Choi & Suzan Chinese Restaurant
Windwardside's steep-street Cantonese secret with a knockout Saba view
Why Go
Tucked up a skinny hillside lane above Windwardside, this unassuming family kitchen turns out generous plates of Cantonese comfort food, Southeast Asian-tinged specials, and even a proper steak — all served with one of the most quietly spectacular dining-room views on the island.
The Experience
From the outside, Choi & Suzan looks like the kind of neighborhood spot you'd walk right past. Push through the door and you find yourself in a homey, family-run dining room where Choi and Suzan themselves are often ferrying steaming plates from the kitchen. The vibe is unpretentious and local — expect Saba residents catching up over big shared platters, expats on their standing weekly takeaway run, and the occasional wide-eyed hiker refueling after a Mt. Scenery ascent. The menu leans classic Cantonese (chow mein, sweet-and-sour, fried rice) but stretches into Indonesian- and Malaysian-influenced dishes, plus a surprisingly solid list of steaks, fries, and salads for anyone in the group who isn't in a wok mood. Portions are famously generous, prices are gentle by island standards, and the hilltop perch means the view out the window is doing half the work.
What to Try
Order across the map: a Cantonese classic like sweet-and-sour chicken or beef chow mein to anchor the table, then something with a Southeast Asian kick (ask what's on that day — the kitchen's Indonesian/Malaysian-leaning specials are where things get interesting). Add a plate of fried rice or noodles to share, and if you've got a steak-and-fries loyalist in the group, this is one of the few Windwardside spots where they'll actually be happy. Come hungry; leftovers are basically guaranteed.
Insider Tip
The 'up the hill' directions are not a suggestion — it's a genuinely steep, skinny lane, and there's almost nowhere to turn around at the top. If you're driving, drop passengers first and reverse into a spot, or just walk up from the village center (it's only a few minutes and the climb earns dessert). No reservations are taken, but the split 11–3 / 5–9 service means you can dodge crowds by arriving right at open or in the lull before 7pm. Cash is your safest bet on Saba; call ahead on (599) 416-2353 for takeaway if you're planning a quiet night in.
The Practical Stuff
Location: up the hill in Windwardside, Saba (JQJ9+CF8). Hours: daily 11:00–15:00 and 17:00–21:00. Reservations: not required. Phone: (599) 416-2353. Price range: budget-to-moderate — one of the better-value sit-down meals on the island. Access: steep uphill walk or short drive from Windwardside village center; parking is very limited. Best to bring cash. Family-friendly and casual — no dress code required.
Pair It With
- Dimple's Bar & Lounge Guide — Round out a low-key Windwardside evening with a nightcap at this nearby local bar after your Choi & Suzan feast — it's the natural after-dinner move for anyone not ready to head straight back to the guesthouse.
- Barney's Ground Guide — Work up the appetite that Choi & Suzan's generous portions demand with a walk out to this nearby viewpoint beforehand — a short, scenic warm-up that pairs perfectly with a big Cantonese dinner.
- Easternmost Point of Saba Guide — Make a half-day of it: hike out to Saba's easternmost tip for the views and the bragging rights, then reward yourself with steaming plates of chow mein back up the hill in Windwardside.
