Hola Arepa

With boozy slushies and a jungle of plants, brunch at Hola Arepa feels like partying in a rainforest treehouse. There’s a variety of arepa fillings to choose from, but top picks are the slow-roasted pork or the vegetarian-friendly black bean version. Crunch your way through the rest of the morning with the chips and choose-your-own salsa trio (be sure to include the aji verde) paired with a Buenos Dias cocktail made with rum, cold brew, coconut cream, and cinnamon.

The owners came from different backgrounds – one comes from the financial industry, the other from several great bars across the Twin Cities (Strip Club Meat & Fish, Hola Arepa….) Together they make an awesome team that produces quality spirits (and cocktails in their cocktail room!) The space is gorgeous with high ceilings, rustic leather couches, and beautiful chandeliers. Tattersall seems to always be packed, and their patio is killer on warm days. It’s hard for me to pick a favorite drink from Tattersall, especially because favorite cocktails vary based on preferences.

On the other end of town in South Minneapolis, you will find a quaint little place that was once a successful food truck, turned neighborhood favorite. At the corner of 35th and Nicollet, you’ll find the colorful, festive, tropical oasis called Hola Arepa. An arepa originates from South American, notably Venezuela, and is made up of a maize dough (almost like a corn pita) and is filled with assorted meats, vegetables, cheeses, and other great toppings.

On board are James Beard-nominated chefs Christina Nguyen (Hai Hai, Hola Arepa), Jorge Guzmán (Petite León), Yia Vang (Union Hmong Kitchen), Jamie Malone (Paris Dining Club) and pastry chef Diane Moua. Add to that Marque Collins (Tullibee, Hewing Hotel), Robert Gaston (Delaware North), Brent Frederick and Mike DeCamp (Butcher & the Boar) and James Beard Foundation America's Classic award winner Orest Kramarczuk (Kramarczuk's Sausage).

The signature dish at Hola Arepa is always crisp and sweet, with savory and rich fillings to keep all that cornmeal balanced, including slow-roasted pork, shredded beef, chimichurri-spiced chicken and a vegan-friendly riff on al pastor made with jackfruit. Much like its sister restaurant Hai Hai, the drinks are always incredibly creative and deceptively strong, reflecting the craft cocktail roots of co-owner Birk Grudem.

The arepa, a delicious meat-and-cheese-and-more-filled cornmeal cake, is what put them on the map when they were still a food truck. Little did we know that they would make even better cocktails when they opened their stationary space in South Minneapolis. The patio is the perfect place for a rum-based drink in the summer, and, come winter, their horchata egg nog warms up and makes the cold weather worth it.

Just south of downtown, Hola Arepa has become a beloved destination for the gluten-free community with their 100% gluten-free menu centered around Colombian-style arepas naturally gluten-free corn pockets stuffed with mouthwatering fillings. Their slow-roasted pork arepa with black beans and cotija cheese is a crowd favorite, and don't miss their crispy yuca fries with chimichurri aioli!

What started as one of the best food trucks in the cities is now the best spot to fill your belly for just a couple of bucks. Get an a la carte arepa, a griddled corn cake stuffed with braised meats, house made sauces and crumbly cheese, for under $10. It’s a complete meal that won’t break the bank, and the vibrant restaurant vibe will leave you feeling like a rich man.” — Joy Summers

Hola Arepa’s patio is a colorful oasis in the middle of Minneapolis, offering fun cocktails and a tropical vibe. The tropical murals, string lights, and upbeat energy make it an awesome stop for families looking for Twin Cities summer dining spots with kids. My daughter loves the sweet plantains, arepas, and fresh juices (so, I know your kiddos will adore the kids’ menu here, too!).

Venezuelan-style arepas and Latin small plates are on the menu at Hola Arepa, the place to visit for brunch or breakfast in Minneapolis. Chefs Christina Nguyen and Birk Grudem started this business as a food truck, but it quickly grew in popularity. Today, their brick-and-mortar location is highly regarded as a fantastic option for many meals, including breakfast in Minneapolis.

Christina Nguyen's food is mostly influenced by her travels abroad. This can especially be seen at her Hai Hairestaurant in Northeast Minneapolis where colorful plates inspired by Southeast Asia, including Bali, Vietnam, and Thailand are front and center. This self-made chef likes to browse local Asian grocery stores to put together her latest food ideas.

I’m not sure what took me so long to visit, but Hola Arepa is easily one of my favorite restaurants in all of the Twin Cities. Tucked away in the Lyndale area of town, this Venezuelan restaurant offers a selection of arepas, yucca fries, tacos, and spicy mescal cocktails. The vibrant, Latin décor makes it feel like something straight out of Caracas.

There are a few generic Latin restaurants and some Mexican restaurants on this list, but Hola Arepa is a Venezuelan-style style restaurant. It has to make the cut because it’s so darned good. Another restaurant by chef Christina Nguyen, Hola Arepa, has fun and an Instagram-worth dining room with creative cocktails and yummy stuffed arepas.

Perhaps the strangest dessert on this list, we couldn't let the Hot Cheetos Brittle pass without a mention. Served at the ever-delicious Hola Arepa, the dish is described as "a salty, sweet & savory addictive snack." Not enough to convince you to try a candied Cheeto?. Rest assured that an order of this brittle will only set you back $3.

From chorizo gravy to chimichurri, Hola Arepa knows how to make great food. Everything is fresh and nobody is left out of this tasty experience - they also serve gluten free and vegan dishes that are no less delicious than their traditional preparations. DO NOT miss the mini churros with spicy chocolate dipping sauce for dessert!

People serious about having fun with their food started Hola Arepa as a food truck years before, and their South Minneapolis restaurant is lively and fun, featuring Venezuelan-style takes on casual dining. Most of their food happens to be gluten-free, and they open for brunch on weekends at 10am. http://holaarepa.com/

Regardless of whether the sun is shining or snow is falling by the foot, the forecast inside this south Minneapolis gem is always set to tropical paradise. Inside, every element — from the distressed wooden bar reminiscent of driftwood to the pineapples and succulents gracing each corner — screams beach town.

Hola Arepa: I love dining at Hola Arepa because it seems like magic. You may wait a while for a table, but you’ll have your arepa within about 5 minutes of ordering. It’s my favorite of the nearly gluten-free restaurants and I so appreciate that anything that’s not gluten free is clearly marked on the menu.

Hola Arepa eventually moved into a brick-and-mortar restaurant in south Minneapolis, and in 2017 Nguyen branched expanded her repertoire with the opening of Hai Hai. Since then, Nguyen has garnered several James Beard Award nominations, and in 2024, she took home the Best Chef Midwest award for Hai Hai.

Hola Arepa: While everyone is (rightfully) fawning over Birk Grudem and Christina Nguyen’s newer restaurant Hai Hai, it’s important to remember what launched the phenomenon. Hola Arepa is hearty, rustic fare with fantastic sauces. Trust me, you’ll want to bathe in that chimichurri.

3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408Phone: 612-345-5583 Visit Website. A post shared by Hola Arepa (@holaarepa). Hola Arepa is on Nicollet Ave in the Midtown Global Market and is an excellent spot for outdoor dining because you can enjoy the market atmosphere while eating.

Hola Arepa specializes in flavors from the Caribbean coast of South America. So, many of their desserts have a light, breezy finish to them—refreshing after a couple of shredded beef-and-plantain arepas. Definitely go for the passion fruit flan or the horchata pot de crème.

At Hola Arepa, I don’t have a specific recommendation for you, because all of their options are amazing. Whether you’re looking for slow roasted pork, chimchurri chicken, some sweet plaintains, or delicious veggie options, these sandwiches have been blowing us away years.

If you are thawing out from the sub-zero arctic blast in MN and need a spicy dose of Latin flair, step foot into Hola Arepa. Great for cocktails, happy hour or just a fun and upbeat evening with your honey over homemade arepas and guac. What’s not romantic about that!.

Find select beers for $5, select wines for $8, and select cocktails for $8. The food specials include yuca fries or the Chips and 4 Salsas for $6. Additionally, on Mondays, its MMMMONDAY Specials include $9 margaritas, $6 Modelos, and $10 mix and match tacos.

- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (241 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (4.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: Latin, Venezuelan- Price: $$ - $$$- Address: 3501 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis, MN 55408-4559- Read more on Tripadvisor

Venezuelan arepa sandwiches take center stage here, and the Latin-American inspired decor matches the menu. A few months back, Hola Arepa closed briefly to give the space a refresh. The place is all spruced up with updated furniture, fixtures, etc..

This restaurant started as a food truck, but now has a fun location with both indoor and outdoor seating. Make sure you reserve a table ahead of time because it is very popular. We started off with some plantains with guacamole and black beans.

This Latin restaurant has a TON of amazing reviews on my FindMeGlutenFree app!. I’ve also heard great things from my gluten free friends, and I will be trying it soon. All of their menu items are gluten free unless otherwise stated.

Located at 3501 Nicollet Ave. in Lyndale, the Latin American and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers salads and more, is the highest rated Latin American restaurant in Minneapolis, boasting 4.5 stars out of 726 reviews on Yelp.

At Hola Arepas you can enjoy authentic Venezuelan arepas with splendorous fillings. This restaurant is definitely worth a visit if you’re in Long Beach, and almost the entire menu is gluten-free and free of cross-contamination.

Delicious Latin American flavors in a fun, casual setting for families. This restaurant is an excellent choice for family gatherings. The arepas are a crowd-pleaser, and the service is consistently friendly and attentive.

Ever since Melissa (The Faux Martha) talked about it and Lindsay from Pinch of Yum recreated their arepas, I wanted to go. They had really fun mocktails. Janna got the beef arepa, and Amanda got the chicken.

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account. A post shared by Hola Arepa (@holaarepa). What if you suddenly crave for Latin food?

Hola Arepa: While the drink menu’s good all year round, the You Can Rum But You Can’t Hide slushie and the frozen horchata taste especially good in the summer.

With 4.5 stars out of 779 reviews on Yelp, the Latin American and breakfast and brunch spot, offering salads and more, has proven to be a local favorite.

A wide array of griddled arepas stuffed to the brim, cocktails that make you swoon, and some necessary yuca fries with the famous aioli verde.

I've enjoyed Parlour but if I'm going somewhere for food I'd rather go to Hai Hai or Hola Arepa which also have fantastic cocktails.

Stop by Holy Land in Midtown Global Market for Mediterranean cuisine and Hola Arepa for top-notch Latin American street food.