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.

Ordered take out: -…read moreMini bandeja: Loved the rice and beans (I know it's the most basic part of the plate but if a place can't master these, they lose me). Carne was dry. Chicharron was great. - Arepa: looks like a tortilla, so not the typical thick arepas I'm used to. So felt like I paid $8 just for a tortilla and small block of cheese - Tostones con guacamole: I prefer my tostones to be crispier, but they had great taste. - Cazuela de Mariscos: Great flavor. I put it on top of rice and enjoyed it with the other food, otherwise too heavy/dense on it's own. I didn't enjoy the mussels (I love mussels). They were too gritty.

" From Colombia with Love " For a moment I was…read moretransported in time to my aunt Mimi's house in Colombia. Where I spent many wonderful summer vacations as a child . We tried a little of everything on the menu . The smoothies our a must . Everything tasted fresh and delicious. The service was kind. Overall warm and welcoming. (For a moment I could feel myself eating at my aunts house in Colombia , it was that warm and welcoming of an environment ). The name of the restaurant " Con Sabor a Colombia " is the most favorable name for this establishment. Which translates to ; Food with flavor of Colombia. Parking is difficult but manageable. The prices are a bargain for the quality, portion size , experience and freshness.

" Traditional Colombian Food " This establishment is…read morelocated near my home . It's a traditional Colombian restaurant. It's a bit upscale and pricey . Not an authentic vibe more like a trendy vibe . Full bar inside as well . Music is loud . The food is good . The empanadas are made fresh as you order . That's the cool aspect about this place . (Usually at other places they leave the empanadas out). The service is not bad either . On a rainy day nothing like " soupa de Reís " at this place . Parking is limited to street metered, as they have no parking lot .

El Peñol 3 in Brookline. Very nice ambiance. Really beautiful. Clean, comfortable, nicely…read moredecorated. Doesn't have that rough Spanish restaurant vibe you sometimes get in Chelsea or East Boston. Much more upscale. People like that. The servers were very nice. Helpful, attentive, really great. Now, the runner who brought the food didn't seem to be in the best mood. That's alright. It happens. Prices were decent. The menu offers a lot, from full Colombian appetizers to full meals. Even has a kids section. My son ordered chicken wings and French fries. The chicken wings were delicious, juicy, perfectly done. For appetizers we had fried cheese with pineapple sauce and fried plantain with shrimp in a criollo sauce. Delicious, really fantastic. My wife ordered the sancocho de res, and she totally enjoyed it. I ordered a mixed plate with white rice, beans, tostones, onions, peppers, beef, and shrimp. Absolutely incredible. The tres leches was also terrific. Very well done. But then a group of six rowdy individuals came in. Completely destroyed the nice, chill mood. Total disaster. They were animals, folks. Total animals. Loud, obnoxious, so bad that a table of people actually decided to move completely outside just to get away from them. That's how disruptive they were. At that point, an employee should have stepped in and said, "We're glad you're enjoying yourselves, but there are others here trying to enjoy their meals too." It was out of control. Overall, a strong 4.6 stars.

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

Stopped in on a trip to Harvard on our way through Somerville. The food was incredible from start…read moreto finish, if you are looking for amazing Columbian food, this is the place to go. The waitress/shop runner was incredible, offering us many different suggestions for food, and the atmosphere was awesome! Everyone made you feel very welcome and it felt like you were in someone's dining room.

The Columbian Empanadas here are amazing. If you're in the area, come try it. The Columbian…read moreempanadas area from other cultures because it's stuff with meat and potato, which is a nice touch.

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.

Absolutely delicious! Everything my family of 7 ordered was amazing. Staff was friendly and…read moreaccommodating, felt like I was eating at my grandmothers house! Highly recommend! Will be frequenting this place often!

Great little Eastie neighborhood place. Friendly service, excellent coffee, comfy neighborhood…read morevibes near Maverick Square. Came over on the MBTA ferry, walked the harborwalk and had coffee and a snack. A perfect morning.

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.

Fui ayer domingo por la mañana pedí 2 empanadas de pollo y cuando llegue a mi casa me percaté que…read moresolo me dieron una y me cobraron las dos, ya me ha pasado anteriormente, deben poner un poco más de atención, a pesar de eso la cafetería muy rica

Incredible. Their empanadas are amazing and it's our go to spot for catering or any large family…read moreevents. Love this place!