Fay Bar and Restaurant: Statia's Late-Night Chinese Comfort
Unassuming Chinese kitchen and bar that keeps the lights on long after the rest of Oranjestad has called it a night.
Why Go
On an island where most kitchens close by nine, Fay is the reliable Chinese spot in the Golden Rock district where dive guides, boat crews and locals end up when they want a plate of noodles, a cold beer and no fuss about it. The dining room isn't styled for Instagram, but the portions are generous, the prices are fair, and the door stays open past midnight.
The Experience
Fay sits in a modest building in the heart of the Golden Rock area of Oranjestad, a short walk or drive from the dive shops and the historic Upper Town. Inside, expect a straightforward, no-frills setup: laminated menus, a working bar, and a mixed crowd of Statians, expats and the odd diver still in flip-flops. It functions as both a restaurant and a neighborhood bar, so the tempo shifts from lunch counter energy in the afternoon to something looser after dark, especially on weekends when the kitchen and bar stay open into the small hours. Service is friendly and unpretentious, and takeaway is a normal part of the routine here - plenty of guests grab a container to bring back to their apartment or guesthouse.
What to Try
Come for the classic Cantonese-style Chinese menu that anchors these small-island kitchens across the Dutch Caribbean: fried rice and chow mein done properly, sweet and sour chicken, chop suey, and generous seafood dishes when the catch is good. Pair whatever you order with a cold Amstel Bright or Presidente from the bar - Fay works as much as a drinks stop as a dinner stop.
Insider Tip
This is the go-to option when you've come off a late dive or your rental kitchen isn't cutting it - call ahead on +599 318-2929 for takeaway and pick up on your way home. Cash is a safer bet than cards on Statia in general, and portions are big enough that one order easily feeds two lighter appetites.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Golden Rock district, Oranjestad, St. Eustatius. Hours: weekdays 11:00 - midnight; weekends 11:00 - 02:00. Phone: +599 318-2929. Wheelchair accessible. Dine-in, bar service and takeaway available. Cuisine: Chinese. Price range: budget to mid-range, cash preferred.
Pair It With
- Aquarium Dive Site — One of Statia's signature shore-accessible dive sites - surface hungry and Fay's kitchen and bar are one of the few places still serving when you're back on land.
- Alvin V. Courtar Park — A quiet green space in Oranjestad that's an easy pre-dinner stroll before heading over to Fay for a casual plate.
- A Quiet Getaway - One-Bedroom Apartment — Nearby self-catering stay where guests often lean on Fay's takeaway when they don't feel like cooking in the apartment kitchen.