This was the last place I remember enjoying a meal so much that I wish I could go back again and…read moreagain. It was back in 2022 and the last time my sister brother and I were together to enjoy a meal out with our mother as a family. I am craving those Nachos and the carefully prepared fish with Julian vegetables and the amazing sweet and sour lemony sauce.

Parking is very limited, there's only street parking. We went for $1 oysters and we called ahead…read moreand they said they had plenty. When we arrived (we live down the street so we were there in 13 mins). We ordered 1 dozen and they said there's only 7 left... so we just took the rest. The ouster was good, clean and no dirt. The burger and fries was good but the Arepa Avocado Lover was very one dimensional. It was just a cheesy mess. The drinks were good and strong. Lastly, the empanadas were delicious! The server was kind of attentive. We sat in the bar area and there was only one other couple at the bar, and she paid more attention to them. Not sure if they probably knew each other? But she was really nice and helpful throughout the experience

Great service and food and a short walk from My condo but…read moreI've never been and have lived here for 15 years . We will be back .

It is not a fancy location but the food is authentic and very good. Portions are large and we even…read morehad leftovers to enjoy later. Our server tried hard to communicate with us with a big smile. Great find in Lowell.

" This place makes me smile " The name for this place is…read moreappropriate. Everything you could possibly crave as a Colombian is on this menu . I absolutely was in heaven . It's far from home but near our friend's home we visited. . I seen the name and hoped it lived up too it . It absolutely positively did . We ordered a little of everything on the menu . The food tasted fresh and delicious. We ordered for a party of 6x adults. The cost is reasonable for the quality and portion size . The vibe is welcome. The staff is super friendly. No worries about parking , lots all around.

No baño in este restaurante! This place has sit down tables but the man there said no baños. I was…read morefloored. I asked in Spanish and English but he was clear there are no bathrooms. I do not recommend any restaurant without a bathroom.

Great food. Having diner and drinks what a delight. Good prices. The plates were generousread more

We had the Sancocho and the arroz con camarones. Delicious food tasted like we were invited to…read moretheir house for dinner. Authentic and high quality ingredients expertly cooked. Nice atmosphere and welcoming.

Stopped in recently and this is still the best! Yes it takes what seems like forever to get the…read morefood and the food presentation is always a little different. Still the flavors here make me want to do a happy dance! So worth every second of waiting!

This place is amazing! Its tucked away in an unassuming location but its a must try if you're in…read morethe area. Tastes like home cooking and the presentation was social media worthy...service was attentive and ambiance was friendly. Definitely recommend!!

My husband and I have been here a couple of times , the food is very fresh and delicious. staff is…read morevery friendly ! portions are very good size. Hard to find good Colombian food. Highly recommend !

Hmmm... 3 stars 'cause I feel generous. Service was kinda…read moregood. Food was ok. No homemade hot sauce. Tabasco... Ambiance and decor: Underwhelming. Careful, this is another place where they automatically add 15% service charge, even on a party of two... This is irritating. If they didn't add it to the check, she would have received 20% like we usually give. But tonight she took herself 15%. Never going back.

This is the best food ever. Whoever gave a one star for the owner being Spanish speaking only is a…read moreloser. Here's a tip, if you're calling in and don't have a menu, order beef tacos, chicken tacos, beef arepas, and plantains. That'll get you started!

THEY DONT SPEAK ENGLISH. When I called I asked about prices and about different orders for three…read morepeople (in Spanish witch is my first language) after about 5 minutes on the phone with them the guy became very rude told me not to eat there if I don't know what I want. If your not columbian dont bother just try some other place.

Amazing authentic Columbian cuisine. Especially loved the homemade juices. Staff are exceptionally…read morekind and helpful. Would highly recommend to anyone who loves good food.

From the owner: Bringing Colombian food to you read more

Driving around East Boston found this Gem!! The waitress greeted us and sat us down recognized we…read moreneed a menu in English , Provided us information on the food and the country of Colombia where she is from. Was very pleasant!! The food was amazing and fresh and came out "hot off the presses" We had the meat empanada's and chicken with plaintans, rice & beans and a fresh salad. Very Clean establishment. Will go again soon.

El Peñol is one of those spots that reminds you why East Boston has become such a go-to for…read moreauthentic Latin American food ...it's flavorful, fast-paced, and full of character. FOOD: Starting with the food, I made sure to go all in appetizer, entrée, and dessert and it absolutely paid off. The empanadas came out hot and crisp, with a satisfying crunch that gave way to well-seasoned filling. The chaufa (Peruvian fried rice) was packed with flavor, hitting that perfect balance of savory and hearty. And the lomo saltado? A classic done right tender strips of beef, sautéed with onions and tomatoes, all coming together in that signature, comforting sauce. Everything tasted freshly made and thoughtfully prepared, not rushed despite how quickly it came out. SERVICE: The service was efficient and attentive. Food and drinks arrived quickly almost impressively fast but without sacrificing quality. The staff stayed on top of things, making sure we had what we needed and keeping the experience moving smoothly. It's the kind of place where they clearly know how to handle volume while still delivering a solid dining experience. AMBIANCE: As for the ambiance, there's a strong sense of authenticity here. Being surrounded by Peruvian culture, from the people to the energy, adds to the experience and makes it feel genuine. The space has a lively, no-frills vibe that's more about the food and community than aesthetics, which honestly works in its favor. That said, there were moments where it felt like management was watching a bit too closely from the time we walked in to when we left, which slightly took away from the otherwise relaxed feel. IMPRESSIONS: Still, overall, El Peñol delivers where it matters most ....great food, quick service, and an authentic atmosphere. If you're in East Boston and craving Peruvian cuisine, this is definitely a spot worth checking out.

I love the fried fresh air and plantains, the cocktails are good, and the music and vibes is chillread more

My friend took me here. last night. The seating is comfortable and servers were pleasant and…read moreattentive. I had the carna asada and my friend has the paella. Delicious and a great value.Plus it felt good supporting a local place. I will definitely be back.