Tiny Jordaan spot for flavorful Surinamese roti and rice/noodle plates at fair prices; limited seating, food reheated from display, and no restroom.
Simz Exotic Food delivers flavorful, authentic Surinamese cooking with genuinely warm and knowledgeable service at fair prices in a charming Jordaan location. However, quality varies with reheating practices, and the spartan interior with no restroom limits appeal beyond a quick takeaway stop. Solid neighborhood favorite, not a destination.
On a postcard-pretty Jordaan lane, this tiny counter spot serves steaming plates of Surinamese comfort food with warm, welcoming service. Expect trays of curries and veggies at the counter, quick reheating, and limited stools. One diner put it simply: the chicken curry in fried bread was mouthwatering. Note there is no restroom on site and water is bottled only per some reports. The cooking leans traditional Surinamese—roti, bami, and mihoen—showing Indian and Indonesian roots without fancy theatrics. Think bold, homey flavors over presentation: marinated tempeh, tender chicken curries, and saoto soup. It is fast-casual by design, so texture can vary with reheating; choose popular items from the display for the best experience and stick to combos for value. Families fare well here thanks to familiar bases like rice and noodles. Kids in reviews cleaned their plates, and vegetarian roti with aubergine or tempeh gives easy wins. There is no kids menu, seating is tight, and no restroom, so plan a quick stop or takeaway.
Area vibe: Quaint Jordaan side street with indie shops and cafes; draws tourists and locals exploring canals.
Safety: Generally safe and busy; some reviewers note crowded, darker feel at night but not unsafe.
What's nearby: Near Anne Frank House area, boutique shopping streets, canal routes; heavy foot traffic.