Enjoying yourself Suriname
Timetable Suriname
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 Suriname
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 Suriname
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 Suriname
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 Suriname
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!
Take a break Suriname
Timetable Suriname
Bar opening times in Suriname can vary depending on a number of factors, including the location of the bar, the day of the week and local regulations. Generally speaking, however, it's fair to say that bars in Suriname tend to open fairly early, in the late afternoon or early evening, and close late into the night, especially on weekends... There's always that festive atmosphere in the country we've told you so much about!
In fact, to encourage this, you won't be surprised to find the famous"Happy hours": many bars in Suriname offer special deals during certain hours of the day, usually in the late afternoon or early evening, to attract customers. During these happy hours, you can often find discounts on alcoholic beverages, special offers on certain cocktails or reduced prices on beers. The days and times of happy hours can vary from establishment to establishment, so it's advisable to check with local bars for specific details.
Budget & Tips Suriname
Local drinks such as fresh coconut juice and "awarra" (palm juice) are affordable and refreshing. In general, juices are very affordable, and we love to take a break during the day to fill up on vitamins with fresh juices!
But it's impossible to talk about local beverages without mentioning Suriname's most popular local beer: Parbo Bier (or simply, Parbo to its friends!). Parbo Bier is brewed by the Parbo Brouwerij N.V. brewery, based in Paramaribo. The beer is very popular with locals, and is also well known in other parts of the Caribbean. Parbo Bier is available in different variants, including Parbo Lager, which is a light, refreshing lager, as well as other varieties such as Parbo Stout and Parbo Chiller. The Parbo brewery also produces soft drinks and other non-alcoholic beverages.
