Authentic, tasty Venezuelan fare in an unpretentious locale.
Unit N, Kantersteen 5, Ravensteinstraat 23, 1000 Brussels
What’s good? If you’ve never tried an arepa, time to stroll on down to this tidy nook in the Ravenstein Gallery near Brussels Central Station and get your hands around one. Arepas — savory white cornmeal patties, baked and then grilled, sliced open and stuffed with various fillings — are the staple food of Venezuela, and offer something for everyone.
My personal soul food go-to is the mulata containing black beans, fried ripe plantains and generous slabs of avocado. I add the traditional crumbly white cheese (it would be vegan without this), and top it off with a deeply refreshing papelón con limón, or homemade sugarcane limeade.
At €6 to €8.50 for an arepa (one does it for me), it’s a very good deal these days! Also popular is the reina pepeada, or shredded chicken with a mayonnaise and avocado cream; or the perico, with scrambled eggs, onions, peppers and tomatoes.
Arepa’s Factory offers other Venezuelan specialties, as well — but as the name suggests, arepas are its beating heart.
What’s not? The place caters to the lunch crowd and is not open past late afternoon (or weekends), so don’t get your hopes up for a dinner arepa.
Vibe: Cozy and homey, decorated by a massive Venezuelan flag and framed photos of intriguing Venezuelan destinations checkering the walls.
Who’s picking up the check? Typically out the door at around €15, so you won’t need the Amex Platinum for this one.
Spotted: All the Venezuelans in Brussels have probably stopped in here at some point (an excellent sign). Otherwise, it’s the standard commuter crowd.
Insider tip: Add cheese to any arepa (cheeseheads, unite!).
Fun fact: Run by friendly Venezuelan Nicolás Boule along with his sister and mother, they make all the food from scratch by themselves with loving care.
How to get there: From Brussels Central Station: Exit toward the European Quarter, go under the street, then up the stairs into Ravenstein Gallery. Arepa’s Factory is about two-thirds of the way down the hall on the right.
— Review published on March 7, 2024. Illustration by Dato Parulava/POLITICO
