Venezuelan Café

Me dijeron que eran muy buenos. Mi hija es venezolana también como
Nosotros pero dice estudiando allí que porque no están a la salida de UC Berkeley que a los
Muchachos les encantaría y siempre estarían full. Múdense. Suerte.

Came up from Hayward to try their arepas. Sign in the window «Closed for remodeling».
So, call before you venture to the restaurant.
Brew

Authentic comfort food from Venezuela. For the ones who’ve never had it, imagine a combination of Cuban, Puertorrican and Brazilian flavor a, textures and ingredients. Then add the warmth of the Venezuelan people, and you’ll get an idea of what to expect here. On your first visit you have to have an arepa. Did you know the arepa won the award as the World’s Best Breakfast according to the Thrilled List? «Venezuela’s breakfast is all about salt, starch, meat, fruit, and cheese, and that’s what makes it the best breakfast in the world», they said.
Then, make sure you try the cachapa, tequeños, empanadas and tajadas (sweet plantains) to share with the table. If it’s dinner time) then go for the full pabellon and you’ll understand why meals in Venezuela can go for hours, since they’re hearty and abundant, so you need to wash the appetizers with drinks (preferably beer) and good conversation before you go to the main dish. (Skip the asado, though. Maybe I caught them on a bad night but it was dry and flavorless).
Of course, save room for dessert. The quesillo is like a firmer and more flavorful flan so it won’t disappoint.
Overall, don’t expect luxury. This is comfort food. But you will leave happy, full and you will be back for more.
Note: I visited a few times before the remodeling, so I can’t rate the décor or ambiance. I will come back again and revise.

Walked in, waitress was friendly and throughly explained the menu. Good ambience and cool colors light up the interior.

Hands down the most authentic venezuelan restaurant in the bay area. I ordered a whole bunch for my office at work, because Noone has ever tried them and they loved them! Definitely will be ordering from them again!

Great food ! As a venezuelan, i have had trouble finding a traditional venezuelan cuisine restaurant in the Bay Area, café venezuela is the answer.
I highly recommend this place!

BILINGUAL REVIEW: Finally an authentic and delicious Venezuelan restaurant in this area!!! Everything was divine!!! It was so authentic that, to my surprise, I started crying halfway through my meal feeling that a little piece of Venezuela was finally brought to this area in a restaurant. We shared the tequeños (divine cheese sticks), cachapas (pure corn griddled cakes with shredded white cheese), shredded beef empanadas, and a cheese and shredded beef arepa ‘Pelua.’ They also have several Venezuelan drinks, including my favorite: Malta Polar. The service was friendly and attentive. When the owner saw my joyful tears he stopped by respectfully and kindly shaking my hand in a manner that conveyed he was a brother from my country. A big congratulations to this place and may it last for maaany years with much success!!! God keep blessing you!!!
Vayan a Venezuelan Café en Berkeley! La comida fue tan deliciosa y auténtica que, para mi sorpresa, se me empezaron a salir las lágrimas sintiendo que por fin alguien supo traernos un pedacito de Venezuela en un restaurante a esta región. Compartimos tequeños, cachapas, empanadas de carne y una arepa pelua. Todo EXQUISISTO! Y con una malta polar! Y él servicio súper amigable y atento. El dueño cuando me vio llorando de alegría pasó muy respetuoso y amable dándome la mano en un gesto muy fraternal/​paisano! Felicidades a este lugar y que dure con mucho éxito por muchos años!!! Dios los siga bendiciendo!!!

Wonderful and authentic Venezuelan food. They have a great selection of typical home fare and street-​type food in a non-​pretentious and relaxed atmosphere. I was born and raised in Venezuela and have lived in the Bay Area for 12 years; everything I tasted tonight tasted like home. The arepas are THE most authentic ones I have tasted outside of Florida (where most Venezuelan immigrants reside).
I will be back soon, and then again after that, and then again some more.

I really, really wanted to like this place. I really did. But I must say with a heavy heart that I had possibly the worst restaurant experience of my entire life at Venezuelan Café.
Let me explain my position first briefly… I’m a chef, and I’m married to a Venezuelan. My wife and her family came here ten years ago from Venezuela. I’ve been to Venezuela myself, and when I went there I did what any chef would do. I pigged out. I enjoy almost every Venezuelan dish there is. Between my in laws home cooked food and what I ate on my trip to the country, I know what the food should taste like. So one Sunday my wife and her parents decided to go and invited me with them. I happily agreed and couldn’t wait to eat at what was supposed to be the best Venezuelan places around.
We arrived shortly after 1 pm to a half full restaurant. I wouldn’t say it was busy, but the place wasn’t dead either. We were seated between two groups and given menus right away. Most everything on the menu sounded very tasty — a good selection of arepas with different toppings, empanadas, tequenos, and cachapas. All the Venezuelan staples were here, and we were becoming super hungry just looking at the menu. The waiter came and asked us what we’d like to drink, so of course we all ordered maltas (malt sodas for the uninitiated) and we also ordered a strawberry juice for my daughter. Drinks took at least 10 minutes to arrive. That’s ten minutes to open four sodas and put them in glasses. When the maltas arrived, I noticed my daughters strawberry juice hadn’t shown up yet. I could see the juice sitting in a jug on the bar literally ten feet away from our table. I remained patient for another five minutes before getting up to ask about the juice. I saw one of the two servers behind the bar so I walked up and politely asked about the juice. He forced a smile and told me it would «be right out». It took another five minutes for him to get it to the table (20 minutes total for a juice at this point). This is when I really began to worry.
Right about then, a young couple came in and were seated with menus at a two top. The table to our right side was a four top, with two couples on a double date. The men at the table were obviously Venezuelan, and had a good rapport going with their server (this gave me some hope). Their conversation was very excited and must have been about something extremely funny because one of the men let out the loudest, most annoying laugh I’ve ever heard in my life. Seriously — this guy was pushing 90 decibels… and he was about three feet from my wife. We shared our menu choices with each other (between bursts of ridiculously loud laughter) and waited for our server.
The server came back to us at about the half hour mark. At this point, the young couple seated at the two top got up and walked out. I felt bad for the couple. They looked as eager as we did to try the food, but they sat 15 minutes with menus — no drinks — and no one on the staff helping them. The waiters were so clueless they didn’t even see the couple leave!
From here on things got pretty dismal… the waiter finally came to take our order and the first thing we asked for (probably the most anticipated thing on the menu) were the tequenos. The waiter informed us they were out… so we ordered cachapas which we had planned on getting anyway. Next up, I attempted to order empanadas, to which the waiter also told us they were out of. Disappointed, I ordered an arepa with shredded chicken instead. My father in law ordered the same arepa I did (I did not know this at the time he placed his order).
About another 25 minutes goes by (we’ve been here over an hour at this point) and the first dish comes out for our mother in law. She patiently waits about 5 minutes without digging in so that we can all eat together. No other dishes show up, so we tell her to go ahead and get started. Ten minutes goes by and the cachapas show up for my wife. My wife’s father and I tell her to go ahead and eat too. NOTE: the cachapas were piled high with a cheese similar to queso fresco, but really salty. There was a TON of it layered on the cachapas. I snuck a bite from my wife’s plate on her suggestion and was disappointed to taste what I can only assume was a cachapa made from some sort of boxed mix. My wife’s mother makes these much MUCH better — from scratch… like they should be.
An eternity goes by (realistically another 20 minutes or so) before the waiter comes back to tell my father in law they are out of the meat for his arepa. Server suggests a different arepa, describes it to my father in law and he agrees to take the substitute. They neglect to ask me about a substitute. 20 minutes later his arepa arrives, I still have no food and everyone is eating. We flag the waiter and he suggests the substitute (which they havent even fired yet). Politely I decline. Worst Experience EVER. 2+ hours, I didnt even get to eat!

When trying to describe Venezuelan food to anyone I always end up sounding like I’m expressing my love for rapists because well, «the arepas» kind of sounds like the rapers. Anyway, once you get past that issue, and enunciate the word arepa sufficiently you can begin to express the deliciousness that is the arepa. When done right it is hot, soft and crunchy at the same time, and stuffed to the gills with your filling of choice. I always go with the avocado chicken salad (reina de pepina I think is what it’s usually called).
Venezuelan café is really a business that shares a location with another business — the location is named Café V from the street. This restaurant’s offerings are only available on the weekend and Monday, so work out your schedule in advance. Though a bit pricey for an arepa, it’s totally worth it and huge so you won’t wander away hungry.

Viva Venezuela! Arepas, Empanadas, Cachapa, Tequeños. Venezuelan Café is a foodie’s dream of Venezuelan comfort food. If you’re adventurous and like fresh, made to order, authentic items, this is one of the places to be.
I was born and raised in Venezuela and as you can imagine I grew up eating everything you will find in the menu. I read about Venezuelan Café on the news recently and for my birthday celebration this past weekend I asked Juan, the owner, to cater my party and the majority of my guests were also from Venezuela.
From the moment I talked to Juan on the phone I knew I was up for a treat. He was very professional, friendly and open to any request I had.
Juan and his wife Vanessa arrived at my house with plenty of time to set up and get ready before my guests arrived. When they left, the kitchen was spotless… after serving food for 35 people!
The food was amazing and simply delicious. All my friends were very impressed and pleased with everything that was served. Tequeños, Arepas (reina pepiada, cheesy, traditional, pelúa, pabellón), pastelitos (beef, chicken, cheese), empanadas (beef, chicken, cheese) and quesillo for dessert.
Fresh made to order arepas (cornmeal cake that is baked and grilled). It’s hot and crispy texture is the first pleasant sensation you’ll experience followed by it’s fluffy and airy dough inside. You can’t go wrong with any of their meats.
Not only 100% authentic, but delicious Venezuelan Food! Excellent Service, and Great People!
Can’t wait to have another party catered by Venezuelan Café.

Amazing food!!! Open sat 9 – 2, sun 9 – 4 mon 5 – 10
Home cooked delicious Venezuelan food

The service and food both are amazing. I felt at home here, it’s 100% authentic Venezuelan food.
I ate the arecombo 3 Arepas: my favorite La Pelua is so delicious (shredded beef), the Pernil OMG, La reina Pepiada UFF (chicken with avocado). My husband tried AreSanwichd fried, he loved it.
Also, we ordered three services of Tequeños really delicious and crispy with white sauces, love it, my friends ordered to drink Frescolita, Papelon and Malta. Finally for dessert we tried quesillo so tasty and Raspaito de colita Yumm!
The service is really amazing and friendly, the owner Juan treated us like old friends. The price is really good. Definitely coming back.

First of all I’m born and raised in Venezuela. I grew up eating arepas both home made and restaurants. I came to the U.S. at 30 y/​o so I KNOW arepas.
I’ve tried all THREE restaurants in the Bay Area who serve Venezuelan arepas, the other two started with good intentions but they lost their authenticity in the process. They are still good for those who don’t know our food but not for natives.
Venezuelan Café besides being a really authentic Venezuelan food is more than that, it’s about the story behind the scenes. Yes, it shares the space with a Vietnamese restaurant and its open on a limited schedule, but there is a reason for that, and you’ll learn about it if you take the time to talk to its owner.
The food is authentic, and super tasty; if I lived closer and didn’t watch my diet so closely, I’d be there every single day.
Pa’lante es pa’lla!

I can honestly say I felt at home here. The amazing tequeños, accompanied by the salsa rosada, were absolutely perfect. Of course, the fresh, juicy, meticulously seasoned pork in the arepa topped it all. The kind server, also the owner, was extremely friendly and chatty, making jokes and willing to set aside time for us. The service and food were both excellent. I will absolutely be back and recommend this to anyone looking for a fantastic bite to eat and a bit of culture.

Delicious, HOME MADE (therefore fresh and made to order), great friendly service, owners on site, fast service but keep in mind that arepas are freshly made (not reheated) so they take some 15 mins. to cook. You do have to come back more than once because everything on the menu is FANTASTIC! Very reasonable.

Definitivamente la mejor comida venezolana en el área de la bahía. Vinimos a comer en familia, con mis padres, tíos, y hermanos. La variedad y el sabor es como nada que hemos probado en otros restaurantes «venezolanos» desde que llegamos al área de la Bahía, y es tan auténtica como la comida que conseguíamos en Caracas. El ambiente es limpio y la música es una mezcla de salsa, tambores, y hasta rock y ska venezolano. Son nada más dos o tres personas cocinando y atendiendo, aconsejamos pedir algo para picar y sus platos principales a la vez para que les vaya llegando todo sin esperar mucho, pues todo es cocinado a la orden. Gaby y Juan son chéveres, muy cordiales y atentos, y le entran al chalequeo que llevamos entre nosotros como venezolanos tales cuales. Sirven malta, papelón, y hasta frescolita. Sin duda alguna regresamos, porque hoy tragamos hasta más no poder.

Super Bueno. Me encanto!
Lo recomiendo 100%
Que Rico encontrar un restaurant Venezolano en esta zona, ire Cada vez que pueda!

Excellent 100% home made and authentic Venezuelan food ! Buenísimo los tequeños y las arepas. Para tener pocos meses van de lo mejor. Pronto volveré

The service at this place was terrible. The server took about 10 minutes to even check in. I can understand being understaffed, but that wasn’t the problem. He made time to check in and chat up other people that were seated nearby, but were also from Venezuela like himself. Finally we got a chance to order and we ordered some arepas and lemonade. It took 15 minutes to get our lemonade, and about 5 minutes after we ordered ours, some friends of his showed up. He literally gave them the entire container of lemonade upfront.
I thought maybe it was just us, but 2 customers came in and took a seat at a four seater table because there was no one around to seat them. After the server’s friends showed up, he moved those customers to a two seater table so he could sit his friends down. The customers were understandably upset, and left quickly thereafter. In retrospect we should have done the same.
We waited about 30 minutes for our food to arrive and each arepa came out one at a time. The food was bland and not worth the trouble. Bottom line is unless you like bad customer service, or are friends with the waiter, I would definitely skip this spot.

Una maravilla de comida
Recordando a mi linda Venezuela
Patacones, Arepitas, Empanadas y papelon con limon.
Precios accesibles

Time: 11:03am/64°F cloudy
Purpose: Checking up with a business soon to open in the fall of 2015. Did a scan of nearby eateries. C V pops up as .4 miles out. Walkable distance no sweat!
Ambiance: Just the basic about 28 person seater with a 8 person counter bar area. There are about 6 flatscreens through place. No matter where you’re seated you won’t miss any shows. The bike hanging above bar is really cool, as spider web takes over bike. Part of décor? Place is a little dim depending on where you’re seated. Natural lighting won’t hit the place as its back is against the sun. Seems like a place more happening at night than daytime.
Staff: Two back of house cooks and one front of house guy. I just dealt with the guy out front. Only to find out he’s the multitasker there. Does host, waiter, busboy, cashier all by himself. No problem with that, as he was quite knowledgeable of how things goes. Gave me a good recommendation since, I was the indecisive type. No pushing for unnecessary sales. Brought order over in a timely manner and check up with me every 6 – 7 minutes.
Cleanliness: Since its a shared business. Venezuelan during day and Vietnamese in evening. I can’t really say much as, it may be fair for one and not for other.
Eats/​Drinks: AreCombo $ 12 this combo you get to pick any 3 from a list of 14. I got reina pepeada, pelùa and matadora. Came piping hot as you couldn’t even hold on to it. Chicken were stuffed in arepa pocket to the max were it can’t go no more. Taste really authentic real close to home made. I really like the reina pepeada consist of shredded chicken, avacado, mayo and mustard. Light clean tasting with fresh ingredients use. Second favorite matadora eye beef round was plentiful also melted together with gouda cheese. As I’m a big fan of gouda cheese, especially smoked version. Least favorite pelùa didn’t taste any different from the matadora since both are made with similar ingredients. However, it tasted more like on the BBQ side more. Hickory smoked flavor was tasted. All three of these gave me felicity. I’m glad I got the chance to try different variations of arepas. Wash it down with Maltar Polar drink $ 2.50/bottle. Was told non alcoholic with a taste like beer. Again, he was right just like description.
Main Features: Empanadas, arepas and pastelitos.
Products/​Services: Arepas, pastelitos, empanadas, tequeños, quesillos, assorted drinks hot and cold, non alcoholic drinks, small bites, brunch. GF, 100% corn. Arepa options of (grilled or fried version) available. Find them on Instagram. Wed-​Sun 9am-​2pm only. Takes plastic.
Punch Lines: Light bites, zippy service, best cheap eats around, can’t go wrong, truly addictive, casual and delicious, worth the wait, well seasoned, good and sloppy, unpretentious, more than adequate, satisfactory, is the place to be, kept its standards, pleasing flavors, modest cost, budget-​watchers.
Tradeoffs: No license for alcohol drinks yet.
Final Thoughts: Lately there has been a uprise in shared space businesses. Personally I think it’s a good way to offer more options to the masses. With C V in place there should be no shortage of customers. In the beginning I was skeptical as to what sign says. East bay most authentic Venezuelan food serve. The food has proven itself what others are just realizing or try to focus on. Definitely a place to come for the food. Anything else depends on the person itself or mood.

Excellent place … Me encantaron mis tequenos y mi arepitaa de pabellón … Buen servicio y agradable ambiente

Legit Venezuelan food!!! Tequeños, empanadas de carne mechada y de pollo, Arepas de pabellón, quesillo y Malta Polar. So so good! If I could give this place 10 stars I would. Try it! Help it to grow and stay open. Thank me later.

Two weekends ago we went to Café Venezuelan for breakfast. We had heard it had just opened and were really anxious to try it. I am from Venezuela and was very excited to finally have a Venezuelan restaurant opening in the East Bay. We loved it, so, we went back for brunch last weekend, and loved it again!
For breakfast we had arepas, one Reina Pepeada (something like chicken salad) and one Perico (scrambled egg) — (see photos of the menu for better description). They were really good, and well sized. We also had a side of sweet plantain, and fresh strawberry juice. Everything was excellent!
The following weekend, for brunch, we had the Pabellon (typical Venezuelan dish with shredded beef) and Asado Negro. They were both very tasty and good size. We ordered a side of tequeños (Venezuelan cheese sticks) and they were the best I’ve had in years!
The food took a little long, but given that was made right at the moment, and we were not in a hurry, it was well worth the wait. The prices were also very reasonable. We’ll be going back very soon!

He visitado ya en 3 oportunidades, y de verdad no hay nada de quejas, la comida es excelente y la atención muy esmerada, la tardanza es entendíble ya que las arepas las hacen en el momento, pero vale la pena la espera de 6 o 8 min. Para disfrutar de lo mejor de Venezuela.

Hubby and I stumbled upon this place because of an a-​frame advertising Vietnamese phở. We were taken aback when the menu was Venezuelan. We’re happy we stayed.
Hubby tried an arepas sandwich filled with beef and cheese. Oh my gosh, so delicious. I had once tried arepas (which looks like english muffin except made out of corn) and decided it’s not for me because it was dry and crumbly. The arepas here was light and fluffy.
I ordered something like pupusa with cabbage slaw, beef, cheese, mustard, ketchup, and mayo on top. So good! (Apologies for not remembering what it’s called.)
Service is slow, so go in with intentions of having a leisure meal.
We will be back and try some of the other dishes!
BTW, I found out that this is a pop-​up. It’s Venezuelan by day and Vietnamese by night.
So happy to have my eyes opened to Venezuelan food!

This is really awesome authentic Venezuelan food, and being totally honest because it has to be better than my mom’s for me to say that. Prices are reasonably and you get a really good plate for about $ 12 or less.
I tried the tequeños (finger cheese), arepas and patacones. Everything was delicious, and pair everything with the sauces.
Just be ready to take a nap afterwards, you will be so full that’s all you will be able to do.

Authentic arepas and reasonably priced given the SF Bay area prices. Tequeños (Venezuelan take on cheese sticks) were excellent, and you get 8 of them for under $ 6.00! Empanada de carne was good. All was washed down with a Malta Polar. Reina Pepiada was excellent. Owner is Venezuelan, so it is as authentic as you can get.