We were excited when we heard Arepa & Co opened a new spot in Elephant Park, Elephant and Castle, London SE17. Having already enjoyed a few delicious meals at their Haggerston branch, we looked forward to dining there. So off we went, dog in tow to check it out. If you’re looking for the best restaurants in Elephant Park or Venezuelan cuisine in South East London, you’ll enjoy the arepas, cachapas, rice bowls, yuca fries and more.
“The all-day menu celebrates Venezuelan street food with a modern, comforting twist. It’s packed with Latin American flavours and plenty of vegetarian and vegan options,” Homegirl London.
Arepa & Co All Day Menu
We skipped the nibbles (cassava crisps and platanitos) and went straight for a selection of small plates, perfect as individual appetisers or to share. The tequeños are delightfully crisp, cheese-filled pastries with a sweet guava dip.
I especially loved the golden yuca fries dusted with paprika salt and paired with a creamy garlic mayo. Other tempting small plates include chicken wings glazed, tajadas ripe plantain fried until crisp and topped with aji amarillo, pastelitos three savoury beef turnovers served with a zingy apple salsa verde and buñuelos, yuca balls perched on whipped feta, drizzled with sugar cane syrup and sprinkled with chilli flakes. Small plates cost £5.75-8.75.
Arepas are the stars of the show here. These golden cornmeal buns are split open and filled with everything from slow-cooked meats to veggie and vegan-friendly combos. We chose the arepa del campo, crammed with black beans, ripe plantain, avocado, and cheese, which you can request with vegan cheese. It was fresh, hearty, and incredibly satisfying.
An alternative to the arepas, cachapas are traditional Venezuelan sweetcorn pancakes made from fresh corn dough, folded over savoury fillings for a hearty and satisfying dish, featuring the same delicious flavours as the arepas. Arepas and cachapas cost £10.95-11.95.
We also tried the pabellón veg rice bowl, a colourful mix of black beans, grated cheese (or vegan cheese), soft sweet potato in a tomato-rich sofrito, and caramelised plantain. The bowls are generous and feel like proper comfort food. For meat-eaters, there are options with shredded beef, pork, and chicken. Bowls cost £12.25-12.95
Desserts are both indulgent and straightforward. Try a slice of tres leches cake soaked in milk and topped with cream, chocolate-filled tequeños, or a selection of ice creams. Unfortunately, we were too full to partake, which gives us another reason to return!
There’s a decent drinks list, including fresh juices, coconut milkshakes, coffees and cocktails. Juices start from around £3.50, with cocktails mostly between £9 and £11, and Venezuelan beers from about £5. If you’re in the mood for something fun, the cocada is a sweet and creamy coconut shake that is worth a try.
Helpful Information About Arepa & Co Elephant Park
Arepa & Co Elephant and Castle is located at 8 Ash Avenue in Elephant Park, London SE17 1GQ, just a three-minute walk from Elephant and Castle rail and tube stations. The area has been completely transformed with new apartment blocks and eateries. It’s within a pedestrianised area, so you can enjoy sitting outside the restaurant during the summer. Inside, the decoration is pared back and spacious.
Opening hours are 9 am to 10.30 pm Monday through Thursday, 9 am to 11.30 pm Friday, 10 am to 11.30 pm Saturday, and 10 am to 10.30 pm Sunday. Brunch is served on weekends and Bank Holidays from 10 am to 4 pm. The full menu and more are on the Arepa & Co website.
If you want to explore the area, you may find this article of interest:
Ten Things To Do In Elephant and Castle
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London. I only write about eateries where I had a good experience. I recommend you do further research as standards fluctuate, as do opinions. Please check if the establishment is still in business and the opening times before you go. If you discover this restaurant has closed, contact me to remove it from my blog.