3 Best Restaurants in Merida and the Andes, Venezuela

This adorable inn outside of Méridea serves delicious, memorable dinners on the weekend. Make reservations well in advance, and come prepared to feast on a five-course prix-fixe meal; creama de auyama (cream of pumpkin soup), lomito de res (a meat dish), and tres leche de parchita (a traditional Venezuelan milk-based cake with a touch of passion fruit) were our favorites.

Sit out back on the terrace on a warm night and order a fresh salad, soup, or well-prepared lomito (meat) at this young, energetic restaurant run by the Abadía Group, which also has tours and another restaurant nearby. Young couples, tourists, and families come here more for the atmosphere than the food, but it's a reliable choice if you want a simple meal in a cozy, festive environment.

For authentic Andean cuisine, stop by this rustic, charming lodge on the main street of Mucuchíes. The proprietor, Renata Pirrone, serves up trucha a la plancha (grilled stream trout), hearty lentil stews, simple chicken dishes, and hot coffee, among other comforting foods. After your meal, go upstairs for a quick photo op.