La Arepa Brava
Fortitude Valley
Updated: Apr 10, 2026
La Arepa Brava is a secret slice of Colombia, tucked away in a rustic European-style piazza just off Brunswick St in Fortitude Valley.
The bright cavernous open plan eatery has a large internal dining space as well as al fresco dining under the trees outside, where diners can tuck into the house specialty, traditional Colombian dishes - arepas, patatas, empanadas and patacones.
The perfect place for a casual feed on a budget, all dishes are under $25 with the majority under $20, Take your pick of vegetarian, meat & cheese or combo (everything) arepas or patatas bravas (regular, large or choribrava - topped with chorizo or chicharron).
Empanadas are filled with chicken or beef and served with aji, and there's also patacones (three green plantains with hogao or aji and a choice of beef, chicken, chorizo or chicharrón). And for sweets (dolce) there's tequenos (white cheese wrapped in rich pastry crust) paired with sweet Colombian bocadillo.
On the drinks menu are a selection of Colombian classics like Postobon (a popular soft drink), Pony Malta (non-alcoholic carbonated malt drink), Cerveza (beer) and Jugo Natural (water or milk-based natural juice).
There's also a small cocktail menu, which includes Mojito, Margarita, Tequila Sunrise, Spanish Sangria, and Sunset in Santa Maria (gin, lychee liquor, lime juice, lemonade and grenadine syrup).
Need to know - There is a limited amount of parking available in Martin St adjacent to the piazza otherwise onstreet parking in Brunswick St and surrounds.
Food and drink images courtesy of La Arepa Brava Facebook page.
