My wife and I will be in Bonaire for our anniversary in Nov. This will be our first trip there and I need some dining advice. I have seen on the board that Rumrunners and Richards both have romantic dinner spots but Richards reviews seem to be mixed and Rumrunners seems to have little descriptive info available. What do you all recommend for a nice romantic diner spot.

The patio at Sunset Beach is very nice, it overlooks the ocean. Food is good too. Ask Kirk for the corner table.

I vote for Richards. I go there every time I am down, and will be back in November as well. Of course favorite restaurants are just like everything else. Everybody's got one.

If you've narrowed it down to the top two or three, and others agree, you'll be just fine. I mean, how wrong could you possibly go? Vacation in the Caribbean, your anniversary to boot, and dining on the water?

For location, Richards takes some beating. However, the food isn't anything special.

For the best food it has to be Capriccio, Will's or Mona Lisa.

I go along with Antony, Richards, nice location.
ML, outside table. Good food and service
Caps, one of the booths. Good food, Great wine list.
Wills, bring bug spray. Good food.

Richards if you can get the table on his pier.

Capriccio's is one of the best restaurants on the island.

Regardless where you go, be happy you're on Bonaire with your wife! Have a good anniversary.

Neptune Nick

Tipsy Seagull at Plaza Resort - feet in the sand, right at water's edge - great food.

Wil's Tropical Grill - in town, not on the water but, great, innovative food and fantastic desserts; fabulous cocktails

You could not find a better host than Richard.
Explain your situation and all will be well.

http://richardsofbonaire.com/

What the others said about Richard's and Capriccio's.
I would add Apetite as possibly the best food on the island. New and inventive with a good wine list although not as extensive as Capriccio's.

We had our first anniversary dinner at the dock table at Richard's, enjoyed it 100%.

Richard's has my vote

We just spent our 30th anniversary on the island. I echo Tipsy Seagull and/or Capriccio's (one of the corner/side alcoves.) Paradise Moon doesn't have nearly as much ambience but great appetizers (the walking sticks!!!!!--YUMMMM)

We were in Bonaire last week. Booked the table on the pier at Richard's 2 weeks prior to our designated "last dinner" of our trip. Confusion led to our NOT getting the table. Richard was very nice and we DID get an oceanside spot. To be honest, the food was mediocre at best. All of us agreed it wasn't what it had been in the past. Sorry to burst your bubble on that beautiful restaurant, but I'd rather eat at Wills or It Rains Fishes....

Have to agree with C&D. We are long time visitors to Bonaire and booked the pier table at Richards for our 30th wedding anniversary dinner a few years ago.

We made the arrangements well in advance (a couple of months ahead actually), and telephoned to check and confirm several times, before we were on island and after we arrived, to ensure everything was in order. It was a really special occasion and we expected the evening to be exceptional and memorable.

Short story is that the pier was not available due to staff shortages on the night. No special arrangements, treatment or apologies were forthcoming. We did eat at Richards but, everything was 'mediocre at best' to quote the previous poster. Not the best anniversary dinner, let alone a 30th one to be sure.

Maybe it was a one-off, but from our own experience we certainly wouldn't recommend Richards for a special occasion.

We haven't been back to the island for a couple of years and so can't comment on really up-to-date dining experiences, but from our last visit would definitely recommend:

Bamboo
Wils
It Rains Fishes
La Guernica (sp?)
Mona Lisa

Another vote for Richard's. I have spent many Anniversary on Bonaire and our dinner is always spent at Richard's. It is the most romantic spot on Bonaire in my opinion.

If La Balandra (at Harbour Village) still does their dinner on the beach, I'd recommend that. Private table on the beach, tiki torches, toes in the sand, sunset over Klein Bonaire, bottle of wine, fabulous food. Ahh, the memories.

http://www.bonairediningguide.com/restaurants/labalandra.html

Amy

WE are going to be on Bonaire for our anniversary and we are definitely going to Capriccios!

if you like seafood and plan to go to Richards, stop in the day before and tell Richard you want a whole fresh fish (not a regular menu item) grilled ... Richard will arrange to get a whole fish and grill it special for you with great presentation

[img]http://mybproperties.com/resizedrichardfish.jpg[/img]

We celebrated our 35th anniversary at Richards 3 years ago, everything was perfect. Last year we had a party of 8, everyone was pleased & Richard was a great host. He visited, refilled our water & bought out a large fresh caught Wahoo. Out of four years only once we were disappointed. We will celebrate my husbands birthday there next week. Will not have the Key Lime pie.

As of January La Balandra (at Harbor Village does still do the private dinner on their very beautiful beach - especially romantic with tiki torch lighting and all the quality behind their normal restaurant. (So, I'd have to agree with Amy!)