Los Amigos: Havana Nights on Weg naar Maretraite
Cuban soul food, rum, and live rhythm in the heart of Paramaribo
Why Go
A splash of Caribbean color on a quiet stretch of Weg naar Maretraite, Los Amigos trades Suriname's usual Javanese-and-Creole rhythm for something distinctly Havana - salsa on the speakers, mojitos in hand, and a plate of ropa vieja that tastes like it was smuggled straight out of Old Havana.
The Experience
Step inside and the mood shifts fast: warm lighting, walls dressed in vivid tropical hues, the clatter of dominoes somewhere in the background, and (on the right night) a live band nudging couples toward an impromptu dance floor. It's the kind of place where a quick after-work drink slides sideways into a three-hour dinner. Service is easygoing rather than polished, prices sit in the comfortable mid-range, and the crowd is a genuine local-and-expat mix - Cubans homesick for the real thing, Surinamers curious about a different Caribbean flavor, and travelers who stumbled in and stayed for the music.
What to Try
Order the ropa vieja - slow-braised shredded beef in a smoky tomato-pepper sofrito, served with black beans, rice, and sweet fried plantains; it's the dish that put the kitchen on the map. Start with a plate of hand-folded empanadas (the picadillo filling is the crowd favorite) and don't skip the Los Amigos Special, the chef's rotating showcase plate. If you're not in a Cuban mood, the grilled chicken - marinated in citrus and garlic, charred over open flame - is the sleeper hit. Drink-wise: a proper mojito, a Cuba Libre with local Borgoe rum, or an ice-cold Parbo if you want to keep it Surinamese.
Insider Tip
They're closed Tuesdays and don't open until 3 PM the rest of the week, so this is a late-lunch or dinner spot only - not a walk-in-at-noon plan. Come on a Friday or Saturday evening when live music is most likely, arrive around 7 PM to grab a table before the band starts, and ask the staff whether a Cuban night is scheduled that week - those are the sessions worth building your evening around.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Weg naar Maretraite 28, Paramaribo. Phone: +597 843-1107. Hours: Sunday-Monday and Wednesday-Saturday, 3 PM to 11 PM; closed Tuesdays. Price range: mid-range - expect roughly SRD 150-300 per main, more if you're pairing with cocktails. It's a short taxi ride from central Paramaribo (about 5-10 minutes from the Waterkant); parking is available on the street out front. Cash and card generally both accepted, but carry some SRD as a backup. Reservations aren't strictly required but are smart on weekend nights or when live music is on.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A short walk or quick cab from Los Amigos, making it an easy 'dinner-and-a-nightcap' pairing if you're staying nearby - roll home after the mojitos without hunting for a taxi at midnight.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Book a morning ATV run through the surrounding countryside, then reward the dust-covered adventure with an evening of ropa vieja, rum, and live music - Suriname's classic 'active day, indulgent night' combo.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — After a sun-soaked afternoon on the water, Los Amigos' late 3 PM opening and lively Cuban energy is the perfect reset - dry off, change, and swap adrenaline for salsa.