Gastronomy of the Caribbean island of Bonaire

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In the Caribbean, palate and taste are intermingled by their cultures and history, for that reason, Aruba, Curaçao and Bonaire are the faithful representation of that Dutch miscegenation. Since 1634, their cooking styles have been influenced by the Low Countries, but also by religious customs, such as the Jews.

With these characteristics in mind in the gastronomy of Bonaire, we will tell you even more about it in the different sections of this post. We will talk about the best dishes of the Caribbean island, which are fresh and delicious for those tourists and inhabitants of the Antilles territory. Remember that to visit this beautiful island, it is necessary to pay the Bonaire entry tax.

How is the fish market fundamental to Bonaire’s gastronomy?

As expected, the Caribbean island of Bonaire maintains its indigenous beliefs, thanks to the aboriginal populations, called the Arawak. Through these peoples, the marine animals and marine flora have been preserved for many years. Likewise, regulations and laws have contributed to the existence of fish, coral reefs and other important animals.

Notably, 30 years ago, Bonaire, along with the work of UNESCO, passed a law prohibiting harpoon fishing, as well as a regulation to prevent abuse of the coral habitat within its waters. Thus, the Bonaire Marine Park was born, with the purpose of protecting all the marine biodiversity of the island.

Currently, fishing is practiced just outside the coastal zone, where a variety of species live. These will serve as food for the local restaurants of Bonaire. In addition, the fried fish dish is the attraction of the island, as well as stews and soups with that taste of the sea, are a delight for the palate of travelers.

Also, a popular fish dish in Bonaire is the sopito, which is made with a specific species bathed in coconut milk and lemon. It is simply exquisite for curious travelers. For that reason, the use of fish is indispensable for Bonaire, as it is a popular means of engaging travelers, and it would be an island without dishes without the attributes of seafood.

What are the typical and gourmet dishes of Bonaire?

Then, discovering the tasty flavor provided by fish in the gastronomy of Bonaire. It is important to delve into other popular dishes of the Caribbean island, which will provide flavors of different ethnicities such as Indonesian, French, Italian, Chinese and Caribbean. You will find them in local restaurants and food stalls, even though the island is not so large.

However, when we talk about Indonesian and Dutch dishes, in Bonaire the influence of Jewish food is fundamental, due to the number of inhabitants who practice this religious cult, although at the same time for the healthy and complete contribution of their meals. Likewise, we will introduce you to some of the most important dishes in the menu of Bonaire’s restaurants:

• Hebrew chicken soup. This dish is eaten on Jewish religious holidays in Eastern or Central Europe, such as Holland. Mainly, this food is prepared with matzo balls, made with flour, egg and water, which are cooked with a hot broth based on chicken pieces.
• Arepa di Pampuna (Pumpkin Puree). As mentioned above, many of the foods from Bonaire’s neighboring islands are also prepared on the island. For the same reason, Arepa di Pampuna is a favorite at home or at street food stands. These are made with a pumpkin puree, cinnamon, walnuts, eggs and flour, in order to form a crisp and fluffy pancake.
• Challah (Challah Bread). Another food of Jewish origin, which is eaten on Shabbat holidays. In Bonaire you will be able to taste this bread without a previous ceremony, but you will have to pray before eating it. On the other hand, the Jalá Bread is made without yeast, and the dough is divided to form a braid, which symbolizes the commandments of Shabbat.

On the other hand, we can talk about other dishes made on the excursions and trails of Bonaire, which come out of improvised stoves, such as cheese balls (balas di keshl), meat pies (pastechis di karni) and papaya stoba.

Get to know its restaurants and homemade food places

Bonaire is not an island with the variety of restaurants as its other neighboring islands, Aruba and Curaçao. In this small Caribbean island, some of the best restaurants are known, which have incredible chefs, winners of regional competitions.

Because of this, having breakfast, lunch and dinner at Bistró de París, as one of the exclusive restaurants of the island, is an unforgettable moment. Therefore, if you are a tourist on the island, we take the opportunity to taste an authentic French meal, while delighting yourself with incredible views of the marina.

Also, Buddy Dive Resort and At Sea Restaurant, are two gourmet food places that manifest a Mediterranean menu, where you will enjoy marine dishes with spices and condiments that will make an explosion in the mouth of travelers. In addition, At Sea, has the particularity of including a surprise menu, where the chef chooses three dishes to amaze you.

There are other restaurants with sea delicacies and amazing views, which include Breeze n’bites, It Rains Fishes, Spice Beach Club, among other important restaurants in Bonaire.

Finally, after you have tasted the excellent maritime dishes, you can stroll and sit down to eat at the Inn for Mira Local, which is located in Bonaire’s oldest town, Rincon. Here, you get ready to try goat or iguana stews, even marvel at the Cadushy liqueur, made from the island’s cactus trees.

In addition, there are other places with typical Bonairean food, such as Maiky Snack, which is a cheap food center with delicious dishes, such as funchi and stews.