Showing 1-21 of 21 results
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Arepera 24 Horas
Open round-the-clock as the name suggests, this big, busy open-air joint is always good for a well-stuffed arepa - survey the fillings in the display case - or a big bowl of hervido (hearty chicken or beef boil).
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Arepera Doña Petrica
This arepa restaurant, serving healthy-sized, inexpensive portions to beer-drinking locals, makes a casual introduction to the basics of Venezuelan cuisine.
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Casa Farruco
Decorated with beautiful tile work and ship models, this atmospheric locale offers tranquil dining upstairs and a boisterous bar downstairs. Go for the stuffed squid.
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El Budaré de la Castellana
Conveniently located in the heart of Las Mercedes' nightlife district, 'The Griddle' makes a good pit stop between clubs. The bustling, two-level restaurant offers good cachapas, and other Venezuelan standards.
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Hajillo's
A block west and half a block north of the plaza, this small chef-managed restaurant offers some adventurous culinary hybrids of Venezuelan and Asian fare, with assuredly aphrodisiacal ingredients. The whitewashed plank dining room opens on lush gardens.
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La Casa del Llano
A veritable arepa (hamburger-size corn pancake stuffed with juicy fillings) factory, this huge no-nonsense diner sticks to traditional plains fare. Hungry locals flock here not just for the arepas but for charcoal-grilled steaks and hearty soups.
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La Castañuela
Located on a particularly busy corner of Las Mercedes, this is an updated drive-up version of a traditional tasca (Spanish-style bar-restaurant) with a boisterous atmosphere enhanced by freely flowing scotch and lounge singers. The waiters seem constantly in motion, toting enormous pans of paella or trays of tapas to big groups of revelers.
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La Cita
This corner classic is one of the liveliest in the zone, with the day's seafood catch on display.
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La Cocina de Francy
Instead of Spanish fare, this tasca -style restaurant specializes in delicious Venezuelan cuisine, rooted in ancestral recipes. Check out, for example, the pelao guayanés, a soulful chicken stew laced with herbs and olive oil. For dessert don't miss the quesillo de jojoto, a creamy corn flan.
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La Estación del Pollo
This popular dining hall has racks upon racks of chickens roasting over coals and attentive waiters rushing them to your table, along with the obligatory side of yucca laced with guasacaca (peppers, onions and seasonings) sauce. Alternatively, order a parrilla to have steaks and sausages grilled by your table.
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La Gorda
La Gorda 'The fat lady' has been serving traditional Venezuelan dishes for decades. For something really special, try the bollos pelones, a regional variation on hallacas (filled corn dough steamed in banana leaves) filled with seasoned ground beef and laced with tomato sauce.
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La Guayaba Verde
This trendy lunch restaurant offers large portions of lip-smacking Venezuelan home-cooking in cool lime-green surroundings with ceiling fans shooting you a breeze. Local gourmands crowd the place daily to sample an ever-changing set menu (to check the week's selections, go to the restaurant's excellent blog and click on 'Menú de la Semana').
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La Rica Chicha
Just above the Hotel Ritz, a nice old man serves ice-cold chicha - basically rice pudding you can drink - from a big yellow thermos.
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Lunchería Doña Agapita
Excellent cachapas (corn pancakes) with ham and/or cheese can be had at this tiny, no-nonsense spot off Plaza La Candelaria.
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Mokambo
Expertly fusing Mediterranean and Caribbean elements, Mokambo has dishes you didn't know you craved - such as yucca gnocchi or octopus carpaccio - and others you know and love, like three-cheese ravioli with Kalamata olives. Dine in the cool, safari-themed interior or on the terrace, surrounded by tropical foliage.
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Pollo en Brasas El Coyuco
This classic spot is often packed with locals chowing down on lusciously seasoned roasted chicken and yucca within a rustic, log cabin setting.
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Punto Criollo del Este
Though easy to overlook, this hole-in-the-wall kitchen on the east end of the district is a locally recommended purveyor of reasonably priced comida criolla lunches.
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Restaurant El Coyuco
Mouthwatering grilled chicken is served in this vast, smoky dining hall on the main drag. Order your bird con todo for sides of yucca, salad and an hallaquita (mini tamale).
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Restaurant El Presidente
This simple, checkered-tablecloth spot fills up quickly at noon, when locals pour in for its home-style set-lunch menus.
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Restaurant Urrutia
Urrutia is one of the best Basque restaurants around. Shaped like a pie wedge with tables along the perimeter, the place is often crowded with local office workers relaxing over a seafood meal or noshing on pasapalos (finger food).
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Restaurante La Atarraya
This classic dining hall is named after a store that operated here in the 19th century, when the plaza functioned as the city market. Comida criolla staples like cachapas and roast chicken are served at the counter or in the wood-lined dining area.
Showing 1-21 of 21 results
