Pizza Life
Statia's go-to pie shop for a hot, no-fuss slice after a day in the water.
Why Go
On an island of six restaurants and one traffic light, Pizza Life is the reliable smell of melted cheese drifting down the road in Oranjestad — the kind of unassuming spot where dive-boat crews, expat teachers and off-duty rangers all end up meeting over a large pepperoni.
The Experience
Pizza Life isn't trying to be Naples. It's a small, family-run pizzeria on Andrea Heiliger Road in Oranjestad, a short roll downhill from Fort Oranje and the historic center. Order at the counter (or call ahead — this is very much a phone-order island), grab a cold drink from the cooler, and either wait on the porch chatting with whoever wanders in or take the box back to your apartment. Pies come out of the oven fast, cheese pulls the way you want it to, and the whole thing costs a fraction of a plated dinner at a hotel restaurant. On a rock where 'dinner options tonight' can be a real question, it's the kind of place you're quietly glad exists.
What to Try
Stick to the classics — a large Margherita or pepperoni is where this kitchen shines. Regulars mix in a Hawaiian or a loaded 'special' with peppers, onions and sausage when they want something more filling after a long dive day. Ask what fresh toppings came in on the last supply ship; on a small island the menu quietly flexes with what's actually in the walk-in that week.
Insider Tip
Call your order in 30–45 minutes before you want to pick up, especially on Friday and Saturday nights when half the island has the same idea. Cash in US dollars is always welcome, and if you're staying nearby, ask whether they'll run it up to your apartment — informal delivery on Statia often comes down to whoever's free.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Andrea Heiliger Rd 318, Oranjestad, St. Eustatius (a couple of minutes from Fort Oranje and the Lower Town waterfront). Phone: +599 318 0522. Email: pizzalifejune2016@gmail.com. Hours are informal and can shift — call before you walk over, and don't count on it being open through the mid-afternoon lull. Payment is typically cash (USD); confirm card acceptance when you order. Best treated as takeaway; seating is minimal.
Pair It With
- Aquarium Dive Site — Do a morning two-tank dive at one of Statia's signature reefs, then reward the surface interval with a hot pie back in Oranjestad.
- Baby Beach Guide — Spend the afternoon at this quiet Statia swim spot and grab a Pizza Life box on the way back to your apartment — a perfect low-key beach-day close.
- Alvin V. Courtar Park — Let the kids burn off energy at the town park a short walk away, then swing by for takeaway that doesn't require anyone changing out of flip-flops.
- A Quiet Getaway – One-Bedroom Apartment — If you're staying in the neighborhood, Pizza Life is the easiest 'in tonight' dinner — call it in on the walk home and it's ready when you are.
