Parguito Gourmet, located in Hollywood, FL, is a delightful Venezuelan restaurant that captures the essence of traditional cuisine from Margarita Island. The standout item here is undeniably the empanadas, which many patrons, like Juan Paredes and Daniel Fernandez, rave about for their thin, crunchy dough. However, opinions show some variability, with suggestions for improvement in flavor and filling. Despite mixed reviews on specific dishes like the golfeado, where sweetness may overwhelm some, the overall food experience remains positive.
The ambiance exudes warmth and intimacy, yet some diners note that the service tempo could be inconsistent, particularly during busy hours. Manuel Aranguren highlights the exceptional staff who strive for customer satisfaction, even in a bustling environment. A highlight of the dining experience is the engaging owner, described as a ray of sunshine, who enhances the sense of community, making visitors feel at home.
For beverages, the papelón con limón and fresh coconut water receive high praise, adding to the vibrant array of flavors. Although Parguito Gourmet faces some challenges with parking and service speed, it's an establishment that many agree is worth a visit for anyone craving authentic Venezuelan cuisine paired with heartfelt hospitality.
Amenities and More
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as Latino-owned
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Popular for
Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves vegan dishes
Serves vegetarian dishes
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Has counter service
Serves dessert
Has seating
Has table service
Amenities
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Quiet
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Transgender safe space
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Children
Good for kids
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed inside
Dogs allowed outside
Photos
Reviews For Parguito Gourmet.
Daniel Fernandez
Jun 20,2025
The best empanada dough I hace tried. Thin and crunchy. I had the pescado empanada, and it was good. The golfeado was too soft and too much sweet sauce for me. The papelon con limon was very good. Service wasn’t good, I was the only client and I had to stand to ask for help more than once. The place is nice and with persobality.
manuel aranguren
May 22,2025
I visited this restaurant based on a recommendation, and I have to say the experience was quite positive. The first thing that stands out is the customer service, which is simply incredible. Even though the place is usually packed, the staff goes above and beyond to serve with kindness and efficiency—something that’s hard to find these days. The location is convenient since it’s on a main avenue, which makes it easy to get to, but finding parking nearby can be tricky, so it’s best to plan ahead or consider alternative options. As for the food, it’s generally good. I had high expectations for the empanadas, and while they were okay, they weren’t the highlight of the meal—the flavor and amount of filling could definitely improve. That said, the other dishes were excellent and made up for it. The atmosphere is cozy and pleasant, even though the space is small, giving it a warm, intimate vibe. And something that truly impressed me was the speed of the service—despite the number of diners, everything came out surprisingly fast. All in all, it’s a highly recommended spot, with exceptional service, good food, and a welcoming environment. Just be ready for the parking situation and choose your dishes wisely.
Juan Paredes
May 6,2025
Parguito Gourmet has hands down the best empanadas ever. I love this place! If you’re visiting Florida and want to indulge your palate with authentic, traditional cuisine from Venezuela’s Margarita Island—this is the spot. A true hidden gem . The food is outstanding, but what makes this place even more special is the hospitality. It’s privately owned and operated, and the owner is an absolute delight—always smiling, incredibly engaging, and she welcomes you like you’ve been friends for years. Her warmth and energy set the tone for the whole experience. Omg, do yourself a favor and try the fresh coconut water—so refreshing! And the pescado frito—which I believe is parguito—holy cow, it was delicious too. Perfectly cooked, flavorful, and just melts in your mouth. If you’re craving genuine flavor and heartfelt service, don’t miss Parguito Gourmet.
Gabriela Rojas
May 6,2025
Best empanadas ever! So crunchy and delicious. My favorite part is being able to pick your own filling. Also the chica is fantastic! Their passion fruit juice and nestea are also fire!! Service was a little slow (even on empty days) and the restaurant could use a few more fans or cooler ac but over all the atmosphere was great.
Cecilia Wilson
Apr 18,2025
I absolutely loved this place. Not only was the food amazing, but they were very accommodating with the language barrier. They had no problem giving us menus in English and answered any questions we had on the food. We will definitely be back soon.
Ana O
Apr 12,2025
Great authentic food from Venezuela! Empanadas that are deep fried by the coast of the car ran ocean in Venezuela! Amazing flavors but no having a please t experiencing because there is not air conditioning inside.. everyone is so uncomfortable sweating. No justification for not having a good ac in south Florida. Both location are the same so you guys need to pay attention to this issue and do something about it. Food is also pricey...
Cristina Nava Ocando
Mar 16,2025
The food was excellent—super crispy, freshly made empanadas, and the flavors truly transport you. The service was also outstanding. The girls working there are very sweet and attentive, especially Mau, our waitress. The only thing I’d change is the coffee, I’d give it a 1 out of 5.
Maria Jose Sandoval
Mar 12,2025
We had fosforera and seafood empanadas — and I have to say, everything was absolutely delicious and succulent. The staff was welcoming and friendly, making the whole experience even better. It’s an awesome restaurant to try authentic Venezuelan food or simply to relive the flavors of Venezuela. Highly recommended!
Reviews For Parguito Gourmet.