Bonaire Dining: My Top Picks

Bonaire, Food Travel, Seafood, Seafood Travel

Reading Time: 5 minutes

When I travelled to Bonaire last month, I was absolutely blown away. I had high expectations before my trip, having heard so many good things about the island, but Bonaire was something beyond even my wildest dreams. Not only was it the best diving that I’d ever experienced, but what really captured my attention was the rich culture of the island.

The culture of Bonaire is expressed in no better place than their delicious cuisine made up of a myriad of ethnicities including Dutch, Caribbean, Colombian, Chinese, Italian, Surinam, Indonesian, French, and German. Local food in Bonaire is known as “krioyo” and includes dishes such as fresh fish, funchi, rice, and different types of stews.

Looking for a place to stay? Check out my review of the Courtyard Marriott Bonaire

On top of the delicious food, the dining atmosphere in Bonaire is unbeatable. Whether you’re enjoying an intimate waterfront seafood dinner or throwing back a fish burger and beer on the beach, enjoying food on Bonaire is something to write home about!

Here are some of my picks for the top spots to eat on Bonaire:

Sebastian’s

If you’re seeking the ultimate fine dining experience in Bonaire, then Sebastian’s is it. Sebastian’s is a small, waterfront restaurant serving an international menu with a Mediterranean flair and local influences. Though Sebastian’s has the price tag to match that of a fine dining experience, it’s well worth it. The menu is full of fresh, local dishes that are prepared to the highest of standards. The restaurant also has a wonderful cocktail menu and wine list, assuring even the pickiest of wine connoisseurs that they’re bound to find the perfect pairing for their meal.

Seafood trio featuring locally caught fish

Foodies

Foodies is definitely the culinary highlight on the southeastern side of Bonaire. This open concept restaurant is tucked away near Lac Bay, allowing diners to watch kite surfers riding the waves outside of the bay while enjoying the quietness of this side of the island. The highlight of the Foodies menu is it’s rotating 3-course special; it features a spread of fresh bread, soup of the day, the daily catch caught by a local fisherman, and a surprise dessert. With the generous portion sizes, you’ll definitely walk away feeling satisfied!

Cactus Blue Food Truck

The Cactus Blue food truck is located on Donkey Beach, right at the dive site “Corporal Meiss” – talk about the most delicious surface interval ever! Despite all the fine dining options with their waterfront views and extensive wine menus, this food truck was hands down my favourite place to eat on Bonaire. This is where we first tried Lionfish burgers and man were they tasty! And I mean, what’s not to love about a place that serves delicious food and removes invasive species from local reefs? In addition to their contribution to the lionfish hunt, this food truck minimizes its environmental footprint by serving all of its food on reusable plates and fresh juices are served in glass bottles that are recollected right at the truck and recycled for future use. We had lunch here a handful of times during our trip and each time we were greeted by friendly staff who were eager to chat and tell us all about the island.

King Kong Food Truck

Though I don’t typically gravitate towards meat when I’m surrounded by so much delicious seafood, sometimes a burger craving hits and the best place to satisfy it on Bonaire is at King Kong. This food truck is located at Bachelor’s Beach, just south of the airport and is said by locals to be home to the best burgers on the island. King Kong is another great local business with sustainability in mind; all of their burgers are served in reusable trays lined with compostable paper. Those who want to take their burger to go will receive their food in a recyclable paper bag.

Blue Garden Brazillian Grill

For those who don’t care for seafood so much or are looking to try something different, I highly recommend Blue Garden. This restaurant serves traditional Brazillian cuisine with a Caribbean twist. Most notably is its picanha, a natural Brazillian beef that’s grilled to perfection on a charcoal barbeque. Blue Garden also has a very unique cocktail menu for those who are looking for some adventurous beverages to try.

Cuba Compagnie

If you’re looking for a fun spot downtown to enjoy some Cuban food with a Dutch twist, look no further than Cuba Compagnie! This central spot is loved by locals for its delicious food, fun music, and dancing. The atmosphere in this spot is unbeatable and unlike anything else on the island.

Kite City Food Truck

Last, but certainly not least, is the Kite City food truck located at Te Ago beach, right near the airport. Kite City is a great place to grab a quick, fresh bite to eat without having to give up your spot on the beach. The food truck is super popular because of its fresh, local seafood options like fish burgers, wraps, and quesadillas. You can also grab a beer (or two!) with your meal – all of the bottles are collected by the truck and recycled through the island’s bottle return program.