Petisco Restaurante: Brazil on a Spit in Paramaribo
Sizzling picanha, ice-cold caipirinhas, and the easy hum of Suriname's Brazilian quarter.
Why Go
Tucked into Anamoestraat in the heart of Paramaribo's Brazilian community, Petisco is where homesick Cariocas and curious Surinamese pile in for smoky grilled meats, crisp bar snacks, and a cocktail so good it convinces you Rio is just a bus ride away.
The Experience
Petisco keeps things unfussy: bright, casual dining room, wooden chairs, football on the TV, and Portuguese chatter drifting between tables. The kitchen leans into what Brazilian cooks do best - meat cooked slowly over open flame - but there is also a nod to Suriname's melting pot, with bami and nasi sharing menu space with feijoada. Order the picanha, split a plate of petiscos (those namesake nibbles meant for sharing), and settle in. Prices are refreshingly gentle for a full sit-down meal, and portions are generous enough that you will leave loosening a belt notch. Come at lunch for a quick, cheap plate; come at night for the slow-burn version with rounds of caipirinhas and a table full of friends.
What to Try
Picanha - the Brazilian cap of rump, served sliced from the skewer with rice, red beans, farofa (toasted manioc), and salad. Split an order of petiscos to start: think fried yuca, cheese bread, or crispy chicken bites made for grazing. Wash it all down with the caipirinha, which regulars quietly rate as one of the best in town. If you want to eat like the locals actually eat, ask what the daily prato feito is - it is usually the cheapest and most satisfying thing on the menu.
Insider Tip
Skip the tourist trail on Waterkant for a night and eat where the Brazilian community actually eats - Anamoestraat is the giveaway. Come hungry on a Friday or Saturday evening when the kitchen is at full tilt (they stay open until 11pm), and order the picanha to share rather than solo; portions run large and it is far better hot off the spit. Cash in SRD is smoothest, and a little Portuguese ('obrigado', 'mais uma caipirinha') will earn you an extra-warm welcome.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Anamoestraat 13, Paramaribo. Hours: Mon-Thu 7am-10pm, Fri-Sat 7am-11pm, Sun until 3pm. Price range: dishes roughly SRD 55-125 - very reasonable by Paramaribo standards. Cuisine: Brazilian steakhouse and barbecue, with a few Surinamese-Chinese crossovers (bami, nasi). Reservations are not usually needed, but weekend evenings fill up. Best reached by car or taxi; the neighborhood is walkable but a bit outside the main tourist grid.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A comfortable Paramaribo base within easy reach of Anamoestraat - roll back after a caipirinha-fueled dinner without a long taxi ride.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Burn off the picanha the next morning with a muddy jungle ATV run, then come back to Petisco for a well-earned second round of grilled meat.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — A high-adrenaline river day pairs perfectly with a slow, meat-heavy Brazilian dinner to refuel and relive the ride.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Petisco sits outside the tight downtown core, so having your own wheels makes it - and the rest of Paramaribo's food scene - much easier to explore.