Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Still Got It: Caracas Arepa Bar
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jan 16, 2011
Modified Jan 16, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jaya Saxena
Published Jan 16, 2011
Modified Jan 16, 2011
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
In this city, restaurants come and go faster than you can say "locally-sourced pizza." And even though there are great new additions to the culinary landscape popping up every week, you've gotta give kudos to anyone who can stick it out for over a year. With that in mind, we bring you Still Got It, our tribute to establishments that continue to serve mouthwatering meals after the buzz has faded.
It's pretty much impossible to get a table for more than five people at the tiny Manhattan location of Caracas Arepa Bar, but a table of arepas is probably something you'd want to share with only your closest friends. The Venezuelan stuffed cornmeal patties are far from the mealy, greasy frisbees haphazardly smashed together for a dollar at your average street fair. These are sandwiches with crunch, flavor and sauce that will leave you filled after one but ignoring your expanding waistline in favor of more.
The East Village spot (with a Brooklyn outpost) has been pretty much packed since they opened in 2003, with a take-out option or an elbow-to-elbow dining room. Arepas are filled with everything from cheese to chorizo to eggplants; our favorite has to be the De Pabellón, a reduction of the Venezuelan national dish "Pabellón Criollo" with shredded beef, black beans, white salty cheese and sweet plantains. They've also got empanadas, yoyos (plantain balls filled with cheese), fresh salads and platters. And everything goes well with the Tinto de Verano, a red wine cocktail popular in Andalucia. You can check out the full menu here [pdf].
Tagged
arepa
caracas
caracas arepa bar
still got it
Jaya Saxena
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .