Simi's Eethuis: Paramaribo's No-Frills Roti Fix on Henck Arronstraat
A tiny Indo-Surinamese eethuis where a hot roti and a plastic chair are all you need.
Why Go
Walk down Henck Arronstraat past the pastel-painted colonial houses and you'll almost miss Simi's Eethuis ΓÇö a small, unassuming storefront where the smell of curried chicken, masala, and freshly-griddled roti spills out onto the sidewalk. This is the kind of place backpackers whisper about between hostel bunks and taxi drivers detour for on their lunch break: no linen, no menu theatrics, just some of the most honest Indo-Surinamese cooking in central Paramaribo.
The Experience
Simi's is what Surinamese locals call a proper eethuis ΓÇö a neighborhood eatery built for eating, not lingering. Order at the counter, grab a plastic chair, and watch the cooks build your plate from steaming pots of curry masala kip, aardappel, kouseband (long beans), and boiled egg, all wrapped in a warm, blistered roti pancake made fresh through the morning. The crowd is a slice of Paramaribo itself: office workers on break, students from the nearby university, guests from the small hotels around the corner, and the occasional traveler who was tipped off at their guesthouse. It's fast, it's cheap, it's hearty ΓÇö and if you're staying anywhere near the historic center, it's the easiest lunch decision you'll make all week.
What to Try
Go straight for the classic **roti kip** (chicken roti with bone-in curry, potato, kouseband and egg) ΓÇö it's the dish that built this place's reputation. The **bara** (savory split-pea doughnuts) make a great side or snack for the walk back to your hotel, and if you want something soupier, ask for **masala rijst met kip** ΓÇö curried chicken over rice, drenched in gravy. Wash it all down with a cold Fernandes soft drink or a bottle of Parbo, Suriname's ubiquitous local beer.
Insider Tip
Go for lunch, not dinner. Simi's peaks between 12:00 and 14:00 when the roti is freshest and the curries are at their fullest ΓÇö by late afternoon the most popular items sell out. Bring small SRD notes (cash only is safest here), specify "zonder bot" if you want your chicken boneless, and don't be shy about asking for extra masala sauce on the side ΓÇö it's the sleeper hero of every plate.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Henck Arronstraat 37, Paramaribo ΓÇö a five-minute walk from the Palm Garden and Independence Square in the historic UNESCO center. Cash-only is the safe assumption; expect to pay roughly SRD 60ΓÇô120 (a few US dollars) for a full roti plate. Best reached on foot from anywhere in the inner city, or by short taxi from Zorg en Hoop. Come hungry, come early, and don't dress up.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A comfortable base a short walk away ΓÇö ideal if you want to roll out of bed and be eating Simi's roti within ten minutes.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Fuel up on a roti plate before heading out on a half-day ATV trip into Suriname's interior ΓÇö you'll want the carbs.
- 88 Car Rental Suriname Guide — Grab a rental here and Simi's is an easy first stop before driving out toward Commewijne or the coast.