The Charlottesville 29

Since coming to Charlottesville from Venezuela, Fernando Salazar and Maria Salazar-Gil have pursued their American Dream one step at a time. First a food truck. Then an over-the-counter spot. And now, a full-service restaurant.

While Maria’s handmade arepas were the focus of the first two steps, the restaurant they opened in August adds a food close to her husband’s heart: steak. Fernando grew up on his family’s cattle farms in Venezuela, where he developed a passion for grilling meats, and at Arepas Steakhouse, his steaks join his wife’s arepas on center stage. Rounding out the menu are sandwiches, salads, and Venezuelan specialties like tequenos, empanadas, and cachapa.

On top of delicious food, Arepas Steakhouse has gained a reputation for the warmth of its hospitality. The enthusiasm of Fernando, Maria, and their staff makes guests feel not just served, but cared for. That enthusiasm stems from two passions. One is Venezuelan culture. When Fernando and Maria arrived in Charlottesville, they found no restaurants celebrating the cuisine of their heritage. Proud of that cuisine, they were eager to share it. The other is their passion for Charlottesville itself. Spend a few minutes speaking with Fernando and Maria about Charlottesville, and their appreciation for the welcome of their new home is unmistakable. “As a family, we have no other feeling than gratitude to God, to this beautiful community of Charlottesville, and to all the people who in one way or another have helped us to travel this path,” said Maria.

Their restaurant expresses that gratitude, and Charlottesville is better off for it. Charlottesville’s 2025 Best New Restaurant is Arepas Steakhouse.