Warung Spang Makandra
A Surinamese-Javanese warung in De Pijp since 1978, now bigger, with a terrace and beer; guests praise the portions, regulars say it was better before.
Warung Spang Makandra has served Surinamese-Javanese food in De Pijp since 1978; its founder was Toeki. For years it worked out of a narrow space at Gerard Doustraat 39. It now sits a few doors along at number 33, much expanded. There used to be no bookings and no alcohol; now you reserve online and drink draught beer, Parbo, wine or a €9.50 cocktail. The menu runs from saoto soup (€8.50 or €12.50) and teloh with bakkeljauw (€8 or €11) to roti with chicken fillet (€15), the Spang Makandra Special (€18) and nasi rames (€18.50). It is halal. FavorFlav wrote in 2025 that the beef melts on your tongue. In 2026 Amsterdam Foodie called it "one of the city's most beloved Surinamese institutions". Guests praise big portions for little money and keep recommending the Special and the roti. A group of regulars says the cooking has slipped, partly since the move, and complaints mention dry chicken and a peanut sauce that tastes of peanut butter.
Walk-ins are always welcome; online booking covers 1 to 7 people, same day until 17:00, and the terrace cannot be booked online. Open daily until 22:00, from 11:00 (Sunday from 13:00).
What to order
Full menu- Saoto soup€8.50
Chicken broth with bean sprouts, vermicelli, egg and rice; small or large (€12.50), also vegetarian.
- Nasi rames€18.50
Fried rice and noodles with long beans, chicken satay, beef, chicken fillet and potato sambal.
- Chicken satay€8
With peanut sauce or soy sauce. FavorFlav praised it in 2025; guests also report dry chicken.
- Roti chicken fillet€15
Curry masala with potatoes, vegetables, egg and a roti; with the Special, the guests' standing recommendation.
- Spang Makandra Special€18
Fried rice and noodles, chicken fillet, satay, long beans, egg, potato sambal and perkedel; vegetarian version €16.
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