Breaking into Elephant & Castle is no small feat. This is London’s South American heartland, and regardless of redevelopment projects, local loyalties run deep. But already seasoned with three successful sites, Arepa & Co strides confidently into Elephant Park, bringing Venezuelan cooking into a shiny new Ash Avenue address.
The interiors are immediately inviting. A large, glass-walled space could easily feel cold or cavernous, but clever touches – striking blue accents, a central glittering bar, bold murals, and vivid artwork – balance warmth and modernity. Even on a quiet Tuesday evening, the room hums with life: date night couples, friend groups, and passersby drawn in by the promise of approachable, flavourful Venezuelan cooking.
We kick off with Guarapitas and Caipirinhas, but it’s the kitchen that steals the focus. Yuca fries offer an early triumph; chunky batons, crisp yet yielding, with a gentle sweetness and aromatic lift, come seasoned with paprika and served alongside a lush garlic mayonnaise. Tequeños – Venezuela’s playful pastry-wrapped snacks – push the joy further: stretchy molten cheese, golden crisp pastry, and a guava dip that’s surprising but utterly addictive.
Elsewhere, Venezuelan-style BBQ pork ribs exemplify comfort without fuss. Fatty, caramelised meat glistens atop a creamy celeriac puree, accompanied by a crisp, lightly dressed coleslaw to cut through the richness.
Not every dish lands with equal force. An ox cheek arepa, though packed with promise, leaned a little too heavily on pineapple chutney, and we found a tres leches cake topped with marshmallow tipped into overly sweet territory. That said, value is an undeniable strength. A set tasting menu comes in at just under £30, a lunch deal for £12, with a la carte small plates hovering around the £7-8 mark.
It’s not the buzziest on the block, nor does it aim to be. Instead, Arepa & Co serves soul in generous portions – food with charm, and character. For the still-new Elephant Park development, it’s a welcome addition, one that delivers astonishingly good bang for buck.