Lowell’s population is a rich ethnic stew—and so are its eateries. In the mill city, bright and fragrant lemon grass lives alongside rich, potato-packed pierogis, and the powerful spices of Indian curries simmer a few blocks from middle eastern falafel. With each new ethnic group calling Lowell home, the palette broadens. Here is just a small sample of Lowell’s cross-cultural culinary delights.
  • Hands holding a bowl full of mussels and 4 slices of bread from Sizzling Kitchen in LowellPhoto by Tory Germann
    SIZZLING KITCHEN, MERRIMACK STREET
    Asian fusion. Try this: Bibimbap (sautéed vegetables with meat or shrimp served over a bed of rice baked in a stone bowl).
  • A young woman eats pho inside Viet Thai in Lowell, MAPhoto by Tory Germann
    VIET-THAI, MERRIMACK STREET
    Vietnamese and Thai. Try this: Pho beef noodle soup, served with bean sprouts, basil and lime. 
  • A man carries samosas and other Indian food to a table at Udupi Bhavan in Lowell, MAPhoto by Tory Germann
    UDUPI BHAVAN, MIDDLESEX STREET
    Indian. Try this: Paav bhaji (spiced, mashed vegetables mixed with potato, onion and garlic). 
  • A crispy crepe on an orange plate drizzled with chocolate and topped with bananas, strawberries and whipped creamPhoto by Tory Germann
    CREPES AND THE CITY, MERRIMACK STREET
    French. Try this: D-Nice Special (savory chicken crêpe with caramelized onions, roasted red peppers and spinach).
  • A man holds up cans of IPA in front of the chalkboard menu at Empanada Dada
    EMPANADA DADA, TRAVELING: CUBAN FOOD TRUCK 
    Try this: Guava and creamcheese empanada
  • a Mexican entree with rice, beans, tortilla chips and salsa sit atop a colorful tiled tablePhoto by Tory Germann
    EL POTRO MEXICAN BAR & GRILL, MERRIMACK STREET 
    Mexican and Central American. Try this: Carne asada (grilled steak with tortillas, garnished with pico de gallo, guacamole and scallions). 
  • Students line up in the evening to get dinner at the Egyptian Food Truck
    EGYPTIAN FOOD TRUCK, RIVERSIDE STREET
    Egyptian. Try this: Lamb and chicken mixed plate over rice with extra white sauce.
  • A bowl of colorful Cambodian food sits on a pink paper place setting at Simply Khmer in Lowell, MAPhoto by Tory Germann
    SIMPLY KHMER, LINCOLN STREET
    Cambodian. Try this: P’set-Kop (pork with lemon grass, kaffir lime leaves, red chilies and vegetables).
  • A sushi roll with crab and avocado sits on a plate in a row
    BLUE TALEH, KEARNEY SQUARE
    Thai and Japanese. Try this: Volcano Maki sushi (spicy tuna, tempura crumb, spicy mayo topped with scallop, crabstick, tobiko and mushroom, then lightly torched). 
  • A gyro from The Olympia Restaurant in Lowell, MA
    THE OLYMPIA RESTAURANT, MARKET STREET 
    Greek. Try this: Grape leaves stuffed with rice, meat and spices and served with lemon sauce.
  • A circular tray displaying crab rangoon egg rolls, cheeseburger egg rolls, samosa egg rolls and buffalo chicken egg rollsPhoto by Tory Germann
    EGG ROLL CAFÉ, UNIVERSITY AVENUE
    Chinese, Korean and Japanese. Try this: A bubble tea with Crab Rangoon and steak-and-cheese egg rolls.