Orinoco – Latin American
This vibrant destination captures the soulful essence of Venezuelan street food, where the air hums with energy and the enticing aroma of caramelized plantains and toasted corn. Golden, hand-pressed arepas arrive overflowing with tender shredded beef and velvety queso de mano, while crispy tequeños and bacon-wrapped dates provide a playful symphony of textures and salty-sweet flavors. It is an inviting, spirited space that celebrates communal dining, inviting guests to linger over vibrant plates that bridge the gap between traditional comfort and bold culinary flair.
22, Harvard Street, Brookline, MA +16172329505 https://www.orinocokitchen.com/0Cuisine: Latin American
Price range: $
Dietary options: dairy-free, halal, high-protein, vegan, vegetarian, heart-healthy, low-sodium, paleo, pescatarian, whole30, anti-inflammatory, atkins, dash-sodium-reduced, high-fiber, south-beach, renal, tlc, soy-free
Diet fit at Orinoco
Dairy-Free at Orinoco
Orinoco in Brookline has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Mixto Pepito. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Halal at Orinoco
Orinoco in Brookline has 9 halal-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Pollo Pepito, Costillitas Pepito and Quesillo. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
High-Protein at Orinoco
Orinoco in Brookline has 2 high-protein-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Palmito Salad and Pernil. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegan at Orinoco
Orinoco in Brookline has 1 vegan-tagged dish on its current menu, including Tostones. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Vegetarian at Orinoco
Orinoco in Brookline has 6 vegetarian-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Quesillo, Tajadas and Cachapa Pabellón. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Heart-Healthy at Orinoco
Orinoco in Brookline has 2 heart-healthy-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Quesillo and Tajadas. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Low-Sodium at Orinoco
Orinoco in Brookline has 19 low-sodium-tagged dishes on its current menu, including Pollo Pepito, Costillitas Pepito and Palmito Salad. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
Paleo at Orinoco
Orinoco in Brookline has 1 paleo-tagged dish on its current menu, including Yuca. Tags come from dish-level menu analysis and update when the menu changes.
How tags work: Dish-level menu analysis by Chefi's rule-based diet engine with AI assistance; nutrition values are estimated from ingredients unless marked verified. Allergen and certification claims are never inferred.
What to order at Orinoco
| Dish | Net carbs | Protein |
|---|---|---|
| Cachapa Pabellón | 0 g | 53.3 g |
| La Gringa | 22.6 g | 48.5 g |
| Pabellon Criollo | 0 g | 46.2 g |
| Carne Asada Pepito | 39.4 g | 31.3 g |
| Costillitas Pepito | 36.5 g | 31.2 g |
| Pabellón | 99.9 g | 26.2 g |
| Pelua | 73 g | 22.1 g |
| Pernil | 0 g | 22.1 g |
| Valenciana | 3.6 g | 21.8 g |
| Cachapa | 53.6 g | 19.7 g |
| Datiles | 38.2 g | 18.6 g |
| Queso de mano | 0 g | 14.4 g |
Nutrition values are estimated from ingredients.
Currently closed
Hours
- Tuesday - Thursday
- 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM
- Friday - Saturday
- 5:30 PM - 11:30 PM
- Sunday
- 5:30 PM - 10:00 PM
Menu
Little Cravings
Small appetizers and cravings.
- Datiles - $9.75: bacon wrapped, almond-filled dates. Dietary tags: Whole30, Paleo, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Maracuchitos - $9: queso Paisa wrapped in sweet plantains. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, High-Fiber Available at: dinner, lunch
- Tequeños - $9.5: Guayanes cheese wrapped in crisp dough and served with cipotle ketchup. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, TLC
Arepas
Traditional Venezuelan grilled corn-flour sandwiches.
- Domino - $8.5: black beans (contains pork) and Palmizulia cheese. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
- La Gringa - $8: Edam cheese. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Mechada - $9: Venezuelan-style, stewed shredded beef. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Pelua - $9.5: Venezuelan-style shredded beef with Edam cheese. Available at: breakfast, brunch, dinner, lunch
- Queso de mano - $8.5: Venezuelan hand-made cheese. Dietary tags: Halal, Low-Sodium Available at: dinner, lunch
- Valenciana - $8.5: Grilled chicken, tomato, red onion and guasacaca. Available at: dinner, lunch
- Guayanesa - $8: Guayanes (Venezuelan soft, creamy) cheese. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Heart-Healthy, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC Available at: dinner, lunch
- Jardinera - $8.5: Guayanés cheese, sweet plantains, guasacaca. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian
- Pabellón - $9: black bens, mechada, tajadas, and queso blanco. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber
- Pernil - $9: mojo-marinated pork, Guayanés cheese, tomato. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Atkins, South-Beach, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC
- Reina Pepiada - $9: shredded chicken salad (contains mayo), avocado, and tomato. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
Empanadas
Traditional Latin American fried turnover patties.
- Empanada Mechada - $12: Venezuelan style stewed shredded beef with a fresh greens salad tossed with queso blanco, sherry vinaigrette and mojo criollo.
- Empanada Verde - $13: made with 100% plantain dough and filled with forest mushrooms, piquillo peppers and Manchego cheese; with a fresh greens salad tossed with sun-dried tomato vinaigrette
Pepitos
Ciabatta bread sandwiches with tostonsitos.
- Carne Asada Pepito - $10: grilled steak with chimichurri sauce, arugula, tomatoes and onion, on ciabatta. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
- Pollo Pepito - $10: grilled, marinated chicken, onions, red pepper, salsa rosa and mixed greens on ciabatta.
- Mixto Pepito - $10: grilled chicken and steak, sautéed onions and red pepper on ciabatta.
- Costillitas Pepito - $9.95: slow-cooked, boneless passion-fruit barbeque baby-back ribs, with pickled onions and vinegar coleslaw, on ciabatta. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal
- Media Noche (Cuban style) - $9.95: pressed, slow-cooked pork sandwich with pickled onions, ham, Swiss cheese, salsa rosa and mustard, on ciabatta.
Salads
Fresh salads with Latin flavors.
- Orinoco Salad - $11.5: grilled chicken breast, fresh greens salad with red onions, green grapes, tossed in a sherry vinaigrette, topped with toasted almonds.
- Palmito Salad - $11.5: heart of palm, fresh greens and red onions, tossed in a cabrales cheese vinaigrette, with bacon wrapped dates.
- Remolacha con quinoa - $11: roasted beets and quinoa tossed with mixed greens, red onions, in a sherry vinaigrette with fresh goat cheese and pine nuts. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
Main Dishes
Hearty traditional Venezuelan entrees.
- Polvotosa de pollo - $17: criollo chicken guiso in a polvorosa dough pie served with spring mix and mango chutney.
- Pabellon Criollo - $22: Venezuela’s most folkloric dish: shredded beef, white rice, black beans and plantains. Dietary tags: Anti-Inflammatory, Soy Free
- Cachapa - $14.5: Traditional corn pancake with melted queso de mano. Dietary tags: Halal, Low-Sodium
- Cachapa Pabellón - $17: Traditional corn pancake with mechada, tajadas, black beans, queso fresco. Dietary tags: Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium, High-Fiber
Sides
Accompaniments and side dishes.
- Arroz con caraotas - $7.25: white rice with black beans (cooked with pork) in a bowl. Dietary tags: Dairy-Free, Soy Free
- Tajadas - $6.25: fried sweet plantains. Dietary tags: Halal, Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, DASH Sodium-Reduced, TLC, Renal, Soy Free
- Yuca - $6.25: crispy sticks with signature mojo. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium, Anti-Inflammatory, Soy Free
- Tostones - $6.25: crispy green plantains mini-cakes with sun dried tomato mojo. Dietary tags: Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, Pescatarian, Low-Sodium
Desserts
Sweet treats to end your meal.
- Quesillo - $6.5: homemade traditional Venezuelan custard with caramel. Dietary tags: High-Protein, Low-Sodium
- Torta Fluida - $7: molten chocolate cake made with 100% Venezuelan dark chocolate. Dietary tags: Low-Sodium
Frequently Asked Questions about Orinoco
- Is Orinoco dairy-free-friendly?
- Yes. Orinoco has 1 dairy-free-tagged dish on its current menu, including Mixto Pepito.
- What can I eat at Orinoco on a dairy-free diet?
- Mixto Pepito carry the dairy-free tag, out of 1 tagged dish on the current menu. Every dish's diet tags are listed in the menu.
- Does Orinoco have vegan options?
- Yes. 1 dish is tagged vegan on the current menu, including Tostones.
- What is the highest-protein dish at Orinoco?
- Cachapa Pabellón, at roughly 53.3g of protein (estimated from ingredients).
Restaurants near Orinoco
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- Brothers & Sisters Co. — American
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- Cutty's — American
- Prairie Fire — American
- Lan Feast — Chinese
- Bab Korean Bistro — Korean. *
- Esmai's — Middle Eastern
- Knight Moves Cafe — American
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