Owing to the diverse ethnic mixture of the population, Surinam offers a good variety of dishes including American, Chinese, Creole, European, Indian and Indonesian. Indonesian dishes are recommended, usually
rijsttafel with rice (boiled or fried) and a number of spicy meat and vegetable side dishes,
nasi goreng (Indonesian fried rice) and
bami goreng (Indonesian fried noodles). Creole dishes include
pom (ground tayer roots and poultry),
pastei (chicken pie with various vegetables) and peanut soup. Indian dishes, such as
roti (dough pancake) served with
curried chicken and potatoes, and Chinese dishes, such as
chow-mein and
chop suey, are excellent.
Moksi meti (various meats served on rice) is a local favorite.
Local drinks include the Indonesian
Dawet (a coconut drink),
Gemberbier (Creole ginger drink) and
Pilsener Parbo Bier. There are some restaurants in Niew-Nickerie and Paramaribo, but they tend to be scarce outside the capital.
Tipping: Hotels include 10 to 15 per cent service charge and restaurants may also add 10 per cent to the bill.
NightlifeThere are several nightclubs in Paramaribo, often attached to a hotel, with live music and dancing. There are also a number of discos and several cinemas, including a drive-in. In general, it is best to stick to the hotels unless accompanied by locals who know the reputations of other nightspots, in particular those out of the town center. The
Local Events Bulletin lists all current activities and is usually available in hotels.
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