Venus Restaurant

Though it falls under the category of hole-in-the-wall, you can recognize Venus Restaurant by the mural painted on its white brick exterior—and by the crowds it attracts on weekends. You can count on every dish arriving with rice, beans and the unbelievable macaroni gratin, Haitian-style baked macaroni and cheese. The menu varies day by day, so be sure you keep an eye out for the boulettes, slightly spicy Haitian meatballs, as well as the hearty turkey stew and the fried fish. This last one is only for those who can really handle their spice, thanks to the addition of scotch bonnet chili peppers.