BarrelHouse: Fusion Dining in an 18th-Century Waterfront Landmark
Scratch-cooked international plates and sunset sea views on Lower Town's historic Orange Bay
Why Go
Housed in a lovingly restored 18th-century building that once served as Dutch West India Company headquarters, BarrelHouse turns Statia's colonial past into one of the island's most memorable dinner reservations. Chef Iwan and his team plate international cuisine with a Caribbean touch, all cooked from scratch and served on a breezy terrace that opens straight onto Orange Bay.
The Experience
Walk down the cobbled slope into Lower Town and you'll find BarrelHouse tucked into weathered yellow stonework right at the water's edge. Inside, exposed beams, a proper wine cellar, and a hushed dining room set the tone; outside, the terrace catches the trade winds and frames a full-panel view of the Caribbean Sea and the anchored dive boats. Service is unhurried and personal, with Chef Iwan often making the rounds between tables to talk through the day's specials. Lunch draws a mix of dive-shop regulars and government workers on break; dinner is a quieter, candlelit affair with sunset over the bay as your opening act.
What to Try
Start with the artisanal charcuterie board and a glass from the curated wine list, then move to the Cajun chicken salad at lunch or a chef's-specials plate at dinner (chalked up daily and posted on Instagram). Save room for house-made pastries with coffee. Ask about wines by the bottle from the cellar—many are available for retail as well as at the table.
Insider Tip
BarrelHouse is closed Mondays and the kitchen only takes lunch orders between 12pm and 2pm even though the room stays open until 3—arrive by 1:15 if you want a full menu at midday. For dinner, book the far terrace table on the seaward corner and time your reservation for 45 minutes before sunset; on clear evenings you'll see Saba's silhouette float above the horizon as the sun drops.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Orange Bay Road 38, Lower Town, Oranjestad, St. Eustatius. Phone: +599 318 3345. Hours: Tuesday–Sunday, lunch 11am–3pm (kitchen 12–2pm) and dinner 6–9pm; closed Mondays. Price range: upscale for Statia—expect mid-to-high-end island pricing. Reservations strongly recommended, especially in high season and around cruise arrivals. Getting there: a steep 5–10 minute walk down the Bay Path from Upper Town Oranjestad, or a short drive with limited street parking along Orange Bay Road.
Pair It With
- Aquarium Dive Site — Spend the morning drifting over Statia's coral-covered lava fingers just offshore, then surface for a long lunch on BarrelHouse's terrace overlooking the same bay you just dove.
- Alvin V. Courtar Park — Take a pre-dinner stroll through this quiet Oranjestad green space to stretch your legs and cool off before descending the Bay Path for sunset service.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment — A calm, walkable base in Oranjestad that makes it easy to wander down to BarrelHouse for dinner and back up the hill without needing a car.