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  • La Caraquena Latin American Cuisine

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Reserve at La Caraquena Latin American Cuisine

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La Caraquena Latin American Cuisine
La Caraquena Latin American Cuisine

La Caraquena Latin American Cuisine Details

  • Dining Style: Casual Elegant
  • Website: http://www.lacaraquena.com
  • Email: info@lacaraquena.com
  • Phone: (703) 533-0076
  • Hours of Operation: Lunch: Monday & Wednesday - Sunday 12:00am - 2:30pm; Dinner: Monday & Wednesday - Saturday: 5:30pm - 10:00pm, Sunday: 5:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Payment Options: AMEX, Carte Blanche, Diners Club, Discover, JCB, MasterCard, Visa
  • Cuisine: Latin American, Global, International, South American
  • Executive Chef: Raul A. Claros
  • Dress Code: Smart Casual
  • Accepts Walk-Ins: Yes
  • Additional Details: Beer, Full Bar, Gluten-free Menu, Non-Smoking Restaurant, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wine

Getting there

  • Cross Street: Little Falls Street
  • Parking: Hotel Parking
  • Parking Details: Please park in the motel parking lot surrounding our restaurant.
A word from La Caraquena Latin American Cuisine
At La Caraqueña, the taste of Latin America is alive in every dish. Chef and owner, Raul Claros, shares his heritage by combining over 20 years of family recipes with the authencity that comes from his travels through Latin America.
This is comfort food served in a relaxed atmosphere where our… guests can experience the best in Latin American cuisine and culture. Continued
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Awards voted by OpenTable diners
  • Diners' Choice WinnerNeighborhood Gem
Diner Reviews
  • "This was our first time at La Caraquena, a well-kept secret in Falls Church city. It was kind of strange to enter from the parking lot of a motel, but once inside, the tiny space reminded us of some small restaurants we've been to in Latin America. The food was quite authentic and very good. The wine list is short, but the prices are reasonable. We had excellent service, although, surprisingly, the wait staff didn't speak Spanish. The atmosphere was friendly and lively, with tables squeezed very close together. It was a fun place to go, and we will return."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "It seems to be the case that great reviews and lots of publicity can be the kiss of death for a small restaurant. Not for La Caraquena. The quality of the food and the attentiveness of the wait-staff has not diminished in the least over the years. Owner, Raul Claros, is visible and vigilant in preserving the experience at his very special restaurant that's well on its way to becoming a classic."
    Dined on 4/5/2014
  • "This was just a pleasant experience. Don't go in expecting a five star experience. The food is delicious and the wait staff friendly. It is a great place to go if you want an affordable meal and have a drink or two. I would recommend getting the Arepa's and ordering 2 as an entree instead of a sandwich on the menu. I will be back."
    Dined on 3/24/2014
  • "My wife and I had been there about a year ago and loved it. We've been meaning to get back ever since. This time week took our two sons. Everything was great through the apps. Then we had to wait 30 minutes until the main course. At first we just received the kids sandwiches. And we thought they just had to go back for our. Five minutes later they bring my wife's dish. She ordered the steak med- rare, it came back so well she couldn't cut through it! We sent it back. My meal came after the kids were done, and her second order placed, - it was pulled beef, rice, and beans. But too salty. I started to get salty! We got out as fast as we could. We'll be telling stories about this for awhile - and laughing. But not in a good way."
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "Due to quickly falling temperatures, the patio quickly lost its appeal and the demise of the extra seating seemed to be fraying the nerves of the waitstaff. However they were very accommodating when they could be, and despite the slightly slower service, the food was worth it. Looking forward to nicer weather and Mojitos!"
    Dined on 3/22/2014
  • "The arepas were delicious!!!! Grilled may be healthier but you have to get them fried! Also, the service was fantastic! Our waitress was very helpful and friendly. We are definitely going back!!!"
    Dined on 3/21/2014
  • "Fourth time we have been back and always good. Seemingly plain dishes are wonderfully tasty. Venezuelan food with E. European service and it works well."
    Dined on 3/16/2014
  • "This is the first time we have dined outside here. It was a bit loud from road noise, but enjoyable none the less. The for and drinks, as always, were great."
    Dined on 3/15/2014
  • "Super fast service. Need to make reservation, though. Great Venezuelan food with an authentic twist. You need to try their passion fruit Margarita."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "Despite a bit of a wait for our booked table and having to stand among other diners who were eating, once our table was ready it was a very nice meal and service was very good."
    Dined on 3/1/2014
  • "The food and service was fantastic. While the restaurant is small, the atmosphere is wonderful. We were also nicely surprised byt the birthday celebrations. It was a nice touch for out evening. We will definitely go back and recommend to our friends and family!"
    Dined on 2/15/2014
  • "Food is always consistently good and the hand crafted cocktails tie the meal together. The ambiance leaves a little to be desired but the food more than makes up for it."
    Dined on 2/14/2014
  • "This restaurant was on triple D so I had to check it out. I made reservations for 2 at 7:30 on a Saturday. We arrived 10 minutes early to the hole-in-the-wall location to find about a dozen people waiting. We waited for 10 minutes until a waitress, although very kind, hurriedly asked us if we had reservations. It took another 20 for us to be seated. Once in our booth, we ordered a couple of their house margaritas which came promptly. We were both very hungry so we ordered an appetizer (yuca) and the Pabellon Completo Con Baranda. They brought out our meals very quickly but forgot about the appetizer (we did eventually get it). The food was phenomenal authentic Latin cuisine, worthy of Guy's visit. If you're in this area don't miss out!"
    Dined on 2/1/2014
  • "Food here is excellent - very fresh and lovely presentation. The only problem is that the space is so small that diners waiting for a table are literally hanging over yours. The owner might want to take a look at what many tiny SOHO and alphabet city restaurants in NYC do. They have temporary plastic covered entry ways for the winter months. Nevertheless, the food and friendly service are worth it . Try the Pabellon Criollo!"
    Dined on 1/31/2014
  • "My husband from Caracas spotted this restaurant when driving through the area a few months ago, and demanded we stop there. We have eaten there 3times since. It's his chance to eat food authentic to Caracas and cure his homesick heart. The food is excellent, and we clean our plates every time. The waiters are very nice, knowledgeable &patient with us. The owner, Raul, came out of the kitchen one time and was very warm and friendly. The restaurant has outgrown its indoor dining area, which is not very fancy, is part of a motel. But we like our little favorite "hole in the wall" and will keep coming back. Maybe they will expand some day? There are always a lot of people so a reservation is recommended esp weekend evenings."
    Dined on 11/9/2013
  • "This retaurant was touted as having authentic Venzuelan cuisine. My wife lived in Venezuela for a nukber of years, and she was disappointed. At best it was ok --the food was bland and non-descript, and did not have either the zing or the complexity of real Venezuelan food. A couple of examples -- the arepas lacked any real corn taste and the dessert flan lacked any character. The space was very small and we were seated right next to the door, which opened constantly to let in frigid air. We will not be returning."
    Dined on 1/4/2014
  • "Reservations: you can make reservations but in the many times I've made them, LQ has never actually had a table for us. The reservation is merely a suggestion. Food: consistent and good. Drinks: very good. Recommend the caipirinha Service: hit or miss. Sometimes it's fine. Sometimes it's very very very slow and erratic. The staff is friendly but often there just aren't enough of them. We will go back. But we will take a deep breath first."
    Dined on 12/28/2013
  • "Don't be fooled by the building (in front of a lower end motel), the food is authentic and very good, and the service was amiable and timely. A pleasant surprise."
    Dined on 11/28/2013
  • "had lunch there twice. both times were great. flavorful and interesting food. plan to try dinner sometime."
    Dined on 10/25/2013
  • "If you make reservations, prepare to wait. And there is no place to wait except in front of the door or outside (brrrr). Once you are seated 1/2 hour late, prepare to be amazed by the excellent food. Try the corn salad. yummm. The beef dishes are all excellent and the shrimp diablo dish is also excllent. But leave room for the quattro leches dessert. Incredible. As I said, worth the wait."
    Dined on 11/23/2013
  • "I will look for them again next time I am in DC. The food was excellent from the plantain appetizer to to the three milk sponge cake. The facilities were clean and friendly. The restaurant was doing a great business and I was glad that I had taken the last reviewers advice and called ahead for reservations."
    Dined on 11/23/2013
  • "We've lived in the area for over 4 years, and La Caraquena has been on our list to try. We finally tried it this weekend, and my only regret is not finding it sooner! Based on some reviews that we read, I was tempted to just order a bunch of arepas for our dinner, however, we wanted to give the place a fair chance, so we got two arepas, two entrees, a side of fried yuca, and the quatros leches cake. Everything was amaaaazing, though the arepas (and the awesome chili sauce!) did beat out the rest of the meal by a bit. We can't wait to go back! Please note that seating is very limited, so reservations are highly recommended. Also, parking is available in any of the motel spots."
    Dined on 11/16/2013
  • "Loved the Venezuelan cuisine here. It brought back wonderful memories of the time I lived in Caracas years ago. Especially the excellent Arepas on the menu, of which there was an even greater selection than I remember from when I was actually in Venezuela! Service was excellent too, and the whole experience was made very warm and friendly by the staff at the restaurant."
    Dined on 11/2/2013
  • "Food and service are excellent. but the size of the place makes it very, very loud"
    Dined on 10/25/2013
  • "I love La Caraquena! Tucked away in a motel, it is a tiny gem of a restaurant with genuine, delicious food! The service is a little slow both times I've been there, and the servers seems to forget about some of the tables. However, as long as you have one of their delicious cocktails it's a fun place to sit back and relax--just don't come when you're in a hurry!"
    Dined on 10/19/2013
  • "Second time at this place & better than the first! Plantains & Tequeñones are out of this world; arepas delicious, passion fruit drinks, delectable. On top of that they sing Happy Birthday to the patrons and the owner played the drums. Oh, did I say we danced too? Fun place! Will keep coming back for more!"
    Dined on 10/18/2013
  • "La Caraquena has been around long enough that they should have reservations figured out. It's inexcusable that they consistently seat you no fewer than 30 minutes AFTER the time of your reservation. The food is good, but not so good that something this egregious can be overlooked."
    Dined on 10/18/2013
  • "The food and cocktails here were fantastic, wanted to come back the following night but without a reservation you basically have no chance of getting a table. Will definitely be returning but make reservations and make them for half hour before you want to sit bc ur going to have to wait with a cocktail anyway but it is worth it, the arepas are out of this world and the beef with beans and rice was amazing!"
    Dined on 10/18/2013
  • "Heard about this place on the food network show, so glad we went!! Food was delicious! Little mom and pop place with good food which is exactly what we wanted! Will definitely come back, a neighborhood gem! Arepas....yes please!"
    Dined on 10/12/2013
  • "Food was fabulous as always. I had made a reservation for 5 but when I got there, they hadn't noted the time and hadn't really had a table appropriate for the group size. They took the next 15 minutes trying to figure out how they could accomodate our group. They ended up squeezing at a table meant for 3 and one person had to sit on the end and block another table from getting out of their booth. The food did not come at the same time. At one point, food was delivered, only to be picked up off our table a minute later and was told it wasn't for us but another table. We watched them removed the food in front of us and deliver it across the restaurant.. ours did not come out for another 10 minutes. Odd service..but food was fabulous!!"
    Dined on 10/9/2013
  • "great food, but service is inattentive and very slow."
    Dined on 7/19/2013
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Diners' Choice Awards
  • Virginia - DC Suburbs Winners
  • Neighborhood Gem
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