Viva Las Arepas — Restaurant in Las Vegas

"En el nombre del Padre, del Hijo, y de El Espíritu Santo, Amen.

Ok mijo, tell me how have you sinned."

"Bless me, Father, for I have sinned. My last confession was 30 years ago but I have committed a grace injustice to my love..."

"My child, God provides forgiveness for those that--"

"Las Vegas has extravagant buffets, posh hotel choices, and standard fare. Yet, tucked away between the modern Las Vegas Strip and the OG Freemont / Downtown area you have Viva Las Arepas, which rivals any food experience you'll have in Las Vegas."

"Wait, are we talking about food--"

"As an avid taco enthusiast, it may strike some as antithetical that a taco connoisseur would spend time at an arepa shop. I would agree and prayed to the taco Gods that--"

"Mijo , there are no--"

"they would not judge me. I stopped by as they were one block away and walking distance from my start at The Strat."

"You went to Las a Vegas and this is the sin you are--"

"As soon as you walk in the brightly colored menu jumps at you and the restaurant is adorned with pictures of the plates but gives a lively atmosphere. After some friendly discussion with Roberto, who was super helpful and educational in his Venezuelan creations, we ended up getting a Pabellón Arepa (Beef, Black Beans, Plantain & Cheese) and a Cachapa (w/ carne machada) along with una agua de Mango y una agua de panela."

"Son, is this a confession or are you reviewing--"

"YES, I must confess! It started with the drinks. The panela (sugar cane) was delicious; I expected this very sweet drink but it was carefully balanced and oh my god--"

"You actuallu shouldn't say --"

"Yes sorry, but then the mango drink, it tasted so fresh, it was better than any mango drink I've had at any taqueria, aye Dios mío--"

"You said it again but in Spanish, you --"

"The Pabellón arepa came out and it was incredible, the beans and cheese played off each other so well but every now and then you'd get a bite of the plantain... that sweetness really added to the experience. The masa of the arepa is obviously homemade and had a great hold on the foods. Thin and crispy but still with heft.

But father... it was the arepa cachapa that has me confessing today, I have sinned."

"I have a feeling you haven't really sinned--"

"I fell in LOVE with this arepa cachapa! It's a masa of fresh corn with cheese and I added shredded beef (carne machacada). Father, I never saw thought I'd fall in love with another food that wasn't tacos but here I am. The arepa's fresh corn prep gave it a sweetness that matched a pancake with syrup without the overly saccharine feel of being at an iHOP. It truly was amazing, and the cheese pull, the seasoned beef, and the combo of flavor pulled my stomach and heart strings. It was love at first bite..."

"Why are you crying?

"I've committed adultery to my beloved tacos, I can't believe I gave my heart to another Latina concoction that has stolen--"

"Adultery only applies to people, not tacos or arepas!"

"Wait, what?"

"Did you seriously come here to repent for betraying your love for tacos?"

silence

"My son, there's a box of tissues by your left knee to wipe away your tears and to clear your nose."

"Thank you father. I'll be on my way then, my conscience clear from any wrong doing. Peace and chicken grease be with you."

Pro tip: Go with a group of folks and order a few and then cut them in half and try them, they are so worth multiple bites but with there big size you prolly wont able to unless you're a glutton like me and go to...

My wife and I keep coming back to Viva Las Arepas, and every time it somehow gets even better. Robert made sure we felt completely welcome, creating such an inclusive and warm environment from the moment we walked in.

Naxon takes real pride in every part of the business. You can tell he puts his heart into it. he’s involved, attentive, and it shows in both the food and the atmosphere. Seeing a family-owned business run this well is honestly inspiring, especially knowing how challenging it can be.

Now the food: the ground beef and rice pastelito was fantastic, and the tequeño with cheese is easily my favorite item on the menu. I wish I could eat one every day. But the cachapa with cheese? That’s my new obsession. The sweet corn flavor paired with the buttery, toasty cheese is on another level. I couldn’t stop going in for more! Their salsas are a fantastic touch.

The pastel de queso was perfectly savory with a hint of sweetness. And the parrilla mixta plate was next-level delicious. The wood-fired flavor on the meats gave it that comforting, home-cooked feel. Everything, from the beef to the chicken to the sausage, was full of flavor and cooked perfectly.

Authentic, flavorful, and made with love. We can’t wait to come back. Their freshly made drinks are always a hit! Please support local businesses like these who deserve all of their hard...

The first time I brought my wife to Vegas in 2014, we passed this shop while we were on the bus, and she wanted so badly to try it. I was somewhat reticent, as I’m not the world’s biggest fan of Latin cuisine (an understatement.) Of course, I’d never had Venezuelan cuisine before, but I just assumed my opinions would be the same.

Well, I was wrong. I was very wrong. We came to Viva Las Arepas in 2016 and we were both blown away at the extraordinary flavors of this food. I remember sitting in the booth in a stupor, wondering what had just happened to my taste buds and why it took me so long to agree to come here.

Earlier this year, when we were discussing where to go on vacation, I mentioned we could go to Vegas and get Viva Las Arepas. Well, that was all it took. So here we are, sitting in the same booth, stuffed solid, wondering what the hell happened to our taste buds and why it took us so long to come back.

If you are in Vegas, make it a part of your trip to come to Viva Las Arepas. Order the plantains with cheese and the Reina Pepiada. But really any choice on the menu is a good choice. Just try it. Trust me. You will not be disappointed.

2025 update: still here, still delicious, still ate myself into a coma. One of our Must Stops when we’re here in LVNV....