Stickz Bar and Restaurant: An Intimate Caribbean Hideaway in Matthews Estate
Cozy indoor-outdoor dining where Antiguan warmth meets lobster thermidor and heavyweight burgers.
Why Go
Tucked into the quiet residential fold of Matthews Estate in All Saints, Stickz is the kind of local-owned spot cruise-day crowds tend to miss — which is precisely why it's worth the short inland drive from St. John's or English Harbour. Ambient lighting, breezy outdoor seating, and a bar pouring cold Wadadli make it feel more like a friend's back patio than a restaurant, and the kitchen punches well above its village setting.
The Experience
Stickz operates on island time in the best way: doors open in the late afternoon, the pace stays unhurried, and by dusk the small dining room and outdoor lounge fill with a mix of Antiguan regulars and in-the-know visitors. The layout splits between a proper bar section and a west-facing dining area, so you can post up for a rum before sliding into a longer meal. Service is genuinely warm — expect the owner or a family member to check in on your table — and the vibe leans toward relaxed date nights, small group gatherings, and low-key celebrations rather than showy resort dining.
What to Try
The Lobster Thermidor ($110 EC / ~$41 USD) is the headline order — Caribbean lobster finished with herbed seasoning, creamy mashed potatoes, and sautéed mushrooms, and portioned generously enough to justify the price. If you're not in a splurging mood, the Stickz Homemade Burger with Cajun potato wedges is the sleeper hit locals talk about — thick, juicy, and properly seasoned. Round it out with a rum punch or a Wadadli at the bar while you wait.
Insider Tip
Stickz is closed Sunday and Monday and doesn't open until 5 pm most weeknights (3 pm on Friday and Saturday), so plan around it — this is a dinner destination, not a lunch stop. Call ahead on +1 268-770-7967 to reserve a spot in the outdoor section on weekends, and if the Lobster Thermidor is on your list, ask when you book so the kitchen can make sure it's on the night's menu. Matthews Estate is inland and residential, so grab a taxi contact for the ride back if you're drinking.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Matthews Estate, All Saints, Antigua and Barbuda. Hours: Tue–Thu 5:00 pm–10:15 pm, Fri–Sat 3:00 pm–10:00 pm, closed Sun & Mon. Phone: +1 268-770-7967. Email: stickzbar.res@gmail.com. Price range: mid-range (mains roughly $15–$45 USD; lobster tops out around $41 USD). Payments: Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover. Free WiFi, wheelchair accessible, takeout and delivery available, full bar with wine and beer, private dining on request.
Pair It With
- Adventure Antigua — Book a day on the water with this family-run outfit (private charters and small-group excursions since 1999), then head inland to Stickz for a sunset dinner — their afternoon returns line up perfectly with the restaurant's 3–5 pm opening on weekends.
- Antigua Hikes and Tours Guide — Spend the morning on a guided hike through the island's interior or up Signal Hill, shower off, and reward the effort with a Lobster Thermidor and a rum punch on Stickz's outdoor patio.
- Boardwalk Casino Guide — After dinner, keep the evening going with a short drive over to Boardwalk Casino for a nightcap and a few hands — a natural late-night follow-up when Stickz's kitchen winds down around 10 pm.
- Antigua +39 Tour Guide — Do a full-island cultural and sightseeing loop with this local operator during the day, then let Stickz be the unhurried, locally owned dinner that caps off the itinerary — a much more authentic finish than eating back at the resort.
