NatsKitchen | The Boardwalk Café
Statia's only dock-and-dine, where Chef Natalie's goat burger meets the harbor breeze
Why Go
Tie up the dinghy, pull up a plastic chair under the tent, and order whatever Nat pulled off the boat that morning — this is the closest thing Statia has to a waterfront hangout, and locals, dive-boat crews, and the occasional off-duty customs officer all end up here by sunset.
The Experience
Perched right on Oranjestad's Statia Harbor boardwalk, this open-air spot is more shack than restaurant — string lights, a full bar, tent coverings, and the sound of halyards clinking on the pier. Werner runs the floor while Chef Natalie (the 'Nat' on the sign) works the kitchen, and the whole operation runs on island time: come hungry, order a Carib, and settle in. Fridays the DJ shows up for happy hour and the place turns into the closest thing to nightlife on an island of 3,000 people. Bonus points for the sustainable touches — cardboard takeout boxes, corn-starch straws — that feel refreshingly deliberate for a dockside grill.
What to Try
The goat burger is the sleeper hit — juicy, gamey, unlike anything you'll get back home. Conch fritters are the obligatory starter, and if the wahoo or mahi-mahi came in that day, order it over pasta. Tuna tartare is a surprising standout for a harborside spot, and the wood-fired pizza is what locals grab on lazy Sunday afternoons. Ask if Nat can do a lobster dinner — with a day's notice she usually can.
Insider Tip
Show up for Friday happy hour around 5pm — that's when the divers, expats, and yacht crews all converge, and it's the fastest way to actually meet people on Statia. If you're arriving by dinghy from an anchored boat, this is literally the only legal spot to tie up in the harbor, so plan meals accordingly. Cash and cards both work, but bringing small US dollars speeds things up.
The Practical Stuff
Located directly on the boardwalk at Statia Harbor in Oranjestad, a two-minute walk from the cruise dock and the base of the Slave Path up to Upper Town. Waterfront open-air seating, wheelchair accessible, WiFi available, credit cards accepted. Moderately priced ($$–$$$). Hours vary with cruise-ship and dive-boat schedules — call ahead on quiet weekdays. Reservations smart on weekends and dive-group nights.
Pair It With
- Aquarium Dive Site — One of Statia's best shore-accessible dives is minutes from the harbor — surface, dry off, and walk straight to the Boardwalk for post-dive burgers and cold Caribs.
- Alvin V Courtar Park Guide — A short stroll from the harbor for a pre-dinner wander before you settle in for sunset at Nat's.
- A Quiet Getaway – One-Bedroom Apartment — The closest walkable stay to the boardwalk, so you can enjoy the Friday DJ night without worrying about the drive back up to Upper Town.
