I am absolutely blown away at how good the food was at this place! Truly, a hidden gem! Neither of us have ever had an arepa And we decided to detour downtown to give it a try cause why not?! The gentleman that took our order, I did not get his name, was super nice and was teaching my boyfriend some words to say "to go". You know the food is good when we stop talking and just start eating and don't even share it. That's exactly what happened here. The only words that were said is that salsa is hot We were also very shocked at how big the arepas were and took the empanadas home for a snack later that night. They were very good even reheated. read more

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I really enjoyed the flavor of these arepas, they were genuinely delicious, especially the shredded beef. I had one there and ended up ordering four more to go because I liked them that much. That said, I did end up with some pretty intense stomach issues afterward, enough that I spent the rest of the day, the night, and even into the next day dealing with it. I think it may have been the red sauce they use, but I'm not even completely sure. It was the only thing I had eaten that day, so it's hard not to connect the two. It's a shame because the arepas themselves were really good, which makes the whole experience a bit conflicting. read more

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Loved that this place was off the strip, had free parking, and a large indoor seating area. I order a shredded chicken arepa $9.99, and added beans, avocado for $1 each. We also ordered the pabellón beef plate $16.49 and a mango drink. The arepa doesnt look hand made, as it was a perfect circle. However, the masa is made in house. And let me tell you, the masa is delicious. It was fluffy and airy. The chicken was seasoned but, in my opinion, it was missing a lil something. The shredded beef plate was good, and came with white rice, black beans, and plantains. plantains. ************************************* Final thoughts: Simple menu, simple food. Nothing flashy, but you get quality food for the price tag. Reasoning for the lower score is because I didnt necessarily feel welcomed. A small over sight, not sure if it means anything, but myself and another group were called up to pick our food up from the counter, while a white couple had their food brought out to them. Just food for thought. read more

Viva Las Arepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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One of the true gems of the downtown Las Vegas scene, Viva Las Arepas' presence has grown tremendously over the years from a food cart to a full fledged brick and mortar. The pretense is minimal and the food is excellent, which is why it has been one of my favorite food finds ever. Parking in this part of downtown can be a challenge, but there are a handful of dedicated spots that face the storefront. There are solid indoor and outdoor seating options and a bustling staff working hard behind the counter. One of the owners (Felix) is so accommodating and one of the friendliest folks I've met. The arepas themselves are stacked. My go-to arepa, the reina pepiada, is shredded chicken breast that has been mixed with mayo, avocado, and cilantro. For an added boost, I enjoy the add-on queso (guayanés) for an added texture boost. The ham and cheese is a classic, and extremely gooey for those looking for a proper cheese pull. The pabellón features carne mechada (shredded beef) with plantains, beans, and a generous sprinkling of queso fresco. It's probably the heartiest arepa on the menu. There is a whole plethora of other Venezuelan items, which include some very crispy tequeños (similar to a giant mozzarella stick), grilled meat (parrillada) platters, empanadas, pastelitos, and numerous beverages. I am a sucker for passion fruit, which adds a nice tart aftertaste and complements the arepas nicely. Gone are the days of $3 arepas, the recent foodflation has price hiked these babies to sub $10+ for each. While it's a hit to the wallet, sometimes it's the price we pay for the things we love. I am already looking forward to my next visit. read more

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Viva Las Arepas has been on my radar for 15 years, but I didn't check it out till now! They're known for arepas, which are fried crispy pockets made of corn masa filled with meats, cheese, and other goodies. I went with their Pabellion, which was filled to the brim with shredded beef, cheese, black beans, and plantains. My wife went with their Cachapa Arepa, which just had their cheese in a thicker fried corn dough that was almost like a pancake. Both of these arepas were served with a green salsa and creamy salsa. The corn arepa shell was crispy on the outside, chewy in the middle, and slightly sweet. The meat is all mesquite grilled, so it had nice smoky flavor, but was juicy, well seasoned, and flavorful. The sauces didn't cover up any of the flavor from the meat, but it added a little bit of heat that was needed. Between these two items, a side order of fried plantains, and a can of Coke, I spent about $31, which was way less than I spent for pastries at Caesars. On our way out, my wife saw someone eating pork spare ribs from their grill. The smell of the mesquite was unmistakeable. We ordered it to go. For $15, we got a generous portion of pork and two sides. The pork was tender, it fell apart at the bone, it had flavor from mesquite, and there was a very savory sauce that coated the exterior of the meat. When we were eating this in our hotel room we were extremely happy with this decision. Don't miss it. One of the reasons I haven't come here prior to today was because It's located about four blocks north of Stratosphere between the Las Vegas Strip and Arts District. When they first opened, they were just a small stand, but now their lot is a small strip mall with parking. Overall, if you want affordable gems in Vegas, then you need to look a little out of the strip. This is a perfect example. I've been looking for a Venezuelan Arepa like this for a long time. I'll definitely be back soon! read more

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Found this gem when we were staying at the Strat, which is a five minute walk. Friendly service, delicious and inexpensive food. Highly recommend! read more

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What a gem! It's a spacious clean space with lots of seating. You order at the front counter and they call your number. The carne asada had a beautiful smokey flavor, and our tostones came out hot and perfectly salty. Each tray comes with the creamy green sauce and a hot sauce. They also had about four aqua frescas at the front (pineapple, sugarcane with lime, mango, and passion fruit). The bathroom code is 2351, and the password for WiFi is Caracas1 read more

Overall an amazing place worth the visit. Get the whole chicken and MAKE SURE you get the Yucca Root.... read more

Viva Las Arepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

I finally got around to trying Viva Las Arepas and I have regrets about not coming sooner. This place is fire. Arepas are round, flat cornmeal cakes that are stuffed with filling. They're slightly crispy on the outside with a soft and chewier on the inside. I've never had one before and these slid right into the rolodex of things I love. We shared three: -#1: wood fire beef ($10.49): lettuce + tomato with avocado (+$1.00) and cheese (+$1.00) -#2: wood fire chicken shredded ($9.99): lettuce with avocado (+$1.00) -#12: pabellón ($10.49): beef, beans, plantain + cheese The menu descriptions are very loose and require a little effort to really understand the beef and chicken sitch. For a point of reference, the beef resembles and tastes like carne asada. It's tender and they stuff it in thick. We added avocado and cheese which added layers of flavor and texture. Delish. The chicken is shredded, aforementioned, but it's stewed (there's a sauce). Not that it matters, but it gives you an entirely different taste and texture than expected. Honestly, the real star was the cilantro crema sauce. I doused everything in it. Twas very delicious. The arepas were unlike anything I've ever eaten before. Each individual filling we ordered was absolutely delicious with no overlapping flavors. Every bite was brand new experience. Ten. read more

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Amazing Venezuelan food and a fantastic experience! The arepas were fresh, flavorful, and generously filled with high-quality ingredients. Everything was prepared perfectly and tasted authentic. The staff were friendly, welcoming, and provided excellent service throughout my visit. The restaurant was clean, the atmosphere was inviting, and the food arrived quickly. I'll definitely be back and highly recommend Viva Las Arepas to anyone looking for delicious Venezuelan cuisine. read more

Great spot, price is good, food is fresh and authentic. Glad I came here, several miles from where I stayed, but muy delicioso. Would recommend to anyone looking for great arepas and venezulian cuisine! read more

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The staff is soooo friendly and helpful! The service was so great and so memorable. Food was delicious. read more

O hell yes! And they have a loyalty card too... Arepas are not exactly my love language (it's surprise gifts) but they fit right in-- by ritual, almost any bad day is reset by an arepa. These are amazing.. but do not omit the sauces. Both the creamy green and the pulpy green are crave inducing. read more

Viva Las Arepas - View from parking lot - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

Food is delicious and very flavorful , still however I have experienced a different quality when you order to go VS eating inside the restaurant. Eating INSIDE is the best quality they will make it worth your buck! Togo? DO NOT. You will be disappointed. Not worth the $20 per arepa after adding only avocado and sauce! You get charged for any sauce in this tiny container half way filled and your arepa has space for more meat when you order to go. It's not worth the extra prices and less quality. I would suggest DINE IN ONLY! The arepa should come with at LEAST once sauce. read more

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OG place for arepas. Great arepas with the best bread. Stuff them with anything and slather the creamy cilantro sauce on and you'll have a good time. Empanadas also are made of a delicious dough and well fried. Lines can get long since the place is popular with the tourists. Parking may be difficult to find, so try parking behind the plaza. read more

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10/10 ! I haven't had an arepa in years now ... this place was so delicious and definitely satisfied my cravings. Especially the number seven. It was the perfect bite to get us through the day before dinner. We also had the empanadas and the guava and cheese pastellito. The sauces are good and the location was clean with plenty of seating. The staff were nice too and it seems like everything is made to order. The location is great as well right off the strip against the grain from all the chaos. read more

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If you're looking for something delicious, fast casual and great for families - this is your place. Indoor or outdoor seating, a menu with a lot of options without being overwhelming. I'm convinced any Arepa would be delicious but we like the shredded beef the most. Don't forget to order the Cachapa, a sweet and savory shareable that we fought over. The mixed plate with a variety of meats that was gone before I really got a chance to taste much - which is telling. Overall, this was an excellent choice for us and I would definitely come back for more! read more

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Always hit this place for quick delicious bites ! Their arepas are on point ! Filled with fire grilled carñésada, Lettuce ,tomatoes & cheese. Grab one to go , before you walk down the strip. read more

Viva Las Arepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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Really delicious arepas, got the shredded beef which had so much beef flavor and the shredded chicken which was delicious with the chicken sauce. Great green sauces to go with the arepas as well. Parking lot with lots of spaces. When taking to go, they will charge $1 for sauces. You can just use the squeeze bottle sauces instead before you go. Clean interior and clean restrooms. Has an outdoor shaded patio. read more

Viva Las Arepas - Chicken Shredded Empanada - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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I live right around the corner and have driven past this place so many times--I've been seriously sleeping on it. The food is amazing, with flavors you really don't find anywhere else. I ordered the pabellón and it was incredible--highly recommend. This will definitely be my go‑to order every time.I also tried the queso and cheese empanada. I just got back from Miami, where Cuban empanadas are hard to beat, but this spot puts its own spin on them and they're honestly really delicious.The area isn't the greatest, but it's improving. Parking is decent, service is solid, and there's plenty of seating if you want to dine in. I usually do pickup, and it's always been smooth. Vibe is chill. read more

I first stumbled upon Viva Las Arepas while scrolling through Reddit. There was a post dedicated to this restaurant with many comments saying they love this place, I knew I had to try it out for myself when I visited LV. I got the Reina Pepiada and the Wood Fire Beef. My favorite was definitely the beef because the wood fire gave it such a nice char and smoky flavor. The reina pepiada one was good as well, but it was served cold and was more like a chicken salad, which I didn't prefer as much. Despite it being quite pricey for one arepa, they give a lot of filling, and one arepa is enough to fill me up. If I visit LV again, I'll definitely be back here ordering the wood fire beef arepa and trying out the wood fire shredded chicken, pulled pork butt, and garlic shrimp arepas. Also, they served the arepas with two green sauces, and those were the cherries on top! read more

Viva Las Arepas - Wood fire beef (top) and Reina Pepiada (bottom) - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

Pretty solid food, nicely decorated interior and plenty of seating space located neat DT Las Vegas. Minus one star because the food was salty and a bit on the pricey side...service was top notch, however. Will be back to try more food. read more

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Friends recommendation. This place is located on the cross street of Las Vegas and Olympic. Next to a strip club. Parking is extremely limited. Place has outside and inside seating. This is known for variety of Venezuelan dishes. Chicken is wood fire so expect some char to it. Order #12 Pabellon Arepa and adding extras sides of black beans & rice. There's no combo prices if you are wondering. Everything is made to order so expect to wait. The Pabellon looks like a small sandwich with rice and beans and beef and cheese. It tastes good but if you are looking something hearty and more food, order additional sides if you are planning to be full. Overall, this is good and trying it out. It doesn't offer a lot of food for that price but it rewards in flavor and taste read more

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Great quick bite at somewhat decent prices You get a lot of food (especially filling) for the arepas. The flavors were amazing and that green cilantro sauce is the best thing ever! I have the shredded beef arepa and the chicken empanadas. Both were great but the chicken was my favorite. Try and order ahead of time for pick up if you can as the food does take some time to come out. Otherwise everything was great, labeled and staff were friendly (even with non stop order over the phone and in person). read more

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We stopped at Viva Las Arepas craving something homey and comforting, and it did not disappoint. We ordered the Reina Pepiada (chicken breast, avocado, mayo, and cilantro), which was delightfully creamy, and the Pabellón (beef, beans, plantain, and cheese), which was nice and hearty. Service was quick and friendly. There is both plentiful indoor and outdoor covered patio seating. There is a restroom for which you need to request a code. There was also ample parking in the lot on Friday at lunch time. Would recommend to anyone needing a quick and delicious bite! read more

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We have been in Vegas 5 days now and are pleasantly exhausted from the heat, and having so much fun here. We just couldn't get up to go downstairs to breakfast so we called VLA for delivery. I saw a fellow Yelpers (Judit C) review and she convinced us to try the arepas here. She was right! We ordered a Beef and a Chicken arepa plus taquenos. They were very good! Nice soft arepas with well seasoned meat. They hit the spot and we didn't have to leave the room at this time. Delivered by Uber Eats without any problems. We are satisfied customers. read more

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We had Pork Butt Arepa Shredded Beef Arepa Beef Empanada Chicken Empanada Parking is on the street and on the back. Very few spots and can be an accessibility issue. We only saw one disabled spot in the back. The back is well-lit and has a camera, but best to be alert of your surroundings. Wow. The beef and pork arepas were delicious. The arepas were toasty and soft at the same time. The meat was so tender and flavorful. They really pack the filling here. Really generously. Their sauces were bomb. The empanadas were just okay. read more

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We got shredded beef arepa and Reina pepiada arepa! Also shredded beef empanada with pineapple juice. Off strip but not too far out so it's worth it! All locals in here too highly recco! read more

Viva Las Arepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

I was really excited to try this spot after watching a video of someone visiting. They raved about a couple of other restaurants in town that we love so I thought they were a trusted source! I ordered the arepa #12 with black beans, cheese, plantains and shredded beef. My husband had a shredded beef arepa and chicken empanada. We even brought my in-laws to try them also. The overall flavor was lackluster but after trying my husband's food, I definitely had the more flavorful of the two and the sauces didn't add much to the equation. My low review comes with the evening that I had following eating here. We had to make several stops for me to use the bathroom on the way home and it completely ended our day of adventures. As this was the only thing I ate, it's hard to say it was anything else. Looks yummy, not worth the tummy troubles. read more

Viva Las Arepas - #12. Pabellon Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

Such a good spot for a quick, filling meal. The food is always fresh and authentic, and the portions are huge!

Arepas are really good service is great quick and efficient love coming here! The place is quiet and easy to have a conversation. read more

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Came here after we watched a YouTube video on this location. The food was good, the only complaint was that the inside of the empanada was cold. The arepas were delicious. The coffee was good as well, usually drink with milk and sugar, but only added sugar. They only had powdered creamer which i do not enjoy. I would definitely come back. read more

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This Venezuelan restaurant deserves all the stars. We ordered the wood fire beef, Reina pepiada and pabellón which was the star of the show. The meat was so tender and paired well with the plátano. The Reina pepiada was also flavorful but made better with added salsa this was a good first impression and I can't wait to come back and try more items. read more

Viva Las Arepas - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

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The arepas were very good, they had a great variety and we were pleasantly surprised by how good they tasted. Glad they have arepas here, since there aren't many similar restaurants around. It's definitely worth a stop if you passing through Vegas. Plenty of seating inside and good and fast service. read more

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This place is a MUST when visiting Vegas! Food is always so fresh and delicious. Customer service is top tier and the ambience makes me feel I'm actually in Venezuela !! 5 big boooomms read more

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My wife and I visited Viva Las Arepas and we loved everything about it. The second you walk up, the smell of the wood fire just pulls you in. We tried a couple of arepas and they tasted exactly like how a Venezuelan chef once made them for me. super nostalgic and so authentic. The Reina Pepiada da arepa was my absolute favorite. Portions are huge, so come hungry! The Pabellon arepa we had was just as delicious. We loved the balance of savory and a touch of sweet. We also got the pastelito tequeño, wow. The dough has this subtle sweetness, not overly sweet like a dessert, but perfect with the cheesy inside. Big shoutout to Naxon. he was so kind and attentive, and made us feel so welcome. The whole vibe here is super inclusive, and everyone had a smile on their face. We finished with the pistachio gelato. 10/10! The menu is pretty big too, so there's plenty to try next time. we can't wait to come back and explore more. If you want authentic Venezuelan food and a break from the crowds on the Strip, check this place out. Highly recommend this hidden gem! The freshly made fruit drinks are outstanding. We tried the passion fruit flavor. The salsas are an amazing complement to the flavors. read more

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My fellow Elite Dennis T. turned me on to this place years ago, well before he made Sin City his home. Sooo glad he recommended Viva Las Arepas, I've been coming here ever since. I swear they opened another location, but I can't seem to find it. Hope I'm not going crazy, maybe it closed? Not sure why that would happen, these guys make some amazing Arepas. Actually, come to think of it, I haven't had anything bad here. So tasty...Sooo much flavor! Viva Las Arepas also expanded their venue as well. There was a Gelato store next door, looks like they acquired that space and created a cafe style interior with desserts. Not sure what the plans for the future are, but glad they are doing well. I've tried most items on the menu over the years, however they expanded the menu. Looks like they slowly added several items. OMG! The Green Sauce! Don't sleep on that one...got a nice kick to it. #Arepas & More: ~ 1. Wood Fried Beef - 4/5 ~ 3. Beef Shredded - 4.5/5 ~ 8. Garlic Shrimp - 5/5 ~ 7. Reina Pepida - 4.5/5 ~ 11. Perico - 4/5 ~ 12. Pabellon - 4.5/5 ~ Tequeñones - 3.5/5 They also serve Gelato now...I didn't get a chance to try that yet. read more

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I first developed an appreciation for Venezuelan food when I lived next to an Afro-Venezuelan restaurant in Philadelphia's Loft District. As a frequent diner at their restaurant, they provided me consistent five-star service, introduced me to arepas and Venezuelan hot chocolate, and told me the best stories to share their cultural insights about Venezuela. Viva Las Arepas is much more of a high-volume institution than a warm and cozy mom-and-pop restaurant, like the one I mentioned above. What Viva Las Arepas lacks in intimacy, it delivers in spades with solid customer service, mesmerizing aromas, and mouthwatering noshes of Venezuelan street food. The reina pepiada arepa (named after the first Venezuelan international beauty queen) is my all-time favorite and what I ordered the last time I visited Viva Las Arepas. I decided to branch out this time around, and I ordered the shrimp arepa (#8) with avocado and fried egg along with the pabellon arepa (#12) that came with beef, black beans, plantain, and cheese... OMG, I'm filing the shrimp arepa (with avocado and fried egg) under GREAT IDEAS WORTH CELEBRATING because it was absolutely divine!!! The arepa hit all the flavor and textural elements that I look for in a great sandwich--crunchy, garlicky, creamy, chewy, textural contrast, and harmonious flavors--and the fried egg and corn flavor of the arepa just took it to the next level. While the pabellon arepa was highly recommended in previous Yelp reviews and is listed as a chef's recommendation on the restaurant's menu, I much preferred the shrimp arepa. The reina pepiada arepa (my all-time favorite) is also now a distant second to the shrimp arepa. Nom nom. Note: For those with gluten allergies or gluten sensitivities, arepas are gluten free. read more

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So grateful to have found a delicious and culturally authentic place like this! We loved everything we had, especially the cachapa! I had the Reina Pepiada Arepa and while it was delightful, I felt like the filling would've been better had it been warm. Nonetheless, the arepa maize patty was amazing! The staff was happy to help and they were doing a fantastic job keeping the place clean and comfortable! read more

Viva Las Arepas - #13. Cachapa Arepa con queso #1 Wood Fire Beef Arepa and #7. Reina Pepiada Arepa - Venezuelan Near Me - Las Vegas, Nevada

David, Thank you so much for the outstanding service during our visit to VIVA. You made our first experience truly memorable--your attentiveness, warmth, and professionalism turned a great meal into a special moment for me and my wife. We felt welcomed and cared for from start to finish. We'll definitely be back, and we'll be sure to tell others about the wonderful hospitality you showed us. Much appreciated! The dining experience was amazing and the decor is great. read more