Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine, a Broad Ripple standout since its May 2023 debut, is stretching its legs on Mass Ave. The husband-and-wife team behind the restaurant say they expanded into a larger downtown space to keep up with demand, giving themselves room for bigger crowds and catered events while promising not to sideline the cozy neighborhood spot that built their following.
Owners say bigger Mass Ave room fixes the crunch
According to the Indianapolis Business Journal, Cristiano Rodrigues and his wife, Elizabeth Fernandez, opened Fernando’s in Broad Ripple in May 2023, then followed it with a second location at 888 Massachusetts Ave. The paper reports the Mass Ave space is about 3,800 square feet, roughly twice the size of the Broad Ripple kitchen, a jump Rodrigues said will let the team take on larger catering orders and ease the Friday night crush.
Brazilian and Mexican dishes keep both sides busy
The menu deliberately splits its Brazilian and Mexican offerings, with Brazilian staples such as feijao tropeiro and picanha cavalo sharing space with Mexican plates like enchiladas rojas. The IndyStar photo gallery also notes Guaraná Antarctica Zero among the drink options. IndyStar credits executive chef Katia Hundley with bringing authentic Brazilian recipes into the kitchen, a balance owners say helps the restaurant appeal to longtime locals and new diners alike.
Bigger kitchen means bigger catering
Rodrigues told the Indianapolis Business Journal the larger Mass Ave kitchen will provide the flexibility they lacked at the original Broad Ripple spot and allow them to accommodate events the small kitchen simply could not handle before. “The Broad Ripple location will always be our baby,” he said, and owners stressed Fernandez will remain focused on the neighborhood outpost while Mass Ave takes on larger parties and deliveries.
Local acclaim and what’s next
Local critics have noticed: Indianapolis Monthly has included Fernando’s in its Best Restaurants coverage, and IndyStar lists the Mass Ave location as having opened June 29, 2025. Owners say the two rooms will operate in tandem, with Broad Ripple staying rooted in the neighborhood while the larger Mass Ave site expands catering, private events and late-night capacity.
For menus, hours and reservations, the restaurant directs customers to its website. The Broad Ripple dining room is at 834 E. 64th St., and the Mass Ave restaurant is at 888 Massachusetts Ave. Patrons report the split menu keeps both sides of the room busy, and the larger kitchen should mean fewer sold-out weekends and more room for the dishes that put Fernando’s on the city’s radar.
