The Ramada Rooftop Lounge & Bar
Paramaribo's skyline sipped from the 4th floor, poolside
Why Go
Ride the elevator four stories above Kleine Waterstraat and Paramaribo suddenly makes sense ΓÇö the wooden UNESCO rooftops, the Suriname River glinting to the north, and a turquoise pool that keeps things cool while the kitchen fires up the BBQ.
The Experience
This is the hotel bar that locals actually crash. By day it doubles as the Ramada Paramaribo Princess's pool deck, so expect swimwear-and-sunglasses energy, laptop lunchers and a mellow international menu. Come sundown the mood shifts: the outdoor lounge fills with a mixed crowd of expats, business travelers and Surinamese who want a proper cocktail with a view rather than another Parbo Bier on a plastic stool. Weekends stretch late ΓÇö the bar keeps pouring until 1:30 AM ΓÇö and the open-air layout means the breeze off the river does the air-conditioning for you.
What to Try
The grill is the strong suit — lamb chops with a caramelized crust are the sleeper hit, and the lemon-butter-garlic shrimp is what regulars order without looking at the menu. From the fryer, the crispy wings and 'bang bang' fried fish pair perfectly with a cold beer. For something sweet-and-caffeinated between swims, the vanilla-hazelnut frappe with whipped cream is a poolside classic. Ask for the wine list — there's a proper à la carte, beverage and wine menu, which is rarer in Paramaribo than you'd think.
Insider Tip
Time your arrival for 6ΓÇô6:30 PM. The kitchen switches to the dinner menu at 6, the sun drops behind the historic wooden centrum around 6:45, and you'll get the golden-hour skyline plus first pick of the railing-side tables before the weekend crowd rolls in. Book via WhatsApp (+597 767-5918) rather than calling ΓÇö response is faster and they'll hold a view seat.
The Practical Stuff
On the 4th floor of the Ramada Paramaribo Princess Hotel, Kleine Waterstraat 9, a five-minute walk from Fort Zeelandia and the Waterkant. Breakfast 7ΓÇô11 AM, lunch 12ΓÇô6 PM, dinner 6ΓÇô11 PM (Fri/Sat until 1:30 AM). Pool access 7 AMΓÇô7 PM. Mid- to upper-range for Paramaribo; cards accepted. Smart-casual works ΓÇö no need to dress up, but skip the flip-flops after sunset.
Pair It With
- Fort Zeelandia — Ten-minute stroll away ΓÇö do the 17th-century fort and river-mouth history walk before heading up for sundown cocktails.
- Waterkant — The riverside promenade with warungs and street food is right around the corner; graze there, then come up to the rooftop for dessert and a proper cocktail.
- Palmentuin (Palm Garden) — A shady palm-lined park two blocks away ΓÇö perfect pre-dinner wander to work up an appetite for the grill.
- OGI Teppanyaki & Sushi Bar Guide — Same hotel complex, downstairs ΓÇö pair a sushi/teppanyaki dinner with rooftop nightcaps without ever calling a cab.