Eat, Explore, Celebrate!

Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15, and Gwinnett offers plenty of ways to join in, starting with Nicaraguan, Venezuelan, Colombian, Cuban, Peruvian and Central American flavors found surprisingly close to home.

The celebration runs through October 15, a month set aside to recognize Hispanic and Latino history, culture and contributions in the United States. The timing has meaning, too. According to the Smithsonian’s Hispanic Heritage Month resources, September 15 coincides with the independence anniversaries of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua.

Around Gwinnett, the dinner table offers a particularly good starting point.

Take a Culinary Tour Close to Home

In Norcross, Mi Linda Managua specializes in authentic Nicaraguan cuisine, serving dishes rooted in the country’s food traditions from its Buford Highway location.

Duluth brings two more countries into the conversation. ¡EPA, COME AREPA! focuses on Venezuelan fare, while La Abuela Made in Casa serves Colombian cooking on Pleasant Hill Road. Its menu includes familiar dishes such as bandeja paisa, sancocho de gallina, freshly made arepas and a sampler loaded with empanadas, chicharrón and chorizo.

In Buford, Mambo’s Cafe brings Cuban and Peruvian culinary traditions together, creating one menu where the influences of both countries share the table.

Lilburn adds another layer at 502 Antojitos, a Mexican and Central American restaurant that widens the month’s edible geography even more.

One county, several countries, no passport required.

Keep Exploring After Dinner

Food is an easy entry point, but Hispanic Heritage Month offers plenty of reasons to look beyond the menu. Seek out Hispanic-owned businesses, catch live Latin music or cultural events, explore Latin American art and history, or learn more about the communities represented across Gwinnett.

That last part matters. “Hispanic” and “Latino” cover dozens of countries, regions and traditions rather than one shared culture, something that becomes fairly obvious once Nicaraguan, Venezuelan, Colombian and Cuban dishes start landing on the same weekend itinerary.

Trying something unfamiliar can be as simple as ordering an arepa instead of your usual lunch, asking about the story behind a dish or spending an evening learning about a tradition you have seen around Gwinnett but never really explored.

For more places to taste your way through Gwinnett’s Latin American food scene, dig into the directory at https://www.guidetogwinnett.com/latin-restaurants.