This is the most mediocre Venezuelan place ever. Their tequinos are so bleh. So, I am the type of person who will go an hour out of my way to get a good tequino. I am obsessed to the point that crave these every week or two. Seriously, its a mozzarella stick but 10x classier (they are foreign, not "deep fried american cheese shit") and they are often served with the BEST hot sauce. Unfortunately this place has disappointed me on this. It was sad and I left sad. I've had tequinos in several different places and this place is mediocre. Other than that, their food was not memorable and their service was decent. They will give you hot sauce but you have to ask for it. Its really hot and good but you need to ask. For Harvard Square, the price is decent but for the food, its not usually worth it. read more

I enjoyed the plate with shredded beef, however the portion was smaller than expected compared to other lain restaurants I have been to. My friends also enjoyed the chicken w/ optional gnocchi, although she enjoyed the chicken she didn't like the gnocchi. Service was a bit slow. read more

I never tried Venezuelan food, so I expected to not like it or think it was too "out of the box" for me. Turns out, I guess I love Venezuelan food after this experience! I had the salmon with quinoa and arugula, and it was absolutely amazing! It had a lot of flavor and the quinoa was served hot, which made it even better. The other people I was with tried the meat plate, which was good, but I would make sure if you ordered it medium-rare (for example), that it's cooked the way you ordered it, as my friend's plate was rare, not medium-rare (esp if you're picky with how the meat is cooked). I wish we had the arepas or the other appetizers, but the app we wanted was not available for some reason, which was kind of disappointing. The ambiance was dimly lit but not too romantic or fancy, and the service was good. Again, the salmon plate was amazing and I would definitely come again just for that. read more

Orinoco - salmon plate with quinoa - Venezuelan Near Me - Cambridge, Massachusetts

See all

Went to Orinoco tonight thinking it was a tapas place. Well, let's just say that it does have the flair of a tapas place, a rather strange layout ---- when I walked in, I wasn't sure if I was in the parlor part of the restaurant or the restaurant itself. As it turned out, the inside was somewhat L-shaped, with a row of tables along the wall, creating an outdoor-seating ambiance. I'm not sure this layout works very well, especially given how dark it is. I couldn't take any pictures because I didn't want to use flash and create lightning and blind everyone :/ We ordered the mahi-mahi and the lamb chops, both dishes were $19 and reasonably portioned. Mahi-mahi was the better of the two - the texture was not mushy-tender nor chewy-overdone, but just right with a slight push to the more done side but definitely not over cooked. The plantain crust was delightfully sweet and crunchy while not overpowering, a delicious alternative to traditional crust. Overall a dish that I would order again! The lamb chops by comparison were less stellar, although the portion was more than I'd expected: it came with four pieces of small lamb chops, presented beautifully next to a big bed of arugula tossed with some kind of sweet dressing, sweet onion, and bleu cheese. The lamb chops were covered in a pistachio-plantain crust, which I thought was too thick and a bit sickly saccharine. I had to scrape a substantial amount off in order to taste the lamb, which was rather bland itself. The texture was ok - reasonably tender but not too impressive, and a bit on the dry side. The lamb chops was laid on top of a thin layer of greenish (cilantro? parsley) sauce, which was rather tasty, but again the crust was too overpowering and didn't do the sauce justice). The arugula salad fared much better --- it was big-portioned, tossed with sweet onion slices which complemented the herbal-ness of the arugula nicely, and the dressing was generous but refreshing. Since my friend didn't have his ID (although he looked well into his 30's), we couldn't order wine. The waiter was very adamant about seeing his ID, and it was so ridiculous that I couldn't help but ask incredulously, "tell me, logically you don't REALLY think he's not 21?!" the waiter, a young pimply kid who himself looks barely a day over 21, only smiled awkwardly -_- Without wine, neither of us felt like having a full course dinner, so we only ordered entrees and dessert. There was no dessert menu, only two items were available: chocolate souffle and some kind of flan. We tried both. The souffle was too thick and tasted simply like melted chocolate. The flan is somewhat porous, drenched in milk, and I personally would prefer something more smooth and lighter. I had no idea how much they were, but I would be outraged if they cost over $5, for they looked and tasted only a notch above pre-packaged desserts from Trader Joe's. The overall experience left a little something to be desired, but the mahi-mahi was worth the visit. It was a quick weekday dinner anyway.... after dinner, we headed over to Grendel's to try our luck, and indeed imbibed successfully :D read more

Amazing lamb chops, mood, wine! Love it! The waiter we had was very knowledgeable and gave us the best suggestions for best dishes and wine. I would recommend it for a romantic dinner or friends night out! read more

Excellent food in a quiet spot on Harvard square. Staff is very friendly and attentive!

As a Cambridge resident, I was so excited to see Orinoco take over the space where Small Plates used to be. I'd been looking forward to trying the food and making it a regular spot for date night, given the nice interior of the restaurant, the reputation of the food and the spectacular patio out back. The food and space did not disappoint. On the advice of our waiter, I had a braised pork arepa with handmade cheese and it was delicious. We also split an appetizer special- the Oysters Rodriguez, which were fried oysters over fufu and spinach sauteed with Manchego cheese. Everything about the dish was delicious except the oysters which were fried to the point of rock-hard on the outside. The service was not good, though. And I really wanted it to be because I've been trying to get my husband to try this restaurant and what's been stopping him is the service complaints on Yelp. We saw our waiter exactly twice- when we placed drink orders (once, no one ever came back to us despite our glasses being empty for most of our time in the restaurant), and when we placed our dinner order. Our food was delivered by a busboy, and we had to ask the hostess for extra napkins and another busboy for our check. He also never came by to ask about our meal or to let us know that he hadn't forgotten about our oyster appetizer which took over 40 minutes to reach the table. All of this being said, I think this is restaurant management problem versus a problem with one waiter. Clearly it's an endemic issue, and one I hope they're able to clear up soon. The competition in the neighborhood is too strong to bring me back to a place where I enjoyed the food but felt ignored. I'll keep my eye on reviews though, because once the service picks up, I'll certainly be back! read more

I ate dinner on the patio last night with my good friend and was VERY happy with the food, wine, and service. The patio space is beautiful and very tranquil - surprisingly quiet for being in the heart of Harvard Square. The service was prompt and friendly. When I asked the server to leave the menu so I could write down the information on the wine I had ordered and was greatly enjoying, he showed up a moment later with the bottle so I could take a picture of it if I wanted. I thought that was a very nice touch. Appetizers were delicious and came out promptly. My salmon was done perfectly and was Oh So Delicious! I'm definitely a fan and will be back! read more

I tried Orinoco last night for the first time. What a pleasure to sample a cuisine I've never been exposed to before. Really enjoyed the meal and want to try much more of the menu. My only complaints are the atmosphere. The restaurant is housed in an elegant old house but the kitchen is in the dining room and is kind of noisy and a little area where supplies are stored is open to the dining room and would be nice if a curtain blocked the unappetizing view. Also, our server was warm and friendly. read more

Gluten Friendly! Awesome Sangria. Wonderful venue for a group of friends to share various plates of food. Pretty great spot.

I'm sad this place isn't rated higher on yelp. It's amazing. I have yet to eat/drink anything subpar at this place and I would recommend it highly. Last time we went with my boyfriend we got the bacon wrapped dates as an appetizer - they were delicious and they even have a little almond surprise waiting for you inside. I was craving something meaty and sweet that night so I ordered the ribs, and I am SO GLAD. They were melt-off the bone, mouth wateringly good. And they had a side of yucca fries to round out the meal and cut the sweet tanginess of the sauce on the ribs. It was so so so so good. My boyfriend usually gets the lamb and he raves about it. If you're in Harvard square and are craving authentic Venezuelan cuisine, Orinoco is a must-try. read more

This place will cause immediate salivation. We got bacon wrapped dates, tostones, asado negro plate, baby back ribs and arepas. My favorite were the baby back ribs - it was an appetizer that came with 3 ribs. The sauce that came with the pork arepas was amazing! Our waiter was the sweetest guy too. It was a cozy little place with some true Latin American food. read more

Went with a friend for her birthday dinner and is was pretty good. She had the tuna and i had the steak with crab and it was delicious.

Tasty lunch options. Lovely, hardworking staff. Wait times can be a bit long at times, but if you are not in a hurry, definitely worth it.

My boyfriend and I stumbled upon this place while looking for somewhere to eat in Harvard Square on a Sunday morning. Everywhere we looked was either too crowded or too expensive. We found Orinoco and decided to give it a try, even though it looked empty. We were seated outside in a little garden area which felt very secluded and calm as there were only a few other people there. I loved the setting and was even more impressed by the food - the sangria and empanadas were delicious and I finished everything on my plate, which is unusual for me! The prices were reasonable which is also unusual for Harvard Square. The service was great and overall it had a friendly and laid back atmosphere. Definitely will come back here! read more

This place is a breath of fresh air for the usually uninspired places around Harvard Square. Orinoco's scrumptious offerings are authentically Venezuelan and their arepas send one's taste buds on quite an adventure, to Caracas and back with every bite. read more

Great food and very nice atmosphere. I think the foodis very good considering the price. We go here every two weeks and leave completely satisfied everytime. We usually get the Datiles, one of the Arepas (if they have any left) and Cordero Tradicional (lamb chops are very good, perfectly cooked). I once got the tuna which was high quality. The atmosphere is very cozy, intimate and romantic. I always see couples on a date here. Will keep coming. read more

Little hidden place on JFK street with great food & meats.

Delicious, friendly, and fun! The arenas and empanadas are amazing, and the seared tuna entree was succulent and flavorful. I plan to return and try more dishes! read more

Rudest restaurant I have ever been. They have a policy that all of your party should be here then you will be seated. We were a party of 5 and one of us was parking the car. We were seated and while waiting for our friend they rudely asked us to leave because he was not at the restaurant. We left the restaurant and ironically our friend arrived while we were leaving!! The lady there repeatedly called us lier lier... read more

Terrible service, I went with my partner and when we asked if they could bring a chair for our friend who was coming to meet us they said no. They couldnt add a third person to a table cause we initially said 2 only. They then asked us to leave our table and give it to someone else because "we couldnt decide how many people were in our party". And they dont have ketchup... 100% not recommended. read more

This is a small restaurant somewhat off the beaten trail and easy to miss but definitely worth swinging by. Their arepas are great and staff is super friendly. Their sauces are also good, just be careful because they are very spicey read more

This is a hidden gem. A good value, and a unique meal in an area dominated by kinda bland, high-end American.

Good dinner! I had the FIS and the mushroom flatbread. Both were well cooked and tastey. Staff is not the friendliest though. Carmenere wine was good. Warm ambiance and latino hits in the background. Good for a date or catching up with friends. read more

If I could I would give them 0 stars. Not for the food because the food is delicious, but for CUSTOMER SERVICE Which is horrible.- specially the only waiter that's there, Rudest and most arrogant person ever! He seems bothered when someone asks him anything! read more

Orinoco specializes in Venezuelan cuisine. The food is high quality and lovingly prepared. The atmosphere is on the smaller / intimate side, so lends itself better to dates or small group get-togethers. The service is also top notch. Highly recommend the bacon-wrapped dates as an appetizer. read more

Authentic Venezuelan empanadas and super-spicy hot sauce. Classic sangria and molten hot chocolate for dessert? Can't ask for more.

This is kind of a hidden gem, so I hesitate to write a review so I can keep it to myself. ;-) But . . . this was a great date night spot. The space is quite small and intimately lit, and tables are fairly close together so at first you think you'll be too close to your neighbor. But you quickly get over that as the smells of the kitchen waft through and the food hits the table. We ordered several small plates - the barbecued ribs, an arepa, and fried plantains - as well as a single entree. It was plenty of food. Everything was absolutely delicious, not overwhelmingly spiced but good, strong flavors. Good service, not too intrusive. You won't rush in and out, but nor should you. read more

I really like the Arepas! The pork inside was so tasty! However, I was a little disappointed with the bacon dates - such a great dish but I have had better elsewhere. They have a nice courtyard - which is great in the summer. Overall, it's great to have something different at Harvard Square but felt that this was a little pricey the portion size. read more

A massive cockroach was scampering on the floor and walls near our table during my visit. surprisingly, the waiter and hostess seemed only mildly concerned and we were only moved to a new table outside after we asked to be moved. Within 2 minutes of being seated outside, a rat scurried from the dumpster to the area by the water fountain. Overall, service seemed disinterested and unphased by the strange and icky dining experience. While we understand it is in Harvard Square, we were certainly disappointed that our servers were not more attentive to our concerns and discomfort. We were incredibly surprised when there was no reduction in the cost of our meal! read more

Now I have been to all 3 Orinoco locations. This was my first time to the Cambridge one. We arrived around 10 pm and the wait time was 25 minutes. However there was an open table for 4. I asked why we had to wait as they had told us they did not take reservations over the phone. He called the party for whom he was saving the table and they didn't answer. So we only waited 5 mins. Given my excellent experience in the Brookline location with the costillitas I recommended it to my friend who was visiting from out of town. He was less than impressed and I was surprised and tried it myself. They were cold and tasted too much like barbq sauce. It basically reminded me of ribs you get at a neighbor's barbecue one hour after they've been cooked. I decided to try the Pelua arepa and it was excellent. I think it is my favorite now. We also ordered a side of yuca with mojo sauce which is so flavorful. The churrasco and the lambs were also good. We were taken aback because we had been told the kitchen closed at 11 pm but we were given our check without offering dessert around 10:40 pm. We felt rushed which is a first because we're usually the ones rushing out of restaurants. I would recommend the Cambridge location but maybe do not come so late. I will continue going to the Brookline location. read more

See all

F*ing delicious. Everything on the menu looked amazing. I got the lamb chops--the mint sauce was subtle and magical. A little small (get the steak w yucca if you want more sustenance). The sangria was a bit more Germany-spiced than I expected (a wintery brew) but still lovely. Just don't choose this one during winter if you're looking for something refreshing. I also love how hidden away it is. read more

The atmosphere is great, food is good but their service needs a lot of work. My guess is that they hired people with little-to-no service experience. Hopefully it'll get better as time goes on. read more

So, I've been here once for dinner and three times for lunch, so far. As others have noted, service can be slow, even at lunch when the restaurant is not full. The last time, our server apologized and told us he was the only server on (another had been a no show). I did feel bad for him but I noticed the owner/manager standing around. I understand she's not a server, but in situations like these if she's not going to help she should make herself scarce. It just looks bad. That said, the food is just excellent. I've loved everything I've ordered - arepas, empanadas, salads, apps, and entrees. The arepas are small, but tasty and more filling that one would expect. We got some appetizers that time - those excellent bacon-wrapped, almond-stuffed dates, and some yucca frites which were tasty but didn't blow me away. This last time, I got the veggie empanada, while my DC ordered the beef empanada and we split them. Soooo good. They come with a healthy helping of salad tossed with their excellent dressing and crumbled feta. If we had realized how filling these dishes would be we probably wouldn't have ordered the tostones (fried smashed green plantains) but I'm so glad we did because they were delicious. I'm hopeful this place will work out its service issues, because the food is so good. I want them to succeed and stick around a while! read more

Friends and I enjoyed a lovely evening here on a beautiful summer's day. The inside is a bit stuffy but the patio is magical in the evening. The food is quite good! read more

Orinoco is great. I stumbled in with a friend one summer afternoon, and we had some brunch on the patio. Bacon wrapped dates: Yum. Black bean arepa: Double yum. read more

Absolutely love Orinoco. The staff is very friendly (thanks to Daniel for suggesting some of the best dishes and to Marta for her hospitality). Our first time here we both had fantastic meals, infused with home cooked flavor and Latin American pizzaz:) All topped off with some of the best sangria in town to enjoy on the back patio. Needless to say, we will be back. Erhick & Nicole read more

This is one of my favorite places in Boston. The prices are great. The food is fresh and tasty. Unassuming, it makes for a great date place, or any kind of casual get together. read more

I came here last weekend to try the out the brunch at Orinoco's third restaurant. I do not know how I feel about this particular location. I loved that it was tucked away and hard to find since you cannot see it from the street it reminded me of the hidden Freeman's restaurant in NYC. It happened that the temperature was below freezing outside and so was the restaurant. It was very drafty inside and worse when someone opened the door so we had no choice but to keep our coats on. The arepas were tasty but got cold very quickly. I think I need to give it another try on a warmer day to give it more of a fair review as I love the Boston South end location. read more

It's restaurants like Orinoco that are a keen reminder for me to submit reviews of cuisine that brings my taste buds back to life. We were just looking to grab dinner in Harvard Square before a concert, but the moment we took the first bite of the Empanada Mechada we couldn't stop talking about it. It only got better from there. If the imported guayanes cheese is available, order Taqueños. We also tried the Reina Pepiada, but didn't enjoy it as much. The sangría was amazing, a perfect combination of flavors with a subtle touch of cinnamon. The food is definitely not authentic, BUT it has it's own unique flavor which I would go back for in an instant. read more