Enjoy Empanadas and Paletas

Some of the best food in Arlington doesn’t announce itself with a big sign or a celebrity chef — it announces itself with a golden, perfectly crimped crust and a filling that surprises you. Mpanadas is a family-owned empanada café at 2602 B Columbia Pike, and the Bolivian family behind it has built something genuinely warm and community-rooted on the Pike since opening. The menu features over a dozen creative, globally inspired fillings — from classic ground beef with mashed potato and melted mozzarella to a Shepherd’s Pie empanada seasoned with Irish spices, a vegan lentil and black bean curry option, and even a maple bacon breakfast empanada with egg and cheese. Each empanada is handcrafted to order, with a flaky, golden crust that manages to be both substantial and delicate — and the signature green dipping sauce has developed its own devoted following among regulars.

The café’s personality extends well beyond the empanadas themselves. Gourmet paletas (fruit ice pops) and South American gelato round out the sweet side of the menu, while the drinks program — built around signature coffees and the standout horchata latte made with oat milk — makes Mpanadas a genuinely excellent morning stop as well as a lunch and dinner destination. Larry the Llama, the café’s cheerful mascot, represents everything the owners love about the space: warmth, creativity, and community. The staff’s warmth and the owner Gaby’s hands-on presence make first-time visitors feel like regulars by the time they finish their second empanada. Military discount offered. Open Monday through Saturday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Order online or visit at mpanadasusa.com.