I started with a drink and ordered the passion fruit sangria and my oh my was it delicious! I love Maracuya (passion fruit). For my appetizer I decided to go with the Tasting platter and it was a amazing ! I love the fact it gives you four different types of meats so it helps you decide what kinda of arepa meat you will like. I happened to order two arepas anyways without trying them since this was my first time. The arepa pabellon pollo and arepa pabellon pernil met my expectations for sure! Definitely a must go to place! read more

Arepas Cafe - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

This place is a family favorite for myself. I eat here at least 2/3 times a week. The all time favorite is empanadas de queso for appetizers and my go to is the pabellón. Highly recommended to try any of there options chicken / beef and or pernil. read more

Arepas Cafe - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

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A cute neighborhood delight. There could be a little bit of a wait but it's worth it. A small cozy set up. Great food with great prices. Friendly staff. We started off by ordering the chicha drink and the passion fruit juice. The chicha is basically a liquid cinnamon flavored rice pudding. For appies, we ordered the sampler plate. This was yum (not healthy)! It had fried plantains topped with Venezuelan cheese, fried cheese sticks, zucca sticks, and some fried empanadas filled with different meats and cheese. This is served with a habanero sauce and a cilantro sauce. Both the sauces are amazing!!! For the maincourse we ordered arepas. My husband order the pork which he really seemed to enjoy. I ordered the vegetarian one that had plantains, avacados and black beans topped with cheese. It was good too but I'm not a big fan of plantains is what I realised tho. Will def go back! read more

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Everything I have tried on this menu is amazing. Very different from Arepa Lady, so both are a staple!

Food was decent but the wait was too long. I ordered one box of fries and I waited more than 20 mins.. they were nice, but service can be a bit faster read more

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My friend and I checked this place out on Friday during happy hour. The deals were great! We ordered white sangria pitcher for $18 and enjoyed a patacon sandwich $11 and reina arepa $6. The waiter was very attentive. But here's why I gave this place 1 star. THEY OVER CHARGED THE BILL. Unfortunately I didn't realize until I came home that my bill was $46 for 2 people. Meaning they either charged extra or they added at least 18% tip which by the way I paid another 15% on top of that. And it's not suprising that many other yelpers caught this too. Very disappointed. I will not be returning. Beware of your bill. Double check it. read more

Arepas Cafe - Patacon sandwich with mixed chicken and beef - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

I originally came to get arepas, considering the name of the restaurant is called "Arepas Cafe", but one of the staff convinced me to get the patacon, and oh man... it was amazing! Not only was it incredibly delicious, but it was MASSIVE. AND it came on a giant wooden slab which was awesome! The meat was really flavorful, and the fried plantain was so crispy! The sauces I was given were really great too! Unfortunately because of its size, the second half of the sandwich lost crispiness because I took too long to eat it... Good news, it did fill me up the entire day. Unfortunately I wanted an arepa, but there's no way I would have been able to eat that in addition to the patacon... One day I will return for the arepa! read more

Arepas Cafe - Patacon de pernil on a giant wooden slab - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

It was delicious!!!!! Such a great service!!! They are all very polite, they go through the menu with you, highly recommend you to come through this beautiful and unique place in NEW YORK CITY read more

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The husband and I decided we wanted to try something different, we have had our eye on arepa cafe for a while now and just never had the opportunity to visit, except today. So we decided to pay a visit. Loved the different combinations of things to try. My husband opted for the mini arepas with the 4 choice of meats he went with Reina, chicken, beef, roast pork. I went with the mami and arepa pabellón and mami. For the kids we ordered plain arepa and French fries, plus some of ours. My husband and I also had the passion fruit mimosas. In all it was good, we left full and happy. I wouldn't say this was the best, definitely far from the worst but a happy medium. I liked the flavor combinations, thought it all went well together and they sure don't skimp on the goods. We didn't have room for much more. The interior is on the smaller side, but not overcrowded. The mami did have a lot of grease so it's good to eat there if you can, I could imagine it being soggy by the time you would bring it home. But it was tasty. read more

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I wish they're arepas were bigger because they're sooo good! I eat a decent amount so they don't fill me up all the way but they're genuinely delicious. Price isn't too bad either read more

the weather we endure to get here - snow shower, it was cold, and this place is quite far.. but we made it. the place was comfortable with a casual ambience and cute decorations. we were seated quickly and were given the menu. a lot of selectionss, but since the name is Arepas cafe and we have been craving for Arepas, we ordered those. I had the Pollo Mechado Arepa and Mini Platter Appetizers to share. - all the appetizers were SO delicious! empanadas were scrumptious: amazing crispness, but comforting gooey filling. cachapas hve just the right amount of sweetness. awesome texture and flavor of the tequineos, and yucca went well with the sauce. the whole platter is 5/5 - the arepas were not bad, but i thought the filling could have been seasoned better. the chicken was a bit dry. it was pretty good, but the appetizer platter ironically was the star of our meal service was very nicee. the staffs were so patient with us, especially the ladies. there was one guy who seem to have a liiitle bit of an attitude though but overall it was an enjoyable meal! if onlyy it wasn't so far i wouuld come back more often read more

Arepas Cafe - Mini Platter - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

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The staff is not too friendly a little bit rude the girls. But the food is very good!

The arepas are little sandwiches packed with fresh ingredients, but we weren't blown away by the flavors of any of them. They were all pretty straightforward in taste and presentation. I tried 3 varieties, including the Arepa Pabellon with shredded beef, black beans, sweet plantains and white cheese. This was a messy sandwich! The Reina Arepa had chicken mixed with avocado and mayo. The best was the Camarones Arepa, which was shrimp cooked with tomatoes and onions. Everything on the menu was a variation of a stewed meat topped with either beans, white cheese, plantains, avocado, or a mix of them. But the shrimp was a different presentation and more interesting. My friend and I also wanted to share their Platter appetizer, which came with a little bit of everything including tequenos, empanadas, and fried yucca. But service was so aloof and preoccupied. We never got the appetizer, and ultimately just cancelled it. That's fine because we weren't falling in love with the food and would have skipped it anyways, as 3 arepas are quite filling. Getting the check was excruciatingly slow as well, when we just wanted to move onto our next destination - dessert across the street at Cafe Triskell! read more

The food was good, however the pitcher of sangria is overpriced. I've had much better sangria, too. The service was awful. They basically sit you down and disappear on you. No silverware and no napkins provided until asked. I had to ask for service three times by walking up the a counter. At the end, they add a 20% tip onto the check. Yes, a forced 20% tip and have the audacity to ask for an additional tip on the check. read more

First time here and glad I came. The food was great and the service was good also. My wife and I shared a mini platter. She also had a patacon and I had a arepa de camarones and a arepa de reina. Everything was delicious. We also had a white sangria. The sangria was ok but, needs work. We've had better sangrias at other establishments. read more

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Absolute worst FOOD POISONING of my life! I went in for dinner and the restaurant was freezing. Something must have been wrong with their heating system. Like the other customers, I decided to just keep my jacket on. I ordered a couple arepas, one beef with cheese and one shrimp. Came out a little cold. Ate them anyway since I was starving. The next morning, I started violently vomiting. It was like something out of a horror movie. The projectile vomit was soon accompanied by cramps, chills, diarrhea, and a fever. I spent the whole weekend bedridden sipping on fluids to keep from dying. My theory is that due to the restaurant being so cold, they couldn't keep their food at the appropriate temperature. This became breeding ground for bacteria. What sucks is that I've been here a couple times before and enjoyed their food; but now I can't trust it. A safety inspector definitely needs to come in and check this place out. It literally is a bio hazard and unsafe for the public. read more

Good, tasty food. Got my order wrong but no complaints, the wrong arepa was good as well. I recommend the samplers as well, and the drinks. Will visit again, just had to dock a star for the incorrect order as the waitress took a look at it and knew it was the wrong item but served it anyways, and is not the friendliest. However, food is worth visiting read more

It was my first time trying Venezuelan food and let me tell you, this was bomb! I went there for quick bite with a friend who is from Venezuela and if he said it reminded him home, then this place is legit! We started off with a quick tasting platter to get a taste of the different types of flavors. We finished off with two arepas, white fish and pulled pork and definitely recommend the pulled pork! White fish has a very strong seafood smell but when you eat it, the seafood taste is not that strong which is good. The pulled pork came with avocado and cheese, tastes amazing! They also have two bottles of magic sauce haha the white one goes well with everything, the green one is spicy and it adds a little kick to your food. We will be coming back for sure to try everything! If we didn't have the tasting platter, we would have gone for the dessert, the food is very filling and worth the price. We want to try the sangria and tres leche! read more

I don't know how I haven't written a review by now. This is my #1 place to go to! I'm not even kidding. I've been to that place at least 15 times. The place is small and it's always packed. It's my Saturday/ Sunday spot. I can't explain how much I love their food and service. Four words: tequenos, mami, green sauce, parchita!!! Their tequenos are the best appetizer with the green sauce. Most of their arepas are great, but the best one would be mami! Their cachapa is also delish, but order that if you are extremely hungry bc it's huge, I can never finish it. Ive tried other arepa places, but this one is the best. I don't think I want to go to any other place. This is the place that i will always go to. Cozy, homemade, delicious! I can never get enough of their food. What else do you need? P.s I have never tried their desserts bc they always run out of them.. maybe someday. read more

Arepas Cafe - Mami with green sauce - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

Cute spot in Astoria. I came here with a friend who comes here often. If you like Patacan, this is some of the best I've had. The restaurant is very clean, which is worth saying. Cozy with nice staff. I'm not in Astoria often, but this is maybe worth a trip over the bridge once in a while. read more

Arepas Cafe is owned by the famous soul singer Arepa Franklin. Her hits include "Respect (My Arepa)" and "Natural Arepa Woman." She later teamed up with George Michael on "I Knew You Were Waiting (For Your Arepa)" to hit back at the critics that said her food orders took too long to cook, and that she'd forget about them in mid-preparation. What to get: You *must* get the Pabellon Arepa. What else: Brown Sugar Lemonade, omg. Any other good stuff: All arepas are great. Drinks: Chicha (like Horchata), Toddy (like Chocolate Milk), Passion Fruit, Tamarind Juices all good. Now Arepa Franklin wants to sing us a song. It's called "I Order An Arepa For You." The moment I wake up Before I put on my makeup I order an arepa for you While combing my hair now And wondering what dress to wear now I order an arepa for you Arepa, arepa, you'll stay in my tummy And I will love you Arepa, arepa, you taste kinda funny But, how I love you Arepa, arepa, unlike my Mummy To live without you Would only mean hunger for me I've been here 5 times. Lovely service, an adorable woman running it. Decent prices (special offers make it better), not too bad for NYC. I always order a Pabellon Arepa and the Papelon Con Limon brown sugar lemonade. If you're feeling Grim, you should come here and order a Grim Arepa. Obviously. What is the Pabellon and why is it so good? Well, it has shredded beef, black beans, fried sweet plantains, sprikled with aged white cheese. It's similar to the Surena at Caracas Arepa, or the Ropa Vieja Arepa at Cleveland's Barrocco. It's simply one of the best things you will ever put in your mouth (not including human body parts). Every bite is heaven. Every morsel is delicious. It just *works*. It's one of those dishes (like a combo from Sammy's Halal) that if I was going to be permanently trapped on a desert island with Ice T's much better half and this Texan girl I know, then I'd ask for us to have a Pabellon Arepa stand to satiate us when we were feeling insatiable. You know what I mean. You know back in Whitechapel, London there was a serial killer who loved these pockets of fluffy corn heaven. His name was "Jack The Arepa." Scary guy. Great taste in food though. The other Arepas are good too. I had the Guayanes Tropical, and while I don't like the mixture of cheese and fruit, if you do, then you'll probably like it. I do think some of the Arepas are a little overpriced, especially considering how much amazing stuff you get inside the Pabellon for the same price. But there's about 15 of them for you to choose from and they're all worth a try. There's a reason Arepa is known as the Queen of Sole. However I'm not sure what it is, because these arepas don't have any fish in them at all. Go figure. Or, perhaps, go fish. The drinks are excellent too. "Toddy" is like a Colombian Chocolate shake, more like liquid Coco (there's that girl again, who does look rather Colombian especially from behind now that you mention it), and is excellent. "Chicha" is a lot like Horchata, but I prefer Horchata. Still very good though. The "Jugo De Tamarindo" is very good too, and much like Mexican Tamarind mix. Whereas the Jugo De Parchita (Passion Fruit Juice) which I usually love in other places, didn't do it for me. I know which one Arepa liked best. There's a reason she sang that song "Chicha of Fools." However the star of the drink menu (and Colombian-Venezuelan drink menus always have a lot of stars) is the "Jugo De Papelon Con Limon". It's absolutely delicious brown sugar lemonade that I find addictive. It goes perfectly with the orgasmic and similarly-mamed Pabellon Arepa. So get a Pabellon and a Papelon and you'll be in absolute heaven. Arepa told me recently that she is tired of me always ordering the Pabellon. I suavely, coolly retorted, "Franklin, my dear, I don't give a damn." Arepas Cafe is one of Queens' very best eateries. Come here. Order Pabellon Arepa, Papelon to drink. Be in heaven. Love every bite. Fall in love with one of the best dishes from one of the best cuisines in the world. And make sure you try Caracas Arepa (Surena Arepa) and the one in Cleveland I mentioned, to complete the trifecta of Ropa Vieja Arepa heaven. And for something much greasier and completely different, try the "Choclo" street arepa at Arepas Lady II in Jackson Heights. I will be reviewing that one in the next few days. I'm absolutely obsessed with Arepas. They may be one of my favourite foods in the world. And this one is one of the very best, anywhere. Now I'm gonna let Arepa Franklin close out this review with her song "Arepa (Just A Little Bit)." (oo) What you want (oo) Baby, I got (oo) What you need (oo) Do you know I got it? (oo) All I'm askin' (oo) Is for a little bit of your Arepa when you come home (just a little bit) A-R-E-P-A-S please Find out how it tastes to me A-R-E-P-A-S please Feed it to me, feed it to me, feed it to me, feed it to me Just a little bit Just a little bit. read more

When it comes to arepas, most people are crazy about Caracas (http://www.yelp.com/biz/caracas-arepa-bar-new-york), but I'm nuts for Arepas Cafe. Out of the two places, Arepas Cafe is cheaper, tastier, friendlier, there's never a wait, and it's in Queens. Is it really even worth comparing? Located on 36th Avenue in Astoria, Arepas Cafe is two short blocks away from the 36th Ave stop along the N/Q line. Like many restaurants in the hood, it's a small to modest sized restaurant. Not exactly suitable for a group party (though it can be done), it probably fits no more than 15-20 people total. Where they lack in size, they make up for in their menu, as most of their arepas pack some big flavor. My favorite arepa here is La Reina (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/_uln4MCsceNH4dCQNoALNQ?select=5i9gXFKHFgKiJB2ZipaRfg), which consists of shredded chicken and avocado mayo, essentially a chicken salad stuffed into a corn arepa. It's delicious, slightly creamy, and incredibly satisfying. A close second would be La Mami (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/_uln4MCsceNH4dCQNoALNQ?select=T0VBYgPwrdGHExmTpcxomw), an arepa stuffed with Venezuelan roasted pork, avocado, and queso blanco. I could probably eat these two each time and be at peace with life. Of course it doesn't stop there, as the arepa selection is quite extensive. Try La Reina with a little more queso and avocado and you've got *La Bomba* and it is indeed amazing. La Pelua (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/_uln4MCsceNH4dCQNoALNQ?select=LgB2aPu8OVzFlmGH8dK_tA) is shredded beef with cheddar cheese, hearty enough to be considered like a Venezuelan burger. La Pabellon (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/_uln4MCsceNH4dCQNoALNQ?select=7L26xz-imTuLrRLPRQJA1w) is the arepa version of the country's national dish, consisting of shredded beef, black beans, plantains, with a nice sprinkle of queso blanco. Seafood lovers might like the mixed seafood of the Rompe Colchon or the pseudo exotic baby shark arepa called Cazon (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/_uln4MCsceNH4dCQNoALNQ?select=49mrxYBUNsp_J13KTPjpag). I can also vouch for Riccardo's tuna, a nod to the awesome owner, featuring a lovely mix of tuna, avocado, and truffle butter. And though arepas are their specialty, folks seeking non-sandwich options are sure to find them here. The mini-cachapas (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/_uln4MCsceNH4dCQNoALNQ?select=hqkKs-nHxhceX0IcIs1G1A) are tiny small sweet corn cakes with melted Venezuelan cheese and make for an outstanding starter. All of their entree sized platters, known as pabellons (http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/_uln4MCsceNH4dCQNoALNQ?select=nbtCym0QTd-NwHteceMklw), are equally hearty and delicious. Add to that a drink of either the maracuya (passion fruit juice) or the jugo de pabelon con limon (brown sugar lemonade), and you've got a meal fit for a Venezuelan champ. read more

I love places where you feel at home. Small, unpretentious and authentic ones. I love those simple seats and tables, and while paintings on the walls are definitely not my cup of tea, they play into theme of things. If you craving arepas or, ~swoon~ cachapas, this is the place to go!! So many choices of fillings, and arepas themselves are simply divine. They are good size, and completely stuffed - bring your appetite! I made pulled pork arepa disappear in 5 minutes flat - it was THAT good. Now, there is something you must try here in addition to arepas. Cachapas. Oh, dreamy sweet corn pancakes, with rich sour cream on a side... There is a mini appetizer version of 5 small ones to share, or, normal size one if you still craving it (raising hand for more). Want another reason to come to Arepas Cafe, after reading all this? Ok, here it is. They have happy hour! Monday to Friday, 4 to 7pm - wine, beers or sangrias - $3! Red sangria was pretty awesome. Seriously, absolutely, without any doubt, recommend. Go, now! read more

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For my fellow Yelpers unfamiliar with arepas, they're basically corn flatbreads often served filled with copious amounts of cheese/meat/beans/plantains/all of the above. Think 'a gordita on steroids'. Arepas Cafe has always been my go-to for these not-so-little pockets of heaven. Aesthetically, Arepas Cafe is fairly unassuming - tucked away among the pre-war buildings along 36th Ave with a simple brown sign and awning above the entrance, while the interior has quaint and comfortable diner feel. In my experience, waits are never more than 30 minutes on weekends, and considerably less than that during the week. As for the service, it's right on point. The staff is gracious and friendly, and always more than willing to explain the menu. And whenever I douse my food with too much of their awesome fiery red sauce, someone's always right there with another water or beer. To me, it's those little things that make great service. And now on to the arepas...First off, all of the arepas range from $5-$7, and just one is a meal in itself. So know that you won't break the bank coming here (maybe your belt though). Most of my fellow Yelpers have already spoken at length about their favorites - the Pabellon Pernil, Bomba, Carne Mechada, and even the Cazon (baby shark) - and they're right, all of those are delicious choices. For me, it's most definitely the Mami. Underneath a layer of sliced avocado and shredded queso blanco is a mountain of tender, incredibly juicy pulled pork. My buddy from Chicago put it best during my last visit, "It tastes like the Bears winning the Super Bowl in my mouth." He's not wrong. read more

Arepas Cafe - The Mami arepa in all its glory - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

Arepa Pabellon. That's what's good. And to be perfectly clear, one of these arepas over-stuffed with juicy, marinated shredded beef, black beans, maduros and queso blanco is almost enough for a full and delicious meal. And therein lies the only downside of Arepas Cafe: one arepa is JUST under how much food I want for dinner. Perhaps just because their arepas are so cheap and tasty, but I feel like I need a LITTLE bit more. Unfortunately, ordering two arepas would make me a fat boy. Well, if history is any indication...I guess I'm a fat boy. If the fat boy in your head always wins too, you might as well get The Mami (porky goodness) or the Guayanesa Tropical (Guayanes cheese, maduros and avocados) too. It's all good; slather on some green sauce and enjoy. read more

This is the best spot in Queens. I go there religiously every week. I always get a big pitcher of sangria and a mini platter. Everyone is very welcoming and make me feel very comfortable. The arepas are like nothing I have ever had before. Very unique and authentic Venezuelan restaurant. I love the green sauce! I recommend this to everyone. read more

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I went there yesterday night with my friend and came out all satisfied. Each of us had two arepas and shared an appetizer. The arepas were delicious and well prepared. She closed her eyes for every bite she gave to the arepas, which is a good sign that she was enjoying them, not on crack. The place is small but very clean and the environment is great. It gives customers a Venezuelan feel. Yuca guasacaca is must for appetizer. Overall, this restaurant deserves my stars and it worth driving there from Brooklyn. read more

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Heavennnnnnnn I'm in heavennnnn And the arepas are so big that I can hardly SEEEEEEEEE And they are so yummy and so frigging cheap As the arepa in my mouth dances from cheek to cheek. That basically sums it up, Sinatra style. These things are amazing, and I honestly can only handle one of them if you also split an appetizer with someone (Fried yuca with green sauce all the way). Also the brown sugar lemonade blows my mind and is probably the most refreshing non-alcoholic summer beverage I can think of ever having. Add to that the fact that the place is never too crowded to get a seat and the service is always impeccable -- and I really can't think of anything better when you're in the mood for a cheap, tasty, unique meal. read more

Arepas Cafe - Brown sugar lemonade--the most refreshing and delicious lemonade of all time. - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

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Dropped in for a pre-event bite with Helena H and some other elites the other night. We shared the mini cachapas app and I had the catira arepa. Mini cachapas- corn pancake with cheese. It tasted good but would've been better if the cheese were more melted. Catira Arepa- chicken with cheddar cheese. Hmm, I'm going against the yelp grain here and will say that it could have been better. The filling (and there was a lot of it) itself had good flavor. However, I was disappointed with the arepa itself. The sweetness from the cornmeal was missing, I didn't mind that the arepa was grilled, but the flavor was missing. oh well. it was okay but in the words of brandy, "almost doesn't count". read more

Arepas Cafe - mini cachepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

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Don't miss it. Mami and chi-cha for $10 at lunch. Lots of delicious food. Fast friendly service. Cafe con leche is also very good. read more

Where do I even begin? First, I wish I lived in Queens solely for this restaurant. Possibly because of how good the food is and how potent the alcohol hits you. But team Brooklyn for life. What am I thinking, crazy?! During happy hour - Monday-Friday until 7pm a pitcher of sangria is $15 (Normally $25). But they are so worth it. You have your option of Red, White, and Passion fruit. If you are an alcoholic, I would suggest getting all three like us! Or in our case, we got 4 pitchers. Kind of a mistake because the sangria is truly strong. They're not dicking around. Also, free glass with a check in (limit one per table and after 8pm). The food here is amazing. The sauce here is pretty outstanding. SAUCE. Both the green and the red. The red-orange is a spicy concoction of sorts. The green is kind of a garlic, dill cream with a slight hint of cucumber dressing that you can't refute. Put both of them together in harmony on everything. We started off with a mini sampler platter: 3 tequeños, 3 mini capachas, 3 mini empanadas and 4 fried yucca. They were out of yucca at the time and gave us extra cheese sticks and empanadas. For those illiterate of Venezuelan cuisine like myself: Tequenos - Fried white cheese sticks, Capachas: Mini Corn pancakes with melted cheese. And if you don't know what an empanada is you should be beaten. This is a great option to go with though with a number of people so you can taste a variety of the menu. You also have the options of what kinds of meats you want to go with everything and we chose pork, beef, and chicken with a pile of white cheese. The pork was my personal favorite and the most flavorful. On the side we ordered sweet plantains with more white cheese. Personally, I'd be fine without more cheese added to everything but I love sweet plantains. They also serve this with some kind of sweet milk substance. For my arepa (which are way way bigger than I thought they would be, didn't even finish half of mine) I had the Mami: Venezuelan roasted pork, avocado, and tropical white cheese. It was pretty amazingly delicious. And with both of those sauces. . . . and the tender meat inside of warm flat bread. . . .no words. Steph usually gets the same thing, Catira: Shredded chicken with cheddar cheese. While my other friends had the Carne Mechada: Shredded beef arepa. And the Pabellon De Camarones: Sautéed shrimp on tomato, onion and cilantro sauce on white rice, with black beans, and fried sweet plantains. It was a great night and I would definitely come back. Makes for a good gathering of people since they can squish tables together. Also, pretty fantastic service from all of the waiters. read more

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Great spot for amazing arepas! Had the mami arepa which had the pulled pork with white cheese and avocado, also tried the chicha drink which is nothing like the peruvian one, it's very similar to mexican horchata,but thicker consistency and sweeter. Service is great and prices are cheap. It's a must!! read more

Arepas Cafe - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

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Were I picking petals from a rose, each one would read "love" when it comes to Arepas Cafe. You will literally love everything here. Literally. Everything. I've had pretty much every arepa on the menu aside from the more "exotic" options. I really love the white cheese and plantain for a sweet experience, or the shredded pork for something real and substantial. The staff here is always friendly and have a smile on their face, and weekday lunch specials come with a glass of sangria (score!) For around 7$ per arepa, you will leave here with a full belly and a full wallet! Any time my girlfriend and I are anywhere near Queens, the question we don't even bother asking is "what are we having for lunch?" Yeah, we already know. read more

Arepas Cafe - Shrimp in cilantro sauce, plantain and queso - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

After reading so many glowing reviews claiming this place has the "best arepas," and experiencing such mediocre food, I was pretty disappointed... After a day of exploring with the boyfriend, the hungry grumbles, and then the famished pre-acid reflux grumbles grew so loud and angry, I began to question my own sanity. There are a few sketchy-looking places in this neck of the woods, so when we passed the clean and populated Arepas Cafe, we had to sit down. I had no idea what an arepas was when I got here, nor did my stomach care enough to inquire (though i swore it might) . While we were waiting for a waitress to come over, I quickly pulled up Yelp to see what I should get. Everyone was raving about these arepas, so without even knowing what an arepas was, my boy and I ordered 2 each. Starving, I picked up my itsy-bitsy arepas and smashed it into my mouth-hole. The corn pancake was so hard, I couldn't even chew it. Looking on in horror, the couple seated less than 9 inches away from us gestured to eat it using a fork and knife. Feeling like a shameful ravenous monster, I placed the arepas on my plate and began to make unsuccessful slices. This is when my second arepas came out. Its like the Venezuelan fairies gave me another chance to redeem myself. Unfortunately for me, this arepas was inedible as well...The flavor of the inside of the Reina was delicious, however, the shredded chicken was a bit too wet with mayonnaise. Also, there are paintings of creepy nipples everywhere... read more

Arepas Cafe - Enjoying the interesting decor - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

Oh Arepas Cafe! WHERE DO I BEGIN? My boyfriend have eaten here a handful of times and we even have plans to being my parents for dinner. We're usually creatures of habit and when we find a place that we like, we'll go there often and Arepas Cafe is definitely one of those places! As much as I just want to rant, rave and gush about how much this place makes me happy, I'm just gonna break it down using some key qualities that make Arepas Cafe one of the brightest gems in Astoria. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- + AMBIENCE: Comfortably casual. Could be a little more romantic with different music and if it were less loud, but it's a Latin restaurant (Colombian/Venezuelan to be specific) that's not trying to be something it's not. We're a loud, vibrant people. Between the colorful decorative elements, smells that bring me back to my childhood and are reminiscent of the mouth-watering aromas that resided in my Colombian abuelita's kitchen, the salsa/meruengue/bachata and other Hispanic tunes I just want to move in here. + SERVICE: My beau and I are normally seated immediately at a clean table, given menus and handed water - pretty much like clockwork every time. I'm a sucker for consistency when it ensures quality. There was only one time when we had to wait 30 minutes for a table, but it was a Friday night so we weren't surprised. Our name was taken, we found a random Brazilian bar, had a drink, talked about life and then 30 minutes later we were at a table and I was making goo-goo eyes to Arepa Cafe's garlic mojo sauce...oh that sauce.... + SAUCES: Who gives a restaurant a "sauce" category?! This gal right here. Sauces are an integral part of Latin cuisines. Whether it's a hot sauce, a meaty sauce, a herbal/cilantro sauce or a more watery (but intense) mojo sauce used as a marinade, broth or sofrito/cooking base - all Latin restaurants should make this stuff from scratch. I'm pretty sure Arepas Cafe does. My guy actually finds their homemade hot sauce spicy and delicious. I can vouch for its spiciness as well, but like most spicy things, too much so for me. My saucy poison of choice however is their garlic/cilantro mojo - it's delish and I pour it on generously over anything I order here. + FOOD: The beau and I have each tried 2 different types of arepas here - between the two of us we've had 3 different types in total and they've all been delicious. Our favorite arepa is their Catira which is composed of deliciously seasoned shredded chicken (grilled) and cheddar cheese. Last night I had the Domino (Domino black beans and grated aged white cheese) and my beau has enjoyed their Reina (Reina shredded chicken, mixed with avocado and little mayo). We've also had their appetizer sampler mini-platter which consists of 3 tequeños, 3 mini cachapas, 3 mini empanadas and 4 fried yuca pieces - EVERYTHING we've eaten here has been DELICIOUS. + SANGRIA: A pitcher of sangria here will run you $25, but Monday through Friday it's $15 during happy hour (until 7pm) and if check in on Yelp you'll get a free glass. They only have red sangria but it really is top notch. It's strong, but. It disgustingly so and seems to have some notes of grapefruit in it...could just be me, but whatever, it's delicious and one of the best sangrias I've ever had in a restaurant. DO IT, you won't regret it! -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Again, if you can't tell from my very enthusiastic review, this is one of my very favorite restaurants in Astoria. Consistently fantastic service, food, sangria and dining experience. If you're wondering whether or not to eat here, just do it! read more

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We had a fantastic late lunch here last Tuesday. We were on our way to the Museum of the Moving Image but were famished. We were warmly greeted by the owner and he explained the menu. They have a Weekday Lunch Combo Special from 11am-4pm. For $7, you get your choice of one arepa and a juice or soda. For $12, you get 2 arepas and a juice or soda. The fillings were wide and varied, from traditional Venezuelan-style shredded beef to baby shark. I forgot what my friend ordered, but I chose camarones (shrimp cooked with tomato, onion sauce, and cilantro) and pabellon (shredded beef, black beans, fried sweet plantains, sprinkled with white cheese). They came with bottles of cilantro mayo and another sauce that was hot and sweet. I love condiments, so I generously used both. I enjoyed the contrasting savory and sweet flavors of the pabellon. Their cafe con leche was also surprisingly delicious. This meal hit the spot, especially since we haven't eaten anything since 6:40am. This is my second time trying arepas (my first being at Caracas). This one was a much better experience. Great lunch special, no wait, and you don't feel like you're rubbing elbows with the customers next to you. Pro-tip: grab more napkins, as it can get messy. read more

Arepas Cafe - Camarones (shrimp cooked with tomato, onion sauce, and cilantro) - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

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Came here today for an impromptu lunch during this blizzard. I came hungry and I was not disappointed. My partner got the Mami Arepa (pernil, avocado & cheese), which I had a few bites of. Absolutely delicious! I ordered the Patacon with chicken. Inside there was scrumptious shredded chicken, avocado, hard boiled eggs, lettuce and tomato. The entire dish was enormous, so I only ate one half and saved the second half for what will be my dinner tonight. My patacon was savory and amazing with every bite! Also, for appetizers, we had Arepa de Choclo, which came with small pieces of cheese on each little patty. They are sweet and are a nice little treat before the meal :) I can't wait to come back and try different dishes! read more

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I have a little bit of a reputation for having a large appetite along with the tendency of eating way too much. So when I saw the size of the arepas I was fairly certain I'd need at least five of these little guys to make a dent in the abyss I call my belly. Sure enough I ordered 3 arepas plus a large platter of beans, rice, meat and plantains shared between two people. Little did I know that arepas are like the Gimli of food: small, dense, and incredibly hearty. I quickly realized these little pockets of deliciousness fill you up pretty easily and after my first arepa I knew I was in trouble. Not to fear, though, I still triumphed against my meal but not without struggle. Everything tasted great, but the Reina was my favorite. The baby shark was actually a little too fishy for me and I could've done without it. Even without the arepas, though, I'd probably come back just for the awkwardly sexual artwork on the walls. No time to explain. Must see for yourself. read more

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I travel from the Bronx for the Veggie Arepa. It is just so yummy! For my non meat lovers the veggie arepa comes with black beans, sweet plaintains, and avocado! I have them add cheese and its oh so good. And its a corn flatbread so its perfect for my gluten free friends! This place really is the place to go for arepas. They are so delicious and made to order. I love that I'm not getting an arepa that's been pre-made just sitting there. Everything on the inside comes to you nice and hot. The menu options are extensive. There really is an Arepa option for everybody. And you can even ask for changes. The people are friendly and truly want you to enjoy your food. I haven't tried much else on the menu but I plan on hitting up their non meat options on my future visits. Oh and if you go right after work, you score with happy hour. My sangria got a size upgrade for the same price. I am never mad at things like that! read more

Arepas Cafe - Veggie Arepa- black beans, avocado, and sweet plaintain and cheese - Venezuelan Near Me - Astoria, New York

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I stopped by here after a visit to the Museum of Moving Image which is only a couple blocks away. I had a good experience here with good service and quality food. I got to try multiple dishes including: Pabellon Criollo ($12) This is the Venezuelan national dish which features shredded beef, white rice, black beans sprinkled with grated white cheese and fried sweet plantains Reina Arepa ($6) consists of shredded chicken, mixed with avocado, and little mayo, mixed with avacado, and little mayo, Mixed seafood arepa. This is a must try and my favorite arepa. Rompe Colchon Arepa ($6) consists of mixed seafood. read more