The Suriname Curry Taste Kitchen & More
A little taste of Paramaribo tucked into downtown Oranjestad
Why Go
The name is a mouthful and the plates are bigger ΓÇö this tiny curry counter on Caya Taratata is where Aruba's Surinamese community (and clued-in travelers) come for roti that actually eats like Grandma made it: flaky, hand-torn, and mopping up curry chicken so gingery-spiced it almost knocks the fried plantain off the plate.
The Experience
Don't come expecting linen napkins or a wine list ΓÇö this is a warm, no-frills kitchen where the smell of masala hits you before the door does. Order at the counter, watch the roti hit the flat-top, and either grab a plastic table inside or take it back to your rental. It's the kind of place regulars greet the cook by name, staff switch effortlessly between Dutch, Sranan Tongo, English, and Papiamento, and the portions are so generous you'll be planning a second meal around leftovers. If you've never eaten Surinamese before, this is a soft, delicious landing; if you know the cuisine, you'll recognize the real thing on the first bite.
What to Try
The rotis are the headline act ΓÇö go for the classic curry chicken with potato, egg, and long beans (kousenband), or level up to the curry duck if it's on that day. The bara (savory split-pea fritters) make a perfect starter, and the nasi or bami with masala kip is the move if you'd rather have a rice or noodle plate. Don't skip the sambal on the side ΓÇö it's homemade, and a little goes a long way. Wash it down with a Fernandes soft drink for the full Suri experience.
Insider Tip
Weekend lunch is peak ΓÇö locals stack orders after church and around midday shifts, so roti can sell out by 2pm. Call ahead for takeaway, ask them to pack the curry separately from the roti so it doesn't go soggy on the ride back, and if you see the duck curry advertised, order it on sight; it comes and goes with what's fresh that morning.
The Practical Stuff
Address: Caya Taratata 15, Oranjestad, Aruba ΓÇö a short walk or five-minute drive from the cruise terminal and downtown shopping strip. Cash is king but cards are usually accepted; portions run US$10ΓÇô15 for a full roti plate, making it one of the better-value hot meals in town. Very casual, no reservations, family-friendly, takeaway-forward. Follow their Facebook page for daily specials and any schedule changes ΓÇö hours can shift on Sundays and public holidays.
Pair It With
- Caya G.F. Betico Croes (Main Street) stroll — Walk off the roti with a wander down Oranjestad's pastel-Dutch main drag ΓÇö souvenir stops, aloe shops, and a cold agua di coco are all within a few blocks.
- Fort Zoutman & the Historical Museum — A ten-minute walk away, this is Aruba's oldest structure and gives quick, digestible context on the island's colonial and trading history ΓÇö a nice cultural counterweight to the food stop.
- Renaissance Marketplace happy hour — If you time lunch early, drift over to the waterside terrace for a sunset drink; the contrast between a humble curry counter and the flamingo-adjacent glitz is peak Oranjestad.
- A Suriname trip-planning session — If this meal makes you curious about the source, use it as a nudge to look at Paramaribo ΓÇö the roti, warungs, and river-mouth culture there are a full immersive next chapter.