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312 Eats
Lakeview · American · $$

Rica Arepa LAKEVIEW | Venezuelan Restaurant

4.7850 reviews ·Opens at 10AM tomorrow
We rounded off our meal with tequenos drizzled in Nutella, which, while delicious, felt a touch too indulgent
BillBill · 849 Google reviews
Read the reviews on Google →

Rica Arepa LAKEVIEW | Venezuelan Restaurant — Lakeview american anchored by the Criollo Brunch. No frills and no gimmicks, just a solid honest room. The kind of cooking that doesn't need to explain itself. "I've only been to this one but damn the arepas were phenomenal" — Jahil Parker (Jahly Jolly) [$$, patio]

🌱Vegan & vegetarian friendly — real options, not one sad pasta.
☀️Patio — a Lakeview classic in summer.

What 850 diners keep saying

Neighborhood institutionCozyOld schoolFamily friendlyOutdoor diningQuick bite
Plan your visit
2913 N Lincoln Ave, Chicago, IL 60657
Lakeview
Today10AM-5PM
Sun–Mon10AM-8PM
Tue10AM-5PM
Wed–Thu10AM-8PM
Fri–Sat10AM-9PM
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What 850 diners keep saying

verbatim, from Google
Review photo by Rebeca
Jul 2026

Las empanadas son las mejores de Chicago!! Preparadas al momento, crujientes y full de sabor

Rebeca

Rebeca

21 reviews on Google

Review photo by Grace Varan
Jun 2026

Super yummy! The people are so nice and the food is great!

Grace Varan

Grace Varan

8 reviews on Google

Review photo by Jay Ang
Jun 2026

Rica Arepa was a great find. The build-your-own arepa for $14 was fresh, customizable, and surprisingly filling. We also tried the papelón, a refreshing sugar cane drink with lime that was delicious and the perfect complement to the meal. Friendly staff, generous portions, and great flavors throughout. Definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for authentic Venezuelan food.

Jay Ang

Jay Ang

25 reviews on Google

Review photo by Diane R
May 2026

Love the food and the service.

Diane R

Diane R

4 reviews on Google

Review photo by Stanysha Lowery
May 2026

Ivy was amazing! Food was top tier. Will come back!

Stanysha Lowery

Stanysha Lowery

9 reviews on Google

Review photo by Fernanda Patiño
May 2026

Estefany fue una excelente mesera la comida estuve súper bien y el ambiente muy agradable volvería a este lugar😃

Fernanda Patiño

Fernanda Patiño

3 reviews on Google

Review photo by Alexandra Pérez
May 2026

Las arepas son deliciosas, la cachapa es suuuuuper deliciosa, los jugos me encantan, la atención 10 de 10

Alexandra Pérez

Alexandra Pérez

25 reviews on Google

Review photo by Luisa Yajaira De Silva
Dec 2025

Visité éste rinconcito Venezolano 🇻🇪🇻🇪y qué orgullosa me sentí, al comprobar que los buenos somos más. Es un mágico lugar dónde llegas y tienes una atención especial por: Ivi y Stefanine ✨️ Puedes disfrutar desayunos, almuerzos, cenas o un simple cafecito. Nosotros compramos Hallacas y Pan de Jamón. Ya probamos las hallaca y se me aguo el guarapo uy 😬(sólo un Venezolano comprende )muchísimos recuerdos y ni hablar del rico Pan de Jamón lo máximo, no le niegan nada. Realmente los felicitó por su excelencia y por dejar en alto nuestro Tricolor.Dios los bendiga. Los recomiendo con los ojos 🙈.

Luisa Yajaira De Silva

Luisa Yajaira De Silva

139 reviews on Google

Review photo by Alicia Brown
Nov 2025

The food here was well seasoned. I tried the fried chicken and fries. Delicious! And big portions too. I couldn't finish my meal. Its a big space with an indoor patio which is nice. Just wish the tables in the patio had a table cloth or something because they had the holes for outside furniture. I throughly enjoyed my food and would go again. Highly recommended.

Alicia Brown

Alicia Brown

23 reviews on Google

Review photo by Tom Fenninger
Oct 2025

Can't wait to go back! I was seeing a play at the Athenaeum Theater and needed a quick bite and popped in. I was greeted super warmly by the very friendly woman behind the bar. Since I was in a hurry I didn't fully scan the entire menu, but I have absolutely no regrets about my Patacon Mixto that I spontaneously ordered - it was SO good and very filling. I was there during happy hour and decided to get a $6 Margarita which was delicious as well. I'm salivating thinking about the meal now - can't recommend this cute spot enough.

Tom Fenninger

Tom Fenninger

5 reviews on Google

Review photo by Katie Hammond
Oct 2025

Great service and the cutest patio! The pabellón arepa was amazing!

Katie Hammond

Katie Hammond

8 reviews on Google

Review photo by Mari T.
Oct 2025

Great restaurant walking distance from the Athenaeum Center. We had dinner before our show. Loved the food & service!

Mari T.

Mari T.

95 reviews on Google

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