Chez Auntie on Rue des Roses in Kourou is the kind of lunch spot that every neighbourhood needs and few retain: a home-style Creole kitchen run by a single family, open for lunch only, serving a short menu of daily-cooked dishes that sell out before the afternoon. The restaurant has no dinner service, no evening ambitions, and no menu card — the day's options are recited by whoever is serving, usually from a tray of large pots visible from the counter. It is a beloved institution among Kourou residents who have eaten here for years and arrive early enough to ensure they get their preferred dish.
The riz djon-djon is the dish most associated with Chez Auntie and the one that draws the furthest-travelling clientele. Djon-djon are small black dried mushrooms from Haiti that, when cooked into rice, turn it an inky, deep purple-black while imparting an earthy, truffle-adjacent aroma that is unlike any other rice preparation in French Guiana. The dish is a Haitian heritage item rare on French Guianese menus, and Chez Auntie prepares it with the confidence of a kitchen that has made it countless times. Accras de giraumon — fritters made from the local pumpkin variety rather than the more common salt cod — offer a lighter, sweeter alternative to the usual accras de morue. Poulet à la créole, slow-braised in a sauce of tomato, thyme, garlic, and local peppers, is the kitchen's most versatile main: filling, fragrant, and served with rice and peas.
Prices are very low, with a full lunch plate rarely exceeding €12. Cash only. The restaurant is closed Sunday. The instruction to arrive before 13:00 is not decorative; dishes genuinely sell out.
Signature dishes
- Riz djon-djon (rice with black mushroom)
- Accras de giraumon
- Poulet à la créole
Good to know
- Known for
- Beloved Kourou institution for Creole comfort food at honest prices; home-cooked daily specials
- Hours
- Mon–Sat 11:00–15:00 (lunch only)
- Reservations
- Walk-in; arrive early as food sells out
Location
Rue des Roses, 97310 Kourou, French Guiana
5.1609, -52.6490 View on map
Highlights
- Riz djon-djon: rice cooked with Haitian black mushrooms turning deep purple — one of the most unusual preparations in French Guiana
- Accras de giraumon: pumpkin fritters, a sweeter local alternative to the ubiquitous salt cod version
- Beloved Kourou lunch institution; a home kitchen feeding the neighbourhood for years
- Lunch-only service with food that genuinely sells out before 14:00 — a sign of consistent quality and honest pricing
- Poulet à la créole: slow-braised chicken in tomato, thyme, and local pepper sauce with rice and peas
Tips for visiting
- Arrive by 11:30 to guarantee a choice of dishes, particularly the riz djon-djon which sells out fastest
- Cash only — no card facility
- The menu is recited rather than written; do not hesitate to ask staff to repeat it or explain unfamiliar dishes
- The accras de giraumon are best eaten at the table while still hot rather than packaged to go
- The restaurant is closed Sunday; the nearest comparable lunch option in Kourou on Sundays is Restaurant La Pergola or Restaurant L'Ariane
When to visit
Arriving at 11:00 to 11:30 on a weekday provides the best selection and the hottest, freshest food. Saturday lunch is also popular; arriving early is equally important.
Accessibility
The entrance on Rue des Roses is at street level. The dining area is compact with close-set tables and may be challenging for wheelchair users during the busy lunch service. No dedicated accessible restroom is confirmed.
Frequently asked questions
What makes riz djon-djon distinctive?
Djon-djon are small dried black mushrooms from Haiti that release a dark, earthy liquid when cooked, turning the rice a deep purple-black and infusing it with a flavour reminiscent of truffles. The dish is a Haitian culinary tradition rarely found outside the Haitian diaspora community.
Does Chez Auntie serve dinner?
No. The restaurant is open Monday to Saturday for lunch only, from 11:00 to 15:00. It closes when the food runs out, which is often before 14:00.
Is there a set menu or menu card?
No. The day's dishes are recited by staff and depend entirely on what was prepared that morning. There is no written menu and the selection changes daily.
Is Chez Auntie suitable for visitors who do not speak French?
The kitchen and service operate in French. Basic pointing at other diners' plates is an acceptable way to indicate a choice. Staff are generally patient with non-French speakers in this informal context.