Bonaire Dining
Culinary
Designated a Culinary Capital by the World Food Trade Association, food and drink experiences embody the true heritage and rich multi-cultural soul of Bonaire.
"From the Michelin star-rated Brass Boer to the casual Chinese “snacky”, found on many a street corner.."
Dine Out
Local food, or a fusion, is included on many menus, from the Michelin star-rated Brass Boer to the casual Chinese “snacky” found on many a street corner. Stews, commonly chicken or goat, soups, rice, and beans are popular menu items. Stroll downtown Kralendijk, dine oceanfront, and choose from Italian, Mediterranean, Japanese, Venezuelan, Colombian, to name but a few of the choices offered by our international community. With much of Bonaire undeveloped, food trucks have driven up to feed you while out for the day. Cactus Blue, home to the lionfish burger, is a must-do for lunch. Each truck has its special place and is easy to find.
Dine In
With such a variety of restaurants, even with the Sand Dollar full-sized kitchens, you may not want to cook on your vacation. You can still relax in your Sand Dollar home and call for delivery. Not only does Dinner in a Box show most restaurant menus on their website, but they also deliver fast and for a reasonable price.
You’ll want to purchase a few groceries, even if just drinks and snacks. Van den Tweel is the island's premier supermarket. Located south of Kralendijk, open daily from 8 am to 8 pm, this is a one-stop shop and is stocked with lots of fresh items, and famous Dutch goodies. Bonaire Personal Shopper will by your groceries and deliver them directly to your fridge, perfect for those late arrivals!
There are many other supermarkets on the island, usually owned and operated by members of the Bonaire Chinese community. One of the largest, Zung Kong, is situated 10 minutes up the northern walkway from Sand Dollar. They offer more American products, but fewer fresh items. The convenience of Sand Dollar makes Zung Kong a great place for a smaller, in-between stock up.
As you would expect, fresh fish features prominently on our restaurant's menus. However, to the uninitiated, it's difficult to find fresh fish for sale to cook yourselves. Sand Dollar provides complimentary oceanfront BBQ pits, as well as individual portable BBQs for rent. Take our Fresh Fish Treasure Hunt and explore local neighborhoods, meet the fishing community in their homes, and bring your fresh fish home for an unforgettable experience.
Drink
Icy cold beer, sugar cane rum, and fruity cocktails garnished with carved wooden tropical fish are all available to quench your thirst on a hot sunny day or balmy breezy evening.
Sand Dollar is sparsely populated during the day but come evening our community promenade along the oceanfront walkway with their drink of choice in hand, watching nightly as the sun sets and spreads a myriad of colours across the vast horizon and luminous ocean. Friday nights during the high season are a community event, with shared hors d’oevres, music, and great conversation on one of the sun decks. Come join us!
Other resorts offer oceanfront bars and dining in front of their accommodations and are fun to check out. In town, Karels Pier, jutting out from the waterfront, boasts the best location for a drink in town. For drink connoisseurs and casual cocktail drinkers alike, The Tiki Hut offers a fantastic selection of cocktails and alcohol, beautifully presented within a tropical ambiance.
