Gastronomy and Leisure at the Feet of “El Ávila”

The Avila National Park, also called Waraira Repano, is an impressive and leafy mountain of 2,700 meters high that constitutes the icon of the city of Caracas, and that literally, wraps around its entire northern tip.

You can go up to it by cable car, on foot using one of the paths that start from its skirt, or in rustic vehicles that transport visitors to different places in the park. One of its most tourist areas is Galipán, where there are very good quality restaurants and inns where you can spend the night in an absolute climate of peace and tranquility, and also, with impressive panoramic views of the city.

At the feet of El Avila, Caracas also offers an extraordinary and very varied gastronomy (for many, among the best in the world), a large number of modern and luxurious shopping centers and other highly recommended entertainment options.

Caracas’ Elite Bars and Restaurants

If something is left over, they are the places where you can have a quiet drink or enjoy a good table. Apart from creole and gourmet cuisine, there are plenty of meat, Spanish, Italian, Mexican, French, Chinese and Japanese food restaurants. 

The www.tripadvisor.com/caracas-restaurants/ portal will serve you as a good reference guide to find premises of all types, categories and prices; however, below we list the ten best and most exclusive restaurants according to specialized criticism:

1- Restaurant Alto

It is the only restaurant in Venezuela that is included in the select list of the 50 Best Restaurants in Latin America, an award sponsored by S. Pellegrino and Acqua Panna since 2013, currently occupying position 28. Its Chef is Carlos García, winner of the Tenedor de Oro Award as the best Chef in 2007 awarded by the Venezuelan Academy of Gastronomy. 

Carlos and his magnificent team develop an extraordinary culinary proposal with Venezuelan raw materials where they exalt the best of this land of grace. Its iconic dishes such as “spaghetti with sardines”, “cream of caraotas two times and another one”, “suckling pig guajiro” and the dessert “land of cocoa” are simply extraordinary for diners. 

The decoration was assembled by the award-winning Venezuelan architect and interior designer Alejandro Barrios, being sober but cozy and the attention they provide is simply great. The assiduous people at the restaurant are chic and the foreign visitors are very gracious. Here all the codes of a great restaurant are fulfilled. 

His legendary French Maître Gérard Cherané passed away a little over 2 years ago, but Pascual García, in his place; has taken the responsibility, along with the Sommelier Carlos Rangel, to attend to incredible characters who frequent the place. 

1ª Avenida con 3ª Transversal, Los Palos Grandes, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 414 135.5534
instagram.com/restaurantalto/

2- Recoveco Restaurant

A directed food restaurant, and absolutely inspirational, where its Chef Héctor Padula delights diners for the beautiful presentations of the dishes, the freshness of the ingredients brought from his own garden, the descriptions that make each dish to the diner and the flavor almost intoxicating of them. The service is very hospitable and carefully delivered.

Really everything in Recoveco enchants, because anchored in the Sultana del Ávila in Galipán, the view and the countless details make the stay memorable. When the breeze blows, you can smell the eucalyptus that surrounds the place. Everything looks flawless. Exclusivity reigns and advance booking is essential.

San Antonio de Galipán, Parque Nacional El Ávila, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 424 144.6572
instagram.com/enrecoveco/

3- Restaurant San Pietro

With an Italian Mediterranean cuisine, where stand out for their succulence “lasagna with lamb ragout”, the “New Zealand chops”, the “fresh fish of the day accompanied by grilled vegetable garnish”, the famous “fettuccine vongole”, and the “carpaccio swordfish”, just to name some of its emblematic dishes, this exclusive space is presented.

With a careful attention, we can find beautiful people and conspicuous characters of high society, like from that of the golden years of the glamor of Caracas, can be seen frequently. Its decoration is simple (white colors, orchids and roses prevail) and the lighting at night is one of the most romantic of the city, so much so that they make you feel that you are on a terrace in Italy itself.

Final Calle Londres, Las Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 212 993.0345
instagram.com/restaurantsanpietro/

4- Restaurante Urrutia

Adolfo Urrutia father is the inspirer of this restaurant that one of his sons created in the Sabana Grande area. An entire institution of Basque cuisine in Caracas that now seems to be in the hands of its grandchildren. Here, fish and seafood predominate in dishes of a lifetime, plus some innovations. There is no shortage of piquillo peppers stuffed with seafood, cod, grouper fish in more than twenty different forms; along with warm salads of seafood, terrine of anchovies, shrimp ceviche, etc. 

Lately, they have given great importance to wine, and in the evenings they have very interesting special promotions. If there is grouper fish in the salt the day you go, ask for it, it is one of the best made in the city and its surroundings.

Av. Francisco Solano, Esquina Calle los Manguitos, Sabana Grande, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 212 763.0448
instagram.com/urrutia_rest/

5- La Sibilla Caracas Restaurant

Without a doubt, entering is arriving in New York in the blink of an eye. With a very cozy decoration, where lighting and floral details make the difference, this luxurious restaurant brings a simple Italian proposal, very well presented and with rich flavors. The service is the best offered in the city. The dress code is jealously demanded for access, as is the strict reservation. The care in the details jumps everywhere. It is a simple luxury, but valued even by the most demanding.

Its Executive Chef is the renowned Italian Massimo Mori, the same who has created the famous Emporio Armani Caffé. Alejandro Barrios, famous Venezuelan architect and interior designer, was the one who completely decorated the restaurant. Its assiduous visitors vary, since at first it seemed the branch of the Caracas Country Club, however, now the public is anyone who can pay for the pleasure of being at any of its 10 select tables.

Av. Principal de La Castellana, entre Calles el Bosque y José Ángel Lamas, Hotel Cayena, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 212 264.4821
instagram.com/lasibillacaracas/

6- Maute Grill Bar Restaurant

Maute Grill is considered one of the best meat restaurants in Caracas. Maute in spanish means young bull, the best age to prepare juicy meats. The menu has numerous succulent bistecs, buttocks, pork loin, filets, sausages and other meat dishes with cassava, tamales, cheeses, salads, vegetables, etc. 

The restaurant also has a large terrace from where you can watch the cooks at work, around a huge grill. The smell of grilled meat fills the neighborhood as well, and you will see that many Maute Grill parking lots are always full. Along with grilled meat dishes, Maute Grill also offers a good dessert menu, and the casual atmosphere is further enhanced by live music every day from 4 pm.

Av. Río de Janeiro, Las Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 212 993.3846
instagram.com/mautegrillccs/

7- Lasserre

A true monument dedicated to bourgeois French cuisine that prevailed in the world in the middle of the last century and that still stands stubbornly, preserving its same style. First of all you must be aware that to enter the gentlemen must have a jacket, the tie is no longer necessary. For many conservative lovers of the conventional, this is their favorite. 

Soberly decorated, with a pleasant atmosphere and impeccable attention, it continues with a loyal clientele clinging to routine. This formula has been successful and is kept intact by its current owners, Tito Souto and José Negrín, and this is their main secret: direct and personalized attention to the kitchen and living room by the owners themselves. 

The kitchen is oriented to the French style of the fifties, with abundant sauces and creams; plus some specialties of rigor. The reduced menu regularly includes chicken Kiev, foie de canard al armagnac, pate de anguille and potages of the day; among others. Good own desserts and short but select wine list. Frequented by executives who love formality, it is advisable to book. Almost a relic.

3ª Av. de Los Palos Grandes, Qta. Lasserre, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 212 283.3079
instagram.com/lasserre_caracas/

8- Taiko Sushi Bar

It is a restaurant that offers its select Caracas and International clientele its traditional Japanese cuisine. Far from being a product of Western mass consumption, they are dedicated with care, under the direction of their Master Satoro Kimura; to make each of their dishes challenge the most demanding palates. It has cozy environments, designed to provide those who visit them with a pleasant stay, in harmony with the high quality of their cuisine.

Japanese starters, soups and salads, kushiyaki kushikatsu, sushi, sashimi, nigiri, special teppan, tempura, donburi, udon, soba and makimono sushi; are their main gastronomic offers.

Av. La Trinidad, Edif. Canaima, Urb. Las Mercedes, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 212 993.5647
instagram.com/taikocaracas/

9- La Cita

La Cita is a true gastronomic emblem in Venezuela, it is SPAIN in Caracas. Everything, absolutely everything you choose, will be special: Galician octopus, Asturian stew, snapper in salt, grouper pâté, squids in its ink, Galician stew, cooked Madrid, champagne salmon, grouper in green sauce or mustard, paella, seafood rice, lamb, lobster and any other Spanish specialty you can think of.

The quality of their dishes, the huge portions they serve and the good treatment of their staff, make this a place to repeat. Its atmosphere is familiar, festive and colloquial at all times.

Esquina de Alcabala, La Candelaria, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 414 325.7704
instagram.com/rest_lacita/

10- El Alazán de Altamira

A place where when you arrive, it fills up immediately, thanks to attentive service and a concern that you have a good time, no matter if you order fish. Meats in all cuts and for all tastes, served according to what the customer wants, so you have to clarify the type of cooking you want. The menu also includes proposals for international cuisine, varied and standard level; for non-carnivores. 

The place is huge and has different atmospheres, in addition to a dark bar for those who do not want to be surprised. It is also a temple to wine, where you can find all the brands that are distributed in the country, and some special bottles.

Visitors are struck by the fact that in Caracas many diners accompany meat with Scottish whiskey, but here things change a bit and there is a marked inclination for wine. It has a generous cellar and on all sides the lying bottles adorn the environment. Happily because with wine, meat tastes better! 

Av. Luis Roche, entre 4ª y 5ª Transversal, Altamira, Caracas, Venezuela.
+58 212 285.0208
instagram.com/restauranteelalazan/

Fast Food and Delivery

If you do not want to go out and you do not feel like the menu offered by your hotel, fast food chains such as Burger King, Domino’s Pizza, KFC, McDonald’s, Subway, Pizza Hut, Arturo’s, Wendy’s and Papa John’s, among others; can be an excellent alternative.

Through the App  www.pedidosya.com.ve you can find thousands of possibilities, order, pay and receive food in the comfort of your accommodation.

Shopping Malls

They are the true public squares of our country and the main business model for retail trade. Only in Caracas there are more than 70, but we guarantee that in the following five, you will be able to find everything you need:

1- Sambil Shopping Mall

Possibly the most popular of the Caracas Malls. This shopping center is the largest in the city, and until very recently, the largest one in Latin America with 250,000 square meters of construction. Many shops, cinemas and restaurants. All in excess. It is located in the Chacao Municipality, just in front of our clinic.
www.tusambil.com/caracas/

2- San Ignacio Shopping Center

One of the most exclusive places in the capital. Located in La Castellana and backed by El Avila, the San Ignacio Center is an open and pedestrian structure that has allowed it to become a small urbe within a large city, with various clothing stores and visitor services such as hairdressers, beauty salons, banks and other usual offers of a last generation Mall. Thanks to its extraordinary design, it won the International Prize for Latin American Architecture, Mes Van Der Rohe, in 1998.
www.centrosanignacio.com/en/

3- CC Tolon Fashion Mall

This shopping center offers the CINEX cinema complex, the largest in the city with seven modern movie theaters. It is a very contemporary space that also has top brand stores and an exclusive restaurant area that no one should miss. It is located on the Main Avenue of Las Mercedes.
www.cctolon.com/fashion-mall/

4- Centro Ciudad Comercial Tamanaco (CCCT) 

It was the largest in Venezuela until the construction of the Sambil in 1998. It is located in the Chuao Urbanization and has 5 office towers, a 450-store shopping center, 5,000 parking spaces and a hotel. Its Inverted Pyramid stands out, conceived by Diego Carbonell Parra, a Venezuelan architect of international prestige, and which until now represents a unique architectural concept in the world.
www.facebook.com/ccctcaracas/

5- Lido Shopping Center

It is a commercial and business center where important local and transnational companies have their headquarters, more than 100 commercial spaces, cinemas, restaurants and cafes. It has a Hotel (Lidotel) that has been incorporated into the Boutique Hotel concept, offering personalized service in an exclusive and luxurious environment in the Rosal area.
www.facebook.com/centro-comercial-lido/

“Definitely, the Leisure and Pleasure Activities that Tourists and Visitors of the City of Caracas Have Are Really Countless and Varied”.

DENTAL TIP

What Else Can You Do in Caracas?

Apart from eating, drinking and shopping, our city offers endless activities that you can alternate with your dental treatment. Back on the website www.tripadvisor.com/caracas-things-to-do/ you will be able to navigate and obtain very complete information that will serve as a travel guide for your transit through Caracas:

STROLLS   Climb the cable car and admire the city from above, stroll through Galipán, visit the picturesque town of El Hatillo, contemplate the Plaza France of Altamira and its surroundings, walk through the huge and leafy East Park, visit the Colonial Hacienda La Trinidad, go into the beautiful gardens of the Simón Bolivar University, visit the Botanical Garden of Caracas and go to the Chacao Municipal Market, are all highly recommended activities.

CINEMA AND THEATER   You can see the latest film premieres in any of the numerous and modern movie theaters of the Cines Unidos and CINEX chains, or enjoy theatrical recreation at Teresa Carreño Theater, Caracas Athenaeum, Chacao Municipal Theater, El Hatillo Athenaeum, UCV Aula Magna, BOD Cultural Center, Artist’s House Foundation, Trasnocho Cultural Theater, Scene 8 Theater, Teatrex Cultural Foundation, Urban Cuplé Theater, Theater Santa Rosa de Lima, Rajatabla Hall and Santa Fé Theater; among many others.       

ART AND CULTURE   You will have the opportunity to visit the National Art Gallery, Museum of Contemporary Art of Caracas, Museum of Fine Arts, Museum of Natural Sciences, La Estancia Art Center, Los Galpones Art Center, Sacred Museum, Transport Museum and the National Museum of Architecture.

MONUMENTS   The Cathedral of Caracas, the National Pantheon, the Birthplace and the Mausoleum of the Liberator Simón Bolivar, the Academies Palace, the Yellow House, the Municipal Palace and the Monument to the Próceres stand out.

SPORTS   If your treatment does not contraindicate it, you can exercise outdoors, in any gym or social club in our capital city. You only have to indicate in advance the activity of your preference to be able to adjust to your requirements.

SPA AND RELAXATION   Rest, pamper yourself and maintain the beauty of your skin, face and figure, is perfectly compatible with our dental treatment. Ámanon, Ángela Medranda Spa, Chaveu Estilos & Spa, Phytos Spa, DermaSpa Laser Center, Relax Esthetic Center & Spa, Coral Spa Center, La Clemencia Medical Spa and El Bosque Aesthetic Medicine Center; are just some of the best Spas in Caracas.

NIGHT LIFE   We always recommend limiting it to the options your accommodation offers. Unfortunately, Caracas is a dangerous city at night, especially for those who do not know it. Unless you have family or friends in the country to guide and allow you to travel in a group to bars, discos and nightclubs, it is preferable that you stay at the hotel.

EXCURSIONS   La Colonia Tovar and Los Roques are two beautiful and antagonistic tourist destinations that can be visited in only one day from Caracas.

La Colonia Tovar is an impressive settlement of German immigrants located at 1,800 meters high and only 50 km from Caracas. It is known in the world as “The Germany of the Caribbean” and visiting it is like being in the Bavarian Alps, for its climate, infrastructure and gastronomy.

Los Roques Archipelago, made up of more than 300 different keys, is an idyllic destination with white sand beaches and ultra-turquoise waters. For many expert tourists, it is a true tropical paradise that surpasses the Seychelles and Cook Islands in beauty. The fastest and most exciting way (only 25 minutes) to get there is by plane, from the Maiquetía airport. Full Day offers usually include air tickets, reception and assistance at the destination, transfer by boat to the keys, fish-based lunch, non-alcoholic beverages, snorkeling equipment, chairs and beach umbrellas. 

Remember that at DENTAL VIP we aim to make you feel at home, and that your safety is our responsibility. We will always require you to communicate all your plans to us in advance, in order to provide you with the best advice and support in all your activities outside the clinic.

Now you know that getting your smile back in Caracas can also be very nice and pleasant!

Venezuela Offers Beautiful Smiles and Affordable Dental Care!

DENTAL VIP is a modern dental clinic, specialized in advanced diagnostics and treatment of dental and oral disorders, that offers dental tourism opportunities in Venezuela for everyone who wants to have a high-quality dental service, and also, save a lot of money.

We offer comprehensive services from all fields of Dentistry. In addition to high-end dental equipment, all services are provided in a comfortable, luxury environment. New patients are welcomed with an online consultation and evaluation.

Get in touch with us and our staff will inform you how to get your budget, how to plan your trip and how to achieve that smile you long for!