Best Panama Restaurants


Best Panama Restaurants

(11 votes)

Written by Administrator

Wednesday, August 16 2006

For all of you who have no idea what the food is like in Panama, much like I did when I first found out I got a job down here, you will be pleased to know that Panama City has some great food from all over the world. Whether you are in the mood for some souvlaki from Greece or some sweet and sour pork from Chinatown, don't fret my pet, you can find all of these things in one city, in one third world country, that is the natural land bridge from Central to South America. And we're not going to be like every other site and tell you to go to either a) the most expensive restaurants in Panama or b) the most touristy restaurants in Panama or c) (and my favorite) the most overrated restaurants in Panama!

Best Panama Value: ATHENS

Because food tastes that much better when it doesn't cost a weeks pay

� Location: There are three. (Calle 50, one next to Bingo 90, and El Dorado)

� (507) 223-1464

� Athens is great for a cheap, tasty meal. It tends to get crowded so the one on Calle 50 has installed phones at every table, allowing you to call the restaurant and place your order. They have traditional Greek food from souvlaki to gyros, baklava to homemade tzatiki sauce. Portions are also large, so come hungry!

Best Italian Food in Panama: IL BOCCALINO

Mr. Atkins personal favorite

� Location: Calle 49 (Bella Vista)

� (507) 223-8521

� Candles, wine, and something starchy, mmm it gets me every time. Out of the many Italian restaurants in Panama City, Il Boccalino is the place to show Mr. Atkins that you don't like him.

Best Panamanian Food in Panama: LAS TINAJAS

You're in the country and you want to taste the real thing. Patacones, bistec picado, yuka, bollo, pipa, y mas...

� Location: Calle 51

� (507) 269-3840

� Almost every Panamanian I asked said without a doubt, Las Tinajas is the best Panamanian restaurant in town. They describe everything as being traditional from the food to the dance. Because “Without our tradition we would be as shaky, as...as...as the fiddler on the roof."

Best Mexican Food in Panama: EL PATIO MEXICANO

I'm from California, and a girl needs her burrito.

� Location: El Cangrejo (right next to El Sport Tek)

� (507) 263-5684

� A very typical Mexican restaurant with bright colors and flavorful dishes. Enchiladas to mango frozen margaritas are common favorites among restaurant goers. They also serve a delightful Sunday buffet.

Best Chinese Food in Panama: MADAME CHANG'S

There are a lot of Chinese people in Panama City and boy can this place cook up some tasty treats.

� Location: Calle Uruguay

� (507) 269-1313

� Sweet and sour pork? Too boring? Madame Chang is known for its sleek décor as well as innovative Chinese dishes. How about sour and sweet pork? Some people say it's even the best Chinese joint on the continent!

Best Sushi in Panama: SUSHI ITO

Yes, I know I wrote Sushi and not Japanese. This was done on purpose, because there are very few real Japanese restaurants here in Panama City and all the sushi ones tend to serve just sushi.

� Location: Marbella

� (507) 265-1222

� If you are looking for some traditional sashimi or a Panamanian-concocted specialty roll, Sushi Ito is the place for you. The rice is always moist, the ingredients fresh, and the ambience hip.

Restaurant With Best Ambiance in Panama: LAS BOVEDAS

Whoa, bien pritty. Whooaa, so cool.

� Location: Casco Viejo

� (507) 228-8058

� French food. Jazz music. Friday and Saturday night, live jazz.

� You walk in through these brown, spear shaped, castle/dungeon looking doors and enter into a mysterious, yet trendy, looking restaurant. You can look out the window and see the bay or walk around the corner and see Noriega's Old Club Union. One of the most unique dining spots on the isthmus.

Best American Food in Panama: TGI FRIDAY

The closest I'll ever get to home, aside from the Spanglish.

� Location: There are five. (Amador Causeway, Marbella, El Dorado, Los Pueblos, and Obarrio)

� (507) 217-8505

� TGI Friday's serves appetizers, steaks, seafood, chicken, salads, sandwiches, ribs, soups, burgers, desserts, and even low-carb dishes. With all the cool memorabilia on the wall, your taste buds as well as your eyes are in for a treat. I also need to mention its spectacular drink menu, which offers up delightful mixtures of all alcoholic sorts.

Best Seafood Restaurant in Panama: MACHU PICHU

Since the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea both have to share Panama, a competition for the best seafood arises.

� Location: El Cangrejo (Calle Usabio Morales, between Calle Uruguay and Via Veneto)

� Reservations: 264-9308 (recommended for parties six or more)

� Machu Pichu is a Peruvian style restaurant with its specialties being seafood. It has fresh octopus in olive oil, sprinkled with Spanish paprika to lobster medallions slightly spicy, with a touch of cognac, nuts, and whipped cream. The fresh seabass is always perfect and they are renowned for their ceviche, perhaps the best in the city.

Favorite Restaurant in Panama: MACHU PICHU

It's like, so good.

� Location: El Cangrejo (Calle Usabio Morales, between Calle Uruguay and Via Veneto)

� Reservations: 264-9308 (recommended for parties six or more)

� Machu Pichu lives up to its name. It is an amazing restaurant much like the actual Inca ruin atop the large mountain in Peru. Although its specialties are seafood, the menu is very large and they serve an array of different foods that are all unique.