About three years ago, someone began a thread asking for opinions on the finest dining on Bonaire. Our first visit is coming up in early February and we just received the recent issue of "Scuba Diving" magazine which lists Casablanca, Richard's Waterfront Dining, and The Lion's Den as three of the top five Dive-Destination Restaurants in the world (quite a compliment to those owners, I'd say).

While reading the postings from a few years ago, folks mentioned these plus many other eateries as their favorites. Some places may still be open and others may not. Also, there must be some new restaurants that shouldn't be missed.

I'm hoping a few of you won't mind giving your current opinions to help make our dining experiences as wonderful and memorable as our diving experiences while on Bonaire. Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Karlyn

Just one restaurant!!!! Oh my that is so hard because it depends on what I am in the mood for! I guess if I only had to pick one, it would be Bistro du Paris. The French Conch Chowder is served in warm round french bread bowls, so luxurious. After you eat the soup, you get to enjoy the taste while eating the bread bowl! The last time I was there I had the chicken and it was to die for.... Loved it! Liz

Karlyn,
for me, but so far little response on this board on a different topic about this place, there is one pretty 'new'. Mai Mai.
Had dinner there twice, and it was wonderful. Quality in food, service, location. One of the few places on Bonaire I am more than willing to sit inside.
So, for me, Mai Mai.

I'm going to agree with Scuba Diving Magazine on this one... definitely Casablanca. The food is superb, not overpriced, and you get a LOT of it ! Also, the owners are very very friendly and will most likely stop by your table for a chat.

Karlyn,

I will also go with Scuba Diving Magazine and the distinguished Mrs. Kelly Baum and vote for Casablanca. If I had to eat at only one restaurant for my entire trip I would not be upset if that one restaurant was Casablanca. It is really THAT good!

Belinda

One place all the time.....guess Gibi would have me for a permanent house guest

Lion's Den for us.

I'll also cast my vote for Gibi's!

Mona Lisa!

Mona Lisa for food and Richards for food plus atmosphere. Celebrated 10th anniversary at Richards after sampling Richards, Mona Lisa and Cassablanca.

I can't choose just one!!! I love them all!! I have never been disappointed dining in Bonaire!It's one of the reasons that I keep going back!

If one is to choose the best of the best, let us do it in a manner that sets up some criteria.

(1) Quality of food.
(2) Preparation
(3) Presentation
(4) Service
(5) Wine list
(6) Knowledge of food and wine matching.
(7) Price
(8) Atmosphere
(9) Consistency
(10) Location

NOTE: Quantity is not important here as 5lbs of French fries with my Wahoo is a waste.

This year’s vacation will bring me to 51 weeks spent on Bonaire over the past 15 years. We have seen many restaurants come and go, some good, some not.
I believe I have eaten in just about all of them at some point or another.

Being past president of the American Wine Society, I have a tad bit of knowledge about wine and food. I have eaten some great meals in some of the best restaurants in the world. I’m not a wine snob; I just love good wine and enjoy really fine foods. Hot dogs with a clod beer are not bad either. Being a frustrated weekend worrier cook, I really appreciate all the cooks on Bonaire, as there supplies are hard to come by, and the work is hard, very hard!

One of the best meals I have had, if not the best was on Bonaire, yes Bonaire. If this restaurant was here in Boston, or NY, you would have to make a reservation months in advance.

Bonaire is blessed with some very talented and innovative chefs.
So, my pick based on my scale of 10 criteria above is. Oops, I have to add that I have not been on Bonaire since last Feb, so to be fair about my choice, any restaurants that have opened since then are not judged here. I can’t wait to try them.

(*****) Capriccio Ristorante.

Thanks Jerry for that long road to nowhere... just kidding. I love Capriccio also!

Ooops sorry I should have set that up properly:

My qualifications for picking the best restaurant in Bonaire is that I get hungry a lot, and I like to eat. A lot. And the 5 lbs of french fries won't go to waste with me... I dredge them in that fabulous mushroom sauce served with the filet.... mmmmm... when I get the fries at Gibi's, I often fight my dinner mates for them.

Jerry, off topic a bit here but... do you know John Bayley? He's a serious cyclist here in Massachusetts (although he and Pam took a bit of a detour and moved to NZ for a couple of years), and I know his cycling circle of friends is vast...

Oh... my favorite restaurant was De Tuin, but since they closed that's not much help...

Susan, DeTuin was one I never got to try...

John Bayley, Not off the top of my head, sorry.

Mona Lisa gets my vote

Jerry,

On your next trip you have to try Bistro de Paris.. Absolutely fantastic. Your criteria would definitely be met. How about this... magnificent Frogs Legs on Bonaire! Delicious!

Liz

I am so glad that you all are voting in such a timely manner!! When we get to Bonaire the beginning of Feb. we are going to feast!!! My mouth is watering!! Can't wait to try these one by one........

They had wonderful food there Kelly, and the ambiance was cool - at least I liked it.

It had a bit of the feel of an old-style tropical bar-dive. I could almost see Humphrey Bogart hanging out there at the bar in the courtyard. If you walked in the front door back to the courtyard it was like stepping back in time: first the computers up front; the next room, darkened, the pool table with a fat cat luxuriating on top of it; finally you would come to the mostly open-air bar/restaurant courtyard with trees shading the tables, and wonderful old nautical-type things hangin on the walls and being used for the little bit of lighting available. And the food: I remember impressions of it more than the actual presentation (it's been almost a year since the last visit to DeTuin when they were open, and before that another year) but... wondeful fish dishes, mouthwatering beef, incredible soups, amazing desserts... sigh.

I understand the owners may have opened another restaurant, but in a completely different style. Too bad, I really liked the old one.

Many years ago the care taker at the Bonaire Beach Bungalows. Hans I believe, told me about a place he liked to eat at. It was located in the middle of Bonaire someplace. Take a right at the flag pole, go to the white house with a brown car in front, you get the Picher, I don’t remember the location or the name, but he told us “for $3.00 you get a mound of mashed potatoes, gravy poured all over the top, the meat is dropped on it, and a cold beer, all for $3.00”. When I asked what kind of meat? He just smiled at me and said, “I think red meat?”

So if you like mass amounts of starch and mystery meat seek it out, after all what do you want for $3.00?

UPDATE:The $3.00 was 15 years ago, it's $29.95 now!

It has been such a pleasure and a treat to read all these delicious reviews -- and I don't think it's just because it's my lunch time!! Thanks so much to everyone for taking the time to respond, especially Jerry, whose criteria is much like ours and whose extra effort is truly appreciated. Years ago, comments were much the same for Capriccio and my mouth was already watering to try it. I don't expect to eat out only once while in Bonaire; but now, with these excellent choices, I may rather dine than dive!!

Karlyn

Lion's Den for me!

How big is Bonaire again? Take a look at this list.


Restaurant
Phone
prefix 717
Meals
Food Style

Angel Floating Restaurant
Kralendijk North Pier pickup truck
780-
7838
D
Local, seafood,
International

Antriol Catering
Kaya Mariana 8 4248 L, D local
La Balandra
Harbour Village Beach Club 7500
x62
L international
Banana Tree
Plaza Resort
2500
L,D
Variety

Bella Vista Bar & Restaurant
at Buddy Dive Resort 5080 B,L,D International
Bistro de Paris
Kaya Gob. N Debrot #46 7070 L,D Authentic French and International
Blue Moon Restaurant
Kaya C.E.B. Hellmund 5
8617
D
French, International

Bongos Beach
Eden Beach Resort
7238
D, L
International

Bon Appetit
Gilberto F. Croes 10
7371
L,D
Chinese

Bon Bini Retaurant
Kaya Dialma 11 4780 B,L,D Local
Brasseri Bonaire
Royal Palm Galleries 4321 L,D Sandwiches, Local fish, International
Breeze of Eden Terrace
EEG Blvd 97
7488
B,L,D
international

Calabas Restaurant
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort 8285 B breakfast buffet
Casablanca
J.A. Abraham Blvd 12 4433 L,D Argentine grill
Capriccio Ristorante
Kaya Isla Riba 1
7230
L,D
Fine Italian food, excellent desserts

Caribbean Point Restaurant
Plaza Resort
2500
D
French

Chez Lucille
Harbour Village Beach Club 0144 B,D French/Thai, International
Chez Nous
Comprehensive School - call for reservations
8120
L,D
Caribbean

Chibi Chibi
Divi Flamingo Beach Resort
8285
L, D
International

China Nobo
Kaya A.A. Emerenciana 4
8981
L,D
Cantonese

City Restaurant
Kaya J.N.E. Craane
8286
B,L,D
Variety

Coco's Beach Cafe
J.N. Crane 12
8434
D
Local, BBQ

Cozzoli's Pizzeria
Harbourside Mall
5195
B,L,D
Fast food, great fruit drinks and desserts

Crêpe's Paradise
Kaya J.N.E. Craane 1000 late B, L, D sweet and savory crepes
Croccantino
Kaya Grandi 48
5025
L,D
Italian

Divi Divi Restaurant
Kaya Dr. J.G. Hernandez 26
8863
L,D
local

Donna and Giorgio's
Kaya Grandi 60

D
Italian

Enping Bar Restaurant
Kaya S. Bolivar
4422
L,D
Chinese

Fareast Bar & Restaurant
Kaya Avelino J Cecilia
7177
L,D
Chinese

Garden Cafe (moved Feb. 2003)
Kaya Grandi 59
3410
B,L,D
Lebenese, Latin American

La Guernica Fish & Tapas
Kaya Bonaire 4c 5022 D Seafood, tapas
Great China
Kaya Grandi 39
8886
L,D
Chinese

Grill House
Kaya J.N.E. Craane
8434
D
Grill

Hilltop
at Caribbean Club 7901 L,D grill, international, bar
Hollandse Grill House
Tera Cora D local
It Rains Fishes
Bayside
8780
D
International

Jos Bar Restaurant
Kaya Korona 79
6600
L,D
local

Kentucky Fried Chicken
Harbourside Mall
7700 7373
L,D
Fast food

Kontiki Beach Club
Lac Bay Resort
5369
B,L,D
Variety, Jazz night

La Luna
Kaya CEB Hellmund 17 2370 D International
Le Flamboyant
Kaya Grandi 12 D International
Lion's Den
at Lions Dive Resort
3400
B,L,D
International

Little Havana
Kaya Bonaire 4 786-0717 D Tapas, bar
The Lost Penguin
Kaya L.D. Gerharts 8003 B,L,D International
Luigi's
Kaya Grandi B,L Local
Mai Mai
Kaya CEB Hellmund 17 2202 D Thai Asian
Maiky's Snack
Kaminda Nieuw Amsterdam 30
09-567 0078
D
local

Mango's Bar & Restaurant
Kaya Gob. N. Debrot (at Sand Dollar) L,D variety, burgers, sandwiches, pasta
Mentor Bar & Restaurant
Kaya Korona 140
4999
L,D
Chinese

Mona Lisa Bar & Restaurant
Kaya Grandi 15
8718
L,D
Variety

Old Inn
J.A. Abraham Blvd. opposite Plaza Resort
6666
D
Indonesian
Variety

Pasa Bon Pizza
Kaya Gob N Debrot
790-
1111
D
Pizza
Open Wed-Sun.

Peking Bar Restaurant
Kaya Tintorero 1
7170
L,D
Chinese

Rendez Vous Restaurant and Grill
Kaya L.D. Gerharts
8454
D
Variety

Restaurant Le Mirage
At the Flamingo Airport
5600 x231
B,L,D
Variety

Ribs Factory
Harbourside Mall, 2nd floor D ribs, grill
Richard's Waterfront Dining
J.A. Abraham Blvd 60
5263
D
Variety

Ristorante del Pirata Nello
Kaya J.N.E. Craane 12
8434
D
Italian

Rose Inn
Rincon
6420
B,L,D
local

RumRunners
Capt. Don's Habitat
7303
8290
B,L,D
Variety

Seahorse Cafe
Kaya Grandi L,D pastries, sandwiches
Shang Hai Bar Restaurant
Kaya L.D. Gerharts 17
8838
L,D
Chinese

Spanhoek
Kaya L.D. Gerharts
6686
L,D
Suriname

Subway
Les Galleries Kaya L.D. Gerharts
2110
B,L,D
Fast food

Surinaamse Bar Restaurant
Kaya A. Cecillia 31
2127
L,D
Suriname

Swiss Chalet
Kaya Lib. S. Bolivar 21
3366
B,L,D
Swiss

Tipsy Seagull
Plaza Resort
2500
D
Variety

Verona's Bar Restaurant
Kaya Para Mira 2 (Rincon)
6440
L,D
local

Watta Burger
Kaya J.N.E. Craane
8286
L,D
Grill beef and chicken burgers

Yue Hau Restaurant
Papa Cornes 33
2180
L,D
Chinese

Zeezicht Seaside Restaurant
Kaya J.N.E. Craane 12
8434
B,L,D
Variety/Local

Jerry, is this list one I can put my hands on once we arrive in Bonaire? The letter coding makes no sense to me, but I imagine there's an explanation. Is the four-digit number code the phone number?

Karlyn

Bonaire is blessed with good restaurants. I would find it impossible to pick one thats the best - our favorite 3 are:

Cappricio
Mona Lisa
Mai Mai

There are some however that we find consistently over-rated - It rains Fish's for one. Nevertheless the food is one of the great bonuses of the island.

Lion's Den hands down. I just hope they have lobster, last trip I was in Bonaire the boats didn't come because of a storm.

Karlyn, It looks like a cut and paste from:

http://www.infobonaire.com/restaurant.html

(Message edited by vtscuba on December 30, 2004)

Karlyn, I agree with Tom, the list looks like the one on the website infobonaire.com Andy

I can't believe no one's list "It Rains Fishes"! The Catch of the Day in mustard sauce is reliably excellent. I like Jerry Gauron's above list but don't know if the list is prioritized. I think "consistency", is not to be underrated. First impressions count a lot too. My only experience at Mona Lisa, many years ago, was not positive. However, given the many positive reviews it has received, I would guess it is a very good restaurant and eventually I'll get back there. But it's not a first choice and there are always lots of new places to try. Conversely, my first dining experience at Cappricio, and many repeat visits there, have been consistently very good. Although I've had one or two less spectacular dinners there, it's a restaurant we'll continue to return to for its consistently fine dinners.

A restaurant seldom mentioned is Rendez Vous. It too was a restaurant we patronized for many years for its consistently good dinners. It changed ownership recently, but we had another very nice dinner there last year. I have not heard any recent reviews for Rendez Vous and I hope it's still doing well.

Finally, where are you staying on Bonaire? Do they have a barbeque grill? Some of our best dinners (most enjoyable, most memorable, even if not "fine dining") have been with fresh-grilled fish and impromptu potluck dinners with new friends met during the week.

Enjoy your visit! Time for me to book my next trip!

Jerry-
That restaurant in the middle of nowhere (that you patronized 15 years ago) and was recommended by the guy at Bonaire Beach Bungalows........was it Papagayo? I remember a similar experience, but about 20 years ago! I think that was the name, but I'm not sure. Any old-timers out there who can help us out??

You know what, First impressions do count. I should have added that, thanks.

The house we rent does have a BBQ and this year we will smoke a rack of lamb. I will bring down some wood chips. What are my chances of finding apple wood on Bonaire?

China Nobo, First impressions, walk out, no, run. But,the food is good. And very nice people. Give it a try. I belive they deliver as well?

Kate you might be right on with this, but I don't remember. If someone knows Hans, it's near his house.

We're staying at Crown Courts 44a in Sabadeco. I checked the villa's photos at the Sun Rental web site and can't tell if there's a BBQ or not. I hope so - in fact, I'm counting on it. Good idea, Jerry, about bringing wood chips. My list of take-along specialty items keeps growing!

Good health to all in the new year.
Be safe tonight, don't drive!
23 days untill we are on Bonaire
HAPPY NEW YEARS.

China Nobu was a HUGE hit with our family last February. They made a Roast Pork served bean spouts with a spicy brown sauce that was fabulous. My picky 7 year old declared the sweet & sour chicken, sans sauce, the best chicken nuggets on the island.

China Nobu was a HUGE hit with our family last February. We had a Roast Pork served over bean spouts with a spicy brown sauce that was fabulous. My picky 7 year old declared the sweet & sour chicken, sans sauce, the best chicken nuggets on the island. I would agree that take out is the way to go - the locals offered a bit more local color than I needed and smoked like chimneys.

I want to say It Rains Fishes sole with the mustard sauce is one of my favorite meals also
and everything at Cappricios is fantastic.

Sue, is it me or are portions at China Nobo small??

Has anyone ever eaten at Restaurant Le Mirage?
And if so, why?

I agree with Chuck and Mary--The Mona Lisa. Great food and atmosphere. If you eat in the bar you'll get a discounted special. Delicious!

The Mona Lisa is outstanding, but it can get a bit warm at times, no AC, open windows.

Ann,
The portions are the same, we have gotten bigggger.

Here's our two cents...

There's only one restaurant we visit twice each trip (this is our fifth time), and that is the Garden Cafe. It's simple, but the owners are extremely friendly, fluent in several languages, everything is prepared to order the way you want it, and best of all for Miss Patty, much of the menu is vegetarian. Great Argentinian beef and sausage and ribs, chicken, fish and ethnic Lebanese and Mediterranean (sp?) food.

The rest of the trip, we try one or two new places and a couple of old favorites like Casablanca, Kon Tiki etc.

:-) Enjoy the food! It's one of the best parts of the vacation.

Carl and Patty

I go China Nobo with Casa Blanca a close second

Just back and we would recommend one old favorite, Capriccio,and one we had somehow always missed before, Mona Lisa.

We could not get an outside table at Capriccio, which we had for some reason skipped the last couple of visits, and sat in the main dining room. I actually enjoyed this more - it let us concentrate on the the food, the wine, the people around us. The food was outstanding - a salad of Italian preserved tuna "confit", pumpkin ravioli, pan-roasted duck breast with apples, a pasta dish the name of which I don't remember, similar to a Puttanesca; They have a wonderful wine cellar and being less than knowledgeable about Italian wines, we gave a style preference and price point to the server who made a recommendation we were thrilled with -took the label and will be trying to find it at home.

We've been past Mona Lisa a thousand times but for some reason never tried it. Finally went this trip just before Christmas with no reservation and told they were full but could put the three of us at a table for two. We had expertly prepared fish dishes that WEREN'T WAHOO-
they had Jack, Barracuda, Rainbow Runner...also very civilised service. the atmosphere can be disorienting. We felt like we were in Amsterdam during a heatwave.

For BBQ, nothing beats the carneceria latina. Tried bobbijan's, not impressed.

We wanted to get to Bistro d'Paris, never made it. Also have not been to Casablanca. Oh well, we'll just have to go back...what a chore.

Dinner - Mona Lisa....

Bar Haap is the best value period...

Lunch - Luigis

This is just wonderful! Thank you, EVERYONE, for so many reviews!

I just learned about www.antilleanwine.com and I've been in touch with Annette at The Last Bite Bakery. Are there more little secrets should I know about?

Karlyn

Please try Takivi Snack behind Cash n Carry. The Kabrito Stoba is to die for. 9-2 daily. AC and very clean dining area. Right behind Gigy's if you come from Nikkiboko Zuid.

Ann

Karlyn...
The MONA LISA is absolutely the greatest restaurant I've ever had the pleasure of dining in. Wonderful food and ambiance, whether in the dining room or in the barroom. This is one you can't miss, believe me.
Carol Collins

We love the ribs and satay at Bobbi jeanes ( spelling is probably wrong ) and found the service to be fast also.

For lunch it's the Garden Cafe. His salads alone are worth flying halfway around the world. For dinner don't forget Donna & Giorgio's. They are consistently amazing.