Las Mercedes
El Granjero del Este, Av. Río de Janeiro, ? +58 212 991 6619. Open late. One of the better of the dozens of "areperas" dotted around town. Specializes in arepas, a savory corn-flour bread that doubles as Venezuela's traditional staple food. Pick from a dozen types of filling (including the classic Reina Pepiada - chicken, avocado, spring onions and mayo.) Or try a cachapa (a sweet corn pancake with a choice of toppings) or a nice steak with yuca. Wash it all down with beer, or with freshly made tropical juice. To do it the traditional way, go at 3 a.m., after a night out dancing. Cheap.
Maute Grill, Av. Rio de Janeiro. open late. A very nice place, often crowded but rightfully so, the food and wine are outstanding. Expensive. 
Malabar, Calle Orinoco, ? +58 212 991-3131. Expensive but very good cuisine, mostly French, with a relaxed but trendy atmosphere. 
Aranjuez, Calle Madrid, Qunita Anacoa, ? +58 212 993-1326. One of the older steak houses in Caracas, with top quality Argentine and Venezuelan cuts of beef. 
Cafe Ole, Calle California at Calle Jalisco, ? +58 212 993-9059. This open air candlelight cafe is a popular haunt for after dinner cafe and some excellent desserts. 
Mamma Mia, Avenida Principal, ? +58 212 993-7230. A perennially popular though noisy restaurant with a good selection of Italian dishes.

La Castellana
Avila Tei, Avenida San Felipe, Centro Coinasa, ? +58 212 263-1520. Excellent, if costly, Japanese restaurant. 
Chez Wong, Plaza La Castellana (facing the roundabout), ? +58 212 266-5015. Very good Chinese restaurant. 
Chili's, Calle Jose A Lamas, Torre La Castellana, ? +58 212 267-9146. A branch of the American Tex-Mex chain. 
La Estancia, Avenida Principal La Castellana, ? +58 212 261-1874. A famous beef/meat restaurant with traditional Spanish decor. 
La Romanina, Av Avila (between Calle Miranda and Av Mohedano, just west of Plaza La Castellana), ? +58 212 266-8819. A simple setting but very good thin crust pizzas. 
New Spizzico, Av Principal La Castellana (one block north of the Plaza), ? +58 212 267-8820. Very pleasant Mediterranean style decor with a lovely outdoor terrace. Good mostly Italian food but not with very generous portions. 
El Budare de la Castellana, Avenida Principal de La Castellana, con 1ra Transversal., ? +58 212 263-2696. Traditional Venezuelan Restaurant. Moderately priced and open 24 hours. About one block north and west of Plaza Altamira. 

Altamira
El Tarantín de Valentina, Tercera transversal entre Segunda Avenida y Andrés Bello, Los Palos Grandes., ? +58 212 2858839. Tue-Fri: Noon - 10 pm, Weekends: 9 am - 5 pm. An excellent choice if you want to sample traditional Venezuelan food served with style and meticulous hygiene. Offers regional specialties from all over the country. The owner, Valentina Quintero, is the author of the most popular tourist guide about Venezuela for Venezuelans and something of a local celebrity.
Cafe-Trattoria Mediterraneo, 1ra Avenida Los Palos Grandes, Edificio Oriental, ? +58 212 283-3680. Great retro decor, and a minimal but excellent menu. Recommended. 

La Candelaria
Bar Basque, Alcabala a Peligro, La Candelaria, ? +58 212 572 4857. Caracas has a large Basque immigrant community and many excellent Basque restaurants. Bar Basque is the pick of the litter. Run by the same family for half a century, it's a legendary hangout for the politically connected. As in all Basque restaurants, the menu focuses on seafood. Superlative food. Expensive. Only a few tables, reservations required.