Thread: restaurants - bars - nightlife etc

Since this forum is getting more political instead of actually providing useful tips for Panama, i thought it was time for something lighter and nicer.

Post your experiences here when you go out to diner or drinks or whatever. It is not easy to find good food in Panama, so i'm sure this saves out trying a lot of bad food in order to find good food.

Negative experiences are also useful. Don't forget to add addresses and prices and other handy information!

I'll start off right away

I often go to Los Anos Locos. It is on Calle 74 just past KFC on the right side. http://www.losanioslocos.com/

Nice food, ok service (even some english), but especially nice atmosphere. At least if you sit outside. Inside I find it a bit less. I like that it is quite crowded most of the time. I have noticed many restaurants in Panama are pretty much empty most of the time and that always makes me feel a bit uncomfortable.

I've tried both fish and meat and so far all I've had was fine and reasonably priced. Somewhere between $12 and $20 for most meals, and bit higher for special imported meat. No haute cuisine but just good food in a nice enviroment.

My personal favorites are:

Drinking: Istmo Brew Pub, Pavo Real, Rasputin. Maybe Bongos and Oldies. There are some off the side street from Calle Uruguay as well on Federico Boyd.

Quick food / lunch: Taqueria de Manoel, Riko Pollo, UDI.

Meals: Rincon Suiza, Hacienda Real, Napoli, Gauchos.

There is a great restaurant near (on?) Calle Uruguay... only been there twice, can't remember the name.
The food is great: roasted chicken quarter, ravioles, LARGE portions. About $5.
Sitting outside eating, I was approached by a very large (not exactly fat) woman who asked if I wanted some company. Made me quite nervous, so much though that she questioned whether or not I liked women... or just not her... a real Don Knotts moment.

Another place, at the end of the spot where the road ends in sort of a cul de sac, in the same area, serves great sopa de pollo con arroz.

My apologies for not remembering names and exact addresses. At the second spot, I was the only one there on both occasions that I visited.

You have probably confused Calle Uruguay for Calle Argentina or similar.

I can't believe you let her take you home just to prove a point!

Originally Posted by explorer

There is a great restaurant near (on?) Calle Uruguay... only been there twice, can't remember the name.
The food is great: roasted chicken quarter, ravioles, LARGE portions. About $5.
Sitting outside eating, I was approached by a very large (not exactly fat) woman who asked if I wanted some company. Made me quite nervous, so much though that she questioned whether or not I liked women... or just not her... a real Don Knotts moment.

Another place, at the end of the spot where the road ends in sort of a cul de sac, in the same area, serves great sopa de pollo con arroz.

My apologies for not remembering names and exact addresses. At the second spot, I was the only one there on both occasions that I visited.

Uh... no... truth be told, I stumbled over my words like a frightened child. Really. Where I come from, working girls typically have bullet and/or knife wounds and missing teeth.
She had me at a loss for words, and actually said "boo!" as she and an acquaintance of hers left the restaurant. And yeah, it was probably Argentina.


By the way.. is there a casual, jazz joint anywhere in the city? I like to kick back with a few glasses of wine and listen to live music, but don't like to dress up all the time.

Originally Posted by explorer

There is a great restaurant near (on?) Calle Uruguay... only been there twice, can't remember the name.
The food is great: roasted chicken quarter, ravioles, LARGE portions. About $5.............

Maybe it is PesKito in Marbella you mean?
Peskito Restaurante Grill & Restaurant believe they also where the inventor of the executive lunch that others are copying: Entrada, Plato fuerte y Postre for 6.25 (was 5.99) + tax
Peskito Restaurante Grill & RestaurantThe lunch is served between 11- 14 or something.

I like!

explorer: i read about platea in casco viejo but havent been there yet so no idea if its nice or not. And i think there are more cause ive seen ads in newspapers but dont remember the names. If i see any again i will post!

ed: thanks! got some addresses as well?

Drinking: Istmo Brew Pub (across from Pomodoro), Pavo Real (middle of Via Argentina), Rasputin (front of Felipe Motta in Marbella). Maybe Bongos (next cross street up from Veneto) and Oldies (Calle 39, two blocks from Av Balboa). There are some off the side street from Calle Uruguay as well on Federico Boyd.

Quick food / lunch: Taqueria de Manoel (Calle 41, close to Panama Offshore), Riko Pollo (By Bingo 90 but closer to via Brasil), UDI (Calle 40 and Justo Arosemena).

Meals: Rincon Suiza (across from Istmo), Hacienda Real (One street down from Calle 50 / Federico Boyd going down and take a right, go to end), Napoli (across from Bingo 90), Gauchos (middle of Calle Uruguay).

Originally Posted by janl

ed: thanks! got some addresses as well?

Istmo Brewery is ok & Chiriqui beer is good...Oldies is one of my favorite, so is Superbook....but my ideal place is Balboa Yacht Club...is humid and no ac, but the food is good and people are nice...r

Agreed, but it's a pain in the ass to take a cab there (and back) and check points on that road sometimes.

Originally Posted by Rok Alwar

but my ideal place is Balboa Yacht Club...is humid and no ac, but the food is good and people are nice...r

We used to eat at the Carbon Rojo on Via Transistmica. The meal was always excellent, as were the prices, service and portion sizes.

...Also, if you're a vegan, don't even bother to go!

As far as nightlife goes, Panama has a lot to offer. Calle Uruguay is filled with plenty of options for clubs and bars (mostly upscale). The most popular party spot by far is Casco Viejo. There you will find lenty of option of bars and clubs (at good prices). The area itself is amazing whether in the day time or at night. Panama is a ball when it comes to nightlife...good people, good music, and a good time.

Originally Posted by marley1love

As far as nightlife goes, Panama has a lot to offer. Calle Uruguay is filled with plenty of options for clubs and bars (mostly upscale). The most popular party spot by far is Casco Viejo. There you will find lenty of option of bars and clubs (at good prices). The area itself is amazing whether in the day time or at night. Panama is a ball when it comes to nightlife...good people, good music, and a good time.

Did you read "Don't forget to add addresses and prices and other handy information!"??

You post looks like a copy-paste from a touristic guide...
Any detailed information??

Addresses aren't really necessary as far as the party districts go...if you just say "Calle Uruguay" or "Casco Viejo," the taxi will know exactly where you are talking about. At Calle Uruguay, most of the night clubs cost $15-20 bucks to enter. Drinks are usually around 5 bucks. Its more of an upsale party district, but there is about 10 different clubs and bars to choose from. Casco Viejo is more of a new party district and its a lot cheaper than Calle Uruguay. Most of the clubs and bars are free to enter and drink prices are usually cheap ( beers $1-3 bucks). If you are really into to salsa, bachata and tipico Panamanian music, there is a place called Salsas Bar and Grill behind the Veneto Casino on Via Veneto. Its usually free to enter, the most you will pay is $5. I always have a great time there. The drink prices are anywhere from 1-8 dollars.

I heard that the restaurant Market in Calle Uruguay is good to...has anyone been there? the website: Home