*What is Venezuelan food?* It IS NOT Mexican, Peruvian, or Argentinian food. DO NOT BE LOOKING for spicy elements, HOT salsas, jalapeños or peppers. It is unique and complex; and it is not Americanized. It is what it is, Venezuelan cuisine. You must learn to appreciate it. It is not way around. Venezuelan cuisine is a vibrant and diverse fusion of indigenous, African, and European influences. The country's geographical location, with its proximity to the Caribbean Sea and the Andes Mountains, has led to a rich variety of ingredients and flavors in Venezuelan food. One of the defining characteristics of Venezuelan cuisine is its use of corn, which is a staple in many dishes. Arepas, a type of cornmeal flatbread, are a popular breakfast food that can be filled with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Another corn-based dish is hallacas, a type of tamale filled with a mixture of meat, olives, and raisins, and wrapped in plantain leaves. These are often served during special occasions and holidays. Meat is also a significant component in Venezuelan cuisine, with dishes such as pabellon criollo, a hearty meal made of shredded beef, black beans, rice, and fried plantains. Another popular meat dish is asado negro, a slow-cooked beef roast flavored with dark caramel sauce. Seafood is also abundant in Venezuela, with dishes like pescado frito (fried fish) and cazuela de mariscos (seafood stew) being popular choices. Venezuelan food is also known for its use of tropical fruits, such as mangoes, papayas, and passion fruit, in both savory and sweet dishes. One famous dessert is tres leches cake, a sponge cake soaked in a mixture of condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream, creating a rich and creamy texture. Another sweet treat is tequeños, fried cheese sticks wrapped in a thin pastry dough and often served as an appetizer. In addition to its diverse flavors and ingredients, Venezuelan cuisine also has a strong emphasis on communal dining. Meals are often shared with family and friends, and it is common for large gatherings to revolve around food. This communal aspect of Venezuelan food reflects the country's warm and welcoming culture. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing economic and political crisis in Venezuela, access to food has become a major issue for many citizens. However, despite the challenges, Venezuelans continue to find ways to preserve and celebrate their culinary traditions, keeping their vibrant and flavorful cuisine alive. From traditional dishes to street food and fusion cuisine, Venezuelan food is a reflection of the country's history, culture, and resilience.
Pablo Fernandez
Tucked away gem that has real authentic food and great staff. The Venezuelan food is soooo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepa Pabellon
Derek Highsmith
We went during the opening hours 8pm Friday and they were open but not serving food. They said food hours depends on shows. Wasted trip and time. Please be transparent about the time your business is open for offering food if you are listed as a restaurant
Maya G.
Absolutely wonderful comfort food. It's delicious and not too heavy. The taqenos and arepas are amazing and a must, and everything else I tried there was super high quality and delicious. Friendly service, don't miss this gem.
Tarik O'Regan
What a fabulous neighborhood gem! Really great Venezuelan cuisine (awesome arepas!) with super-fresh ingredients at a very decent price!Dietary restrictions: Arepas are naturally gluten-free because they are masa-based.Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly.Wheelchair accessibility: Ground floor, large doors, lots of space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepa Peluda, Arepa Pernil
Misha T.
The pernil arepa is good. The pork is very tender and the arepa itself was good. The hot sauce is a little too mild and the hot sauce and cream sauce tubs are not quite enough for the amount of filling in the arepa. I liked the Reina as well but know that it's more of a cold sandwich (not a bad thing at all). Patacones are always nice. A good addition to Hayes valley.
Analise Kutcher
Best Venezuelan food you will find in SF! I have been searching for years. Go!!!
Michelle L.
Super good, reasonably priced and a very pretty restaurant. I had the pork gluten free, but also indulged in some appetizers (love the fried plantains). It's right next to SFJAZZ. We had lunch and will definitely come back when we are near Hayes Valley!
MARIA NIEVES
I am Mexican but I love to eat delicious food and on my visit to San FranciscoI visited this beautiful place and tried the Venezuelan arepas, besides being fresh they were delicious and with excellent service.I had a good time living in this beautiful place.
Melania Rivas-Lemoine
Amazing! Best Venezuelan food in San Francisco. This is authentic, unlike and delicious unlike some of the other establishments in the bay. Come try their brunch cachapas, snack on some tostones, and ofcourse get an arepa with some agua de panela or fresh passion fruit juice.
Excellent food, very nice location, clean and quiet. Parking is not an issue.The food is excellent, the location is very good and the place is super clean and very quiet.Pabellón is delicious, the cachapas are exquisite! Everything is first class ??
Loved it! The arepas are full of cheesy goodness, the rice plates are a perfect portion size, and the empanadas looked great too! Unfortunately no empanadas foe us today, but we'll be back!If I had to be picky about one thing I'd say that the pork on the rice plate was a little tougher than I'd hoped it would be, but I still ate it all!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepa Vegan
Ellin H.
Tried the rice bowl recently and everything in it was PERFECT! The coleslaw was refreshing, the beef was tender, and the beans were flavorful. My boyfriend loved the beans, and he doesn't even like them, so it's a big accomplishment. The person taking the order was friendly. The location is a bit hidden inside the Jazz center.
Adam B.
A relatively new addition to the Farmers Market at the Ferry Building on Saturdays. Specializing in Venezuelan snacks, though apparently they don't make my favorite, tequeños, for the farmers market. All nice quality and tasty. Hallaca: Hearty tamale with lots of masa and chicken. No salsa options though, just olive oil and big brand hot sauce. Though I'm fine just eating it plain. Guava & Cheese Pastel: Lots of great guava jam in a crispy fried shell. The cheese was kinda squeaky, since it was served cold. Still great flavor combo.
John Baldridge
If you enjoy Latin cuisines, you should definitely check out Andina which offers delicious Venezuelan food! They just opened up, and I am so glad they are in the neighborhood! The food is so yummy, and it’s pretty affordable. The service is kind and friendly. I hope they will start offering cocktails, but they do sell beer. I hope word spreads about this wonderful place, because we are lucky to have them here! I will definitely be back!
*What is Venezuelan food?* It IS NOT Mexican, Peruvian, or Argentinian food. DO NOT BE LOOKING for spicy elements, HOT salsas, jalapeños or peppers. It is unique and complex; and it is not Americanized. It is what it is, Venezuelan cuisine. You must learn to appreciate it. It is not way around. Venezuelan cuisine is a vibrant and diverse fusion of indigenous, African, and European influences. The country's geographical location, with its proximity to the Caribbean Sea and the Andes Mountains, has led to a rich variety of ingredients and flavors in Venezuelan food. One of the defining characteristics of Venezuelan cuisine is its use of corn, which is a staple in many dishes. Arepas, a type of cornmeal flatbread, are a popular breakfast food that can be filled with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Another corn-based dish is hallacas, a type of tamale filled with a mixture of meat, olives, and raisins, and wrapped in plantain leaves. These are often served during special occasions and holidays. Meat is also a significant component in Venezuelan cuisine, with dishes such as pabellon criollo, a hearty meal made of shredded beef, black beans, rice, and fried plantains. Another popular meat dish is asado negro, a slow-cooked beef roast flavored with dark caramel sauce. Seafood is also abundant in Venezuela, with dishes like pescado frito (fried fish) and cazuela de mariscos (seafood stew) being popular choices. Venezuelan food is also known for its use of tropical fruits, such as mangoes, papayas, and passion fruit, in both savory and sweet dishes. One famous dessert is tres leches cake, a sponge cake soaked in a mixture of condensed milk, evaporated milk, and heavy cream, creating a rich and creamy texture. Another sweet treat is tequeños, fried cheese sticks wrapped in a thin pastry dough and often served as an appetizer. In addition to its diverse flavors and ingredients, Venezuelan cuisine also has a strong emphasis on communal dining. Meals are often shared with family and friends, and it is common for large gatherings to revolve around food. This communal aspect of Venezuelan food reflects the country's warm and welcoming culture. Unfortunately, due to the ongoing economic and political crisis in Venezuela, access to food has become a major issue for many citizens. However, despite the challenges, Venezuelans continue to find ways to preserve and celebrate their culinary traditions, keeping their vibrant and flavorful cuisine alive. From traditional dishes to street food and fusion cuisine, Venezuelan food is a reflection of the country's history, culture, and resilience.
Tucked away gem that has real authentic food and great staff. The Venezuelan food is soooo
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepa Pabellon
We went during the opening hours 8pm Friday and they were open but not serving food. They said food hours depends on shows. Wasted trip and time. Please be transparent about the time your business is open for offering food if you are listed as a restaurant
Absolutely wonderful comfort food. It's delicious and not too heavy. The taqenos and arepas are amazing and a must, and everything else I tried there was super high quality and delicious. Friendly service, don't miss this gem.
What a fabulous neighborhood gem! Really great Venezuelan cuisine (awesome arepas!) with super-fresh ingredients at a very decent price!Dietary restrictions: Arepas are naturally gluten-free because they are masa-based.Kid-friendliness: Very kid friendly.Wheelchair accessibility: Ground floor, large doors, lots of space.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepa Peluda, Arepa Pernil
The pernil arepa is good. The pork is very tender and the arepa itself was good. The hot sauce is a little too mild and the hot sauce and cream sauce tubs are not quite enough for the amount of filling in the arepa. I liked the Reina as well but know that it's more of a cold sandwich (not a bad thing at all). Patacones are always nice. A good addition to Hayes valley.
Best Venezuelan food you will find in SF! I have been searching for years. Go!!!
Super good, reasonably priced and a very pretty restaurant. I had the pork gluten free, but also indulged in some appetizers (love the fried plantains). It's right next to SFJAZZ. We had lunch and will definitely come back when we are near Hayes Valley!
I am Mexican but I love to eat delicious food and on my visit to San FranciscoI visited this beautiful place and tried the Venezuelan arepas, besides being fresh they were delicious and with excellent service.I had a good time living in this beautiful place.
Amazing! Best Venezuelan food in San Francisco. This is authentic, unlike and delicious unlike some of the other establishments in the bay. Come try their brunch cachapas, snack on some tostones, and ofcourse get an arepa with some agua de panela or fresh passion fruit juice.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepa Peluda, Arepa Vegan
Restaurantji Recommends
Excellent food, very nice location, clean and quiet. Parking is not an issue.The food is excellent, the location is very good and the place is super clean and very quiet.Pabellón is delicious, the cachapas are exquisite! Everything is first class ??
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepa Pabellon, Pulled Pork, Chicken Soup
Loved it! The arepas are full of cheesy goodness, the rice plates are a perfect portion size, and the empanadas looked great too! Unfortunately no empanadas foe us today, but we'll be back!If I had to be picky about one thing I'd say that the pork on the rice plate was a little tougher than I'd hoped it would be, but I still ate it all!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 5
Recommended dishes: Arepa Vegan
Tried the rice bowl recently and everything in it was PERFECT! The coleslaw was refreshing, the beef was tender, and the beans were flavorful. My boyfriend loved the beans, and he doesn't even like them, so it's a big accomplishment. The person taking the order was friendly. The location is a bit hidden inside the Jazz center.
A relatively new addition to the Farmers Market at the Ferry Building on Saturdays. Specializing in Venezuelan snacks, though apparently they don't make my favorite, tequeños, for the farmers market. All nice quality and tasty. Hallaca: Hearty tamale with lots of masa and chicken. No salsa options though, just olive oil and big brand hot sauce. Though I'm fine just eating it plain. Guava & Cheese Pastel: Lots of great guava jam in a crispy fried shell. The cheese was kinda squeaky, since it was served cold. Still great flavor combo.
If you enjoy Latin cuisines, you should definitely check out Andina which offers delicious Venezuelan food! They just opened up, and I am so glad they are in the neighborhood! The food is so yummy, and it’s pretty affordable. The service is kind and friendly. I hope they will start offering cocktails, but they do sell beer. I hope word spreads about this wonderful place, because we are lucky to have them here! I will definitely be back!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5