The Empanada Lady

4.3 ( 416 reviews )
10 South St STE 100, Baltimore, MD 21202, United States
+1 443-377-1133

At the heart of Baltimore, The Empanada Lady brings a vibrant taste of Puerto Rican culture to diners seeking comfort food blended with warm service. Customers consistently praise the inviting atmosphere and the enthusiastic staff, like bartender Taylor and server Daven, who elevate the dining experience with their genuine friendliness and exceptional knowledge.

The menu shines with a delightful variety of empanadas that leave a lasting impression. Diners rave about the salmon, pork, chicken, and beef offerings, each crafted with authentic flavors that resonate with culinary tradition. One patron, Zhadia, even traveled an hour just to savor these mouthwatering bites, exclaiming the infusion of funky decor and engaging games creates a homely vibe. Although some mentioned slight service delays, the overwhelming consensus reflects that the deliciousness of the food is well worth the wait.

Whether you're seeking a casual lunch or a chill evening among friends, The Empanada Lady is a must-visit destination. The blend of delightful cuisine, welcoming environment, and unique local art offers not just a meal but a memorable cultural experience. It’s no wonder visitors are eager to become repeat customers. You won't just leave with a full belly; you'll take home a piece of Puerto Rican warmth too.

Amenities and More

  • From the business
    • Identifies as Black-owned
    • Identifies as Latino-owned
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • No-contact delivery
    • Delivery
    • Takeaway
    • Dine-in
  • Highlights
    • Fast service
    • Great cocktails
    • Great dessert
    • Live music
    • Sport
  • Popular for
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • Wheelchair-accessible seating
  • Offerings
    • Alcohol
    • Beer
    • Cocktails
    • Coffee
    • Comfort food
    • Food
    • Happy-hour drinks
    • Happy-hour food
    • Late-night food
    • Organic dishes
    • Quick bite
    • Small plates
    • Spirits
    • Vegan options
    • Vegetarian options
    • Wine
  • Dining options
    • Breakfast
    • Brunch
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Catering
    • Counter service
    • Dessert
    • Seating
    • Table service
  • Amenities
    • Bar on site
    • Gender-neutral toilets
    • Toilet
    • Wi-Fi
    • Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Cosy
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Family friendly
    • Groups
    • LGBTQ+ friendly
    • Tourists
    • Transgender safe space
  • Planning
    • Dinner reservations recommended
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Credit cards
    • Debit cards
    • NFC mobile payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs
  • Parking
    • Paid multi-storey car park
    • Paid street parking

Reviews For The Empanada Lady

P Van
Jul 1,2025
What a great gem in the heart of the city. Thoroughly enjoyed my food, atmosphere, and service. Taylor was a great bartender. She was friendly and had a great knowledge of the drinks. The food was filling and delicious. I visited on a Thursday night and parking was pretty easy. This is definitely a great place with a chill vibe. I highly recommend the salmon, pork and chicken empanadas. Also a great place to purchase art from local artists.
Danaya B
Jun 22,2025
Finally got to try out the Empanada Lady (for lunch) today, & I would like to start by apologizing to Chef Elisa - So sorry that you have gained a FOREVER CUSTOMER - I don’t think they’ll ever be able to “get rid of me” now lol! From the atmosphere to the staff - SUCH A WELCOMING VIBE!! I had the pleasure of being served by Daven & I will KEEP coming back, as his customer service is PHENOMENAL! They definitely have the right person behind the front bar & I genuinely appreciate the experience! Can’t wait to return... Thank you SO much!
brytini daniel
Jun 16,2025
Love this place! The manager Taylor was so kind and welcoming! She even brought us over uno cards. Our server was Rich G, he was so sweet and gentle! He catered to all of me and my friends very well. The beef empanadas were amazing. Definitely recommend coming here! Vibes are great and decor is on point. 1000/10000 recommend.
Zadia “Zhadia”
May 12,2025
Drove an hour to Indulge in the delightful flavors of these Puerto Rican empanadas! and I was so pleased with every bite. from the staff who greeted us with a smile the the funky cool decor to the Jenga and card games, I felt like I was sitting in my living room. We will certainly be back-High 5
Maria Cordero
Apr 30,2025
This place has been in my bucket list for some time and I finally made it. I went to grab lunch with my daughter. Love the atmosphere and 90s music. We weren’t greeted by anyone when we got there, it was self seated at the time. It took sometime for someone to approach our table. We waited patiently and the waiter took our order. All I have to say is the wait time was worth it. The empanadas are delicious and drink was really good too. I would definitely recommend this place to anyone, but keep in my mind you have to be patient. :)
The Moore’s Way
Apr 25,2025
When I say this food was hot and fresh and worth the drive downtown I mean it.I didn’t have the best experience last time I ordered and they made up for it big time. The food was ready when I got there didn’t even have to wait longer than 5 minutes and they even gave me a complimentary drink while I waited to top it all off , the bartender was on point with the drink and Tyiesha made sure my order was hot and ready in the time I said I would be there to pick it up. They went out of there way completely to make things right for me and I so appreciated them for that. I will most definitely be back because of this everything was 10/10
Angel Jackson
Apr 14,2025
The Empanada Lady is a must-visit in downtown Baltimore! The food is incredible—flavorful, fresh, and always hits the spot. The vibes are top tier, especially on First Fridays with a live DJ spinning all the hits. I’m a frequent patron and the service from Rich is always on point. This Afro-Latino spot brings culture, energy, and amazing food to the city. Come correct—because we need to keep gems like this thriving! Oh did I mention sometimes I bring my kids - its kids friendly too.
D G
Apr 8,2025
Very cozy spot near Inner Harbor. Had a fantastic meal here - excellent empanadas and sides. Service was excellent despite being busy; the bartender was very friendly, accommodating, and patient with us while we ordered. The cocktails were great. The platter for one person is HUGE, definitely hits the spot if you are super hungry. Standout sides were the tostones and street corn. The salmon, chicken, and beef empanadas are fantastic. The apple empanada was delicious as a “dessert” empanada.

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