Has anyone thought of taking a photo of the menus at different restaurants there in Bonaire, and posting them here? Just a thought, but it would help people understand offerings and prices.

(Message edited by grunt on January 3, 2011)

Richard's last May

What currency are the prices in? And how might one convert them into US dollars to get a sense of the cost? Thank you.

FYI, as of 1/1/11, all menu prices were supposed to not only be in US$, but also INCLUDE the new, 8% sales tax. I've done it at KFC (so the prices you see on my menuboard are in US$, and include 8%), but a lot of restaurants have not yet, because we were told Dec 17, 2010, that this was the law. Not exactly a lot of notice to get new menus printed, etc... Technically every price every where (shops, grocery stores, etc.) you see now has to include 8% tax in it.

BTW, the above chalkboard menu pic of Richard's is in NAF prices. The legal exchange rate is now 1,79 (not 1,75), and NAF will be accepted thru the end of 1/31/11; after that, only $.

Start here: http://www.bonairediningguide.com/

You mention a new 8% sales tax.
What was the old sales tax? And was it on meals only or everything?

Great,,,more tax...

Tom: The entire tax system for Bonaire was recently COMPLETELY overhauled with the integration with Holland. The old system had a complete hodgepodge (yes that's the technical term) for importation of goods, real estate taxes, sales taxes.
You may want to peruse the Sunbelt site for an overview of what it was & what it's now. Some links to assist..
What it was..
http://www.sunbeltbonaire.com/index.php?page=bon%20tariffs

And some current changes..

http://www.sunbeltbonaire.com/index.php?page=bon%20taxes

I just want to be sure I understand, please forgive my ignorance. The prices on menus will include the 8% tax. So we now either figure out the actual cost on our own (by subtracting 8%), or are we expected to tip on tax as well?

And related to that, for the restaurants that add the tip in automatically, will they adjust for the 8% tax or will the tip be based on the 8% tax?

excellent! That is what I was looking for. We need to get one thread with photos like that together.

Tipping on 8% is next to nothing (1.6% if you tip at 20%, less if you tip less). So, your $100 dinner costs an extra $1.60.

Enjoy the meal and the island ambiance. Beats paying 1.6% less in the snow.

I agree with Kob. Tip on the total food bill, but not on the wines. Most wines are marked up 150 to 300%, sorry, I'm slow, but not dumb.

Yes, all very confusing--the old tax was 5%, and it was charged on everything except the most basic foods, like plain bread, eggs, and milk powder. As far as I've been told, the 8% is pretty much everywhere, on everything and every service. It's supposed to be just like europe, where btw/vat are included in prices. BTW is the value added tax in Holland (Belasting Toegevoegde Waarde: Value Added Tax).

"A.B.B." is the name of the new sales tax. It is a General spending tax: Algemene Bestedings Belasting. Belasting is the word to look for-it means TAX.


The new sales tax of 8% is supposed to be inside all prices, including menu prices, hotel prices, shop prices, etc., as of 1/1/11. There is a transition time allowing businesses to adapt and re-write/print menus, brochures, update websites, get their registers changed, etc., until 7/31/11. If any business charges a service charge, they'll have to charge the 8% on top of that too (but there aren't many restaurants left adding on service charges, to my knowledge).

Businesses are also supposed to include the tax inside the prices on their receipts, so in effect, customers are never to see it.

The Richard's menu I posted was from May 2010.
The prices were in guilders.
A quick conversion is to divide the price shown by 1.75 to get the price in US$

our local tax here is 8.25% what we do at dinner for a regular dinner.. nothing outstanding... is just double the tax and that is 16% of the bill...... just a thought......

Thanks for the explanation Ruth!

Yes Freddie--I use the tax to easily figure out tips in the US too (triple it if it's 6%, etc.)...however, the tax office here wants the tax hidden--you're not even supposed to see it on your bill. I still have to figure out if my (US based) software can do it. It's a royal PITA.

For those who do not like the sound of paying 8% sales tax, I would suggest giving the UK a wide berth.

Our sales tax (VAT) has just increased to 20% across the board.

Anyone for petrol at $9.34 a gallon?

Happy New Year?

antony, that's why lennon/mccartney wrote "the tax man".

It was George Harrison.

ok...one of the beatles.

WOW.... back on topic..

more menu photos???

I liek the menu photo idea...wish I had some to contribute. But then, I am an Urban Spoon addict...

Unless someone had pictures from this very week, it probably wouldn't matter. Menu prices are changing everywhere because of the new taxes, etc.; menus themselves are multiple pages, small type, etc. (only a few are big easy to read chalkboards).

I recommend visiting restaurant's websites instead if you want to try to see who offers what. Try the link I posted above, or this one: http://www.infobonaire.com/restaurant.html

Only a few restaurants on that list have websites. I realize that prices and menus change, but it would be helpful to see what they are so you understand a bit of what type of food is served at a restaurant, price range, etc.

Or you could just go and explore while you are actually there and try what ever strikes your fancy ,it is a an adventure , enjoy it , embrace it. Knowing everything before you get there ...
just my .02

I'm with robint. It would be fun to see the menus, even if they are completely different by the time of the visit. Its just another way to browse and anticipate the upcoming visit - sounds like another fun way to pass the time and build the excitement to me.

special Menu for a group of us last year Bistro de Paris

OK then, here's one from Gibi a couple years ago:

Sorry, didn't catch the prices.

this trip I am going to take photos of every menu so I can post them here when we get back. :^)

Robin, please do. That'll be fun. If I ever go anywhere again, I will to...