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    Julia's Empanadas

    3.9 (313 reviews)
    ModerateEmpanadas
    Open 11:00 am - 8:00 pm
    Updated over 3 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Julia's Empanadas

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    Empanadas
    Min Z.

    Julia's Empanadas in the heart of (Adams Morgan) is a cozy gem I found by accident. I tried their popular Chilean-Style Beef empanada-a perfect mix of beef, egg, olive, and raisin with a spicy kick. So delicious! Can't wait to try the other flavors.

    Alex R.

    They got all different types of empañadas all from various parts of South America. That makes this restaurant super specialized in empañadas. I wasn't sure at all about what the differences are and I was stuck between the Chilean beef or the Bolivian chicken empañada. Honestly I have had empañadas before but I never really knew that there were so many different types. They're almost like a delicacy. The worker gave me a little guidance, but there was no way to know for sure until I tried one. After much self-denatr I decided on the Chilean beef empañada, and I have high hopes that it was be as delicious as everyone else says they are. In terms of the ambiance, this tiny restaurant is designed for take-out and delivery and there are no seating options or restrooms available.

    Steak empanada
    Amber F.

    Service was fine, but I was not a fan of the empanadas. I prefer mine fried instead of baked, but still wanted to try out the fillings. I ordered the steak on and only about half of the pastry had filling, the rest was just dough. I ended up tossing the unfilled part, but the steak filling was sweet? It was weird. Texture and flavor was off and I didn't even finish it.

    Daniel R.

    It's great to have an empanada place in the neighborhood, but this place frankly was a skip for me. I was immediately rubbed the wrong way when I found out this is a cash-only establishment. In the world of Square readers and digital payments, there really is no reason for this. The empanadas were fine but not particularly memorable. The chicken empanada was my favorite; I loved the curry-inspired flavors. The dessert empanada is a skip. Strawberry jam inside what tastes like an old pie crust wasn't quite as delicious as I had hoped.

    RaeLynn F.

    This is such a great spot! I got the Chilean and Jamaican empanadas and they were great. My fave was the Jamaican for sure. A bit expensive but the price is expected given the area it's in. I also got the apple dessert empanada and it was amaaazing!! Would definitely return.

    empanada counter
    Stephanie Z.

    Visiting DC and wandered around AdMo for the afternoon. I got the Jamaican Style and Chilean Beef. The flavor was not as powerful as I expected. The empanadas are baked, and the dough was not flaky. I'm not an empanada expert though

    Chilean Beef Empanada
    Jamie L.

    I have been looking forward to knocking Julia's Empanadas off my bucket list for years now. Unfortunately it was not nearly as good as I expected. They were out of most, and takes 15 minutes if you have time to wait for a fresh order. I had the Chilean Beef and the flavor was great, but the edges were extra hard. The pricing is a little high, $8.25 plus tip. Doubt I will ever go back, as parking is a nightmare and I got a ticket.

    Empanadas - spinach & cheese
    Kat T.

    Must try!! This place is one of the signature spots of Adam's Morgan! It's been around for a while, and it's not surprising. Veeeery delicious empanadas, good selection (including vegetarian ones), always fresh and warm!! Highly recommend!

    Will M.

    Wow! Chorizo empanada was bursting with so many different flavors. Piping hot and wasn't reheated. Spice let's you know it's there but doesn't overwhelm you. Could taste the freshness of the dough. Service was friendly, will definitely be returning to try other ones.

    Mimi I.

    I have been craving empanadas after having some good ones recently. I was in the area and hungry, so I stopped by Julia's. These didn't satisfy my empanada cravings though. My first thought was they were pricey at $6. I still bought one, trying the Chilean version, which is beef, raisins, onion, egg, olive. The dough wasn't what I thought. It was kind of a light, soft dough. The flavor of the filling was good, but I was looking for a more dense dough and packed filling. It wasn't terrible, but with the price and not the type of empanada I like, I wouldn't return.

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    7 years ago

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    11 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    4 years ago

    It was great!!!! Love the Chilean Empanadas!!!! We get them every time we visit the DC area.

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    4 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    15 years ago

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    10 years ago

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    16 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    13 years ago

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    7 years ago

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    5 years ago

    I am not used to this type of empanada that is too doughy. So far, the only empanada that is my favorite is in Queens NY.

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    16 years ago

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    3 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    5 years ago

    Unique, delicious, fresh, friendly service, beautiful golden brown. What more could you ask for. If you haven't been here yet, GO NOW!

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    8 years ago

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    9 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    14 years ago

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    8 years ago

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    4 years ago

    This place sucks the prices are too high and the sáltenlas don't taste like authentic Bolivian sáltenlas

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    6 years ago

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    4 years ago

    If you like hot pockets or like a calzone this place is for you. Not bad but didn't live up to the hype

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    Ask the Community - Julia's Empanadas

    Has anyone been to Julia's lately? I called and received no answer. I would be driving a good hour to get empanadas and want to be sure they still exist post COVID before I make the trek. Can anyone tell me if they are open?

    I went today. Fantastic!

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Julia's Empanadas

    The fillings are amazing - my favorite is the spinach but the Jamaican and Saltena empanadas are also classics.

    Mentioned in 30 reviews

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    Mola - Menu

    Mola

    4.7(76 reviews)
    0.0 miAdams Morgan

    I had a fantastic experience at Mola last night! The restaurant is small, just 2 tables you can…read morebook online and 10-12 bar seats. Their drink menu infuses Panamanian-Caribbean flare to popular drinks like margaritas, mojitos, old fashions, etc. The woman working came over to tell us about the menu and I could tell this was her restaurant because of her deep passion for the dishes and their flavors. The menu is intentionally small and as a vegetarian, I was extremely pleased with the spice vegan and cheese empanada combo I shared with a friend. We also got the cucumber salad and hojaldra bread, all fantastic. I am excited to return and wish the woman (did not catch her name) MUCH success.

    I had a work event at Code Red but left super hungry. Pulled out my trusty Yelp app to see what was…read morein the area. I got lucky in that Mola was right next door and featured one of my absolute favorites...empanadas! Chill vibe and everyone is greeted and welcomed in by the team. Table seating is limited and, since I was flying solo, took a seat at the long counter. Food lives up to the ratings. Chicken curry empanada was flavorful, moist, with some of the best dough I've ever had. They were out of the popular oxtail, so I opted for the Ropa Nuevo platter which didn't disappoint. There are many good choices in the Adams Morgan area, even just on 18th Steeet, but Mola deserves a spot at the top of your list!

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    Mola - Chicken empanada

    Chicken empanada

    Mola
    Mola

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    Mpanadas - The restaurant cute, clean and efficient!

    Mpanadas

    4.6(145 reviews)
    4.7 miColumbia Heights

    The empanadas at Mpanadas were fresh, flavorful, and cooked perfectly. The crust was crispy, and…read morethe filling was delicious and well-seasoned. Juandi was incredibly friendly, helpful, and made the experience even better with his great customer service. I'll definitely be coming back and highly recommend Mpanadas. I'm always coming back every week, especially on Tuesday since they have a deal where it's buy 2 get 1 free. Also the coffee they have here is amazing and goes well with the empanadas I get. I definitely recommend getting the Philly or chorizo ranchero. Thank you guys once again.

    A Yelp event first brought me to Mpanadas last year. After a great initial impression and even a…read morewarm welcome by the owner, I was in the neighborhood again recently and wanted to stop by. As expected, same great service and, more importantly, great empanadas! I was leaning toward breakfast for lunch, so I had the maple bacon and beef empanadas. These are on the larger side and eating two in a row made me feel as stuffed as the empanadas themselves are with filling. The menu has so many fantastic options, so I can't wait to return. On this second visit, I am pleased to see the construction on Columbia Pike is gone and people can access the greatness of Mpanadas. The dining area is perhaps one of the coziest spaces I've seen in the area. You can't go wrong with vibrant patterns, pillows, and the llama mascot. Note to self: these would definitely be a winner for catering or a party.

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    Mpanadas
    Mpanadas - Inside

    Inside

    Mpanadas - Beef papa

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    Beef papa

    DC Empanadas

    DC Empanadas

    3.7(174 reviews)
    1.7 miPetworth
    $

    Omg!!! Of all the spots in union market this is by far my absolute fav! The change of the menu…read moreoften but I have tried them all and haven't run across one flavor i didn't love. They are all packed with flavor, perfect temp and always the right kinda crispy!!! It's comes with a green dipping sauce that I LOVE!!!!! I had the Latin chicken and the cheese empanadas.... the best!!! The only reason I'm not giving them a 5 star is because of service. They are never rude but never nice or friendly. The cashier didn't offer suggestions or details on the flavor and honestly just didn't seem like she wanted to be there. It's a good thing the empanadas are amazing. The price is perfect and so many options in Union Market this is this is the best!

    If you don't want to track down the DC Empanadas food truck, then you can just visit this stall at…read morethe Union Market. DC Empanadas specializes in gourmet empanadas, but there were only four options to choose from (Divine Swine, Latin Beef, El Greco, and Speedy Gonzalez [all cheese]). $3.50 for each empanada or you can pick any 3 for $9. ***. Divine Swine (pulled BBQ pork, featuring the No. 5 sauce [smokey sweet] from BBQ Bus Smokehouse - $3.50): Empanadas itself wasn't too bad - tasted slightly sweet with crunchy dough. However, $3.50 is a bit pricey for one empanada and you will probably still feel hungry even if you get 3 for $9 deal. *** I will still stick with empanadas from Los Angeles (Tito's Market in El Monte or Red Ribbon Bakeshops) as they are both good and inexpensive.

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    DC Empanadas
    DC Empanadas
    DC Empanadas - Huge Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich (08/01/2016 special).  Normally comes with pickles and custom sauce on sandwich...

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    Huge Buttermilk Chicken Sandwich (08/01/2016 special). Normally comes with pickles and custom sauce on sandwich...

    Julia's Empanadas - empanadas - Updated August 2026

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