As the holiday season approaches, many of us look forward to indulging in the familiar, comforting dishes that have become a staple of this festive time of year. However, this year, I want to invite you to step outside the ordinary and try some new dishes! Why not explore something fresh and exciting by trying these incredible Venezuelan restaurants? As a Venezuelan I find that our cuisine is often unrepresented in the sea of different tastes that make up Houston, so, here are my entry-level restaurants you should give a go!

Sabor Venezolano.

Sabor Venezolano is a chain that has set itself comfortably in the culinary ecosystem around Houston, but that does not make it any less good! They serve a varied amount of dishes, but I particularly enjoy the Arepas, from the Reina Pepiada with it’s shredded chicken, avocado, mayo and cheese, to the simple Carne Mechada with shredded beef, or a simple Cheese Arepa. They also offer a wide selection of traditional dishes, and traditional holiday plates too!

The Hallaca is a must have, a savory, tamale-like delicacy made of cornmeal dough filled with a rich stew of meats and various ingredients, wrapped in plantain leaves, and boiled. Please, if you’re ever driving down Westheimer, make sure to stop by at 9296 Westheimer Rd Suite 132!

Arepas by Perla.

In the Memorial City Mall, a little hidden by the fast food joints that surround it, you will find a little space where the likes of Génesis, Carmen and Jerusalén will wait for you to try the best Arepas in town! The service has always been impeccable in my trips to the mall, and they are always kind and familiar to those who go try their food.

I went to get a Cachapa earlier this week, and I can confirm they’re amazing. Cachapas resemble a thick, sweet pancake and is typically served with a variety of toppings or fillings, most commonly Venezuelan cheese and butter.

Please make sure to give them a like once you go there, if you’re not still convinced, you can still get something more traditional, as they servc hot, fresh off the grill burgers and hot dogs too!

You can also get some Venezuelan sodas you haven’t tried before, such as Malta or Frescolita, with the first being a sugar cane soft drink similar to Root Beer, and the latter one being… Hard to describe, as I’ve never tried anything similar ever since I came here to the United States, but, it feels almost like a less sugary strawberry Fanta.

Churro Mania.

And if you would like to try something sweeter, try heading to the Galleria, near the Nordstrom. You will find a small spot for churros and shakes, a company that came from humble beginnings into the United States, born in a small ranch back in Caracas.

The Churros are top quality, the dips and sauces, the chocolate and the cream are all to die for, it’s everything you expect from a Churro joint but multiplied by ten fold!

All of these places hold a dear place to the Venezuelans that came here to Houston, open your eyes to new flavors this holiday season, you won’t regret it!