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Category: Latin American [Edit]
Neighborhood: Long Island CityTuesday to Friday 4-7 all beer $3 and any Pitcher of Sangria $15. on Fridays Live drummers. See you here!
36th Ave (N, W)
36th St (G, R, V)
Tue-Thu. 11:00 a.m. - 10:30 p.m.
Fri-Sat. 11:00 a.m. - 11:00 p.m.
Sun. 12:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
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Went here tonight with the amazing and very dear Elizabeth F, fellow Yelper and Astorian. We're two busy people, and when get together we want it to be over food (because we're big time foodies). Both having had great experiences at Arepas Cafe previously - we decided give it Try II.
Thank goodness we did because it was OUTSTANDING, again. The service is good. We got a table right away, although I feel like the word is spreading and soon enough you'll have to wait for a table.
I am too full to list the things we ordered (stomach pressing on brain), but they were all perfect. We accidentally received an order that wasn't ours and they let us keep it...for free.
I haven't tried the sangria, but would love to. Also saw people ordering soup - that is next on the list!
We FINALLY had the chance to go to Arepas Cafe (although two of the three people I was with had… Read more »
Four star rating is quite high in my book but they completely deserve it. This small and low key looking place is a trip out of New York and straight to Caracas. I love everything about the place - the nice and easy going staff, down to earth and simple cafe decor, the $3 sangria, the wonderful hot sauce and obviously the amazing arepas.
There are varieties of arepas with the same main ingredient - i.e. multiple types of chicken, beef, pork and cheese arepas. So far, we tried some chicken, tuna, shrimp, cheese and vegetarian ones and they are all just really satisfying. Great food with no pretension. Much better than most of their counterparts from Manhattan - at least the ones I know.
Drinks are good too. I really liked the sangria that had some orange slices in it. They also have good milkshakes.
I want to try all the other arepas. I have not tried the beef, pork and baby shark arepas yet. I am not sure about baby shark since I am concerned about their population in the wild but I'll definitely try everything else.
I never had a complaint about my visits there, was always satisfied and I look forward to going back for years to come.
While on a trip with my pregnant wife to the Socrates Sculpture Garden, her hunger became ravenous. Alas, we were unprepared. Traveling without snacks was a mistake we made too often at that time.
We yelped into the wilderness, and found this wonderful place!
All I can say is, try the Arepa Pabellon!
Arepas cafe saved us that day.
We now make frequent arepa pilgrimages from Brooklyn!
I salivate while lusting after these arepas when I'm not in the neighborhood, and like any fair-weather friend that you keep around for that 1 reason, this café delivers when it's open, and lets you down when it's closed on Mondays. There's a looong list of arepas, with chef's recommendations highlighted with stars. Follow your instincts on this one; you will not regret ordering one of the starred items! Succulent meat that drips and falls out as you eat, perfectly seasoned, with just the right amount of cheese. and the arepas aren't the only thing to die for here. do NOT miss out on the selection of house-made drinks, including brown sugar lemonade, and Venezuelan-style chicha.
Lunch specials range from $7 for one arepa+drink, to $12 for more encompassing combinations. If you're taking out, prepare for a 5-10 minute wait since everything is made to order. Happy hours include beer and sangria pitchers ($15).
Well, maybe it's just me and maybe I ordered the wrong things, but this place is meh. I ordered the Riccardo 's Tuna. It was super watery and the description says it's made with truffle butter. I think that was a lie. I also ordered the Guayanesa Tropical and that was decent compared to the tuna. The Yuca con Guasacaca was super good though. After trying this place, I didn't realize how good Caracas in the East Village was. My BF got the Arepa Pabellon and that was good. Maybe only the meats are good? Anyway, wasn't a big fan compared to Caracas.
My boyfriend is from Trinidad, a neighbor of Venezuela, so I thought it would be a fun date to try Arepas Cafe.
The place has a warm family-owned vibe. There were mostly couples seated around us. The arepas are fresh, crispy, and delicious. The guac/cilantro dressing is to die for. And I highly recommend the baby shark (it was my first taste of shark and it was GOOD).
Oh and the prices are very reasonable.
A definite try.
Having had arepas only one other time in the west village, I don't have much to compare to, but they are soooo good. I liked it better than the one in the city. We happily stumbled upon this place on the way to the movie theater.
Brown sugar lemonade + arepa + green sauce mmm mmm mmm. At first, I thought the lemondate was too sweet and I wasn't used to that flavor, but I got used to it and learned to enjoy it. And my arepa was a mess to eat, but I just loved it. Can't wait to go back to this place. The workers are so nice too!
I've never had Venezuelan food before I came here to eat. And honestly, just visiting New York for a few days normally wouldn't spur me to go all the way to Queens and plan an entire day there, just to try some different food, but after reading a few other yelp reviews, and going down there myself, I have to say, even walking in the rain to get there was SO worth it.
At first I didn't know what on earth I was ordering, so I was pleasantly surprised that the restaurant owner was more than willing to explain everything to me. The food was out of this world. Everything was perfect, right down to the brown sugar lemonade. Even the appetizer made my mouth water. The people were very friendly, and the restaurant was also very cozy and nice. The price was definitely affordable, and if I ever visit New York again, this will definitely be one of the first places that I go and eat.
Thanks to this restaurant, I've permanently determined that Venezuela is a delicious place... :)
Someone must have steered me wrong. A long time ago I was introduced to arepas by some friends - and while not a religious man - I would not hesitate to say 'God they were awful.' I was lost, but now I am found. A good friend brought me to Arepas Cafe - and now we are better friends for it.
This quaint Venezuelan restaurant offers a nice variety of arepas. I ordered the Guyanesa Tropical, which contained sweet plantain, melted guyanesa cheese, and avocado. Along with the accompanying condiments (one cilantro/mayo like concoction, and another chile like spice) it was absolutely delicious. I sampled my friend's, which had damn near everything in it. I encountered shredded beef, frijoles negros, cheese - and other deliciousness.
Will be back. Will get more.
I'm more than pleased to have my review follow the last post which really captured my initial hesitations to arepas. I feared the white cornmeal based bread that makes up the arepa but I also learned that a good arepa is a good arepa.
I ordered "la pelua" which is an arepa filled with shredded beef and cheddar cheese. Also ordered the "llanera" which is sweet plantain with whtie cheese. Both excellent choices. There are enough arepa combinations that sound appealing that call for a return visit.
For those who don't eat beef, expect to find satisfying alternatives in their other non-beef options with chicken or beans.
Their drink known as Chicha, a very thick, rice-based drink that is blended with cinnamon is also worth trying.
Great eatery with an excellent menu that won't break the bank.
Never had an arepa before - got blown wide open here.
I ate the Pabellon arepa - shredded beef, aged white cheese, black beans, and maduros. With a bangin glass of home-made brown sugar lemonade.
I gotta say this stuff was so tasty and just enough to keep you goin.. If I had a bigger appetite at the same time I wouldn't have hesitated on getting another or trying what could've been some delicious sides.
Also another plus - delicious home-made sauces! Almost had to jack both bottles but I figured that seeing as I already deposited half in my stomach I'd shed mercy.
I recently discovered this restaurant thanks to a Venezuelan friend. I was a little skeptical because I had already tried its competition in the East Village, but let me tell you... this is where you want to go to get a slice of Caracas.
Having grown up in Mexico, I thought there couldn't be anything as delicious as a taco using corn. This place prooved me wrong. The mini-cachapas are a mix of sweet and cheesy and you just want to lick the little bowl of creme it comes with. The Tequeños are also finger-lickin-wow and that OTHER green sauce they come with is to die for. Then come the Arepas: I had the Pabellon which was the superstar of the menu. Oh my, perfect combination of plantains, beans, cheese and beef inside a crispy corn arepa. We had the maracuya sangria, which was extremely yummy (especially if you're about to start your night) and please read carefully; DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT TRYING THE TRES LECHES CAKE. I never thought an arepa place, or any casual joint for that matter, could have such a good dessert. We were fighting with our forks for the last piece. (Nobody got hurt).
To top it off, the owner is super nice. He ended up giving us extra sangria and didn't say a word to my friends who got there at 5 to 11 pm, which is the closing time. Great food, great service, amazing price.
I live near the Cloisters. Trust me, it is worth the 1 hour train ride!
I just got back from this place and I am so unbelievably full.
My boyfriend and I had the empanada sampler, and the Reina and something with a B, I forgot what it was. One had chicken and avocado, and the other had shredded beef with rice. They don't look particularly huge, but we got full, fast.
Both the arepas were really delicious, they tasted so fresh and the meat was cooked well, but the highlight of the meal is the magical green sauce. I think it's like basil/avocado or cilantro or something? I'm not sure but it's green and I poured it all over everything because it was really good. I actually started to contemplate how I was going to get the bottle of green sauce home with me, but my boyfriend convinced me otherwise.
Come here, eat arepas and eat the green sauce, you'll love it, I promise.
At the behest of our stomachs, we (not "the royal we" but my friends and I) went here for a simple dinner. Needless to say, because the portions are good but short-lived, we prevented ourselves from eating a second round of our respective arepas.
It's a little place with quite the personable staff, quality (not quantity as far as time is concerned) service so that your arepa comes out great, and what better place than to enjoy the company of friends. It makes me hungry just thinking about it.
delicious flavoring in the chicken, not so much in the beef...
I'm so far behind on my Yelp reviews. I went to this place over a week ago, and I went back again tonight w/ the Cheap Eats Meetup group.
This place is small, but not Manhattan shoebox small. They have nice tables of 4 near the front and a counter towards the left end side of the cafe.
Here's all the items that I tried:
Tequenos - Deep fried cheesesticks, I like these better than mozzarella sticks, cuz the shell is hard but the cheese is so soft and melts in your mouth
Cachapa - corn pancakes with cheese. So freaking delicious, I will be ordering this every time I'm here
Pollo Machado - The best arepa that I had, bar none. Plenty of flavors in the chicken. You can't get that anywhere that remotely resembles a chain restaurant
Mi Amor - Not as good as pollo mechado, the meat doesn't absorb as much of the flavor
La Pelua - The meat itself is good, but again, the meat didn't absorb the flavor
La Rompe Colchon - Who can expect fake crab meat taste this good? Okay, not to complain, but I had fake crab meat since I was a kid, and although I thought they taste good when I was a kid, I really hate the processed meat as I got older. But surprisingly, the way they make it here, with pieces of squid, mussels, makes it taste so delicious
I will be back here because my gf didn't try the baby shark arepas yet. So many different type of arepas (20), how can you go wrong?
This place is sooo good. I'm at the point that whenever I pass by the 36 avenue stop on the train I seriously consider getting off and grabbing a few arepas if it won't make me late for whatever or wherever I'm going to.
Over the holidays they also have hallacas, a traditional Venezuelan Christmas dish of some type of meat in cornmeal wrapped in a banana leaf.
Just note they are closed on Mondays.
Comes to Queens for some amazing arepas. Great for a dinner before catching a movie around the… Read more »
Recommended cheap eats. Great staff. No booze. Filling and fairly hearty.
Arepas at Arepas Café are warm and filling, but not jumbo American size, which is great because the staff will recommend you eat two. I've tried three, which were all fantastic: mami (pork, cheese, avocado, $6.50); domino (black beans and cheese; $3.75); Guyanesa tropical (Guyanes cheese, sweet plantain, avocado, $6). The sauces are on the table for a reason, so use them. Pabellon Criollo ($11) was a gorgeous homey plate of shredded beef, rice and beans, and soft sweet plantains.
Viva la cheap eats!
niiice, i love this place and i dont even like venezuelans (except for chavez, of course .... relax panitas, im kiddin) but damn these arepas are good! i had a reina, i dont know what it is. seems like shredded chicken with some sort of avocado/mayo sauce? dude, seriously, so good...
the only reason why i dont give em 5 stars is cause the prices are not that great. two arepas and a soda for 13$ - i dont know.. but whatever, its not like i dont spend money on stupid shit anyways.
I hit this place last week while exploring the many cultural diamonds in Queens. Just a short ride on the N (three stops from Manhattan), The Arepas Cafe really satisfies your appetite and your wallet.
I had the lunch special which was an arepa of my choice and a juice drink for $6.50. I chose the Bomba Arepa which had a chicken and avocado salad type of filling and the passion fruit juice drink. . . .MAN, was it good.
I don't think that the lunch special is offered on the weekends, but I definitely plan on going back to try more of the great food that I saw being brought to the other tables. Just an FYI - There are some other incredible looking restaurants on this strip, so bring your appetite when you go to Queens. ..Peace.
Arepas Cafe is awesome! The pork arepa with avacado and cheese is to die for. Not only does it taste great, but it's incredibly filling. Their juices are also really tasty.
I usually get take-out, but it's also a nice place to sit and eat. The staff is very friendly and helpful.
The prices are also very reasonable. Spend $8 there, and you'll be good for the day!
How I lived just an avenue away from this restaurant and didn't know about it for 4 months is beyond me. Arepas Cafe is some seriously good eats and cheap, too!
These arepas are stuffed full of savory morsels. And, while they may seem rather small, are quite filling. Make sure to have them with the house green sauce (I think it's cilantro based). It'll blow your hair back.
Also, make sure to get a bowl of chicken soup. It's a huge bowl of some of the most soul healing broth in the world. Definitely big enough to share and no worries if your partner is sick. It'll get them back on their feet in no time.
All I have to say is wow I am impressed by this place.
It's small, which makes it easy to pass by and or dismiss. But if you're in the area definitely don't miss a chance to eat here.
What I had:
Jamon y Queso and the Domino Arepas
Delicious, and most importantly I was COMPLETELY full for only $8! (It was seriously like 3-4 dollars each...) How can you beat that?
Also try: Brown sugar Lemonaide. Truly unique and I hear it tastes amazing with a bit of spiced rum...
arepas cafe is AMAZING! i absolutely love it, granted i order pretty much the same thing every time (guayanesa tropical, and cazon) but it hasn't let me down. the brown sugar lemonade was delicious, too. i did try one of the entrees (shark) and it was okay, but i think the arepas are a far better choice. i'm hoping they are delivering again, and hopefully not with the 3rd party delivery service they were using before (once waited 2 hours for my arepas!)
Easy and convenient. I find the arepas are a little on the greasy side.
When I read in NY Magazine that Astoria had a place similar to Caracas, I was so excited since I love Caracas' arepas.
And once I tried Arepas Cafe, I couldn't agree more with NY Magazine and the reviewers here - this place is fantastic. Arepas Cafe has delicious food and the people there are friendly and attentive. I'd definitely recommend a fruit drink, the arepa appetizer (it's sweet and the white sauce is so good) and the roast pork arepa. And ...what DO they put in the green sauce that's on the the table? It's incredible and I couldn't get enough of it.
Furthermore, it's inexpensive and BYOB. The atmosphere was lively. I think every seat was filled up on the Friday night I went there. And in Astoria, at these small places, that's not that common. The decor isn't anything fancy -- but I like it, it's very simple and clean -- like a start-up. There is a diversity of people who go there and everyone looked happy. I am happy to have this place in the neighbourhood.
I stopped by this place with my Mom last night. Everything was exceptional! Great service. The menu was full of vegetarian/pescetarian options. The food tasted very fresh and made with love.
I don't live in Queens, but would travel back for this gem of a restaurant anytime.
Yummy Yummy place! Arepas range from $5 to $9. My fave are La Reina, Ricardo's Tuna, Catira, and the cachapa appetizer. Try the Polar beer and passion fruit juice. The shark emapanada is good also.
Being a sheltered little Jewgirl in suburban Boston as a child, my culinary adventures went so far as Chinese on Christmas Eve before the movies. After moving to NY as an adult, I was immediately introduced to the joys of Venezualans & their arepas-making genius. Caracas was the first place I ever had them, so the bar was set oh-so-high, G-d I love that place (blasphemy notwithstanding - see religious background above).
Arepas Cafe is a great little find in the neighborhood. I got sick of trekking to the East Village when the stuffed corn cake cravings struck in the night. Plus Arepas Cafe is cheaper, warmer & I don't need a massage afterwards from being all scrunched up in the crowded seats like I do at Caracas.
I love the Jugo de Papelon con Limon (brown sugar lemonade) & i always stop at the deli for some beevos first since this place still does not have a liquor license.
I worship at the alter of gooey cheese. Mmmm Arepas.
Sold! I read about this place in NY Magazine's "2008 Cheap Eats" and I am glad I did. Arepas is inconspicuously placed between several bodegas and other establishments on 36th Avenue. I was pleased to see healthy selections on the menu. This was my first experience with arepas. Silly me, I thought it was going to be similar to an empanada. An arepas is a thin corn based dish (wheat-free) bread, split in half and filled with a variety of fresh ingredients.
I chose "Riccardo's Tuna" It was delicious. This arepa was filled with tuna, mild pico de gallo, fresh avocado, and truffle butter (yummy to my tummy!). Priced at $6.25, you cannot beat that with a stick. I also had the house salad, which was over the top. It was a generous portion, worth sharing. Filled with iceberg lettuce, cherry tomatoes, avocados, white cheese squares, and a sumptuous house dressing, Arepas added a seasoned kick to an ordinary salad.
Finishing touches: I ordered the cafe con leche, which was absolutely delicious. I may have found one of the best cafe's in Queens. Now, I have a place for that Sunday morning cafe (con leche, of course). My meal ended with a banana milkshake. Believe it or not, it did not have ice cream, but it was thick and had the consistency of ice cream. The owner shared her secret, frozen bananas. What a healthy dessert! This was great for my fat ass! I love Arepas Cafe. I will surely be back!
It's true. I just joined Yelp so I could write about Arepas Cafe. Finally. I live around the corner from this little gem and it has become my favorite neighborhood spot. Quick, easy, cheap and SO tasty.
If you're absolutely famished, you could probably pull off eating two arepas, but it's a challenge. And one that I have conquered. Something about how dense the corn tortilla is makes these little guys very filling.
I recommend anything that involves the shredded beef, which is seasoned oh so well, and the Reina Pepieda, which is a great take on a chicken salad. And the sweet plantains as a side. And that green sauce. On everything.
They don't deliver, and I suggest you eat in rather than take out, because the arepas stay hot and fresh and yummmmmy when you're there. Also, the people are so nice and the place is very clean.
Very tasty. Warm, personal service. My son loves all of the shark dishes. I definitely recommend.
This place is my new addiction. I end up here once a week. The food is a refreshing change from the Greek food in the 'hood. I get the roast pork or the stewed chicken arepa and top it with the green sauce called "guasacaca" which is simply orgasmic;) You must get the fried yucca fries when you order your arepas so you can have MORE guasacaca sauce:-)) mmmmmmmmmmmmm.
I went after seeing the grand opening on the events tab.
Ricardo was there (after I saw his pic on his profile lol) and was very attentive as was his female counterpart. Arepas are great. They're very Venezuelan style, grilled, split in half, then filled with whatever you choose.
I had the tuna salad (basically mayo, tuna, celery) and "Reina Pepiada" which is like a rich chicken salad, chicken, avocado and (I'd guess something creamy like) mayo. Both very good.
The fresh passionfruit juice was GREAT. Hadn't had anything like that in a while. The brown sugar lemonade was very sweet, but over ice it tasted great.
The place itself is clean, new, well organized.
They don't have ALL menu items though, no empanadas, although I did see someone eating a daily special (basically a homecooked style platter).
Cheap bastards be warned: Arepas Cafe is not that cheap and the portions are actually quite small. The food is very tasty, but if you're cheap like me, save your pennies and fill up at Copacabana instead. Arepas Cafe might be good for a date, but then again, the decor is somewhat bland and the indie rock playing on the speakers didn't really help the Venezuelan vibe. I may return for the fried plantains, but with the current economic climate, this is unlikely.
this place was super cute and friendly. they had a good selection of things to try but we were all about the arepas. i picked two (which was way too ambitious for me apparently), the mami (pork with avocado and cheese), and the pabellon (shredded beef with black beans, plaintains and cheese). while very tasty, they were a bit greasy for me. though i guess thats the way it goes. the arepa itself was crunchy and delicious. maybe i just need one next time.
Love love LOVE the arepas! These are beautiful sandwiches made with love by the owner and his wife. From the pulled pork to the shark to the vegetarian arepas, all are amazing. The mini empenadas are a treat as well, and the green sauce... MMMMMMMMM.
I've been in this neighborhood more than once but it is my second time ordering food. I can't believe there are so many restaurants and they all look very nice on the outside. I didn't know about this place until my boyfriend told me about it. I love trying new food if I have someone or group of friends to join me. Hey, I am still a picky eater so I do waste food if I don't like it. My first time having arepas and I have to give it two thumbs up. One appetizer I didn't like was the french fries because I thought it was homemade so I order it but it didn't taste like homemade at all. It taste like the ones we get from fridge in a meat market. That was a disappointment. We ordered La Mi amor con te quiero, La Pelua (not sure), Pollo Mechado (love the flavoring with some spice in it), and another appetizer we order is called Tequeños which tasted ok. Tequenos went cold so the cheese in there was not melted and there wasn't much taste so it requires dipping sauce. I rather the Tequenos actually have some special taste in them so it makes them more unique. The reason I gave this place four stars was that Pollo Mechado tasted so good. I have to go back again to try other arepas. I wonder how baby shark taste like. I had shark fins before but not baby shark meat. Is that the same thing? Maybe someone can tell me. By the way shark fin I had before was cooked in a Chinese style.
The fact that there isn't a line out the door and around the block is astonishing. It is so strange that this is the type of restaurant that people go above and beyond to find and claim they don't exist anymore but when they hear about one, never go. I guess that's a good thing for me...This place has almost all of the features that make for a successful restaurant: amazing food, perfect portions, cheap prices, clean, friendly. I said almost because of one thing: location. But it is the location that allows them to serve the food they do at the prices they charge. Granted it is not in the city, but it is not out of the way. From Columbus Circle it took me 15 minutes by the N or W to get there...
I had the Pabellon de Pollo which is incredible shredded white meat chicken with white rice, black beans sprinkled with a light cheese and platanos (the best I've ever had). I also ordered the grand papi Arepa Pabellon which has shredded beef, black beans, platanos and cheese. Heaven. The arepa was perfectly crunchy on the outside and did not fall apart when I bit into it. They provide a creamy cilantro sauce on the side that was simply perfection. The beef was lean tender and flavorful. Both dishes were simply fantastic. I also ordered the Camburada which is a banana milkshake. It was absolutely delicious. You would never know that it has no ice cream in it. I almost ordered a second but decided to order the tres leches cake instead. Thank god I did. Not overly sweet with perfect texture...not crumbly and not super soaked in condensed milk.
Stop waiting for Time Out or New York magazines...by the time they get to this it will be packed.
We really enjoyed this place - great from every perspective.
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