All Reviews
Hosea Ajet
a month agoThis restaurant serves excellent food, healthy organic options, and the catering is great. I'd rate the pricing below average as it typically cost about $30 to eat a simple meal. They can work on their pricing honestly
Tony Moze
a month agoINTRO: Panela De Barro is one of those places that doesn't immediately reveal everything it has to offer when you first walk in. At first glance, it looks like a simple takeout spot, but once you look a little more to the left, you realize there's also a sit-down dining area tucked inside. It gives the restaurant this relaxed, local feel that makes it approachable from the start. FOOD: The food is absolutely the reason people keep coming back here. The setup combines a buffet-style serving line with hot sides and freshly prepared dishes alongside a grill station in the back where meats are constantly being cooked. Everything is sold by the pound, so it's very easy to build yourself a massive plate without even realizing it. The meats are the true stars of the show. Smoky, flavorful, juicy, and freshly grilled, they instantly grab your attention the second you walk near the grill area. Beyond the meats, there's a huge variety of sides and desserts to mix into your plate, which makes every visit feel slightly different depending on what you're craving. SERVICE: The service here feels very neighborhood-oriented and welcoming. During my visit, I had the chance to meet the owner, who was genuinely kind and personable. That interaction alone added a lot to the experience because you can tell there's pride behind the restaurant. The staff keeps the food rotating quickly, making sure trays stay fresh and stocked, even when the place gets busy. AMBIANCE: The ambiance is casual, lively, and comforting. It's not trying to be upscale or trendy, and honestly that works in its favor. There's something enjoyable about the mix of people dining in, grabbing takeout, and hovering near the grill waiting for fresh cuts of meat to come out. It has the feeling of a local spot where regulars know exactly what they're coming for. IMPRESSIONS: Panela De Barro is still one of the better spots in the Waltham area if you want flavorful Brazilian comfort food and a lot of variety for your money. The only thing keeping this from being a full five stars for me is that the pricing has definitely gone up over the last year. It can still be affordable depending on how much food you pile onto your plate, but costs can add up quickly if you're not careful. Overall though, this is a place I'd gladly come back to, especially when I'm craving grilled meats, hearty sides, and food that tastes like it was made to satisfy.
Kurt Dunlap
2 months agoDecent food . Place is very expensive Lunch size meal, Rice beans and some picanha with two pieces of plantain. $24.00 to go.
Charlene BISSON
8 months ago1st time here, delicious food ! The buffet had choice, perfect temperature, I tried barbecue and choose the picanha, omg it was so tasty !!! 👍👍
Chris Wozny
8 months agoCame here on a Saturday evening because we had a hankering for a variety of meats and had driven by this place many times. As you walk in, you are greeted by a salad bar and table with plates or takeout containers. You grab whatever you want from the salad bar buffet (which has a small selection of meat at the end) and then head over to the grill. There are a different cuts of chicken, beef, pork, and lamb that you can request. Once you’re done ordering, they weigh your plate and you pay based upon that. There are different prices for salad bar only, salad bar and grilled meats, and grilled meats only). Then you can either take it to go or sit in the dining area behind the bar. There was a TV playing a concert and some other folks back in the casual dining area. The picanha and other beef was a bit overcooked the night we went, but that doesn’t take away from how great the other meats were. The chicken breast wrapped in bacon was super juicy and flavorful as was the pork and spiced chicken sausage. I also tried the chicken heart just to try something new and it was also pretty good. The chicken wings were also a hit. I didn’t try anything from the salad bar, but my compatriots said the pork meatballs were also fantastic! Overall the meats are great albeit some of the steak was overcooked, however the value for this meal was excellent. With tip, I paid $21 for nearly 1.4 pounds of various meats. Worth a try if you’re in the area and I suspect we’ll be coming back when our next carnivore craving hits!
Doron Bracha
a year agoThis unassuming restaurant is larger than appears from the street. It’s well organized and established, with basic but pleasant interiors, comfortable seating and clean restrooms. TV running Brazilian shows and news, adds to the atmosphere. I was able to work on my laptop offline for an hour before lunch, it would be great if they also provided WiFi. Fresh food, buffet style, tasty but a bit too salty. The prices are a bit higher than expected, a generous plate cost $23. They do provide free water and also coffee, which is great. Very good experience overall !
Stephen Tate
2 years agoI’m a Gringo & don’t speak a lick of Portuguese. But this is one of my favorite restaurants in Massachusetts. It’s not much to look at from the outside, but the buffet is incredible, and the selection of meat is outstanding. I always overfill my plate with fruit, vegetables, and meat, and the price is consistently around $20 for me. Whenever I’m in the Waltham or Newton area, this is my go to place for lunch. Incredibly friendly people. Parking isn’t always easy, you may have to drive around the block a couple of times to find street parking. But well worth it!
Nicholas Cappello
Edited 2 years agoStaff was extremely friendly and the food had great quality. For the price per ounce I will have to say, Panela De Barro is an excellent affordable choice. With a meal in the $10-$20 range, I'm certain you will leave full and satisfied.