Dining Out
Local food, or a fusion, is on many menus, from the Michelin-starred Brass Farmer to the casual Chinese "snack" found on many a street corner. Stews, usually chicken or goat, soups, rice and beans are popular menu items.
Stroll through downtown Kralendijk, dine by the sea and choose from Italian, Mediterranean, Japanese, Venezuelan, Colombian, just to name a few of the choices offered by our international community. Because much of Bonaire is undeveloped, food trucks are driven to you to feed you while you're out and about. Cactus Blue, home of the lionfish burger, is a must for lunch. Each truck has a special location and is easy to find.
Dining
With so many different restaurants, even Sand Dollar's great kitchens, you may not want to cook during your vacation. You want to do some shopping, even if it's just drinks and snacks. Van den Tweel is the island's main supermarket. Located south of Kralendijk, open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., this is a one-stop shop and is stocked with lots of fresh produce and well-known Dutch delicacies. Bonaire Personal Shopper will pick up your groceries and deliver them directly to your refrigerator, perfect for those arriving late!
There are many other supermarkets on the island, mostly owned and operated by members of the Bonaire Chinese community. One of the largest, Zung Kong, is 10 minutes from Sand Dollar's north walkway. They offer more American produce, but less fresh. The convenience of Sand Dollar makes Zung Kong a great place for a smaller layover.
As you might expect, fresh fish features prominently on our restaurant's menu. For the uninitiated, however, it is difficult to find fresh fish for sale to cook yourself. Sand Dollar offers free oceanfront barbecue pits, as well as individual portable barbecues for rent. Join our Fresh Fish Treasure Hunt and explore local neighborhoods, meet the fishing community at their homes and bring home your fresh fish for an unforgettable experience.
Drink
Icy cold beer, sugar cane rum and fruity cocktails garnished with tropical fish carved from wood 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 at night our community promenade comes along the oceanfront walkway with their favorite drink in hand, watching the sunset and a myriad of colors over the vast horizon and clear ocean. Friday nights during peak season are a community event, with shared hors d'oevres, music and great conversation on one of the sun decks. Join us!
Other resorts offer oceanfront bars and restaurants for their accommodations and are fun to check out. In town, the Charles Pier, protruding from the waterfront, has the best location for drinks in town.
