Arepas Cafe — Restaurant in 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.

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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!

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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...

🌽 Arepa Café – A Flavor Explosion in the Heart of Astoria! 🌟

If you're not already obsessed with Venezuelan food, prepare for a serious love affair. I just had the pleasure (no, the privilege) of dining at Arepa Café in Astoria, and let me tell you — my tastebuds are still doing a salsa dance. 💃🌶️

First up: the Arepa Pabellón. Imagine slow-cooked shredded beef that's so tender it practically melts into the arepa, paired with sweet plantains that feel like nature’s candy, black beans for that earthy richness, and a hit of salty white cheese to tie it all together. Every bite was a FLAVOR BOMB — the kind you wish you could rewind and experience all over again. 🌋💥

Then came the Mami de Pernil, which honestly should be illegal for being this good. Juicy, seasoned roasted pork stacked high, garlic mojo dripping off every corner of the arepa, and just enough sauce to make it messy in the best possible way. One bite and I was like, “Okay, who’s the culinary genius back there??” 👏🐷✨

The place itself? Cozy, colorful, and full of warmth — like walking into a Venezuelan hug. Whether you're rolling in with family, catching up with friends, or trying to impress a hot date, Arepa Café sets the mood and delivers the goods.

Pro tip: Bring an appetite and maybe a napkin or three — things get juicy fast. 😋

🔥 10/10 — Worth crossing boroughs for. 💛 Flavor: off the charts 🎉 Vibes: immaculate 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Great for: everyone, always

Love this place. Already planning...

I’m back again! As usual, I’m basing my decision on:

Customer service Cleanness Pricing Food quality Overall satisfaction

This one was tricky. The service was great, actually. They guy that served me was nice and attentive. However, he was the only one serving tables (and it was packed!) I’m not giving the star not because the service was bad, but because management should start thinking on their employees. Guys, basic rule, the faster you get people to leave, the more people you’ll sit. Having only one person to sit, take orders, bring food and clean the table is just unfair.

The place is impeccable and the environment is great! This might be one of the few restaurants i’ve Been in NY that actually sells the experience.

Too pricy for me. Average of $25 per person.

This one is on me. I ordered the cachapa and I regretted it the minute I saw it. It wasn’t bad but the pancake was waaaaaay too sweet and the pork way too salty. They just didn’t go together as it should have. The rest of the food of my neighbors looked SO GOOD!

I liked it, overall. In-out, good vibe, good food, good service.

Would I come back? Probably yes to see if I can take that 3 to a 4 and taste something else. But not the cachapa unless they tune down the...