Warung Spang Makandra

Great atmosphere and vibes. Staff are friendly and accommodating. We had the chicken satay and Spang Makandra special. Both dishes were really good. Peanuts were not as finely chopped but the texture was actually okay. The ginger and passionfruit juices were delicious. Servings were decent. All in all, great value for money. Lots of tables to accommodate groups of all sizes. We came during lunch without a reservation and did not have to wait long to be seated. We would happily eat here again and recommend this to others.

I had dinner reservations at Warung Spang Makandra in a Friday night for 7:30 PM and the restaurant was incredibly busy and crowded. After we checked in, I think we wait about 10 minutes before being seated. Bakabana (fried plantain) - I loved plantains and peanuts so a fried plantain with a savory peanut sauce was right up my alley and it was delicious. The plantain was crispy on the outside but soft in the inside. One thing to note is that one order is an entire plantain so just something to keep in mind. Teloah (fried cassava with salt cod) - this was also delicious. It's like a French fry but different. We got it with the salt cod but I ended up dipping it in the peanut sauce from the fried plantain Spang Makandra Special (fried rice - noodles, chicken filet, chickens satay, long beans, egg, potato sambal and perkedel (fried potato)) - a really good entree for someone who wants to try a little bit of everything. The chicken satay was great Mixed Meat (chicken & lamb) Roti - this entree was huge and full of meat. You can pick which cuts of meat you want (ex. chicken filet vs chicken on the bone). Lots of different things to try with the curry and roti. Very delicious and filling A really fun and new experience with Suriname food. Definitely recommend trying if you haven't had this cuisine before.

Spang Makandra is an absolute treasure in the heart of Amsterdam! I had never even heard of Surinamese cuisine before – but it turned out to be an absolute dream. The food was simply outstanding – full of flavor, fresh, and unlike anything I’ve ever tasted before (see my photos). Every bite felt like a new culinary discovery, and the quality and price are truly excellent. What makes this place even more special is its story and atmosphere. Since 1978, Spang Makandra has been bringing people together through the rich and diverse Surinamese cuisine, blending flavors from Indigenous, Creole, Indian, Javanese, Chinese, and European traditions. You can really feel that sense of connection and hospitality the moment you sit down. The staff are incredibly warm and welcoming – their energy adds so much to the experience (just look at their smiles in my pictures). Eating here felt like being part of something bigger: not just a meal, but a celebration of cultures coming together. Honestly, I wish we had a restaurant like this back in Austria – it would instantly be one of my favorites. If you’re in Amsterdam, don’t miss this place. Highly recommended!

First time trying out Surinamese cuisine and it was simply excellent. We were craving Asian food during our long trip in Europe, and this place totally satisfied us. The flavours of each dish were unique and delicious, service was extremely friendly. We loved the platter which contains small portions of their signature items. Hot soup was a nice complement. The restaurant was bustling busy on a weekday evening. Although the wait wasn’t too long, I would make a booking in advance if visiting again in future.

I would have given 5, but the fact that they do not give tap water only to charge people an extra 3 euros for bottled water is unaccaptable and very unsustainable as well. Water is a human right. How can you say you do not have tap water when someone is asking for water? You do have a tap and it has water running. Everything is great other than that but i am not okay with this nonsense policy. The staff at the welcome desk was the kindest person with a sense of humor.

This was our first Surinamese dining experience and we loved the level of spice. Service was super fast and attentive and they played a nice mix of old and contemporary RnB. The food was super tasty and A LOT- so come hungry, you won’t be disappointed.

Really delicious food with generous portions and decent prices. A dish and a glass of wine came to around €20 per person which is reasonable in central Amsterdam. It is worth noting how busy it can get so it is worth making a reservation.

I went here on a Friday night having booked in advance. The place is very popular, and booking is advised. Food was delicious and I definitely ordered too much. But I was by myself and wanted to try many things. I had the chicken satay, the plantain, the yuca fries and the mixed roti main. First 2 were my favourite and the bill came up to €35. Now for the part I didn't enjoy. Staff didn't seem to care at all. Maybe part of it was how popular the restaurant is. But it took 5 minutes to be seated even with a booking, 5 minutes to realise I don't have a menu, 10 more minutes for someone to take my order and I tried the whole time to order a beer but that never materialised. When I finally got someone's attention to order a drink they said a colleague will take my order which didn't happen. I am a bit disappointed by this since everything else was good.