I'm a high school teacher bringing 20 wonderful, but noisey, high school students to Bonaire to study marine biology in June. In the past we only dined at the hotel where we stayed but I'm looking to branch out and give the kids a more "authentic" experience. I spend about $18 per person including gratuity, and we obviously don't drink anything except water to ice tea.

Can you please provide suggestions on who could accommodate us & what to order while there? I usually limit their selections to expediate the whole dining process. (We have to do a night dive ya know!)

Ryan, bless you! I wonder if Antriol Catering could handle a group that size if you called ahead...the eating area certainly could accomodate such a large group.

I would ditto Antriol Catering.
When we took a group of 16 there we tipped them more than the cost of all of our food and beverages. The owner/family and the experience was a treasured memory (not to mention great home cooked food).

Wow...What a lucky bunch of kids!!
When I was in High school all we did was .......

I think as long as you call in advance Antriol Catering would be a GREAT choice. We did a BT talk there a few years ago (before Gibi opened his doors) and it was wonderful. They really aim to please, and it's pretty darned authentic.

A good cultural life lesson-it's sort of in a big enclosed porch at his house.

If you e mail me I would be glad to help with the arrangements. I am the editor of the Bonaire Dining Guide and have some pretty good connections. I agree with Antriol Catering suggestion and also Maikey Snak...other places that fall into your budget are Bistro di Paris, Casablanca, Patagonia, Chibi Chibi, etc. Let me know if I can help..info@chatnbrowse.com

Ryan wow!! You are bringing 20 students to Bonaire for a field trip? Dude, I am putting you in for NEA's Teacher of the Year!! That is so wonderful. Do these kids even have a clue as to how cool Mr. Carlson is for doing this?

I am also a teacher. However, I teach European history. Do you think I could do a stretch, bring kids down and teach them the origins of Dutch colonialism in this area?

I shall also be on the island in June, beginning on the 23rd. If you need any help, tips, anything, let me know. This will be our 15th trip to Bonaire, so I know it well. I mean this sincerely.

Ryan, post thought, City Cafe would be good as well. However, listen to Uncle Michael. He is the man. He is a wealth on knowledge on all things Bonaire, especially good things like eating. LOL

Ryan,
We live in McHenry, Il. also! We travel to Bonaire in the winter. I would recommend Gibi's, who has a restaurant on his back Patio. Inexpensive and good.

Chet and Jean Wood

Ryan, I agree with Chet, I forgot about Gibi's. Last time I went it was $20.00 per person though, anyone have any idea what the going price of a dinner is? He serves the food in his home, so that certainly would be "local" for the kids to experience!

Local food, consistently good and within your price range = Antriol Catering!

Going price for a dish of local food is between Naf 11,50 to 15,00. ($6,60 to $8,60)
I really don't see why he charges naf 33,00 / $18,85 for a meal. Yes, you get a small salad and some bread and butter but IMO that doesn't justify the difference in price.... Maybe the view from the back patio?, which picture could be a contender for 'Red Neck Yard of the Week'!

See Franco at the Ribs Factory. You would probably all fit. I have been there when large dive groups roll in.