Rubim Markt
A neighborhood Kwatta markt where road-trippers stock up on Surinamese snacks, cold drinks, and everyday essentials
Why Go
Halfway down Kwattaweg, past the palm-lined stretch that leads out of central Paramaribo, Rubim Markt is the kind of unassuming corner shop locals swing by daily and travelers only find if they're paying attention. It's not a restaurant in the sit-down sense ΓÇö it's a Surinamese-style markt: part grocery store, part snack counter, part community meeting point. Come here to load up before a day trip west, grab a cold Parbo on the drive back from the coast, or just poke around and see what the shelves reveal about daily life in this pocket of Paramaribo.
The Experience
Rubim Markt sits at Kwattaweg 874, well outside the tourist ring of the historic centre and firmly in a residential neighborhood where you'll hear more Sranan Tongo and Dutch than English. Expect a modest storefront, fluorescent lighting, and shelves stacked with a very Surinamese mix: Dutch pantry brands next to Javanese sambals, Chinese instant noodles beside bags of cassava chips, and a chiller wall full of Fernandes soft drinks in flavors (green punch, red, chocolate) you won't find back home. There's usually a cluster of locals at the counter buying phone credit, bread, or a quick bara, and the vibe is transactional and friendly rather than curated for visitors ΓÇö which is precisely the point. If you're staying at an Airbnb in Kwatta, renting a car for the interior, or just tired of hotel breakfasts, this is the shop that'll quietly solve a dozen small problems.
What to Try
Grab a bottle of Fernandes Green Punch (the unofficial national soft drink) and a bag of pinda (peanut) or cassava chips for the road. Look for pre-packed pom or bara if the counter has any that morning ΓÇö cheap, filling, and unmistakably Surinamese. Stock the cooler with Parbo Bier for evenings on the porch, and pick up a jar of Javanese sambal or a bottle of Madame Jeanette hot sauce to take home. If you spot fresh bread rolls (puntjes) or a stack of roti wraps, buy extra ΓÇö they vanish by mid-afternoon.
Insider Tip
Come with small Surinamese dollar notes and a bit of patience ΓÇö card machines here can be temperamental and you'll get through the queue much faster with cash. Prices aren't always marked, so it's normal to ask; nobody's overcharging you, it's just how Kwatta markts run. If you're headed west toward Nickerie or into the interior via the Coppename bridge, this is one of the last well-stocked shops before things thin out, so treat it as a serious provisioning stop rather than a quick pit-in.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Kwattaweg 874, Paramaribo (about a 15ΓÇô20 minute drive west of the city centre, depending on traffic on the Kwattaweg). Easiest by rental car or taxi ΓÇö public buses run along Kwattaweg but stops are informal. Hours aren't officially published; most Kwatta markts open early (around 7ΓÇô8am) and close by early evening, with reduced Sunday hours. Cash (SRD) strongly preferred; ATMs are sparse this far out of town, so withdraw in the centre first. No seating, no restrooms for customers ΓÇö this is a grab-and-go stop, not a hangout.
Pair It With
- 4x4xJankie Guide — Rent a 4x4 for the interior and swing by Rubim Markt on your way out of town to load up on water, snacks, and Parbo for the trip.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — After a dusty ATV run through the Kwatta backroads, stop in for a cold Fernandes and a bag of chips before heading back to your hotel.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — If you're picking up a rental car for a west-Suriname road trip, Rubim Markt is a natural first provisioning stop on the Kwattaweg.
- 597SpeedUp Watertubing Guide — Grab bottled water, sunscreen snacks, and a post-activity beer here before or after a day on the water.