Any visitor to Panama may notice how often they see the locals eating soup. This can be quite confusing at first because the incredibly hot climate in Panama doesn’t really seem like the correct environment for consuming piping hot soup. Like it or not soup is a big part of Panamanian food culture, so prepare yourself for hot food and hot weather during your time here. Although there are a number of different Panamanian soups the overwhelming favorite and most consumed is called Sancocho. This hearty soup is typically composed of some chicken, potato or yucca, corn on the cob, and some local spices. It is usually served with a nice bowl of rice that most people slowly add to Read more
Panama has an array of culinary delights to satisfy even the broadest range of palates. This melting pot of different cuisines is a food lover’s paradise and it’s easy to find a meal from a wide variety of different cultures. The funny thing about the city is that it’s so easy to get caught up in the vast amount of restaurants from other countries sometimes you forget eating actual Panamanian food. While many restaurants may advertise authentic local cuisine they are often a blend of the various Latin cultures surrounding the Isthmus. For this reason it’s important to first discover what Panamanian food actually is so you can experience it for yourself.
I’ve discovered an absolutely delicious and a must Read more
Although I’m one of the farthest things on earth from a vegetarian I appreciate good food whatever the type. A friend recently recommended a small little restaurant called El Jardin Vegetariana in very close proximity to my house so I decided to give it a shot even though it was vegetarian. Spending only $2.50 for a meal consisting of 4 dishes of delicious fresh vegetables, beans, pasta, an eggroll and fresh juice I felt incredible and sad all at the same time. The incredible feeling came from food that was tasty, fresh and with an excellent selection that left me feeling good afterwards. The sad feeling was from knowing that I have been in Panama for so long and didn’t Read more
As moving to Panama was quite a random decision for me (read about why I moved here) I had virtually no preconceptions of what the cuisine would be like. Because of its relatively close proximity to Mexico, Spanish language and Latin culture I automatically assumed it would be somewhat similar to Mexican food. However my time in Panama thus far has taught me that aside from the abundance of rice and beans used in their dishes the types of meals are vastly different. Panamanians rarely use tortillas or cheese so large hearty burritos, tacos and enchiladas are typically out of the question. As this gringo comes from Colorado where a large hispanic population has created a some of the Read more
Figuring out how to efficiently experience the vast plethora of culinary options in Panama City is a somewhat overwhelming task. There are so many different neighborhoods with good restaurants that even if you are able to pin down a location to cure your hunger pains it can be difficult to choose from the array of different choices. From Lebanese to Peruvian, Panama City won’t let your stomach down no matter what mood you are in, but how to decide where to go has perplexed me since arrival in this great city. As I currently do not possess a motor vehicle, my primary form of transportation consists of a pair of worn out sneakers, so the majority of my restaurant experiences Read more
Finding a place to throw money in a slot machine, on a blackjack table or on a roulette number is as easy as getting sunburned in Panama. From the “Vegas-Style” Veneto Casino to the number of smaller Crown Casino’s gambling is a common activity for locals and tourists alike in the great Panama City. For those looking for the rush of making it big, or the more common feeling of losing half a paycheck in 30 minutes, there are a variety of locations to make this happen.
To completely forget you are in a modern metropolis nestled on a canal in Central America, go visit the Golden Lion Casino in El Dorado for a change of scenery. Read more
I usually shy away from chain restaurants and cafeteria style spots for sheer lack of taste and quality. Niko’s cafe in Panama City is one of the only places that will cause me to make exceptions to my typical dining rules. I really enjoy eating at Niko’s. The prices are great, the food is good and the staff is actually somewhat friendly. Niko’s not only serves meals, but they have a bakery that puts out tons of different breads and pastries that are to die for. I love their pan de leche and coffee for a sweet breakfast or snack.
I have tried almost everything at Niko’s from the pizza to the burgers to the arroz con pollo. They Read more
I love food. In general Panama has a decent food scene with moderate selection and a variety of restaurant atmospheres. But Panama can be expensive if you eat in many restaurants a lot. I prefer to dine out and make a sport of eating well on a budget. One can only eat so many deep fried empanadas, cheeseburgers and to go cups/bags of fruit and ceviche before they crave a little more variety. In Panama street food and cheap eats are abundant; but after a short while it all begins to taste the same. The upside to most diners and vendors in Panama is that you can still eat lunch for under $5. In some Panamanian restaurants $5 is Read more
If you’re searching for a lot of quality Peruvian food for not a lot of money in Panama head straight to La Jarana in San Francisco. If you love fresh seafood, ceviche, piles of fried rice dishes, grilled meats, and Peruvian beer for under $10 a plate then this is your place. The atmosphere of the place is warm, slightly small and very festive. The tables and walls are painted vividly and artwork spans the dining area. The smell however, surpassed the scenery. I couldn’t wait to order and see what all the fuss was about.
Our first course came in the form of arroz con pollo or rice with chicken. The portion was enough to feed 3 or Read more
I’ve been drinking coffee since roughly the age of ten (mine and grandpa’s little secret) so when I first came to Panama many years later I was ecstatic to try some of the beans this place had to offer. Panamanian coffee has been severely underrated and overlooked in the past; however, in recent years many more coffee lovers, connoisseurs and distributors have heard the good word on the amazing coffee Panama has to offer. While you can find seriously select coffees life Café Geisha that can go for up to $125 a pound at specialty coffee auctions in Panama, they aren’t very practical for the everyday Joe. After trying nearly every brand of coffee that I could get my Read more
