The Old Gin House Restaurant
Waterfront dining in an 18th-century cotton gin turned island landmark
Why Go
Statia's most storied address serves sunset-lit plates on a Caribbean-facing terrace built from cobblestones that once weighed cotton bales bound for Europe.
The Experience
Set in Oranjestad's Lower Town, The Old Gin House is a lovingly restored 18th-century cotton gin that today anchors Statia's most romantic dining scene. The lounge terrace opens straight onto the Caribbean, so meals unfold to the sound of surf against the seawall and the sight of dive boats drifting back to harbor. Interiors lean into the colonial bones of the building - exposed stone, dark wood, and hurricane lamps - while the open-air seating feels barefoot-easy. Service is unhurried in the best island way, and because Statia sees so few visitors, most nights you'll be dining beside off-duty divers, oil-terminal engineers, and the odd government minister rather than tour groups. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily from 7 AM to 9 PM, but the terrace truly earns its #1-on-TripAdvisor billing at golden hour, when the sky behind Saba turns pink and the bartender starts pouring rum punches.
What to Try
Ask for the daily catch - wahoo or mahi landed that morning at the fisherman's pier a two-minute walk away - typically served grilled with Creole butter. The kitchen leans Caribbean-European, so expect fresh fish, slow-cooked meats, and a respectable wine list that's rare on an island this small. Save room for the rum-based nightcap on the terrace; the bar's sunset cocktail hour is a Statia institution.
Insider Tip
Reserve a table on the seaward edge of the terrace at least a day ahead - there are only a handful of them and locals book them for anniversaries. If you're staying elsewhere on-island, time your visit for a Saturday, when the kitchen tends to run its most ambitious specials and the after-dinner crowd lingers longest.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Lower Town, Oranjestad, on the Bay Road waterfront, 5-minute walk from Fort Oranje and Lower Town Beach. Hours: Daily 7 AM - 9 PM (breakfast, lunch, dinner). Payment: Cards accepted but bring USD cash as a backup - Statia's card infrastructure can be patchy. Dress: Resort-casual; no need for anything fancier than a linen shirt. Getting there: The hotel is a 10-minute drive from F.D. Roosevelt Airport; taxis are easy to arrange but scarce late at night, so ask reception to book your return ride.
Pair It With
- Fort Oranje Guide — Statia's most important historic site sits on the bluff directly above the restaurant - a five-minute uphill walk delivers panoramic views and the spot where the island fired the 'First Salute' to the American flag in 1776.
- Aquarium - Dive Site Guide — One of Statia's signature reef dives is just offshore; surface, rinse off, and you're already at the Old Gin House terrace for a post-dive lunch and cold Carib.
- Lower Town Beach — The dark-sand beach immediately below the restaurant is perfect for a pre-dinner swim and sunset stroll along the old warehouse ruins.
- Alvin V Courtar Park Guide — A short walk from the waterfront, this local green space is a good stretch-your-legs stop before settling in for a long dinner on the terrace.
