Mola

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

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 sortsThe 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

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!

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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!