Meet Chef Michael Young and learn what Valencia Cocina is today: a Latin and Venezuelan wood-fire restaurant on Main Street in Norwalk, CT.

About Valencia Cocina | Latin Restaurant in Norwalk, CT

About

Craving arepas in Norwalk, CT? Valencia Cocina serves Venezuelan arepas stuffed with carne mechada, pernil, chicken, avocado and more. See the full list.

Arepas in Norwalk, CT | Venezuelan Arepas | Valencia Cocina

Arepas in Norwalk, CT

Guides to Latin and Venezuelan food from Valencia Cocina in Norwalk, CT: what is a Santa Maria grill, what is an arepa, empanadas, catering and brunch.

Around Valencia | Latin Food Guides | Valencia Cocina Norwalk

Around Valencia

A guide to Venezuelan empanadas: how they differ from other Latin empanadas, common fillings, and where to eat them in Norwalk, CT.

A Guide to Venezuelan Empanadas | Valencia Cocina Norwalk

A Guide to Venezuelan Empanadas

What to order for the table at a Latin restaurant: small bites, arepas, empanadas, grilled meats and sides, with ideas from the Valencia Cocina menu.

Best Foods to Share at a Latin Restaurant | Valencia Cocina

Best Foods to Share at a Latin Restaurant

What to expect at brunch at Valencia Cocina in Norwalk, CT: dishes to try, brunch cocktails and tips for planning your visit.

Brunch at Valencia Cocina | Norwalk, CT

Brunch at Valencia Cocina

How to plan a Latin-inspired catering menu in Norwalk, CT for parties, offices and celebrations, with ideas from Valencia Cocina.

Planning a Latin Catering Menu in Norwalk | Valencia Cocina

Planning a Latin-Inspired Catering Menu in Norwalk

Learn what a Santa Maria grill is, how it cooks and why it is the centerpiece of wood-fire dining at Valencia Cocina in Norwalk, CT.

What Is a Santa Maria Grill? | Valencia Cocina Norwalk

What Is a Santa Maria Grill?

What is an arepa? Learn about the Venezuelan cornmeal cake, how it is made and eaten, and where to try arepas in Norwalk, CT.

What Is an Arepa? A Venezuelan Staple | Valencia Cocina

What Is an Arepa?

Latin brunch in Norwalk, CT. Huevos rancheros, chilaquiles, arepa bowls and brunch cocktails at Valencia Cocina. See the menu and reserve.

Brunch in Norwalk, CT | Latin Brunch | Valencia Cocina

Brunch in Norwalk, CT

Latin catering and private events in Norwalk, CT. Valencia Cocina caters parties, office lunches and celebrations with delivery, pickup and optional staff.

Catering in Norwalk, CT | Latin Catering | Valencia Cocina

Catering

Contact Valencia Cocina in Norwalk CT for reservations, catering, or questions. Visit us at 164 Main St or call to plan your next dining experience.

Contact Valencia Cocina | Norwalk CT Restaurant

Contact

Dinner in Norwalk, CT with wood-fire cooking, Venezuelan soul food, ceviche and craft cocktails at Valencia Cocina. See the menu and reserve a table.

Dinner in Norwalk, CT | Latin Restaurant | Valencia Cocina

Dinner in Norwalk, CT

Empanadas in Norwalk, CT: pollo mechado, Cubano, chipotle pork, Venezuelan chorizo, cauliflower ricotta and more at Valencia Cocina. Order online.

Empanadas in Norwalk, CT | Latin Empanadas | Valencia Cocina

Empanadas in Norwalk, CT

See what's happening at Valencia Cocina in Norwalk, CT: brunch, wood-fire dinners, cocktails and private events. Upcoming events are listed here.

Happenings | Events & Things to Do | Valencia Cocina Norwalk, CT

Happenings

Browse photos of Valencia Cocina's vibrant dishes, cocktails, and dining atmosphere. See why Norwalk guests love our Venezuelan and Latin cuisine.

Valencia Cocina Photos | Venezuelan Dining Norwalk

Gallery

Give the gift of great food. Purchase Valencia Cocina gift cards online — perfect for any occasion.

Gift Cards | Valencia Cocina Norwalk CT

Gift Cards

Latin and Venezuelan restaurant in Norwalk, CT with wood-fire cooking, lunch, dinner, brunch, cocktails and catering. Reserve a table at Valencia Cocina.

Valencia Cocina | Latin & Venezuelan Restaurant in Norwalk, CT

Home

Latin cocktails in Norwalk, CT: rum, mezcal and tequila drinks, mocktails, beer and wines by the glass at Valencia Cocina. See the full drink list.

Latin Cocktails in Norwalk, CT | Valencia Cocina Bar

Latin Cocktails in Norwalk, CT

Looking for lunch in Norwalk, CT? Valencia Cocina serves arepas, empanadas, pressed sandwiches and combos. See the lunch menu and order online.

Lunch in Norwalk, CT | Arepas & Empanadas | Valencia Cocina

Lunch in Norwalk, CT

Full Valencia Cocina menu in Norwalk, CT: antojitos, arepas, empanadas, wood-fire dishes, brunch, cocktails, beer and wine. Every dish and description listed.

Menu | Latin & Venezuelan Food in Norwalk, CT | Valencia Cocina

Valencia Cocina Menu: Norwalk, CT

Grubhub

Order Venezuelan and Latin food online from Valencia Cocina in Norwalk CT. Fresh arepas, empanadas, and more delivered to your door.

Order Online | Valencia Cocina Norwalk CT

Order Online (Toast)

Uber Eats

Reserve your table at Valencia Cocina in Norwalk CT. Book online through OpenTable for brunch, dinner, or a special occasion.

Reservations | Valencia Cocina Norwalk CT

Reservations

Valencia Luncheria is now Valencia Cocina. Same Norwalk, CT restaurant, now with an expanded Latin menu and wood-fire cooking. Find our current menu and hours.

Valencia Luncheria is Now Valencia Cocina | Norwalk, CT

Valencia Luncheria is Now Valencia Cocina

Authentic Venezuelan food in Norwalk, CT: pabellón criollo, pernil, arepas, empanadas and more at Valencia Cocina. See the menu and reserve a table.

Venezuelan Food in Norwalk, CT | Valencia Cocina

Venezuelan Food in Norwalk, CT

Valencia Cocina is a Latin wood-fire restaurant in Norwalk, CT built around a Santa Maria grill. See wood-fire dishes and reserve a table.

Wood-Fire Restaurant in Norwalk, CT | Valencia Cocina

Wood-Fire Restaurant in Norwalk, CT

Kitchen Hours

Bar Hours

Valencia Cocina

Shouts

Food & Drinks

Antojitos - Small Bites

Tradicionales – Venezuelan Soul Food

Arepas 

Empanadas

Combos

Sides

Sandwiches - Pressed & Toasted

Lunch & Dinner Menu

Brunch Plates

Omelets

Bowls

Brunch

Mocktails

Cocktails

Beer

Non-Alcoholic Beer

Hard Seltzer

Wines by the Glass

Soft Drinks

Drinks

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Great food brings people together. Share a few details about your event and our team will help craft the perfect catering experience. Fill out the form below and we’ll start planning.

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Bring Valencia to Your Event

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In 1999, excited to work with the nuevo latino style that he learned under Douglas Rodriguez, Michael became Executive Chef of Habana in South Norwalk, Connecticut. He expertly reacquainted himself with those rare ingredients, such as malanga and yucca, which he enjoyed working so much with at Patria, all the while maintaining the "very good" rating that the New York Times attributed to the restaurant under the previous Executive Chef. Working for Habana provided Michael with the opportunity to truly test his skills as he was offered the position of Executive Chef at its new sister restaurant Ocean Drive, Located in close proximity of one another, both restaurants are fortunate enough to have Michael lend his expertise and guidance and divide his time equally between the two. Here, he also helped Ocean Drive to garner its own New York Times rating of "very good". Over fifty kitchen staff members at both restaurants regard him with the most respect and admiration, as they are treated as his equals rather than his employees. Remaining forever calm, even during the busiest of dinner rushes, Michael exemplifies true patience and returns the respect that his cooks show for him.

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Mastering the Craft

This experience helped him during his tenure as a consultant for Erizo Latino, a 70-seat seafood restaurant in the heart of Soho. Through designing the opening menu and purchasing the kitchen's equipment, Chef Young was an integral part of Erizo Latino's enormous success. During this time, he was also the Executive Chef of the Doral Park Avenue Hotel. For his efforts of being responsible for all American food and beverage styles for the hotel, as well as the training of kitchen staff members, he received the "Chef 2000" award from "The American Tasting Institute". While Michael has garnered a well-rounded resume encompassing every aspect of the restaurant industry, it is his food which best defines him… The owners of a then yet-to-be-established southwestern restaurant in Aspen, Colorado were so thoroughly impressed by him that they invited him to consult for their designing team. As the Chef de Cuisine, he created the theme and menu for Blue Maize, which catapulted the restaurant into its present luster. Michael's reputation brought him back to his hometown of New York City and he was promptly presented with the immense challenge of revamping a hip, kosher restaurant whose food was generally considered sub-par, The menu of Lansky Lounge has been transformed into whimsical fantasy, featuring such delicious innovations as battered sole coupled with traditional kasha, a dish that excels in both presentation and taste.

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Turning Kitchens into Destinations

At the tender age of 21, Michael became chef of Buckaroo’s, specializing in south-western cuisine. Here, he quickly became adept at kitchen supervision, calculating food and labor costs, and menu design, thus adding a new dimension to his restaurant repertoire. In 1994, Michael began working with Douglas Rodriguez at the three star nuevo latino restaurant, Patria in Manhattan. Under the tutelage of this renowned chef, who received the "Rising Star Chef of the Year" award by the James Beard Foundation, Michael was privy to a whole new type of cuisine as well as rare and wonderful new ingredients. Taking salsas and adding unusual fruits and tomatoes or playing with Latin American tubers with goat cheese, roasted garlic or bacon, Michael began to elaborate on his already well-developed creativity. As the Tournade, he assisted the opening of the prestigious 125-seat restaurant, and was responsible for training in all areas of the kitchen.

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Shaping a Culinary Vision

Whether it is turning a traditional kugel dessert into a starch dish by adding wild canary mushrooms or accentuating a Thai grilled red snapper into a visually appetizing feast, there is one certainty to expect from his cuisine: the unexpected. With indubitably well-rounded skills, Michael can, and has, conquered different styles of food without compromise. Creating new and diverse dishes through inspiration as well as a natural awareness for food combinations, each must be prepared with just the right spice, vegetable, seasonal ingredient and attitude. Michael's interest in cooking was developed at an early age… Every Sunday, he would watch and study his father, a chef in a French restaurant, cook a meal for his family. Developing his culinary skills during high school, Michael honed them in college to help pay his way. It was at a Thai restaurant in what some consider to be the Mecca of the culinary world, Manhattan, where the budding chef developed his passion for creating food that provides a pure balance of the bitter, sour, spicy, sweet, and salty. Disparate presentations, aromas, and flavors tantalize and satisfy the diner's sight and smell even before the taste buds are finest.

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The Story Behind the Kitchen

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Cater With Us

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Big Flavor. Any Occasion.

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Well Shared

GIFT

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Order Online

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At Home

SAVOR

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Together soon

DINE

This isn’t your average brunch. Expect vibrant Latin flavors, creative plates, and unforgettable combinations — from huevos rancheros and steak & eggs to indulgent French toast and savory arepa bowls.

Brunch Done Right

Brunch Starts Here

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Discover bold street-style favorites, wood-fire specialties, and vibrant Venezuelan soul food. From shareable starters to unforgettable mains, there’s something on the menu for every craving.

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See What’s Cooking

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Come Hungry. Leave Inspired.

Rooted in a passion for bold flavors and global inspiration, our kitchen is built on decades of experience, creativity, and respect for exceptional ingredients. Influenced by cuisines from around the world — from Latin and Thai to classic American and Southwestern — our menu celebrates the balance of flavor, texture, and presentation. Every dish is crafted with intention, blending seasonal ingredients, thoughtful technique, and a spirit of innovation. The result is a dining experience that is vibrant, unexpected, and designed to bring people together around truly memorable food.