El Fogón

Hours: Tues-Fri 9am-8pm; Sat-Sun 8am-10pm

Tel: 0212/963-1068

Caracas,

Reservations: Recommended

Take a table on the second-floor open-air balcony of this popular local joint. Hanging ferns and wind chimes give the place an air of sophistication, but the food is as traditional as it comes. Order an arepa to start things off, or try a cachapa -- a sweet corn pancake folded over your choice of filling. The asado here is excellent, and they almost always have hallacas, the local equivalent of tamales, cornmeal paste stuffed with chicken, pork, olives, raisins, boiled egg, and other goodies, wrapped in a banana leaf, and boiled or steamed. For dessert, have some fried churros.

Reservations: Reservations recommended on weekends