Rita's Roti Shop
A neighborhood roti counter that lets you build your plate exactly the way you want it.
Why Go
Tucked away on Verlengde Mahonylaan, Rita's is the kind of unassuming spot where taxi drivers, office workers and curious travelers all end up sharing a bench for the same reason: honest, made-to-order Indo-Surinamese roti at prices that feel like a well-kept secret.
The Experience
Walk in and you'll find a small, no-frills eatery that leans firmly into function over flourish. The magic happens at the counter, where you point to your curries and vegetables and staff assemble a hot, folded roti wrap on the spot. It's fast, it's casual, and the friendly team is happy to walk you through the day's fillings if it's your first time. Expect a mostly local crowd, quick turnover at lunch, and the comforting steam of dhalpuri roti coming off the tawa. Come hungry, eat with your hands like everyone else, and don't be surprised if your 'quick bite' turns into an unhurried Surinamese food moment.
What to Try
The classic move is a dhalpuri roti with chicken curry (kip) or duck, plus a generous scoop of the pumpkin (pompoen) that regulars keep raving about. Round it out with kousenband (long beans), aardappel (potato curry) and a bit of masala egg, and finish with a cold Fernandes or Parbo. Vegetarians are well looked-after here: a roti loaded only with pumpkin, beans and potato is one of the best-value meat-free meals in Paramaribo.
Insider Tip
Say 'zonder peper' if you want it mild, or 'met madame Jeanette' if you want to feel the heat, Surinamese-style. Portions are generous, so two people can happily share one large roti plus a side; and go for late lunch (around 13:30) once the initial rush clears but the curries are still fresh from the morning batch.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Verlengde Mahonylaan 40, Paramaribo. Phone: +597 420-625. Cash in SRD is safest; card acceptance is unreliable. Very affordable ΓÇö most roti plates land well under SRD 150. Best reached by taxi or rental car; parking is informal on the street. Mostly takeaway with limited seating, so plan to eat in the car, back at your guesthouse, or grab it to-go for a day trip.
Pair It With
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Fuel up on a hearty roti before heading out on a half-day ATV adventure in the surrounding countryside.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Grab a takeaway roti and eat riverside before or after a watertubing session ΓÇö a very Surinamese kind of day.
- 4x4xJankie Guide — Perfect grab-and-go lunch to pack for a 4x4 excursion out of Paramaribo into the interior.
- 101 Suites Guide — Staying nearby? Rita's is an easy, low-key dinner option when you don't feel like dressing up for the tourist strip.