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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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 — 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.
