W'E Moksi
A taste of Suriname's beautifully mixed kitchen on Paramaribo's buzziest dining strip
Why Go
The name says it all. In Sranan Tongo, 'moksi' means mixed, and 'w'e' folds in a wink of ownership: 'our mix.' That single phrase carries the entire story of Surinamese food ΓÇö Creole, Javanese, Hindustani, Chinese, Maroon and Dutch flavors elbowing each other on the same plate. W'E Moksi plants that idea on Van Sommelsdijckstraat, the covered-terrace strip in Rainville where locals actually eat, drink and linger long after the plates are cleared.
The Experience
Van Sommelsdijckstraat has quietly become Paramaribo's answer to a European dining street ΓÇö awnings and string lights over the sidewalk, mopeds parked at the curb, a hum of Dutch, Sranan and Javanese drifting between tables. W'E Moksi fits right into that rhythm. Expect a casual, chatty room where families pull tables together, expats meet after work, and the kitchen leans into the country's greatest asset: a menu that refuses to pick one tradition. You come for a proper Surinamese meal without the fluorescent-lit warung vibe, and you stay because your neighbors keep ordering another round.
What to Try
Anchor your table with moksi alesi ΓÇö the mixed rice dish the restaurant nods to in its name, typically studded with salted meat, dried fish, chicken and kousenband beans. Then branch out the way locals do: a plate of pom (the Creole citrus-and-pomtajer casserole that's basically Suriname's national comfort food), a bowl of saoto soup for the Javanese side of the country, or roti with duck or chicken masala for the Hindustani lineage. Wash it all down with a cold Parbo or a dawet.
Insider Tip
Don't treat Van Sommelsdijckstraat as a single stop ΓÇö treat it as a crawl. Order a couple of small plates at W'E Moksi to sample the 'mix,' then drift down the street for dessert or a nightcap at one of the neighboring terraces. Come hungry on a Friday or Saturday evening when the whole block turns into an open-air party; midweek is calmer and better for actually tasting the food.
The Practical Stuff
Location: Van Sommelsdijckstraat, in the Rainville neighborhood of Paramaribo ΓÇö walking distance from most centrally located hotels. Cash (SRD) is widely accepted along the street; some spots take cards but bringing local currency is safest. Evenings are the sweet spot; the strip really comes alive after sunset. Dress is casual-tropical ΓÇö it stays warm and humid year-round.
Pair It With
- 101 Suites Guide — A convenient nearby stay so you can roll home after a long evening on the Van Sommelsdijckstraat terraces.
- Aanansi ATV Tours Guide — Balance a rich Surinamese dinner with a next-day jungle adventure ΓÇö the classic Paramaribo pairing of city plate then interior trail.
- 4x4xJankie Guide — Rent wheels for a day trip out of Paramaribo, then return to W'E Moksi for the meal that best sums up what you tasted around the country.