Candy's Bar & Restaurant
A homey Venezuelan-Surinamese kitchen tucked into Blauwgrond
Why Go
On a quiet corner in Paramaribo's Blauwgrond neighborhood, Candy's is the kind of unassuming spot where the Spanish drifting across the dining room, the smell of freshly griddled corn, and a cold Parbo make you feel like you've stumbled onto something the guidebooks missed.
The Experience
Candy's sits at the intersection of Anamoestraat and Picassostraat in Blauwgrond, a neighborhood better known for its Javanese warungs than its Latin American cooking - which is exactly what makes this little bar-and-restaurant such a welcome outlier. The room is casual and family-run: plastic chairs, a small bar, a TV usually tuned to whatever match is on, and a menu that reflects Suriname's growing Venezuelan community. Regulars roll in for long, unhurried lunches; evenings pick up when neighbors drop by for a beer and a plate to share. It's not fancy and doesn't pretend to be - the appeal is honest home cooking served with genuine warmth, in a part of town most visitors never reach.
What to Try
Come hungry for the Venezuelan side of the menu - arepas stuffed with shredded beef or cheese, crispy empanadas, and hearty plates built around rice, beans, plantains and grilled meats are the safest bets. Surinamese standards round things out for anyone wanting to stay closer to local flavors. Wash it down with a Parbo Bier or ask what fresh juice they've squeezed that morning; papaya and passionfruit turn up often. Portions are generous and geared for sharing, so order a couple of things family-style rather than one plate each.
Insider Tip
Blauwgrond is a short taxi ride north of the city center and not somewhere you'll wander into by accident, so treat the trip as a small mission - and call ahead (+597 743-6106) before you go, especially outside peak lunch hours. They also deliver across Paramaribo, which is a lifesaver if you're staying near the waterfront and want a proper Venezuelan meal without leaving your guesthouse. Cash in SRD is your friend here; don't count on cards.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Anamoestraat 73 (corner of Picassostraat 190), Blauwgrond, Paramaribo. Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 9:00 (closed Mondays); best to confirm evening hours by phone. Phone/WhatsApp: +597 743-6106. Email: Candysrestaurantsur@gmail.com. Delivery available. Price range: budget to mid-range - most mains land well under what you'd pay downtown. Cash preferred (SRD); casual dress; family-friendly.
Pair It With
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Book a morning of watertubing on one of Suriname's rivers, then reward the group with big shareable plates and cold Parbos at Candy's on the way back into town.
- 4x4xJankie Guide — Rent a 4x4 for a day trip inland - Candy's makes an easy, no-fuss refueling stop before you hit the road or when you roll back in dusty and starving.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — After a sweaty ATV adventure, a laid-back Venezuelan-Surinamese meal in Blauwgrond hits exactly the right note - casual, hearty, and quick.