The Top Three Venezuelan Eateries to Visit in NYC

One of the best things about New York City is that it's a melting pot of cultures. In just about every corner of town, you can find a restaurant from a region you may never get to visit in your lifetime. Because of that, we've rounded up three restaurants in Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx that will transport you to Venezuela without ever having to leave the Big Apple.

Areppas (with locations at 25 Cleveland Place, 115 E. 23rd Street and 954 3rd Ave in Manhattan)

Restaurant owners and husband and wife team, Celestino Diaz and Brooke Carrie Hil recently opened their third brick-and-mortar Areppas eatery in Soho at 25 Cleveland Place. Patrons are an authentic taste of Venezuela with plenty of modern and customizable menu options. With every purchase made the restaurant utilizes the UNA x UNA initiative to help feed hungry children throughout Venezuela and various parts of Latin America. The fast-casual eatery aims to introduce fresh, tasty, and cost-effective Latin-based options to the New York City market. Each location offers options for vegans, vegetarians and carnivores with bowls, salads, empanadas and tequeños along with signature arepas and the option to create your own. Arepa favorites include The Downtown Arepa ($9.75) includes, short rib and de mano cheese (this soft, white cheese is most commonly associated with Venezuelan cuisine), The Uptown Arepa ($8.75) is made with a verde arepa (cilantro, parsley & lime), pulled pork, avocado, tomato & jalapeño and The Queen ($8.75) includes shredded chicken, avocado, cilantro, lime juice & mayo. Areppas.com

Casa Ora (148 Meserole Street in Williamsburg)

A brand new fine dining, family owned restaurant in Williamsburg just opened featuring Venezuelan cuisine. Eater.com describes it as showcasing, "upscale interpretations of traditional fare from Caracas where the chef cooked at South American fine-dining temple Alto before fleeing the Maduro regime in 2014. At Casa Ora, Herrera serves pabellon ($26), Venezuela’s national dish of rice and refried beans with shredded beef — but kicked up a notch with brisket and plated with the meat intact, though cooked until tender enough for diners to shred it themselves. His favorite Venezuelan specialty on the menu is cazón, or baby shark: He compares it to lasagna, with fish stew instead of beef and layers of sweet plantain in lieu of pasta.” https://www.casaoranyc.com/

Cachapa Cachapa (1903 Bathgate Ave in the Bronx)

Yelp describes this hidden Venezuelan casual spot in the Bronx as a super small place with one table and a wall shelf complete with two barstools. Don't let this fool you as the food is authentic, fresh, and made to order. Favorites include empanadas and cachapas, which are sweet corn cakes filled with lettuce, tomato, and a creamy garlic sauce. The grilled chicken version of the dish is the perfect balance of sweet and savory making this spot a great reason to head to the Bronx.