Saba Plaza Chinese Restaurant
The Bottom's dependable wok kitchen where med students, locals, and hungry hikers all end up.
Why Go
On an island with barely a dozen restaurants, a solid plate of Cantonese fried rice at 8pm on a Tuesday is its own kind of luxury. Saba Plaza is the sister to Windwardside's long-running Chinese kitchen, tucked into a low-key storefront on Matthew Levenstone Street in the capital, and it's the place The Bottom turns to when the craving hits for something quick, generous, and reliably filling.
The Experience
Don't come for atmosphere theatrics. The dining room is small, brightly lit, and functional in the way island neighborhood restaurants are the world over: laminated menus, a fan turning overhead, a TV somewhere in the background, and the reassuring hiss of a wok through the pass. You'll hear a mix of Saban locals, Saba University med students on a study break, and the odd traveler who's realized The Bottom's dining scene is thinner than Windwardside's. Order at the counter or the table, expect no-frills service that gets your food out fast, and plan to take away as often as you dine in — many regulars grab a foam clamshell to eat back at their guesthouse or on a bench in the plaza.
What to Try
The Cantonese classics are what the kitchen does best: chow mein, sweet-and-sour chicken, house fried rice loaded with shrimp and char siu, and generous plates of chop suey. Ask about daily specials chalked up near the register — they lean on whatever came in on the ferry. If you're feeding a hiking-hungry crew, the combination platters with a scoop of rice, a scoop of noodles, and two mains punch well above their price. Non-Chinese cross-overs (steaks, burgers, fries, salads) live on the menu too and are a lifeline for picky eaters.
Insider Tip
Call ahead before you walk over — hours on Saba flex with the weather, ferry schedules, and how busy the kitchen has been that week, and a wasted trip in The Bottom is a real one when everything else within walking distance is closed. Cash (USD) is your safest bet; card machines on Saba are unreliable when the connection dips. And if you're staying in Windwardside, know that the sister kitchen up the hill has the same core menu, so no need to make the taxi trip down just for a plate.
The Practical Stuff
Ground-floor storefront on Matthew Levenstone Street in the middle of The Bottom, a two-minute walk from the government buildings and Queen's Hotel. Cash preferred, USD accepted. Dine-in, takeout, and casual — shorts and hiking boots welcome. Expect roughly midday-to-early-evening service with a break in the afternoon, typical of Saba's food scene. No reservations needed; small groups can usually walk in.
Pair It With
- Dimple's Bar & Lounge Guide — Grab dinner at Saba Plaza, then wander over to Dimple's for a cold Carib and a taste of The Bottom's low-key nightlife with locals.
- The Bottom village walk — Work off the fried rice with a stroll past the white-and-green gingerbread cottages and the Saba University campus that give the capital its distinctive small-town charm.
- Barney's Ground Guide — Pair a hearty Chinese lunch with an afternoon exploring this scenic spot — a classic Saba combo of easy food plus outdoor time.
- Easternmost Point of Saba hike — Fuel up with a big plate of chow mein before tackling the trail out to the island's eastern tip; you'll want the carbs.
