Casa Nena Restaurant
A neighborhood Chinese-Surinamese bar-restaurant in Zorg en Hoop, quietly feeding Paramaribo's west side.
Why Go
Paramaribo's Chinese restaurant scene runs deep ΓÇö the Chinese community has been shaping Surinamese kitchens for over a century ΓÇö and Casa Nena is one of those unshowy corner spots that regulars keep coming back to. Set on Jaggernath Lachmonstraat in the Zorg en Hoop neighborhood, it's the kind of place where the parking lot fills up with locals ordering takeout on a Tuesday night rather than tourists ticking off a guidebook. If you want to eat Chinese food the way Paramaribo actually eats it ΓÇö big portions, quick service, a cold Parbo on the side ΓÇö this is the register you're looking for.
The Experience
Casa Nena leans into the classic Surinamese-Chinese template: an air-conditioned dining room, a bar tucked to one side, laminated menus, and a steady flow of takeaway bags going out the door. Expect no-frills lighting, tiled floors, and a friendly-but-brisk staff who know most of the faces walking in. The vibe is casual family dinner more than date night ΓÇö you'll see kids being fed, drivers grabbing bami on the way home, and a handful of regulars nursing beers at the bar. It's a functional, honest room, and the food is why you're there.
What to Try
Order the way Surinamers do: start with a plate of bami (stir-fried noodles) or nasi goreng, both usually available with chicken, shrimp, or a combo. Ask for tjauw min if you want the crispier, more Chinese-leaning noodle style. Fried rice arrives generously portioned ΓÇö enough to share or take home. Add a side of foe yong hai (Chinese-style omelette in tomato-y gravy) for the full Surinamese-Chinese experience, and don't skip the sambal on the side ΓÇö the house chili is the great equalizer of Paramaribo dinner tables. Wash it down with a Parbo Bier or a fresh dawet.
Insider Tip
Takeaway is where Casa Nena really shines ΓÇö call ahead (+597 857-1589 / 400-178), pick up in ten minutes, and eat at your guesthouse or on the airport tarmac at nearby Zorg en Hoop before an interior flight. It's one of the few reliable kitchens on this side of town that stays open through the afternoon lull, so it's a lifesaver when other spots have shut between lunch and dinner.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Mr. Jaggernath Lachmonstraat 23, Zorg en Hoop, Paramaribo. Phone: +597 857-1589 (also listed as +597 400-178). Hours are generally daily 10:00ΓÇô22:00, though it's worth phoning ahead on Sundays. Cash (SRD) is safest ΓÇö card machines in Paramaribo can be temperamental. On-site parking, air-conditioning, dine-in and takeaway. Budget-friendly: a filling main runs well under USD 10. A short taxi from the city center (10ΓÇô15 min); walkable from Zorg en Hoop guesthouses.
Pair It With
- Zorg en Hoop Airport — Casa Nena is minutes from the small domestic airport ΓÇö perfect for a hot meal before or after an interior flight to the Upper Suriname River or Kabalebo.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — After a morning of watertubing on the river, a big plate of bami and a cold Parbo at Casa Nena is exactly the recovery meal you'll be craving.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Pair a dusty ATV adventure with a laid-back, no-dress-code dinner at Casa Nena ΓÇö no one cares if your boots are still muddy.
- 101 Suites Guide — Staying in the Zorg en Hoop area? Casa Nena is one of the closest reliable dinner options and does easy takeaway back to your room.