I had a fantastic experience at Mola last night! The restaurant is small, just 2 tables you can book 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. read more

Mola - Left: beef empanadas Right: 1 cheese, 2 spicy vegan empanadas Guava margarita - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

My daughter and I came in after our visit to the zoo based on the great reviews. At 4:30 on a Sunday afternoon we had the place to ourselves, and Janae gave us a fantastic first taste of Brazilian food. Her authentic sweet personality and charm made for a delightful conversation, and now my daughter will always remember Mola, her new Auntie Janae, and the transcendent empanadas! read more

I had a work event at Code Red but left super hungry. Pulled out my trusty Yelp app to see what was in 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! read more

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I traveled two hours away to try this gem and boy was it worth it. Let me first start with, the owner cooked each meal (i sat at a table where you could visibly see her cooking/preparing the dishes) and she even stopped by to chat with me. When was the last time the owner/chef held a conversation with you while at dinner? True Panamanian dishes with a twist. I was taken back to my childhood with each bite I took, and even shed a tear as I, hadn't ate many of these dishes in a while. I was finally able to enjoy the Panamanian flavors/foods without having to leave the country. If you're interested with indulging in Panamanian cuisine, and or want a meal cooked from the heart, go visit Mola, you will not regret it. I will be visiting again read more

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I do not understand the hype with this place. At all. Was it people's first time ever trying empanadas? That must be it. Was my empanada good? It definitely wasn't too bad. Was it worth the ridiculous $6.25 price tag for a teeny tiny empanada and extra $1 for a bit of sauce? Absolutely not. Located in AdMo, I have seen Mola on instagram and thought why not. They offer mostly bar seating so I quickly perused the menu and after seeing the unjustified prices, decided to try the curry chicken empanada. The empanada was cooked on the spot, but it was tiny and I would've preferred it had more filling. Also, the audacity to charge $1 for sauce. Crazy! I have zero need or desire to go back. read more

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Tried the cortado and empanadas (chicken curry and beef) set of 2 today and they're delicious. Love the cosy space and convenient location in Admo! The staff refilled my water promptly several times and were very attentive. read more

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I really enjoyed the empanadas! Specifically the vegan chickpea and the curry chicken. For a meal I ordered the oxtail, and while it wasn't bad it's also not even close to the best I've had. All in all I'd come here again for empanadas and cocktails. read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Late night empanadas in Adams Morgan is the perfect vibe! They were so sweet in there and so warm and welcoming!! I love seeing the process of making the empanadas from scratch and seeing each made fresh with every order. read more

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I love Mola i had the curry chicken, beef & pepper steak emanadas they refresh, nice and hot and delicious. We had the beef with rice & peas it was so yummy. The the atmosphere is super cute in you must try it. read more

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Really tasty place! The service was welcoming and they walked us through the favorites. Will be thinking about the empanada's all week. They were light and full of flavor! read more

Mola - Curry Chicken + Beef Patty Empanadas with a Pineapple Ginger Juice - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

We ABSOLUTELY loved Mola!! It's a definite must-try when you're in the Adams Morgan neighborhood. The customer service was personable and knowledgeable..and the food was even better! The Empanadas were very tasty with flavorful fillings and a nice crunch to the crust. and they're a great portion size! And the newly-added to the menu oxtails stew was perfection!! I was a bit skeptical as to what to expect because Mola is Panamanian cuisine-but I was immediately left speechless to how flavorful and tender these oxtails were..in addition to the wonderful size of each cut. The oxtails tasted more Caribbean, but with an added kick and the sauce was succulent. Highly recommend this place..the vibe is a cool eatery bar that is neat and inviting..Im honestly surprised it wasn't packed..but I wont be surprised when this place gets too busy. btw: did i mention black owner-woman owned? so happy to support read more

Mola - oxtails with rice and peas - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The empanadas... especially the vegan (spicy chickpea) empanadas will change your life! You'll hit every tastebud. Order the patacones con ají verde (green sauce). I'm a big fan of Venezuelan and Panamanian empanadas and there's so many to choose from in this city, but these are easily top 5! The service is great, delicious food is ready quickly, and you literally can't beat these hours!! The spot in Adams Morgan is great because it's central to everything you need and the vibes inside are chic, cozy, and vibrant with a beautiful Central American flare. read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Walking in I was instantly transported to NY: the crowd is a bit younger in this neighborhood so it makes for a lively street and good people watching. That combined with the interior and neon lighting from the Mola logo made it feel like a night out in Brooklyn and you just stumbled across a hidden gem. When the menu is small, I typically take that to mean that what's on there will be very good and Mola did not disappoint. We ordered the chicken and beef empanadas and immediately knew we would need to put in another order. I expected to enjoy the beef empanadas more but the chicken curry empanada is divine-- and that coconut rice! I would be remiss if I did not mention the dipping sauces, get all three because you will love all three (if you don't like spice you can skip that one, but it's my favorite!). I can't wait to go back and try the rest of the menu and, of course, the service was amazing. I also love that it is open late on the weekends. read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The takeaway up front: I ordered the wrong items and found myself disappointed by the lack of flavor. Mola replaced the old Donburi location and currently holds a 4.9 on Yelp. With such a lofty score, I knew I would have to try it the next time I was in Admo. I ordered a curry chicken empanada as well as the ropa neuva braised beef dish. The curry chicken empanada came out piping hot and crispy, and was pretty tasty. I was a little disappointed by the amount of filling inside though. The dipping sauces are $1 extra, which was a bit surprising - the green sauce was pretty good, reminding me of a chimichurri of sorts The braised beef dish looked really good on the plate - chunks of beef smothered in a brown sauce atop a bed of rice. However, it did not taste nearly as good as it looked - there was almost no depth of flavor to the dish. All I could taste was salt and maybe a slight hint of spiciness. With a such a rich brown sauce, I thought this dish would be bursting with flavor. I was disappointed. The cook on the beef was also inconsistent - some pieces were soft and falling apart, while others were chewy and tougher. In retrospect, I should have read the reviews prior to going to Mola - it looks like people mostly just stick to the empanadas and don't venture out to the plated meals. 3/5 based on what I ordered, but the empanadas could make this score higher - especially at 2 AM in the morning while intoxicated read more

I was having a late night empanada craving. So I like how that they are open late. They do not have parking. They have limited seating more like a bar kind of vibe. I got the curry chicken, beef patty, and pepper steak empanada. They were Panamanian empanada which I've never had. It was really juicy and crispy once you bit in. It wasn't spicy at all but you can add for sauce. They do have 2 have sauces that come with it which is paired well. It's great for a late night spot read more

Mola - Inside - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I noticed this spot last time I was in Adams Morgan but didn't get a chance to frequent the business. I'm so happy that my friends convinced me to grab some empanadas with them after work! This is a small Black owned business so I was even more excited to support them. The owner and employees are so attentive and make sure you are enjoying your experience. The space is small with primarily bar seating which makes the experience more intimate because they are preparing the empanadas right in front of you. I ordered two empanadas - the beef and chicken as well as the yuca for the side. I LOVED both and i'm usually not a fan of chicken empanadas, but they were both so flavorful. if you get the chicken one, watch out for stained nails because there is curry seasoning. They were out of the skirt steak, but I hope to try that on my next trip in! The dough is nice and flaky and you can tell that these empanadas are fresh and make with love. For drinks, I got the sorrel which was nice and strong and not too sweet how I like it. Support this small business and order the whole menu! read more

Mola - Picadillo and chicken empanada with yuca frita - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I came this past weekend for a quick bit. The place is very small inside. There is a main counter along the bar and kitchen (they cook in front of you.) and then a tiny counter by the window for two or three people. I did not expect it to be so small inside. Luckily, it wasn't packed and I had a seat at the main counter. I ordered the chicken curry empanada and the pepper steak made with masa flour. The empanadas were DELICIOUS!!! I'm often picky about empanadas and find many are too doughy in the DC area. But these were great. The masa pepper steak was my unexpected favorite! I LOVED it. The chicken curry was flavorful and perfectly cooked. Now although I loved the empanadas, unfortunately, when I tried to order the patacones (fried plantains) I was told they weren't doing them at the moment. They only had one cook and one server and I guess it was too much for the cook to do at that moment. I understand being short staffed, but it seemed a bit like poor planning as Sundays are a busy day and they were still taking online orders on top of in-person orders. It was a bit disappointing, especially since the couple before me ordered and received them but I couldn't. Overall, I think their empanadas are great and would definitely return for them. I hope they figure out staffing better next time. read more

Mola - Masa pepper steak in the back and chicken curry isn't he front - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Glad we found this gem! Just what we needed for a late night meal. I ordered take out and while I was waiting, I was offered water. The food exceeded my expectations, so good! read more

This straight-back bar space holds a delightful concept: empanadas and sides with distinctive beverages and local art on the walls. The menu is quite small, but the vegetarian empanada they offered sounded worthwhile and was, delivering a rich coconut and spiced chickpea filling. It was made fresh for me, which wasn't fast but was worth the wait. My saril, a hibiscus drink, was quite thick in texture and tart in taste. The people working there were involved and wanted to know what the customer thought. Small bites suit the neighborhood well. The price was certainly high, but the quality was as well (and there are some very respectable and cheaper empanadas a couple of doors down, so pick what you want). read more

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A cozy hole-in-the-wall place with bar seating only! We came in on a Friday night, it wasn't too busy.I only tried the beef patty empanada, it was so good and flavorful (you can really taste the spices) with the perfect ratio of crust to stuffing! Will be back read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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I've been here twice now and have been impressed both times that I've been here. The restaurant doesn't have too much seating, but there also weren't other people either time that I've been there. The empanadas are great. They've got beef, chickpea, and chicken I believe. Among their options, I definitely say that chickpea is the best. It's somehow got meatiness and pops with flavor despite not having any meat in it. read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The service was amazing and the food was even better. we came on the saturday of the thrift expo and it was a full house. the owner made sure to take care of us and keep us updated on the timing of our food. read more

There is a new'ish empanada spot on the 18th street corridor in Adams Morgan. I was in my feelings (a tad bit upset) via the old DC staple empanada spot being on the same block. I grew up on those empanadas. I went in. I'm no longer in my feelings!! . Where I am: @molaempanada . Location Reviewed: 2438 18th St., N.W. Washington D.C. . Menu Includes: Picadillo Beef, Curry Chicken, & Chickpea Empanadas, Patacones, Yuca Bites, Red & Green Ají, Pressed Juices, & Teas, Cocktails, Wine, & Beer!! . Items Reviewed: Their Watermelon Cucumber Mint Juice ($6). STAMP!! Crisp, not overly sweet, delectable!! Their Chicken Curry Empanada (with braised chicken breast, house curry spice, & sautéed red bell peppers $5.50). STAMP!! A superb curry spice that infused with the chicken, & a crispy outer shell!! Their Picadillo Beef Empanada (with ground beef, a lil bit of cinnamon, bell peppers, onions, diced olives, & raisins $5.50). STAMP!! Sounds like odd flavoring BUT these are Bolivian styled Empanadas!! Savory, a tad sweet, the flavors blended PERFECTLY!! Their Spiced Chickpeas Empanada (with carrots, cilantro, curry made with coconut milk, & vegan dough $5.50). STAMP!! Mildly spicy, hearty, tasty!! Their Pantacones (twice fried plantain chips with the rojo, & verde dips $4.50). STAMP!! Crispy lightly salted chips, & STAMP both of those flavor packed dips. The verde is the mild!! . Customer Service: On Point!! . Online Navigation: Easy . Parking: Rough . Music: YouTube-BYB up Bumpers no.5 . Recommendations: EVERYTHING!! 5 Stars=STAMP 4 1/2 Stars=LIKE THAT 4 Stars=DELICIOUS 3 Stars=DECENT 2 Stars=PASS 1 Star=NAH #Bigschlimsreviews read more

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Savor the flavor, one bite at a time. Seriously, these are the best empanadas I've ever had in my life. I've never been a fan of empanadas but Mola changed my life. It's truly a celebration in every bite. Located in Adams Morgan (gamble on parking, take an Uber, or just enjoy a nice walk), Mola Empanada shares a taste of Panama. Everything is exceptional, from the service, to the eats, and drinks - all 10/10. The location interior features seasonal art from local artists, and has trendy decor that leaves you feeling upbeat and elated. Everything is cooked fresh to order, so it may take a little time but the flavors that burst in your mouth are worth it. Love how all of the ingredients play off each other, in the perfect proportions, and the flaky but soft crust is absolutely extraordinary. I recommend ordering at least two to three empanadas at a time, along with a side of Yuca fries (soo good, but wish more came with each order), and their signature dipping sauce. Oh and their coffees are brewed fresh Panamanian style, and their juices (Hibiscus, and etc) are made fresh in house daily. And to top it all off, the owner is Panamanian and a fellow Terrapin. read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

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Super delicious food and great service. We ordered the patacones, curry chicken empanada, beef empanada, oxtail, both iced teas, and the harina dulce for dessert. It was a cold night in DC, so this meal (and the cozy space) was perfect for us. Highly recommend! read more

I think empanadas are pretty good, but a little pricy. The sauces were delicious. Ambiance is simple and nice. Service was very attentive.

Delicious food. I tried the curry chicken, chickpea and steak (not pictured). The curry chicken and chickpea have nice fluffy and crunchy dough. The steak was made with a crispy corn based dough that I was told is more common in Central America. Also get the sauces! The staff were very friendly and helpful. I look forward to visiting again. read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Best empanadas in the city!! Mola offers Panamanian-Caribbean bites where they specialize in empanadas. They are tucked inside a small storefront in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of DC. This was our second time visiting Mola and boy it did not disappoint. From the moment you walk in, you are greeted by staff. Although seating can be limited, we never feel rushed during our meal. The past few times we've been there we've been able to see the owner in the kitchen crafting her magic. We always get the Curry Chicken empanada which consists of delicious Caribbean spices (Highly recommend!). The only downside is you have to pay $1 for their sauce. Both sauces are absolutely delicious and full of flavor. We also enjoyed their tangy ceviche. The snapper tasted fresh and apparently it's sourced locally. It had the perfect amount of citrusy yet savory goodness. All in all, their empanadas are always STUFFED with stew and the dough is cooked to perfection. 1000% recommend Mola and we cannot wait to come back to try their other Panamanian dishes! read more

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This restaurant was exceptional. The food and the service were both amazing. I highly recommend this place. read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Wow! These were hands down some the best empanadas we've ever had. The space may be small, but the flavor is huge. A friend recommended this spot after an event at a nearby bar, and it was worth every dollar. Absolutely delicious! Very good would highly recommend. 5 yums read more

I visited on a Sunday afternoon while in the area and I felt welcomed walking inside the restaurant. The staff were friendly and offered water to me while I waited for my empanadas. They make the empanadas when an order is placed so it's fresh, took around 5-10 mins to cook. Inside dining is a little small, probably seat 12 persons. The Beef empanadas were amazing! They're filled with meat, peppers, onions and other delicious seasonings. The Empanadas are huge also, probably need two max. I enjoy the spicy salsa verde, it added more heat and flavor with the other ingredients. I would come back to try other Empanadas! read more

Mola - Beef Empanadas - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The food here is amazing. The drinks are a bit pricey but hey, it's AdMo and it's a new restaurant. Worth it. The emapanadas are truly homemade and fried by hand. Parking is a challenge so take Metro/Uber. I also used them for catering about two weeks later and they really did a fantastic job. read more

Owner was amazing! The food was great and authentic Panamanian cuisine.the atmosphere and music was great as well. I will definitely go back! read more

From the moment we stepped in the door (Wednesday evening) we were immediately greeted. The young lady with the locs spoke with us as if she loved the food and wanted us to as well. She went over the menu but because we were just getting a late snack we only had the empanadas. We tried Vegan, Beef and Chicken. They were all good but the chicken was GOOOOD. I went back the next day because I thought about it all day. read more

Mola was on my list to try. I've had really good empanadas and not so great empanadas. I got chicken curry and beef and I must say this the chicken curry hits the spot! The beef was a little sweet for my liking. The green and red sauce so good! read more

I MUST stop and get an empanada from here when in the area, specially after bar hopping. read more

Mola - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

The absolute best empanadas I've ever had! If you're able, try one of each and enjoy, you can't go wrong! The service is amazing and the ambiance is chill and vibrant in the best way. read more

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We stopped in at Mola Empanada for a late night snack and juice on a Saturday night. They were in "soft open" mode at the time so things within the location were pretty bare but the service was great. The lone worker was super friendly and excited to have some people pop in. We had just a single empanada since we had already eaten dinner earlier in the evening and an carrot ginger juice to put some pep in my step. Food was delicious, service was friendly. read more

Mola - a bottle of orange juice - Latin American Near Me - Washington, DC, District of Columbia

Listen! This, without question is the best Panamanian ran spot I've been to in the DMV! The empanadas are out of this world, and the yuca keeps me up thinking about it at night! The customer service is phenomenal... and the hojaldras..... y'all - order it with cinnamon and sugar and tell her "Shay told me to try it".... You won't regret it. This is now our go to spot when I'm craving a piece of Panama Oh the fresh juices are so good! My favorite is the carrot ginger one!!!! read more

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HOLY COW! This place is worth the hype and tons of 5 star reviews. It is SO good!! The empanadas are a good size and so yummy! My friends and I ordered some of each type and had a small pre-dinner feast. Our favorites were the chicken curry and the egg ones, but truly all of them were scrumptious. The two workers were very nice. The space is small, but they have a window table and a bar as well. Highly recommend. Grab one and go! read more