Emmy's Catering & more: A Neighborhood Kitchen in Flora
Homestyle Surinamese cooking on a quiet Paramaribo side street
Why Go
Tucked into the residential Flora neighborhood a short drive from central Paramaribo, Emmy's Catering & more is the kind of unassuming local kitchen that reminds you why Suriname's food scene is one of South America's best-kept secrets. It's a working caterer with a small dine-in/takeaway operation, so what you get is honest, family-style cooking rather than a polished restaurant experience ΓÇö which is exactly the appeal for travelers hunting for the real thing.
The Experience
Fajadjanstraat sits well off the tourist trail, and walking up to Emmy's you'll immediately notice the neighborhood rhythm ΓÇö kids on scooters, neighbors chatting on stoops, the faint smell of woks and grills drifting from surrounding houses. The setup here is functional rather than atmospheric: expect a small counter, a handful of tables, and a menu that leans on what the kitchen prepared that morning. Because catering is the core business, portions are generous and the pace matches whatever event Emmy's is prepping for that day. Show up around lunch and you'll often find office workers and locals picking up boxed meals; come later and it's quieter and easier to sit down. Cash is safer than card, and a few words of Dutch or Sranan Tongo go a long way.
What to Try
Suriname's culinary DNA is a mash-up of Javanese, Hindustani, Creole, Chinese, and Maroon traditions, and neighborhood caterers like Emmy's typically rotate across all of them. Ask what's fresh from the pan ΓÇö you're looking for staples like bami or nasi goreng, moksi meti (mixed roasted meats over rice), pom (the beloved Creole chicken-and-tayer casserole), roti with duck or chicken curry, and saoto soup if it's on that day. If they have telo (fried cassava) with bakkeljauw on the side, get it. Portions are catering-sized, so one order easily feeds two lighter appetites.
Insider Tip
Call ahead ΓÇö this is a caterer first, restaurant second, so the best dishes often get made to order or in batches for events. Phoning an hour or two before you arrive means you can request a specific dish (especially pom or roti, which many places only fire up on weekends) and skip the wait. It's also worth asking whether they're doing a bigi njan (a communal Creole feast plate) that day; it's the single best way to sample multiple Surinamese classics in one sitting.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Fajadjanstraat 30, Paramaribo (Flora neighborhood, roughly 10ΓÇô15 minutes by taxi from the historic center). Hours vary with catering bookings, so confirm by phone before making a special trip. Cash (SRD) is the safest bet; card acceptance at small Paramaribo caterers is inconsistent. The area is residential and easiest reached by taxi or rental car rather than on foot. Portions are large, prices are local (well under tourist-restaurant rates), and takeaway is the norm ΓÇö bring your own bottle of water and eat back at your hotel or on a bench along the Suriname River if you want atmosphere with your meal.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A convenient nearby base to stay, drop your bags, and pick up a takeaway from Emmy's to eat back at the room after a day exploring the city.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Book a morning ATV adventure into the Surinamese interior, then swing by Emmy's on the way back for a big, restorative plate of Creole home cooking.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — A high-energy river activity that pairs perfectly with a hearty post-adventure bami or roti from a no-frills neighborhood kitchen like Emmy's.