Katy Oian
Nothing but love for my latest discovery in Highland Park. Friend and I got there at 6pm and hung out until past 9pm, loving both the vibe and the foods.
The menu is extensive with open room for customization… basically they make lots of traditional items in any format you choose. Great for vegetarians or gluten-free.
To get a taste of everything, I would suggest to order what we did – splitting an Appetizer Sampler, an entree, passionfruit juices and a dessert. The PFJ is super delish although I would opt for something other than the Corn Pudding for dessert (unless you are really into that kind of thing).
Lots of cheese and sweet flavorings and deliciously fried coatings. Lots of filling proteins and fresh rice and unique mouthfeels to try. I don’t know if authentic (never been to Venezuela) but all the foods were solid.
Definitely going to be back to try more of the menu!
… moreJustin Smith
Great small place to get a bite to eat. I ordered the Yucatan hash. Enjoyed tge blend of flavors and always a fan of eggs on top. My colleagues were very satisfied with thier meals including vegetarian options.
… moreDanelly
I visited today with my dad to order a few arepas and a juice, and unfortunately we were very disappointed with the quality of the food, especially for the price. The mozzarella arepas were served with what appeared to be a solid sliced block of cold mozzarella placed inside rather than properly melted cheese. It didn’t seem prepared or warmed, which is not what we expected from a traditional Venezuelan arepa. The presentation and preparation felt rushed and unfinished… The Rumbera arepa was also disappointing, the meat was very dry and lacked flavor. When we opened the food, we realized the issues but I didn’t want to go back and make a scene since I understand the employees are just doing their jobs. Still, paying $36.30 for this meal did not feel worth it. I’m sharing this feedback in hopes that the food quality and preparation can improve. I will add a picture of what I thought we were going to get.
We were looking forward to authentic, well prepared food and left feeling let down.
… moreJessica
It’s a small casual family owned restaurant. The food portions for the price were in my opinion fair, like my patacon was HUGE and it was overloaded as in I had to take meat out in order to be able to consume it.
My friend ordered a beef dish and enjoyed it. And for him who eats GF there were so many options which is always great.
… moreDailyn Zapata
As a venezuelan, i can attest that their delicious variety of venezuelan cuisine is exactly what you would expect if you were in the country itself.
While it is pricey, i think it is worth coming in and trying the food, most dishes are so large you could honestly feed 2 people per dish. They do also have authentic drinks like CHICHA or Papelon con limon. As well as venezuelan snacks they sell at the counter.
I always feel at home when i come to this restaurant
… moreBrenda Leonard
I read a review of this restaurant in Edible NJ years ago. We don’t live very close, so it’s taken us a while to get here. But the food was fantastic! I’ve never had Venezuelan food, so I can’t attest to its authenticity, but the cachapas and arepas were delicious. Highly recommend!
… moreAaron
Really delicious food that is reasonable priced. Super kinda waitress who was very helpful. 10/10 would recommend
… moreNicole Stuhl
Absolutely delicious. The food was packed with flavor. Each bite better than the last. I especially enjoyed the arepas and tostones sampler appetizers. The dipping sauces enhanced the food perfectly. Will definitely come back again
… moreBrandon Russell
We stayed for about two hours and the staff and food was nothing short of magnificent. I’d recommend getting an entre and an empanada – the portions are generous, and you’ll want to try a variety of food here! A huge thanks to Victoria for making our visit lovely.
… moreDariana Serpone
If you’re looking for authentic Venezuelan food in Jersey, Merey is an absolute gem. Hands down, they serve the best cachapas I’ve ever had—perfectly sweet corn pancakes stuffed with melty cheese that just hits the spot every time. Their empanadas are crispy on the outside and packed with flavor on the inside—each bite is a little piece of home.
But the real star for me is the asado negro. Tender, juicy, and bursting with that deep, rich flavor only slow-cooked perfection can deliver. It’s honestly one of the best I’ve tried, even compared to what I’ve had in Venezuela.
The service is warm and friendly, and the vibe is super cozy—like being welcomed into someone’s home. Whether you’re Venezuelan or just love discovering new flavors, Merey is a must-visit. I’ll definitely be coming back again and again!
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