El Cocotero
(Now Closed)Arepa Restaurant and Latin American Restaurant$$$$
Chelsea, New York
The experts at The New York Times and The Corcoran Group recommend this place
79 Tips and reviews
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Dariela Cruz-GillespieMay 21, 2014Patacones are amazing and the cachapas too, this place is super excellent and has lots of variety in the menu. Venezolanos en el exterior: you'll love it!
The Corcoran GroupSeptember 19, 2011Authentic and amazing home-cooked Venezuelan food in a friendly candle lit atmosphere. The salads are really great – try La Cocotero or Gallina (as a side).
Great authentic Venezuelan food. The patacon are the thinner, crispier style. The appetizers are really flavorful and good for sharing; try the tequenos or the mandoca. Arepas are very well done here.
David SmithMay 28, 2013If you are into Latin American food, you will love this place! The best black beans I've ever tasted. Everything was excellent, including the mango cocktails we had. The service was top-notch also.
Ms HeleneOctober 29, 2013Thinner and crispier arepas than Caracas. Atun for a light lunch or the La Chinquintera recommended! $10.95 lunch special plate comes with rice, beans, stewed meat or veges and plaintain.
LeiaJune 5, 2013Order tres leches cake for dessert! I'm not usually a fan of tres leches bc of how moist it is but this one was delicious and not overly moist.
T MJuly 31, 2017Everything here is phenomenal! Tostones! Rice & Black Beans! Order any of it you'll be thrilled I promise.
Samuel GozlanOctober 17, 2013Great list of Arepas and other Venezuelan treats. Small place but not a lot of wait during the week. Try the green plantain sandwiches!
Joa GarSalMarch 6, 2016I recommend people if you go there PLEASE check the bill carefully and leave everything on the table to count the amount of drinks and keep at least a menu to verify the prices!
Michelle AndersonDecember 1, 2015One of my all time favorite NYC restaurants. Try the appetizer sampler platter and don't forget the sangria!
Pritesh ChandaranaFebruary 23, 2017Great food but be wary of the booze, $11 a glass for wine and sangria!
Becca BaeJanuary 19, 2015Delicious home style Venezuelan food at great prices. Order a pitcher of guarapita ($29, good size for 2 people).
Richard RevillaOctober 23, 2014Great Venezuelan Arepas. Cozy, small place and great during the summer.
Stephanie P.March 11, 2013Delicious Venezuelan food! Try their tostones sandwiches, queso frito and chicken entrees. The passion fruit bellinis are also fantastic!
Ryan BrightSeptember 5, 2015Come for a dimly lit, intimate atmosphere and enjoy the delicious arepas. Can't go wrong with any.
Chinyere OnwuOctober 12, 2013Omg I'm in love with this place!! Everything is delicious. The Arepas are devine. Cozy spot and intimate. great for date night.
Mike NickersonMay 2, 2016The arepas are super flavorful and the sangria is strong. Get both and you'll leave a happy camper!
Justin OrdovezaJanuary 21, 2017The arepa with Guayanesa cheese, Venezuelan farmers cheese, is simple but there it gets more complex as you eat it.
Stephanie GreenidgeMarch 13, 2015Great value for Venezuelan style arepas and a really nice environment!
Alexis BrillMarch 19, 2013Amazing authentic Venezuelan food. Vegetarian arepa and guacamole to die for. IMO, better than Caracas in East Village.
Julie WaldMay 22, 2012Surprisingly quick and easy brunch. Try the Criollo for a full meal - and don't forget a side of the sweet plantains (tajadas).
Try the mandoca! It tastes 100% better than it looks LOL!!! Deep fried, super sweet corn dough with nata (Mexican cremá sauce)
Maria Emilia VargasOctober 18, 2018The green hot sauce was actually amazing, but the arepa was hard and the empanada had a sweet batter.
Elizabeth BursteinNovember 6, 2017Avoid the chicken arepa lunch special - way too much chicken and not enough taste. The plantains and lentil soup were delicious
Mariana RodriguezJuly 22, 2010Love it so much more than Caracas. Everything is delicious and service is amazing. You can't go wrong-with food or drink. I'm Venezuelan and have been coming here for 6 years, trust me!
dorothyJanuary 8, 2011Head here if you've got a craving for arepas and aren't up for the long wait downtown at Caracas. Get the chicha de arroz, cinnamon rice milk shake, to accompany with your meal.
delicious arepas, papelon con limon and all things Venezuelan! a little piece of home in NYC.
Steph LiraSeptember 11, 2013The patacón pabellón was delicious, with a Polar beer to make it a true Venezuelan authentic meal.- Thomas MoAugust 10, 2014Arepas are small so get two if you want a full meal. The off menu sangria is $29. The owner is really friendly!
Find. Eat. Drink.March 16, 2010Excellent traditional arepas and patacon maracucho. The Reina Pepiada is one of the most popular. The goat entree is also worth a try. Drink one of the fresh juices or a Venezuelan beer. Read more
The New York TimesMay 6, 2010Order a patacón Maracucho in this full-service setting. Fillings include asado negro, pot roast in a sweet onion-and-red-wine sauce, and carne mechada, stewed shredded flank steak. Read more
AnngelicaFebruary 5, 2010Amazing authentic Venezuelan food. And, it's fresh! The environment is relaxed and the service is excellent. Must trys: The pabellón patacones (plantain sandwich), caffe con leche and tres leches.
Gilbert CorralesApril 11, 2013Ask for the guarapita... Is not on the menu but is amazing. Ron, mango and maracuya
Fadia KaderApril 24, 2013authentic and fresh -try the sampler if you don't know exactly what you want!
Lauren HorwitzSeptember 28, 2012Marcelo is adorable. I recommend a pitcher of the mango passion fruit rum punch!
Chris CraigJanuary 12, 2011Genuine Venezuelan recipes from the owner's mother. All the food is excellent at this quirky awesome local authentic family restaurant
One of my favorite Latin restaurants in NYC, and the guarapitas are amazing!
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Permanently closed (Show more)
- Mon–Wed
- 11:00 AM–10:00 PM
- Thu–Fri
- 11:00 AM–11:00 PM
- Sat
- 11:00 AM–Midnight
- Sun
- 11:00 AM–9:00 PM
(212) 206-8930
Features
Reservations
Yes
Credit Cards
Yes (incl. Discover & Visa)
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar
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- 7.1
"It's a super cool place and a credit to the area. I really love it. My gf is a vegetarian and they couldn't have been more helpful in their recommendations."
Dan Vodan - 7.8
"I tried this spot 2 wks ago & have been there 5x. Food is outstanding & fresh. My faves are empanadas combo - try all 3 sauces. Granercy Arepas - chicken salad with avocado. Try their juices too."
Cheapeats Inc - 6.4
"Had a maduro patacon with pork..pretty good. Wana try the Cachapa next. Great after party grub spot!"
Wilmer S
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