Alec Lopez

A great Venezuelan brunch experience. The arepas were bountiful and huge and delicious. The salsas served with the same were really good. The mango jugo was fresh, not fake, and very tasty. Their breakfast special (el criollo) was also tasty, really good shredded beef. But in my opinion, the arepa bar selections were standout. Location and staff were great as well. Friendly, accommodating and the location was quaint, clean, very nice, and easy access to old town for the día de los muertos festival. Great job!!

Angelic Montero

Me encanta this place 2nd time there, the food is excellent, the service too, the place is busy so make sure you are no in rush, Make sure you try arepas, if you have kids Tequeños their are like cheese stick and they’re are really good, I also try the pasión Food juice really good, park across the street.

+7

Margaret Hansen

I unearthed the hidden gem of Encuentro Cafe when I searched for "dog-friendly restaurant near me" (Old Town San Diego). From the smiling hostess and servers to the delicious Venzuelan cuisine and the (indeed dog-friendly!) shady patio seating area, all guests in my party fell quickly in love!

Pamela Johnson

Looking for an intimate and serene atmosphere for your meal? Delicious Venezuelan food? Delicious coffee? Encuentro Cafe is your answer. Off the main strip in Old Town, this restaurant checks all the boxes for great memories and conversation. Highly recommend.

+1

Beullah Escalante

10/10 Experience — A Must-Try Spot! The vibes here are incredible—cozy, inviting, and full of charm. We were greeted by a lovely woman who was genuinely warm and welcoming. We chose to sit outside in the patio area, surrounded by lush greenery and thoughtfully curated decor (check out the pics!). They recently started offering dinner service, as they’ve traditionally focused on breakfast and lunch. We were excited to give it a try—especially since this was our first time experiencing Venezuelan cuisine. To drink, I tried the chicha, a thick rice pudding and cinnamon drink. It was absolutely delicious—rich, comforting, and a perfect dessert-like treat. It reminded me of horchata but with a unique twist. For starters, we shared the Latin Lover Board, which included two pieces each of four different appetizers. The mini cachapas were my favorite—sweet, cheesy corn pancakes that were perfectly balanced. The woman mentioned their cheeses are sourced from a Venezuelan-owned farm in Florida, which added an authentic touch. The empanadas came in as a close second—the outer dough was buttery and fluffy, and I couldn’t get enough. Honestly, we devoured the whole board in under two minutes! For entrées: My partner ordered the Pastel de Chucho, a savory fish pie layered with béchamel and sweet plantains. It was bursting with flavor and expertly seasoned. I had the Pabellón Plate, a classic Venezuelan dish, and I genuinely inhaled it. When the staff came to check on us, our plates were already clean! If you haven’t tried their dinner menu yet, I highly recommend it. We can’t wait to come back and explore their breakfast and lunch offerings next!

+10

Z N

Delving into Venezuelan cuisine for the first time at Encuentro Cafe, formerly known as The Congress Cafe, in Old Town San Diego was a captivating experience. I opted for El Criollo, their signature dish. Although initially surprised to find scrambled eggs included, I found them to be a delightful complement to the rest of the meal. The salsas served alongside were exceptional, each bursting with flavor that enhanced every bite. The coffee was superb, richly embodying the deep coffee traditions of Venezuela. The cafe’s atmosphere was just as impressive, providing a cozy and authentic setting that transported me straight to the heart of Caracas. The service was outstanding, adding to the overall excellence of the meal. This wonderful dining experience has not only satisfied my curiosity but also inspired a deeper interest in Venezuelan culture—and perhaps a future trip to Caracas to enjoy these authentic dishes at a local price. Encuentro Cafe is a gem worth visiting for anyone eager to explore the rich flavors of Venezuelan cuisine in a warm and inviting environment.

+3

Trina Williams

All around exceptional! We came here for brunch since it had great reviews, a vegan option and was a short walk from our hotel. The first thing I noticed was the decor. So pretty and green. Then the staff was next. Very welcoming, checked on us frequently and the manager/owner even came to the tables to chat with us. Now to the most important part…the food! Delicious, fresh, such great combos of flavors. I love that they have vegan options and lots of vegetarian options. This place was packed for good reason. I’m bookmarking it and would highly recommend you try it if you’re reading this.

+2

Natasha Reyes

This Venezuelan restaurant was a highlight of our trip! The arepas were absolutely delicious—so flavorful and authentic. The coffee was perfect, and the passion fruit juice was incredible—truly the best I’ve ever had. The service was wonderful and made us feel right at home. We loved it so much that we went twice during our stay in San Diego. Highly recommend for anyone looking for an authentic Venezuelan experience!

+1

Kevin Rojas

Great place for brunch. The Parrillita Mixta is a great option for meat lovers.

Jamal Clark

Stopped over at this place on a whim and it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. We stopped here on a Sunday morning around 9:30 and we got seated immediately. I would recommend getting here around this time on the weekends as there was a good sized line waiting outside once we left, about an hour later. Our waitress was very nice and explained some of the menu items as there were a couple items that I was unfamiliar with. I ordered the Mexican Spice Cocoa, which was $6 for the small and was extremely delicious. Perfect for the.colder mornings. I then ordered the Latin Lover Board which came with Tequeños, 2 mini empanadas, tostones and 2 mini cachapas. My favorite were the cachapas which were sweet corn pancakes with queso de mano inside. The pancake was sweet and pleasant and the cheese added a nice mild and creamy taste, which complemented well. The empanada and Tequeños were perfectly fried and the meat filling in the was not greasy like some empanadas can be. Overall definitely recommend this place if you're looking for a place for brunch by Old Town.

Lij T

I visited for a late breakfast on a Saturday around noon. Starting with the downside: the hostess service was inefficient. We had to wait outside on the sidewalk in the sun for about 10 minutes before being acknowledged, and then another 10 minutes before we were seated. While waiting, I noticed there were empty tables inside, yet other guests were also left standing outside without being seated promptly. That said, once we were settled, the experience improved. The food was delicious, the ambiance was warm and inviting, and the menu—though limited—was reasonably priced and thoughtfully put together. Overall, I enjoyed the meal and atmosphere, but the hostess service could definitely be more attentive to make the visit smoother from the start.

+2

Alejandra Pozo

Craving gourmet Venezuelan cuisine? This spot hits the mark with beautifully presented dishes and delicate, well-balanced flavors. Now, about the coffee—my “cappuccino” turned out to be more of a super-milky latte (not my cup of… coffee 😅). But to their credit, they didn’t charge me for it, which I appreciated. The vibe is charming and thoughtfully designed, but the bathroom situation could use a little TLC—a bit more cleanliness and care would make a big difference. Still, a lovely place worth trying if you’re in the mood for a refined take on Venezuelan classics. 🇻🇪✨

Clementina Chacon-Garcia

Yummy, Venezuelan food! Definitely Recommend. Come early to avoid the crowd and find seating with a short (5min) wait. We visited with friends and shared several plates (Alma Llanera, El Criollo & El Vainero), drinks (Mexican Spiced Mocha, Guanábana [Sourpot] juice & Ice tea. The best plate, by consensus, was El Vainero (Mano Cheese, Shredded Beef with fried Plentoins)! The cheese was so yummy and was the same cheese used in the Tequeños (be sure to eat fresh)! The Mexican Spiced Mocha was sweet and the Guanábana (sourpot) was extra tasty. Cons: Street parking can be challenging. Pro: Across the street from Old Town San Diego.

+2

I ajd the vegetarian Arepas. It was good and the sauces they give with it were amazing. The service is good. I am giving lesser stars though because it is too expensive for the simple food. 1 Arepa + 1 diet coke set me back 30$ with tipp. Not worth it.

Grace Bian

Not my cup of tea! The presentation of dishes were quite good. Coffee didn’t taste that good! The plastic water cups were a bit dirty.