Esquina Bar & Restaurant: A Corner of Blauwgrond Where Suriname Meets the Wine List
A neighborhood corner spot pouring local flavor with a serious wine pour
Why Go
'Esquina' means 'corner' in Spanish, and that's exactly what this Anamoestraat spot isΓÇöa laid-back Blauwgrond hangout where Surinamese cooking gets an unusually thoughtful wine pairing and the vibe stays firmly neighborhood, not touristy.
The Experience
Tucked into Anamoestraat in BlauwgrondΓÇöParamaribo's traditionally Javanese-Surinamese quarter northeast of the centerΓÇöEsquina reads more like a friend's slightly upscale living room than a formal restaurant. Wood, warm lighting, a bar that actually knows its bottles, and a small crowd of regulars who nod when you walk in. The kitchen leans into local flavors (expect Creole and Javanese influences bleeding into the menu, as they do everywhere in this neighborhood), while the wine list is the surpriseΓÇömore curated than you'd expect this far from the Centrum. It's the kind of place where dinner slides into a second glass and a conversation with the couple at the next table.
What to Try
Order whatever the kitchen is doing with local fish or chicken that nightΓÇöSurinamese kitchens shine when the protein is fresh and the spice is unapologetic. Then let the staff pair you a wine; that's the whole point here. If you're just stopping in for a drink, grab a stool at the bar, order a Parbo to start (because Suriname), then let them talk you into something from the wine list you'd never have picked yourself.
Insider Tip
This is a Blauwgrond spot, not a Waterkant tourist stripΓÇöwhich means it fills with locals on weekend evenings and can go quiet mid-week. Come ThursdayΓÇôSaturday after 8 for the atmosphere, or slide in earlier on a weeknight if you want the bartender's attention and a proper wine chat. Cash and cards both usually work, but SRD cash is always the safer bet in this part of town.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Anamoestraat 5, Paramaribo (Blauwgrond neighborhood, about a 10ΓÇô15 minute taxi from the Centrum). Best reached by taxi or rideshareΓÇöBlauwgrond's streets are dimly lit at night and walking back isn't recommended. Call ahead on weekends if you want a table rather than the bar. Hours vary; check their socials before heading over, as smaller Paramaribo spots often adjust days without notice.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — Closest walkable-ish accommodation in the Blauwgrond areaΓÇömakes a late dinner and second glass of wine a much easier decision when your bed is minutes away.
- Waterkant sunset stroll — Start your evening downtown along the Suriname River waterfront, then taxi up to Blauwgrond for dinner at EsquinaΓÇöclassic Paramaribo evening arc from tourist promenade to local corner.
- A Javanese warung crawl in Blauwgrond — Spend the afternoon eating bami and saoto soup at the neighborhood's famous warungs, then land at Esquina for a proper sit-down dinner and a wine to cap the day in the same district.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — After a muddy day out on the trails, Esquina is the low-key, no-dress-code kind of dinner spot that rewards a hot shower and a big appetite.