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Specialties
Orinoco is inspired by «taguaritas”– rustic, inviting, family-run eateries found along Venezuelan roadsides. Our three neighborhood kitchens– South End, Brookline Village and Harvard Square– are each a labor of love — opened and cared for by friends (all native Venezuelans) who are passionate about bringing authentic Latin America flavors and the warmth of traditional Latin culture to local diners. Each Orinoco offers an affordable, neighborhood-focused dining tradition that is known for being casual, lively and fun.
Our menu includes old family recipes that blend the cuisines and favorite dishes of the Andes and the Caribbean — plus specials that take full advantage of fresh, locally sourced ingredients. Orinoco features authentic South American wines, beers, and tropical fruit drinks. In addition, our Brookline Village location offers Caribbean-inspired specialty cocktails.
History
Established in 2006.
Orinoco diners have feasted on Arepas and other Andean and Caribbean-influenced family recipes since 2006, when Andres Branger opened his South End restaurant as a homage to his roots and upbringing at his family’s cattle ranch in the llanos plains region of Venezuela. For Andres, creating Orinoco was the fulfillment of a dream– an idea he’s had since his college years at Boston University to create a cozy, casual, affordable place that everyone could call home. Opening kitchens in Brookline Village in 2008 and Harvard Square in 2012 were approached with the same passion — and friends and diners in all three neighborhoods immediately feel the love and lore behind Orinoco.
Meet the Business Owner
Andres B.
Business Owner
Andres came to Boston in 1979 to attend Boston University where he earned his undergraduate degree in 1984. He fell in love with the greater Boston area and decided to make it his adopted home, becoming a United States citizen in 1995. After working in financial marketing for many years, it became clear that he needed to merge his Venezuelan roots with his Boston life. The vision that became Orinoco goes back to his college years and trips that he’d taken back home to introduce his American friends to Venezuela. Everyone always came back talking wistfully about the delicious arepas and the wonderful and numerous taguaritas they had spent time at.
In 2003, Andres decided to jump into the restaurant business head first with the support of his dear friend, Martha — also a native Venezuelan. He laughs recalling his mother’s initial reaction, «What sensible person leaves a job at a fine bank to open a restaurant?» Well, mom finally came around — they always do!