C'est La Vie Gourmet Bonaire

May 16, 2025

The kitchen is tiny and it is amazing what they manage to put out from there, all while staying quiet enough that they don't bother the dinners from their open perch. First, carpaccio and buratta, fresh and delicious. My bride then had the fresh fish and I went wild with Irish lamb stew, something that seemed so out of place. It was incredible! Full of rich, meaty broth and lots of lamb. The fish was also delicious with a notable touch of flavorful olive oil. Service was adequate too, with the owner and chef coming to help when the waitress was elsewhere. Overall, surprisingly delicious and worth the effort to go.

July 30, 2025

Fantastic service. Ambience is one of working elegance. It is one of those places that feels like it could host a cooking/tasting class with small 2-4 person tables and four chairs at a counter. The food is amazing. I had onion soup and a chicken-quinoa salad. What wasn't so amazing is the small, very loud child--it didn't square with the rest of the vibe, but people will be people. I do recommend reservations. Even on a Tuesday night, the inside filled up.

November 7, 2024

A hidden gem! The food is incredible—everything tastes like it's made with love. The atmosphere is cozy and intimate, perfect for a relaxed meal. If you're craving homemade, hearty dishes, this place is a must-try! We went there on Wednesday so it is the Pasta night!

January 16, 2025

We made it a point to visit C'est La Vie while in Bonaire due to their overwhelming praise online regarding their charcuterie boards and they did not disappoint. The restaurant is right off the pier for those of you disembarking from a cruise and if you were not paying attention you may walk right by it. I did not and literally ran off the ship to get there early enough to make a reservation. The owner was gracious enough to allow us to make a reservation for 6 at 2PM even though they close at 3PM and we showed up promptly ready to sample the meats and cheeses. We order two boards with wine and by gawd the meats and cheeses were absolutely fantastic. Thankfully we sat inside and cooled off while we ate and if you need to use the restroom the owner has a special key for a private bathroom. The service was tops, the charcuterie boards were phenomenal and if you are adventurous try the flaming escargot! Thank you so much for making our day in Bonaire!

July 28, 2023

One of our favorite places for dinner on the island! Since the menu changes weekly, we went twice for the full experience. The gnocchi I had on round 2 was made with sweet potato and it tied the best gnocchi I’ve ever had, which was in Italy! My wife had the amatriciana and loved it, as well. We highly recommend eating here. It is a small, intimate venue, so be sure to make a reservation. You will not be disappointed. PS - the pasta station is only open on Wednesday and Thursday