Orinoco Brookline Village
Latin American restaurant · Brookline
22 Harvard St, Brookline, MA 02445
Highlights
Arepas, empanadas, and cocktails, plus Caribbean & Andean flavors
Arepas, empanadas, and cocktails, plus Caribbean & Andean flavors
"If you don’t already have a daytime margarita spot, consider Orinoco, an inviting Latin restaurant on a quiet corner of Shawmut Ave. It’s also a great option if you’ve been looking for a great cuban sandwich, an impressive but affordable date night spot, or a place to browse for Venezuelan dry goods that are prominently displayed on the wall but probably aren’t for sale." - dan secatore
"Here’s something that sucks: Orinoco closes. It sucks because with a menu full of big, meaty Venezuelan specialties like mojo marinated pork and a backyard that looks like the “after” picture in a Scotts Turf Builder commercial, you’re not going to want to leave here. Get here for Sunday brunch, too, when corn pancakes topped with things like melted queso take over the menu." - dan secatore
"Orinoco is hidden on a quiet South End corner, so there isn’t usually much of a crowd for a weekday lunch. That’s good news for you, because it’s a comfortable little place where you’ll want to stay as long as possible, ordering one caipirinha after another to help you work through some big and well-made Latin dishes, like arepas, empanadas, and passion fruit barbecue ribs." - dan secatore
"Orinoco serves a lot of really good Latin specialties that are perfect for when you’re in the mood for a giant plate of food that you’ll be surprised to see yourself finish. It works especially well for Sunday brunch, when you can get things like corn pancakes topped with queso to shake up your standard eggs and mixed fruit routine. But you should also keep it in mind whenever the weather’s nice to enjoy one of Harvard Square’s best quiet patios." - dan secatore
"Arepas are an essential, inexpensive way to fill up, and Venezuelan restaurant Orinoco serves some of the best in the city. The pocket-sized delights come with vegetarian and meat fillings, and the service is quick and reliable. There’s a second location in Harvard Square, too." - Erika Adams, Rachel Leah Blumenthal
