2 Best Restaurants in Caracas, Venezuela

An old-school Caracas arepa joint, Budare serves up freshly made arepas and cachapas with flair and a wee bit of attitude. There's a huge variety of stuffing options for your arepas; among the most popular are local cheeses such as queso de mano and queso telita. Also scrumptious are the meat options, including carne mechada (shredded beef) and reina pepiada (avocado-and-chicken salad). Be sure to get a batido de fruta, or a fruit shake—we recommend parchita (passionfruit) or lechosa (papaya). This is the best place to end any bar-hopping or theater-going evening: the restaurant is open 24/7, 365 days a year—yes, even on Christmas.

Serene white spaces define this simple but delicious eatery just outside of the main Las Mercedes thoroughfares, in El Rosal. Just a short walk from the Marriott and THE Hotel, Gourmet Market invites diners to feast alfresco on well-prepared risottos, pastas, brusquetas, and sandwiches (including such favorites as caprese, New York–style tuna, and smoked turkey). A well-edited wine list and helpful waiters attract loads of couples and businesspeople here for lunch, but come dinnertime the scene is more romantic, with lighted bamboo and shrubs protecting the patio from street noise.