Melodías Restaurant comes up when you look for the best brevas con arequipe near me in Portland, Oregon. It’s a Colombian restaurant with the dessert mentioned on its menus, so it’s the best places to start for this traditional fig-and-milk-caramel dessert.
Brevas con arequipe is a mixture of slow-cooked figs in syrup and arequipe, a thick caramel-like milk spread from Colombia. Other versions include a slice of mild Colombian cheese for a nice balance of sweetness from the fruit, richness from the caramel, and mildness from the cheese.
Hours and availability of desserts may vary, particularly at food carts and smaller kitchens, so call ahead before making a trip just for this dessert.
Confirmed Place to Try Best Brevas Con Arequipe Near Me in Portland, Oregon
1. Melodías Restaurant
The best initial bet for a simple brevas con arequipe in Portland is Melodías Restaurant. It has an online menu that offers Brevas con Arequipe for $6.50.
If you don’t want any extra ingredients in the dessert, this is a good choice. Inquire if the figs are served cold or at room temperature, and if cheese is offered along the side.
Other Colombian spots to check
Below are restaurants that are well-known Colombian food spots in Portland. Not all are confirmed to have brevas con arequipe on a regular menu, but they are good places to inquire about it as a daily special, seasonal dessert or bakery product.
2. El Pilon Midtown
El Pilon Midtown is open every day from 10:45 a.m. to 8 p.m., and is located at 431 SW Harvey Milk St. The restaurant specializes in fresh juices, empanadas and Colombian arepas prepared from scratch.
If you do need dessert with your meal, it is best to call ahead. Even if the kitchen doesn’t have brevas con arequipe, the Colombian menu is a reliable choice for a good meal.
3. El Pilon Original Cart
According to Eater Portland, El Pilon’s original downtown cart is a Colombian cart, famous for empanadas, arepas and patacónes.
Dessert items are subject to change; therefore, always check before making a special trip for food carts. For those looking for traditional flavors, the cart is still one of the most relevant Colombian spots in Portland.
4. El Pilon Wonderlove
El Pilon Wonderlove is located at 262 SE Main St, Tuesday-Sunday 11am-8pm. It’s a Colombian street-food joint in a new spot in the center of Portland.
When checking multiple restaurants in Colombia in a single day, it’s a good place to inquire about fig desserts.
5. El Pilon Kitchen
El Pilon Kitchen is at 5170 SE Duke St. The listed times are Wednesday to Friday 4-8pm and Saturday and Sunday 11am-7pm.
If you prefer a sit down Colombian meal and would like to inquire about dessert after dinner, this southeast Portland spot comes in handy.
6. Que Bacano at Portland Mercado
Que Bacano has been around since 2012, with a restaurant and an outdoor bakery at Portland Mercado. It serves Colombian dishes like arepas, ceviche, arroz con pollo and bandeja paisa.
Given that it has a bakery element, it’s a natural place to inquire about arequipe desserts. No current search results confirm that brevas con arequipe is on the menu, but it’s a good place to stop for Colombian sweets.
7. Que Bacano Restaurant, Hawthorne
The Hawthorne restaurant at Que Bacano is at 3272 SE Hawthorne Blvd. It offers Colombian favorites such as empanadas and arepas, and you can expect to pay approximately $10–20 per person. If you are visiting for dessert, call ahead.
8. Parceros Colombian Food PDX
The Parceros Colombian Food PDX is located at 3405 SE 82nd Ave and operates from noon to 8 p.m. daily. It serves Colombian drinks like Colombiana soda, natural juices and aguapanelazo.
It’s a hands-on neighborhood spot to inquire about dessert swaps. It’s a Colombian-food format in its entirety, which could be a good place to find traditional sweets beyond the regular menu.
9. Matta Café
The focus of Matta Cafe is Colombian coffee, cocktails, and pastries. It offers Colombian sodas like Manzana and Colombiana. It’s not certain that you will find brevas con here, but consider this a café stop.
However, Colombian cafés frequently incorporate arequipe into pastries and desserts, so it’s worth checking if they have figs, alfajores or another caramel treat.
How to order it well
Order the cheese: For the fuller traditional version, order “brevas con arequipe y queso”. Chapa Paisa serves it with Colombian cheese.
Inquire about preparation: Check if the figs are prepared in-house and if the arequipe is homemade.
Mix it up: Black coffee or an unsweetened Colombian brew will help prevent the dessert from getting too sweet.
Confirm first: Hours and menus are subject to change, especially for carts and independent restaurants.
Conclusion
If you have an order, please go to Melodías Restaurant first. For a broader Colombian food experience, and a chance of finding a dessert special, also contact El Pilon’s locations, Que Bacano, and Parceros Colombian Food PDX.
For the most traditional version, request brevas con arequipe y queso, which is tender figs, milk caramel and Colombian cheese all in one.
