Panamá City Restaurants

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Las Tinajas was right around the corner from our hotel and I figured it would be a nice night out on a Saturday night when we had nowhere to be the next morning. Most people go for the dinner show which starts at 9pm on Tuesday-Saturday, we got there right around 9pm and most people were already seated and eating so we should have gotten there a little earlier so we could watch the show after dinner instead of during. Reservations are highly recommended for the show, there were a couple of empty tables but not many. There's a $5 cover charge for the hour long show which features dancers and musicians performing traditional dances.

Favorite Dish: We started with an appetizer platter with pork rinds, country corn timbal, chorizo, yucca croquets, marinated cheese, fish sticks and fried plantains. For my entree I ordered the corvina (sea bass) in garlic sauce, it was very good. Hubby got the special typical dish with roast pork, fried sweet plantains and a rice ball with chicken. Although we didn't think we could finish off a pitcher of sangria, by the end of the evening it was gone. I can't find my receipt but I think the whole meal with cover charge of $10, tax and tip was around $70.

Located near the Marriott Hotel, Beirut is a nice spot to have Midde Eastern food. We were seated on the outdoor patio. Service wasn't very friendly, it took awhile to get our server to come over and then they seemed to be a little overanxious to clear the plates. But the food is good and it's a nice atmosphere.

Favorite Dish: We ordered an appetizer sampler platter to share and a chicken shawarma sandwich that we split. The menu was only in Spanish but I recognized some of the items on the sampler platter, the falafel, hummus, baba ganoush

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Ask anyone in Panama City where to try Panamanian food and most likely the answer will be El Trapiche. It's not fancy but the food is so reasonably priced, the service is jiffy quick and pleasant and the food is oh so tasty. There's outdoor seating but if the heat is making you wilt you can also eat in the air-conditioned dining room decorated to look like an old sugar mill, El Trapicherefers to a press used to extract juice from sugar cane.

We *loved* El Trapiche, we ate there three times, our first night, our second night when we tried unsuccessfully to find another place that served Panamanian food and Sunday for breakfast. Sunday breakfast was packed but they really know how to get people in and get them out.

Favorite Dish: I had the Ropa Vieja both nights for dinner and for breakfast I had a combinacion sandwich made with pork and chicken on a hojaldras (flour fritter). The prices are really cheap, the ropa vieja was around $5, the appetizer plate was only $2!!! The whole meal was under $20 all three times we ate there.

The man on the beach from Wisconsin said "I know it sounds crazy but you just have to try the fried chicken from McDonald's". Even crazier? We actually followed his advice and by golly it was darn good fried chicken!

Favorite Dish: I normally avoid McDonald's both at home and abroad unless nature calls and I can avail myself of their free bathrooms but if there is something unusual on the menu, like fried chicken, I can be persuaded to try it

This is an elegant, casual restaurant, with a Canadian-trained chef who specializes in making local food into a refined and delicious experience. Prices are low by US standards, and quality is like one would find in a upscale restaurant anywhere in the world. The location is comfortable as there are lots of parking. Luminous & clean. Moerately priced wine list.

Favorite Dish: I love the lamb shank in wine.... and the seafood is out of this world

What a lovely small restaurant! Everything sparkles, it is a gem in Panama City. The food can only be described in superlatives, fresh seafood, tender steaks. They have the most delicious home made desserts. We had a wonderful dinner at this restaurant in the Punta Pacifica area, at a very moderate cost.

Favorite Dish: Our favorite was the corvina wrapped in potato, the fish was moist and delicious. A big portion of fish, we did not leave the table hungry! Another good choice was the lamb shank in wine sauce, very tasty and perfectly cooked.

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This restaurant is in the unlikely location, as it is located in a shopping center. As you come in, you find a light, clean and modern ambiance, with such food as we have only come to expect in NYC fine restaurants. They have a terrace, but it is best to sit inside, not only because of the air conditioning (Panama is a hot country) but because the ambiance is so first-world and classy.
They have a wonderful way of cooking their fish dishes, and the meat is only imported, which is why we found it so soft. Service is prompt and professional. We have enjoyed our visit to Panama, and have been twice to eat at Marina Marina restaurant.

Favorite Dish: Their fish is sublime, they have a wonderful potato wrapped corvina which is out of this world.Their langostinos are also huge and very tasty!

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Excelent food, good ambiance, very relaxing, romantic, in one word sensational.

Favorite Dish: They received you with grissinis, bread sticks with 4 sensational sauces.
The Monte Carlo Prawn, are delicious, breaded with coconut, along with an exquisite tangerine sauce.