{"id":362331,"date":"2026-08-01T19:44:06","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T19:44:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/peraltafinancing.com\/amsterdam\/where-to-eat-surinamese-food-in-amsterdam\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T19:44:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T19:44:06","slug":"where-to-eat-surinamese-food-in-amsterdam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fivemor.com\/?p=362331","title":{"rendered":"Where to Eat Surinamese Food in Amsterdam"},"content":{"rendered":"


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Before we dive into the best Surinamese restaurants in Amsterdam, it\u2019s worth acknowledging the long and complicated history the Netherlands has with Suriname \u2013 which ultimately answers the question of why Surinamese food forms such an important part of Dutch cuisine in the first place.<\/p>\nSuriname became a Dutch colony in 1667 (when the Dutch famously traded New York for Suriname with the English), during which time the Dutch trafficked slaves from West Africa to work on the plantations. After slavery was abolished in 1863, the Dutch recruited contract labourers from China, India and Java. Suriname remained a Dutch territory until it gained full independence in 1975, following which a large wave of Surinamese migrated to the Netherlands, bringing their food culture with them. Amsterdam\u2019s strong Surinamese food scene exists today because of this colonial and migration history, and it reflects Suriname\u2019s own mixed African, Indian, Javanese and Indigenous influences.<\/pullout> If you\u2019d like to learn more about the history of Suriname, and slavery in particular, the Suriname Museum<\/a> that opened on the Zeeburgerdijk in 2025 offers an excellent introduction (and some uncomfortable truths).<\/p>\n

Want to eat more than Surinamese food in Amsterdam? <\/em><\/strong> Download my Amsterdam Restaurant Guide<\/a>:<\/em><\/h3>\n

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Best Surinamese restaurants in Amsterdam<\/h2>\n

In Amsterdam, much Surinamese food seems to come from takeaway spots (more on that below) \u2013 there aren\u2019t all that many sit-down restaurants where you\u2019d want to linger over dinner with friends. But there are a handful, and it\u2019s a list that\u2019s growing!<\/p>\n

Papa Aswa<\/h3>\n

Papa Aswa<\/a> is a little slice of tropical paradise, tucked away on Zeeburg. The d\u00e9cor leans into its botanical theme, and even the servers are colourfully clad in batik-patterned sashes worn over one shoulder. The food and cocktails are equally colourful: we shared a range of starters, including pompeloli<\/em> (sticky-sweet BBQ chicken pops), bakabana<\/em> (battered, fried plantain with peanut sauce), mi gado-gado<\/em> (steamed cabbage rolls with the same peanut sauce), and two different types of crispy taco \u2013 one with chicken, one with beef, both with bright pickled onions and mayo. All washed down with the spicy sweetness of a Paloma laced with Madame Jeanette chillies.<\/p>\n

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Surinamese-fusion tacos and Palomas at Papa Aswa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We could (and possibly should) have stopped there, but we split a couple of mains between four of us as well: stuffed chicken with an alarmingly pink sauce, and a pile of salted fish that would challenge even the staunchest bakkeljauw<\/em>\u00a0lover. Neither were as good as the starters (and both arrived at the table disturbingly quickly), but I\u2019d go back to try the fissa<\/em>: a sharing platter of fish and seafood that looked impressive on other tables. And possibly on someone\u2019s birthday, which results in a fanfare of music, dancing and tiny fireworks!<\/p>\n

Warung Spang Makandra<\/h3>\n

In the heart of De Pijp,\u00a0Warung Spang Makandra<\/a>\u00a0is a long-standing favourite that only seems to get better with time. There are plenty of Javanese options: the beef rendang and\u00a0ayam pedis<\/em>\u00a0(spicy chicken) are both fantastic. But for something super Surinamese, try the roti<\/em>: they present you with the constituent parts (in my case: chicken on the bone, stewed lamb, a boiled egg, green beans, potatoes) and you eat it with the fluffy, spiced, nutty roti<\/em> flatbread that comes with it. Spang Makandra is also a great pick if you\u2019re on a budget, as almost all items on the menu are less than \u20ac15.<\/p>\n

Waterkant<\/h3>\n

With its iconic \u201ccarpark chic\u201d vibe, you can\u2019t miss Waterkant<\/a>. Better known as one of the biggest beer gardens in Amsterdam, and great for watching the boats go by on the Singelgracht,\u00a0it\u2019s\u00a0 deluged by crowds every time the sun comes out. Not everything on the menu is Surinamese (bitterballen<\/em>\u00a0and nachos make great beer snacks too, as we know) but there is plenty from that corner of the world to choose from. Think saoto<\/em>, (Surinamese chicken soup), moksi meti<\/em> (pork belly with all the Surinamese trimmings), roti<\/em> rolls and plenty more. Plus, the Surinamese beer is flowing.<\/p>\n

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Carpark vibes and Surinamese snacks at Waterkant<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Best Surinamese takeaway in Amsterdam<\/h2>\n

As I mentioned, Surinamese food is popular takeaway fare<\/a>, and it\u2019s often some of the best value to-go food that you\u2019ll find in Amsterdam.<\/p>\n

Eethuis Brasa<\/h3>\n

On the Dapperplein in Amsterdam Oost, Eethuis Brasa<\/a> offers a short but daily-changing menu of freshly made Surinamese dishes. It\u2019s technically possible to eat inside, but the d\u00e9cor isn\u2019t much to look at and the seating area gets pretty warm right next to the kitchen. Instead, order one of their main meals to go: rice or noodles, some kind of meat and\/or vegetables, kicking sambal. I recently got their moksi alesi<\/em> (marinated, smoked chicken) with steamed, spicy aubergine and rice, plus their spicy beef meatballs with green beans and rice boulanger<\/em>. I\u2019m glad I ordered the large portions because we had leftovers for lunch the next day.<\/p>\n

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Top takeaway from Eethuis Brasa<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

De Hapjeshoek<\/h3>\n

Continuing the takeaway theme,\u00a0De Hapjeshoek<\/a>\u00a0\u2013 a diner-style\u00a0eethuis<\/em>\u00a0that\u2019s literally inside Waterlooplein metro station \u2013 is so packed at lunchtime that you\u2019ll need to queue even if you don\u2019t plan to sit down. It\u2019s more than worth it, though, for food that\u2019s tasty, generous and affordable. One flaky, warm roti<\/em> stuffed with a curried mix of chicken, potatoes, long beans and sambal will probably feed two people for lunch quite easily. But when the roti<\/em> rolls are that good (and that good value) why not order the whole one for yourself?<\/p>\n

Best Surinamese sandwiches in Amsterdam<\/h2>\n

When I last worked in a regular office (a very long time ago now!), I had a Surinamese colleague who would occasionally go out to get us all Surinamese sandwiches at lunchtime<\/a>. It was a treat that I valued every time, and a very welcome break from the ubiquitous Dutch kaasbroodjes<\/em> (cheese sandwiches).<\/p>\n

De Tokoman<\/em><\/strong><\/h3>\n

Now with three locations in Amsterdam (on Waterlooplein, Zeedijk and Haarlemmerstraat), De Tokoman<\/a> serves excellent Surinamese sandwiches. The first time I went there, I ordered the\u00a0broodje pom<\/em>\u00a0(a spicy, citrusy mixture of chicken and a root called\u00a0pomtajer<\/em>) but I noticed everyone else was ordering the\u00a0bakkeljauw<\/em>\u00a0(salt cod). So the next time, I tried that instead. Nope \u2013 still preferred the\u00a0pom.<\/em><\/p>\n

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De Tokoman: best broodje pom!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Tjin\u2019s Toko<\/h3>\n

While\u00a0Tjin\u2019s Toko<\/a>\u00a0in De Pijp might be better known as a supermarket for Mexican and Southeast Asian ingredients<\/a>, at lunchtime they also do a great line in Surinamese sandwiches at very reasonable prices. Plus, Tjin\u2019s offers catering \u2013 so that\u2019s your next office lunch sorted\u2026<\/p>\n

Want to eat more than Surinamese food in Amsterdam? <\/em><\/strong> Download my Amsterdam Restaurant Guide<\/a>:<\/em><\/h3>\n

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On your travels and want to use\u00a0this article offline with GPS-guided navigation? Download the travel guide app via\u00a0GPSmyCity<\/a>!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n