What to eat on Bonaire
Fish soup, funchi, pastechi and a cactus liqueur you cannot get anywhere else in the world. Start here.
Funchi or Tutu
Both funchi and tutu are dishes made of cornmeal with African roots in the islands. The consistency resembles polenta, and it is generally served as a side dish to your meal. Both tend to be savory, but tutu has the addition of black-eyed peas to give it a little extra oomph.
Sopi Piska
Bonaire's rain-free, arid climate fills the rugged interior with cactus, which makes its way into the local cuisine in several forms. One way is this traditional soup made from the "candle cactus" and flavored with local seafood or cured meats.
Kokada
If you have a sweet tooth, definitely try the island's signature coconut sweets. Made with a hint of vanilla and rose flavors, these local candies are white or brown in their natural state — depending on whether the brown skin is removed from the coconut — but you'll also see them tinted in bright colors with food coloring.
Cactus Liquer
Have you ever drank a cactus? The island's Cadushy Distillery makes a cactus liqueur with a lime flavor, along with a few other spirits. You can visit the distillery in Rincon or the store in downtown Kralendijk, or look for a bar serving it in a mojito. Cadushy also produces Rom Rincon (rum), Cadushy Vodka, and Captain Don's Whiskey.
Burgers
There are many burgers available on Bonaire, from the traditional beef to the unique lionfish. You will surely enjoy these fish and beef burgers!
Pastechi
While shopping or strolling the island's attractions, try the pastechis. These flaky little pastries, stuffed with meats, shrimp or poultry and deep-fried until crisp and golden, are the island's universal snack. They're available all day, everywhere you go, and they're just the right size for a quick bite.
Pika di siboyo
This is the local spicy sauce made with onions, peppers, and vinegar. You'll usually find containers of this condiment on the tabletop along with ketchup and mayonnaise.
Iguana
You'll likely find iguana meat in a stew (Yuana Stoba), soup (Sopi Yuana), or fried up like wings. Said to be a powerful aphrodisiac, the meat is boney and tastes a lot like chicken (the scales and skin are removed). Make sure to add Posada Para Mira, a family-run restaurant on the outskirts of Rincon, to your itinerary for traditional Bonairian flavor.
Stobá
Stoba is a hearty stew you'll find all over the Caribbean. On Bonaire it's often made with goat meat, though any meat and vegetable combination can be used. Kabritu Stobá is a sturdy goat stew simmered in a richly seasoned tomato-based sauce. If you've found goat tough elsewhere, don't worry — here it's simmered to falling-apart tenderness.
Local Beer
If you want to get very local, Bonaire Blond is the beer for you. Brewed at a local restaurant, it's available in bottles at the grocery store and a handful of restaurants. You'll also readily find Polar (Venezuelan), Amstel and Heineken (Dutch), and even Belgian beers like Duvel and Trappist. If you like trying new beers, you'll enjoy exploring the ones in Bonaire.
All of this needs a car
These places are spread across Bonaire and public transport does not reach most of them. Book online and your car is waiting when you land.