Arepera specializes in the authentic preparation of corn-based flatbreads originating from Venezuelan culinary traditions. These signature pockets serve as versatile vessels for a wide array of savory fillings, including slow-cooked meats, seasoned black beans, and various white cheeses. The menu emphasizes traditional preparation techniques, ensuring that each toasted maize cake maintains a distinct texture and flavor profile. Vegetarian options feature prominently, utilizing fresh ingredients like plantains, avocado, and hearty legumes to create substantial meals. The dining environment focuses on efficiency and direct interaction with the griddle-focused cooking process. This establishment prioritizes the technical execution of staple Latin American street food, providing a focused selection of classic corn-based recipes. Guests encounter a straightforward approach to flavor that remains faithful to the artisanal roots of the regional cuisine found throughout Venezuela.
Arepera is widely celebrated for its delicious and authentic Venezuelan street food, particularly its generous portions of arepas and empanadas. Many visitors appreciate the restaurant for being completely gluten-free, making it a safe and stress-free haven for those with celiac disease or dietary restrictions, while others simply enjoy the fresh ingredients and flavorful house-made sauces. While some diners have noted inconsistent service speeds or occasional concerns regarding pricing and minor errors, the overall consensus highlights a warm, welcoming atmosphere and friendly, attentive staff. Whether visiting for a quick meal, a casual brunch, or a social gathering, most guests describe their experience as consistently satisfying and are eager to return for the vibrant menu and high-quality drinks.
I went last Tuesday for dinner with my brother & we had their areas. I had the roasted pork belly & a Paloma for a drink.
I had never tried one of these types of sandwiches before but it was AMAZINGLY good. The'bread' had a great corn flavor & the pork was delicious. Their verde & red hot sauce also tasted great!
The Paloma was good but I would've liked a hint more lime in it.
I am so sorry to the waiter for not tipping as it wasn't intentional & I did not realize until after the fact. We paid on 1 bill & I only saw it after I paid. When the waiter passed the machine to me, he accidentally tapped the screen during the tip option, so it disappeared & went straight to pay so I didn't see the % but figured whatever I'll just pay.
Only after looking at the receipt did I noticed no tips were left. I felt & still feel awful so hopefully next time I come back he's there & I can leave a bigger tip to make up for it. There was nothing wrong with the service! 🙏
The food was delicious & everything came at a great temperature with generous portions. I highly recommend the empanadas, you can order them mixed, which is perfect for trying different flavors. The cheese one was amazing, & the pork empanada was just as good. I also had the Llanera arepa & really enjoyed it. For dessert, the coconut flan was tasty as well.
They also have soursop water, sugarcane juice, & other fresh juices, which was a nice touch. I only wish they had offered a straw, but that's a very minor detail. Prices are affordable & the staff was friendly. Sometimes it felt a little hard to get someone's attention for dessert or the bill, but honestly it also gave us time to relax & enjoy our conversation. Overall, a very good experience & I'd definitely come back.
Really enjoyed this spot as a gluten free visitor to MTL - plantain (amazing), casava sticks & pork belly sandwich, complimented with a shot of mezcal… can't ask for too much more than that
Excellent food.
I was hesitant about going to a gluten free restaurant but my sister is celiac. & I am so glad we did!
Everything was great!
I highly recommend the Empanadas.
We also had the pork belly platter & the pork & avocado sandwich. Fed the 3 of nicely (though if another empanada was there I would have gladly taken it down.)
I had a guarapita & my sister had the non alcoholic cane sugar & lime, both were lovely. My nephew had water & they kept on top of filling up the water.
The best lunch we've had on the entire trip to Montreal. The chicharron arepa is the apex of pork sandwiches. We had a gluten sensitive diner, & she had no issues at all. There were also some great drink options (including gluten free beer too). Wait staff were wonderful. Highly recommend.
Friday night & we hit it right. There was just a short waits for a table. Our server was handling 9-10 tables but we never felt like we had to wait. He was impressive keeping everyone served & water bottles replaced.
Any place that is 100% gluten free is always a plus in our book. It is nice to order & know there are no cross contamination issues. For my daughter, she enjoyed sampling our food.
The food was wonderful. It was flavorful. Fillings in sandwiches were a lot. The platter was full. The variety was incredible. There was beef, pork, chicken, seafood. There were different cheeses & accent fillings.
The atmosphere is eclectic. Some of the booths were old church pews. Chairs varied a bit. You could see into kitchen so they know they are clean & safe.,
Hipster latino food featuring mainly arepa sandwiches. Bigger, & definitely more trendy that I expected with their awesome artsy portrait paintings.
My rating is very likely due to my mistake of ordering a black bean soup (filling me up with bloated heaviness, wasn't anything special) before my main meal could be enjoyed. I managed to consume of the argula salad (bitter) & maybe 2 bites of my arepa before calling it quits.
My other friends had a much better experience... ordering a variety from fancy cheeses to pulled pork to chicken, everyone loved their selections.
Also staff was very cool about doing separate checks to make it easier for us.
Anyways moral of story is don't eat a giant can of black beans before your entree if you want to have a good time.
Plantanos con queso were excellent. Great pairing of the salty cheese with the sweet plantains. The empanadas were also delicious. We chose the pork & it was very nicely flavored. The arepas were delicious, very good portion. Margaritas were also quite tasty. We would definitely visit again. So nice to have a totally gluten free restaurant.
Discovered this place recently & my whole family loves it!
The food is very good. Even my picky child found something she is always looking forward to, she always enjoys the pork & beef empanadas. My son loves the fish empanadas. I had a few different chicken sandwiches, & though they are all very good, the avocado chicken is my favourite.
Coconut flan is heavenly!
The atmosphere is great & the staff are very friendly.
I am a symptomatic celiac & haven't had any reaction. I even was brave this time & tried a gluten free beer, & again, no reaction.
My younger daughter has special needs, & though there is no accessible entrance, we come back anyway, because of how patient & friendly the staff members are, & how tasty the food is.
