Location: Lowell
Top Restaurants in Lowell
Top Things to do in Lowell
Lowell Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Lowell
Lowell is a city in the U.S. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Located in Middlesex County, Lowell (along with Cambridge) was a county seat until Massachusetts disbanded county government in 1999. With an estimated population of 109,945 in 2014, it is the fourth-largest city in Massachusetts, and the second-largest in the Boston metropolitan statistical area. The city is also part of a smaller Massachusetts statistical area called Greater Lowell, as well as New England's Merrimack Valley region.
Things to do in Lowell
1. Good Thymes
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 183 reviews
Reviewed By islandtina - Tewksbury, Massachusetts
The food portions are huge and there is a very varied menu. You are met with a large glass case highlighting the many dessert options as soon as you enter. Many of the meals are old fashioned home cooked foods. The chicken/turkey croquettes are delicious and always my choice.
Free parking and easy handicap entrance make this a great choice.
2. Life Alive
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 138 reviews
Reviewed By DevorahLeah - Boston MA
I'll admit it: I'm not a vegan, nor a vegetarian. I do, however, enjoy both cuisines now and then, so when a friend suggested the Lowell location of Life Alive, near where she works, I was absolutely willing to join her. I liked the restaurant's mission statement about their commitment to healthy, "vibrant, organic, therapeutic" food, and the part about how the owners have "devoted ourselves to making nourishing and delicious "slow" food convenient and full of pleasure" sounded like a worthy goal. Unfortunately, the operative word for my experience was "slow," rather than "convenient."
My first impression was to be puzzled that a health-oriented restaurant was not handicapped accessible. I have mobility issues and it's up a flight of stairs to get into the venue (perhaps there's a ramp somewhere, but I didn't see it). It was about 1:30 in the afternoon, but there was still a long line-- that can be a good sign (the restaurant is popular) or it can be a bad sign (there were a lot of employees behind the counter, so why the long line?). The person who took our order was quite friendly. My friend ordered The Goddess (a large salad, nicely arranged, with carrots, beets, broccoli, kale, tofu, other legumes, with brown rice and a sesame ginger sauce) and I asked for the Green Goddess (similar, but with avocados, garlic and flax oil, and various other legumes, along with brown rice). There was also a soup of the day-- I tried the cream of broccoli; and I had a golden spice latté to drink.
The soup came immediately. It was thick and flavorful, almost a meal in itself. My friend's salad arrived promptly, and so did my drink (I couldn't taste anything that resembled a latté, however; the spices overpowered any other flavor). But as for my salad... nothing. I waited. And waited. After about fifteen minutes, I finally went up to the counter to ask how long it takes to make a salad. It turned out the dish had been sitting there for about ten minutes (or so the counter-person said), but nobody had been notified and nobody brought it to me. I remarked on how making a customer wait that long was probably not very helpful, but the person behind the counter seemed quite indifferent. He basically acted as if I should be glad the salad was ready at all. By now, my soup was cold, and I wished I had been able to try both items together, but there was nothing to be done about it, nor did I get the impression it mattered to anyone. Okay fine, it's not the worst thing that's ever happened to me, but when a restaurant's mission statement promises one experience (something spiritual) and delivers quite the opposite (something aggravating), it's disappointing.
Parking in downtown Lowell (which has some wonderful historical museums, by the way) is always problematic. There's some on-street parking nearby if you are very lucky, and a parking lot a couple of streets away. Over all, the atmosphere in the restaurant is very pleasant, not too noisy, and comfortable for anyone who wants to have a conversation over lunch. In fairness to the restaurant, portions were large, and several of the customers nearby seemed very happy with their choices (I am told the wraps are very popular, and the smoothies got good reviews from the customers). But I do wish the service I received had been better, and I will think twice the next time I'm in Lowell and in the mood for something vegan or vegetarian.
3. Pho 88
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 181 reviews
Reviewed By PaulinesChoice - Nashua, New Hampshire
I've been there a few times and food is mostly good. I love the fresh spring rolls with peanut sauce. The place is usually busy but you don't wait too long. Parking is limited and difficult. The sweeter noodles are too sweet. Service is hit or miss with the ladies being usually nicer.
Our server gave us enough time to go through the menu "in which we felt abandoned" then he expect us to have it figured out and be promptly ready. No room for questions. We got some impatient useless answers instead.
4. Cobblestones of Lowell
Overall Ratings
4 based on 261 reviews
A historic landmark, COBBLESTONES boasts excellent dining and hospitality amongst magnificent architecture and ambience. Widely known for incredible hand cut steaks, burgers, local seafood and oysters on the 1/2 shell, 24 years’ worth of Chef created specialties, classic American cocktails and dozens of locally crafted beers. Equally suited for casual tavern fare or special private dining celebrations. “A must” in the Merrimack Valley. COBBLESTONES Restaurant is within walking distance of all of Lowell’s attractions and entertainment venues, including The Paul E Tsongas Arena, The Lowell Memorial Auditorium, The Merrimack Repertory Theater, Boardinghouse Park and The National Park Visitors Center.
Reviewed By Mike K - Dushore, Pennsylvania
We were visiting in Lowell with family and had dinner at Cobblestone's on a Saturday night. We had to wait about 35-45 minutes....it was a busy night. We went into the bar area (that was also very busy) and order some drinks while we waited...MoreWonderful thank you so much for your kind words mrkpg. We will be sure to share your review with our dedicated service and kicthen teams. Hope you can dine with again soon-Cheers!
5. Owl Diner
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 140 reviews
Reviewed By Georgina F
We came to Lowell Massachusetts to see a concert at Tsongas and was in town for few days and came for breakfast Friday morning and it was so good we returned Saturday morning. Fantastic food, great service, welcoming & friendly atmosphere. Would recommend everyone to eat here. If I’m back in this area, I will be back for a meal.
6. Olympia Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 100 reviews
Reviewed By Coco1231 - Florida
We had a ladies lunch here and everyone was quite happy with food and service.No complaints. Courses included spinach pies, specialty salads with chicken and swordfish served with noodles. Good size portions (leftovers for several). Service was prompt, efficient and pleasant. Had not had Greek food in years and made me wonder why – all the food was excellent. Small old style quaint restaurant that has been there for years, limited side parking. Prices very reasonable – looking forward to another visit to try something new.
7. Udupi Bhavan
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 54 reviews
Reviewed By Celia L - Great Neck, New York, United States
Great find! Authentic, outstanding South Indian cuisine, very large portions, low prices and fast, friendly service. Very popular with the local Indian community and very crowded. I recommend the Mysore Royal Thali and the any varieties of dosai. Come hungry and leave stuffed.
8. The Old Court Irish Pub & Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 69 reviews
Reviewed By mamacooking - Boston, Massachusetts
The Old Court Irish Pub is an authentic Irish pub and restaurant in downtown Lowell with an interesting, comfortable, pub decor. Ordering a glass of wine in a place like this can be a risk, but the cabernet was fine. The sweet potato fries with horseradish sauce were the best I have ever had. The rebel burger was wonderful, as was the fried haddock sandwich. Service was friendly. Looking for a beer and a burger in Lowell? This is your place.
9. El Potro Mexican Bar & Grill
Overall Ratings
4 based on 61 reviews
At El Potro Mexican Bar and Grill, you'll experience authentic Mexican and Central American cuisine at its finest. Using recipes handed down from generation to generation, our family-owned restaurant has created a menu full of traditional meals prepared daily with fresh, homemade ingredients. Don't miss our music nights with a live Mariachi band! With music, food, and hand-carved Mexican furniture, El Potro makes you feel like you're in Mexico! We are now open at three locations: Malden, Somerville and Lowell, Massachusetts. Come by for a visit!
Reviewed By Susan C - Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Love the food here. Fast service. Limited outdoor seating. Too small for popularity! We were here for the Congress of Future Medical Leaders at the Tsongas Arena and knew we had to leave early to get seated here. I had fajita salad in taco bowl, my daughter had enchiladas mole. Chips and salsa fresh and good, we finished quickly. Food fresh and delicious. Just wish they had more space! Didn't have time for any dessert.
10. Fuse Bistro
Overall Ratings
4 based on 107 reviews
Reviewed By mandjfoy - Manchester, New Hampshire, United States
Had dinner here on a warm night outside - nice spot on a not too busy cobblestone side street. Food and drinks were good - fish and chips, tuna burger and filet mignon, but service was just ok. There were only a few other patrons at the time, so it didn't make sense why it was so slow and why one meal took so much longer than all the others. Building is very cool with enormous old station doors.
