Located in the neighbourhood of Sunnyside, in the borough of Queens, New York, I Love Paraguay restaurant brings the rich, authentic flavours of Paraguayan cuisine to the vibrant heart of the Big Apple. Deeply inspired by Guaraní roots, this restaurant is more than a place to eat, it is a home for heritage, nostalgia, and community.
The story of I Love Paraguay began with a deep longing for the taste of home. Owners Nancy and Carlos Ojeda transformed that yearning into a culinary dream, creating a space that represents the love for Paraguayan gastronomy. Their mission: to serve food that brings happiness and act as a vessel for the best memories.
A true family-run business
Now a true family-run business, I Love Paraguay is led by Nancy and Carlos alongside their children, Natalia and Fabricio, and their spouses, Ismael and Elizabeth.
“Our belief is that food tastes better when shared. We believe that our culture endures when people have knowledge of its existence and importance,” the family says.
Fulfilling the culinary dream
With over 30 years of experience in the culinary world, I Love Paraguay was far from the family’s first venture. Back in the 1990s, they ran Petit Amour, a restaurant in Asunción. Later, they managed a fast-food restaurant and several school canteens. “Gastronomy has always been our passion and vocation,” Natalia explains.
Their culinary path took a new turn in 2000, when the family emigrated to the United States and settled in New York. Although they stepped away from the gastronomy business for a while, their craving for the familiar flavours of home only grew stronger.
“Nostalgia was always present, especially on cold winter mornings on the way to work, when you long for a warm cup of cocido con leche or a comforting meal from home,” Natalia continues.
That longing, along with their experience and determination, gave rise to their first U.S. business, Little Paraguay Deli, which operated from 2004 to 2006 in West Harrison, New York. In 2007, the family took a bigger step and evolved their dream into the I Love Paraguay restaurant.
“The key was never losing sight of our dream. When you do what you love, with passion, effort, and faith, the path reveals itself. And although the first five years were incredibly difficult, perseverance helped us achieve our goal.”
A Feast of nostalgic memories and tradition
The menu at I Love Paraguay is a celebration of tradition and authenticity. From vorí vorí and soyo to pajagua mascada and chipa so’o, each dish offers an emotional connection to Paraguay. In the restaurant, these foods provide rich flavour, variety, and a warm escape from New York to the heart of South America.
“Among our most popular starters are sopa paraguaya, chipa guazú, and a variety of empanadas. We offer a different soup each day, along with traditional main dishes such as bife a caballo, milanesa, tallarines, lomito, vorí vorí, and mbejú, among many others.”
Inspired by Indigenous heritage, the menu features many dishes in Guaraní, embracing not only the uniqueness of each food but also honouring the culture behind them. “We are inspired by our culture and are proud to share it in a city as diverse as New York.”
I Love Paraguay in the e-commerce universe
In 2020, at the height of the pandemic, Natalia and her husband Ismael launched I Love Paraguay’s e-commerce platform. The goal was to create a new way to connect people with the food they love.
“We saw that many customers could not come to the restaurant. So, we asked ourselves: how can we bring the flavours of Paraguay directly to their homes?.”
Born from this desire to stay connected, the online shop became the first in the U.S. to specialise in Paraguayan products, later expanding to Mexico, Canada, and Europe. From ready-to-eat dishes like empanadas, sopa paraguaya, chipa guazú, chipa almidón, and chipa so’o to non-perishables imported directly from Paraguay, the site offers a little bit of everything.
“This platform is much more than convenience. It is a celebration of our culture, a way to keep the connection to Paraguay alive. Through it, we bring a piece of our homeland into kitchens around the world.”
A piece of home
Often referred to as the “Paraguayan embassy” in Queens, I Love Paraguay Restaurant has become a meeting point for the community; a space to gather, share stories, and enjoy traditional food made with heart.
“Our story began from an emotional need: the longing for the flavours of our homeland. When we could not find a place to enjoy Paraguayan food, we decided to create one,” Natalia shares. “And we quickly discovered we were not alone, many other compatriots felt the same. That became both our opportunity, and our motivation.”
For more information and to access the e-commerce platform, visit the I Love Paraguay website.
Read also about another Paraguayan restaurant in the United States: Restaurant 2 Hermanos in Utah: A Paraguayan Chef With An American Dream.
