The best restaurants Suriname

Timetable

In Suriname, mealtimes shouldn't change from our usual habits, and here's generally what you can expect:

Breakfast is often served fairly early in the morning, usually between 6am and 9am. Surinamese can have a hearty breakfast including foods such as eggs, bread, fruit, porridge or rice with various accompaniments.

Lunch is usually taken between noon and 2pm. It can be a hot meal with rice, beans, meat or fish, as well as vegetables... And roti, of course! Many restaurants and establishments also offer takeaway meals for lunch.

Dinner is served between 6pm and 9pm. This is often the most important meal of the day for many Surinamese families. It can include a variety of foods such as rice, noodles, vegetables, meat, fish or chicken.

As far as restaurants in Suriname are concerned, opening times may vary according to the type of restaurant and its location. In urban or tourist areas, you'll be able to enjoy longer opening hours, while in more rural areas, opening times will be more limited.

Budget & Tips

Street food stalls offer delicious and affordable local dishes. It's part of the culture, so don't be surprised and indulge in these Surinamese specialties from local vendors.

What costs extra

A surcharge of 10% to 15% generally applies to the prices you'll see on restaurant menus: don't be surprised, this is the "service charge" or "service fee". This surcharge is added to the final bill and is intended to remunerate service staff, including waiters. It's important to check each restaurant's policy, as some establishments already include service in the price of dishes, while others add this supplement separately. In some cases, an additional cash tip for service staff may also be appreciated, although this is not obligatory.

The local way

Surinamese cuisine is a fusion of many influences, including Indian, Javanese, Chinese, African and European. Dishes such as roti, nasi goreng, bami goreng and saoto are very popular and reflect this cultural diversity..

Of Indian influence, roti is a kind of flat bread in which you can wrap all kinds of food: very convivial and to be enjoyed at any time of day! Nasi and bami are dishes of Indonesian origin: nasi goreng is a Surinamese version of fried rice, prepared by sautéing cooked rice with various ingredients and seasonings. And bami is the same principle, but with noodles! Finally, saoto is a very popular soup dish in Surinam.

To be avoided

In Suriname, there are certain culinary habits you should take into account to avoid any inconvenience or discomfort. First of all, avoid tap water, especially if you're not used to local water, and always prefer bottled water to avoid gastrointestinal problems.

If you're not used to eating spicy food, be careful with local dishes, which can be very spicy. Ask for your dishes to be prepared with less spice if you have sensitivities.

And finally, pay attention to the freshness of the food, especially if you're eating in less formal establishments. The street food scene is very present, so you're bound to be tempted, and don't worry, it's almost a must: so look out for places frequented by regulars, which will be a guarantee of quality.

By following these basic tips, you'll be able to take full advantage of Surinam's delicious cuisine while minimizing the risks to your health!