Panela - Lowell

Consistently the best restaurant in Lowell. Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Bandeja Paisa, Buñuelo Donuts, Avocado Arepa, La Hamburguesa, Arepa with Pork Belly and Quesito, Sweet Plantain, Avocados, Chicken Sandwich

The food was excellent. The waitress was friendly and efficient. We went there for an early dinner so we were the only people in the place. There was salsa music playing in the background well slightly louder than the background but it was fine. I got an ariba with cream chicken and pork belly and some other stuff thrown in. It was probably about 10,000 calories but tasted fantastic. There was a lot of gluten-free options in the menu which was great including the empanadas that were made with corn flour and tasted fantastic as well. GF got a rice bowl with shrimp and steak and several other toppings. She loved it. She asked for the steak rare and it was. That's not easy to find. She said the shrimp were cooked to perfection as well. We will definitely be back here. Dietary restrictions: More than half the menu was gluten free which was great for me. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 4

The food was great. Empanada, arepas, plantain ravioli stuffed with meat,...and spicy margaritas Dietary restrictions: Almost all items on the menu are naturally gluten-free Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $20–30 Food: 5 Service: 4 Atmosphere: 3 Recommended dishes: Shredded Beef Empanadas

Service: Dine in Meal type: Lunch Price per person: $50–100 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Panela Chicken Wings, Plantain Nachos, Arepa with Pork Belly and Quesito

My cousin and I had the empanadas with spicy sauce. Chicharrón -pork belly appetizer, mango salad with grilled chicken, red beans with rice, sweet plantain, grilled chicken. The food was to die for absolutely delicious. Sarah the waitress excellent. She said they have salsa dance classes on Thursday, multilingual karaoke Friday’s, DJ to dance on Saturdays. Definitely going back. Parking on the street. I didn’t have a problem but went there for an early dinner. Service: Dine in Meal type: Dinner Price per person: $20–30 Food: 5 Service: 5 Atmosphere: 5 Recommended dishes: Cucumber Mango Salad