enjoy
Cheeseman

Oh, man, I gotta put my $0.02 worth in here!

Croccantino's - Gnocchi with gorgonzola sauce...or anything else on the menu :-)...or Cappricio's for Ravioli con la zuca.

Garden Cafe - (Lebanese/Middle Eastern)Mixed platter

Rose Inn for lunch after a late morning dive at Karpata followed by ice cream at Prisca's (Rincon)

Lac Cai Sunday afternoon for local grilled fare and great atmosphere (include a snorkel to look for turtles, conch, upsidedown jellies and cushion stars).

Gibi's for Tues BT night (get something with his creole sauce, even if it's only rice).

Okay, that's five.....and I could surely keep going!

Wherever you end up, you'll have good food.....just be prepared for service poco-poco! And you have to ask for the check when you want it. Bon apetit!

Forget the Ice Cream at Priscas...they have gone into retirement...if you can make it to Lovers, it is the best Bonaire has to offer

I absolutely second eveything that has been said here. The food is great everywhere. By the way, was I really that sunburnt in the above picture. The Rose Inn for lunch is awesome, and Jan the owner, looks like an older Vincent van Gough. The older lady at Casablanca recognized me immediately in December from this picture last summer Cynde and Kelly. It was hysterical. I really need to be more vigilant with sunblock!!

It's Lighthouse & Mona Lisa for dinner Lost Penguin for breakfast and lunch.
The Lighthouse looks right out over the harbor/marina - R E A L L Y nice cocktail bar .

Brian

Chez Nous
Casablanca (TWICE!)
Garden Cafe
Dave

Hi Cynde-nope, still dry when it comes to Salitos. It certainly seemed like we drank enough to justify more importing of it, but that's just not the case. My favorite beer for years has been (Venezuelan) Polar, which, as long as that idiot Chavez doesn't close the plant again, is always in supply.

Then again, while in New Orleans, I did have a peach martini at Emeril's that was awsome. As soon as I get over this stupid sinus infection, I'll begin "experimenting" to see if I can make it the same. And I suppose I should try to make a Mangotini too.....ah, work work work.

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone!

Hey Ruth,
How long did your snowballs (both kinds) last? Were they still in the freezer when you got back from New Orleans?

Um, well, my "diet" for the day before I travelled (Monday, 2/23), was: a dozen Krispy Kremes & 2 Snow-Balls (the tasty edible version). I believe I also had a cup of coffee. I was so wired I didn't eat until just before midnight in New Orleans, on Fat Tuesday (a fantastic Roast Beef Po'Boy at the Royal Sonesta in the heart of Mardi Gras--it was nice inside there, everyone was still upright & the floors weren't slippery with stuff that just shouldn't be identified).

As for the real snow-balls, they're still in the freezer at Mango's. That was so funny that you brought real snow-balls all that way, the staff still goes in to look at them when they see snow on TV!

Have to add my two cents here:

1. MONA LISA (not to be missed!!!)
2. Rose Inn in Rincon for local food.
3. Kontiki at Lac Bay.
4. Capriccio's

Carol

TOO many choices but here are my latest favs:

Casablanca for filet mignon with the mushroom and chimichuri sauce (yes both)

Swiss Chalet for fondue or fish

Mona Lisa for the trio of fish in saffron sauce and those sinful potatoes

Grill Terrace for grilled food cheap

Bobbijan's for bbq

Capriccios for their salads and pasta

Crocanntinos for Pasta Klein Bonaire

Lost Peguin for Nachos

Giby's for local food

The local snack on Jean B. F. Vitte for gabrito

Garden Cafe for the best Middle Eastern next to 100% Armenian Mom, Evelyn

Nadia Snack for Chinese

Spanhouk for Roti

Yes, I am a food lover..what can I say??

I love ALL dining on Bonaire...BUT I miss sushi and Indian food BAD!