Hola Arepa — Restaurant in Minneapolis

You can tell from my photos that I have been here for brunch, because almost non-arepa item is only available during brunch. Hola Arepa offers small plates for dinner on top of their Venezuelan-style arepas, which is great, but personally I think their highlight is their weekend brunch. Of course, if you are going for arepas, then dinner or brunch doesn't make quite a difference, but I can confidently say that every brunch plate so far has been a hit. I recommend this brunch spot for anyone in town and for friends from out of town.

The brunch arroz verde, which contains a fried egg, sweet plantain, black beans, tomatoes, pickled cabbage, jalapeños, poblano sauce, and citrus crema, is always a solid choice! One can't go wrong with it, especially when one gets to pick a protein of choice among pork, chicken, or guacamole (not a protein but...). The vegan arroz verde is also available without the fried egg but if you are vegetarian, I suggest adding the egg as the yolk truly elevates the savory flavor. The sopes divorciados and the tostada chilaquiles are also good choices, both with tomatillo salsa as the main sauce. They both contain fried eggs, beans (one black and one refried), ans queso fresco, and are both garnished with cilantro. Now in terms of their arepas, every single one is a hit. It truly boils down to personal preference on what should be included inside. The cornmeal griddle cake sandwiches are fluffy and soft, while maintaining just the right level of crunchiness, and the yuca fries with aioli verde is the perfect side dish. For sweets, I have only had the hotchata pot de creme and thought it was solid, although not spectacular. But horchata, you know, is also something you can't go wrong with. I would love to give the mango chia seed pudding a try next time!

I didn't snap photos of the drinks but Uno, Dos, Tres, or Cuatro would be good! They are a bit tiny for the price ($8 for the first three) and have nice little decorations on the top that would be perfect for pictures.

I also think a major advantage for this establishment is the fact that reserving a brunch spot is not difficult. You can easily reserve a spot on a Saturday morning / afternoon for 30 minutes later and the establishment won't be packed to the point of having no seating available. However, it is quite noisy inside and spaces are small, so if you are trying to carry a conversation while dining indoors then I do not think this is the best place. Outdoors might give you a better chance, and their reservations allow one to reserve outdoor seating.

So yeah, this is Hola Arepa and my review of it! Hope you enjoy it when you visit because I surely did when I visited there a few times in...

Wow! Our first visit to Hola Arepa was nothing short of fantastic—and it came with our first taste of arepas. We’re officially hooked.

From the moment we walked in, the vibrant flavors and thoughtfully crafted dishes won us over. The menu boasts an array of bold, well-balanced flavor profiles, ensuring there’s something to satisfy every palate. Our server was an absolute gem—knowledgeable, friendly, and eager to guide us through the menu, breaking down the ingredients and portion sizes. It was a small but thoughtful touch that made all the difference for first-timers like us.

The star of the show? The arepas. These golden cornmeal cakes are hearty and sturdy, holding up beautifully even with generously packed, saucy fillings. Their subtly sweet, toasty flavor serves as the perfect canvas for the vibrant, mouthwatering combinations inside.

We also indulged in the yuca fries—thick-cut, crisp on the outside, and irresistibly creamy within. They were a perfect sidekick to our meal. For those looking for a lighter option, fresh greens are available at no extra charge. Our table opted for the aioli dipping sauce over the chimichurri, and it did not disappoint.

Beyond the food, the atmosphere at Hola Arepa is bursting with personality. The theme of the night was pure ‘90s nostalgia, complete with a CD jacket-style menu cleverly titled “That’s What I Call HOLA” and a throwback playlist that set the perfect tone. The dining space leans on the cozy side, creating an intimate, lively ambiance. A sunroom patio, warmed for cooler nights, offers additional seating. The whole vibe is an eclectic mix of hipster charm, casual comfort, and welcoming energy, with a bar just steps from the tables and an attentive staff always ready to refill drinks or clear plates.

From the food to the fun, this was a dinner filled with smiles, great flavors, and a warm, bustling atmosphere. We can’t wait to come back and explore more of what Hola Arepa has to...

I was impressed from the get-go from this restaurant - in fact, as soon as I saw the Tiffany blue walls and decor combined with the greenery, I was sold!

As soon as you enter the area, you feel like you're transported to another tropical country. And to be honest, although the restaurant scene is picking up in Minneapolis, I didn't expect to see such a vibrant and unique restaurant here. I was impressed! Total Bali vibes.

Looks aside, I loved the precautions this restaurant was taking for Covid. All the employees wore masks and required all guests to wear their mask as well any time the servers approached us. They also gave us a personal spray bottle of hand sanitizer to use throughout the experience. Love it!

We all chose different Arepas to try - my table got the black bean, chicken chimichuri, and steak ones. I tried the chicken and steak and both were seriously divine! What was this flavor explosion?! It felt similar to an authentic Latin restaurant I tried in Miami. The side dips were perfect and really added depth to the dishes. And the plantains? I could eat another 10 of those !

We also tried the Dos non alcoholic drink - it was good, albeit a little watered down. I tasted some pineapple flavor but not enough for me to want to order it again.

The churro was delicious as well but not like a traditional churro. Tasted and looked kind of more like a rusk cake. Still had plenty of cinnamon-sugar flavor and the chocolate dip was good! Also not sure if I would get again though.

In total for the 3 of us the bill came out to be around $80 with the service charge. Pretty expensive overall but the service was superb and the Arepas were delicious. Atmosphere was also perfect ! I would definitely dine here again...