Enjoy Delicious, Authentic Venezuelan Food in This Lively Downtown Restaurant

If someone had to describe Arepas Coffee & Bar in Starkville, Mississippi, they may use the common Venezuelan term “Chévere,” meaning excellent! Arepas Coffee & Bar is a lively restaurant in the heart of Starkville on Main Street.

Arepas Coffee & Bar offers a great atmosphere and authentic Venezuelan cuisine to all. The restaurant uses only the best ingredients in its food.

CUISINE FROM VENEZUELA 

Owner and chef of Arepas Coffee & Bar, Jose Elarba, decided to bring his Venezuelan roots to the city of Starkville two years ago. He wanted to give the people of Starkville a cuisine experience like no other.

Growing up, Elarba would get together with his family every weekend in Venezuela and one thing was constant each weekend: food. The family bonded over cooking decadent Venezuelan dishes.

Through this tradition, Elarba and his family grew a love and passion for cooking. The majority of Elarba’s family remains in Venezuela today.

Elarba decided that he wanted to share the culture and traditions of his family’s favorite pastime with the city of Starkville in a way that they had never seen before.

MORE THAN JUST AREPAS

When Arepas Coffee & Bar opened two years ago, owner Jose Elarba, had a vision. He wanted to introduce the city of Starkville to Venezuelan culture and cuisine.

The menu has a wide variety of foods including some of the most popular items such as arepas, cachapas, tequeños, and tres leches. Do not let a food you are unfamiliar with make you anxious!

Elarba prides himself on explaining the foods and showing customers Venezuelan cuisine. He loves owning a restaurant in Starkville because “So many good and kind people come and meet us whether that be business owners, sports players, or even the Starkville Mayor.” 

AREPAS COFFEE & BAR AND THE PARTNERSHIP

Arepas benefits greatly from being a member of the Partnership. Elarba emphasized the “importance of community” when discussing the great things that come from being a part of the Partnership. Arepas Coffee & Bar emphasizes giving back, therefore their membership with the Partnership helps them do so through different events they can take part in, advertisement opportunities given, and even advice on running a business. They are listed on the online business directory and you can find information about them that helps promote their restaurant. 

SUPPORTING THE COMMUNITY

In small ways and big ways, Arepas Coffee & Bar emphasizes a need for helping their community. Whether it be through 15% of their sales going to charity every “Give Away Wednesday,” or their offer of 20% off for those who serve as first responders, Arepas Coffee & Bar includes everyone when they give back. 

Arepas Coffee & Bar also works with Starkville Strong, which ensures that they will serve the Starkville area as a whole and its residents. On August 1st of 2021, Arepas Coffee & Bar hosted three baseball players who recently were named national champions for autographs and pictures.

MAKE YOUR WAY TO AREPAS COFFEE & BAR

Arepas Coffee & Bar of Starkville is open Tuesday through Thursday from 7:30 A.M. to 4 P.M., Friday from 7:30 A.M. to 8 P.M., Saturday from 11 A.M. – 8 P.M. and Sunday from 11 A.M. to 4 P.M.! The store is located at 213 East Main next to the State Theater.  

Follow their social media for updates on Facebook and Instagram! Visit their website for an online menu and a list of weekly specials and events: https://www.arepascoffeebar.com/