Page 83 - The Rough Guide to Panama (Travel Guide)

EATING Panama City 81
★ Avatar Av Argentina at Vía España T393 9066; map ★ NY Bagel Café Cabeza de Einstein, C Arturo Motta at 1
pp.62–63. Eschew the tacky neon-and-chrome nightclub Vía Argentina T390 6051, Wnewyorkbagelcafe.com;
decor inside and seat yourself on the patio to savour the city’s map pp.62–63. A popular hangout for travellers, expats
best Indian food. This is veggie heaven, with subtle flavours and local business folk, serving a wide variety of their
and textures infusing all the dishes. A main with all the namesake plus breakfast specials, fruit smoothies, good
trimmings – roti, dahl, basmati rice – washed down with a coffee (free refills) and more. Most items $6–10. Free wi-fi.
mango lassi, comes to $20–25. Daily 11.30am–10.30pm. Mon–Fri 7am–8pm, Sat 8am–8pm, Sun 8am–3pm.
Beirut C 49a Este at Av Justo Arosemena, opposite the La Papa C 51 Este at Av Federico Boyd T265 5800,
Marriott T214 3815; map pp.62–63. A grotto-like Wlapapa.net; map pp.62–63. There’s a vast and varied
ceiling, faux vines, murals and mosaics provide the setting menu – with diverse prices to match – at this popular
for appetizers (from $7) and better-value, large combo Colombian restaurant. Expect large portions of well-
platters, with mains from around $14. Hookah rental and prepared dishes (mains from $13): substantial salads,
belly-dancing at weekends. Daily noon–11pm. wraps, kebabs, steaks and paellas, plus Colombian
★ Caffè Pomodoro Vía Veneto, Plaza Downtown specialities such as arepas and ajaico (a hearty chicken and
Cangrego, El Cangrejo T387 4455, Wpomodoropanam potato soup served with capers, cream and avocado). Daily
.com; map pp.62–63. Extremely popular Italian place, 11.30am–3.30pm & 6.30–10.30pm.
with a pleasant outdoor terrace, offering simple pastas and Petit Paris C 53 Este opposite Felipe Motta T391
small pizzas ($7–12) plus more sophisticated Italian dishes 8778, Wpetitparispanama.com; map pp.62–63. A
such as clams in white wine ($18). Mon–Sat 8am–11pm, genuine French-run patisserie-boulangerie-bistro serving
Sun–9am–10pm. beautifully prepared food at Parisian prices. Forget the
Churrería Manolo Vía Argentina 12 T264 3965, delicious bread and quiches and indulge in the exquisitely
Wchurrerianmanolo.com; map pp.62–63. Café crafted cakes and chocolates ($5–7), to be enjoyed with
specializing in sweet cigar-shaped churro pastries for a great coffee or a hot chocolate. Free wi-fi and live music
little over a dollar; they also serve coffee, sandwiches and Wed evenings. Daily 7am–10pm.
more substantial mains ($9–12). Daily 7am–1am. ★ La Posta C 49 at C Uruguay T269 1076,
Habibi’s C Uruguay at C 48 T264 3647, Whabibis Wlapostapanama.com; map pp.62–63. The 1950s
panama.com; map pp.62–63. This buzzing corner Havana ambience of this beautifully restored mansion, set
terrace is a well-established gathering spot for groups in lush tropical gardens, makes it a favourite among Panama
heading off to party. Prices are high: the weekday City’s elite. The tiled floors, wooden ceiling fans and Cuban
lunchtime menú ejecutivo costs $11. Stick to the tasty music enhance your appreciation of the gourmet cuisine –
Middle Eastern dishes; meze platters start at $14 for one start off with pork and yuca carimañolas, perhaps, followed
person, going up to $48 for six. Belly-dancing Fri & Sat. by tuna with quinoa and feta cheese – and prices are not as
Mon–Sat noon–late, Sun 3pm–late. exorbitant as they might be (mains from around $22,
Loving Hut C Manuel Espinosa Batista, Edif. Cali T240 bottles of wine under $28). Mon–Fri noon–2.30pm &
5621, Wlovinghut.com/pa; map pp.62–63. Part of a 6.45–10.30pm, Sat 6.45–10.30pm.
global veggie and vegan chain, this no-nonsense cafetería Restaurante Hikaru C Anastacio Ruíz T203 5087,
dishes up delicious, inexpensive food. You can “pick and Whikaru-restaurant; map pp.62–63. The place to come
mix” a healthy plateful for less than $5. Mon–Sat for Japanese food: beautifully presented fresh sashimi, sushi
10.30am–8.30pm. and hot mains (from around $13) in a minimalist space. At
The Market C 48 and C Uruguay T264 9401, weekday lunchtimes choose from one of three menus –
Wmarketpanama.com; map pp.62–63. This trendy each includes miso soup, salad and a main ($9–11).
venue, its walls bedecked with wine bottles, is the place to Mon–Fri noon–3pm & 6–11pm, Sat & Sun 6–11pm.
come for a juicy Aberdeen Angus steak (from $21) or a deli Restaurante Jimmy C Manuel M. Icaza at Vía España
burger (around $13). Save space for a key lime pie or T223 1523, Wparilladajimmy.com; map pp.62–63.
cheesecake. Weekend brunch too. Mon–Fri 7am–11pm, Popular 24hr restaurant-cafeteria in the heart of El
Sat 11.30am–11pm, Sun 11.30am–9pm. Cangrejo, with a wide choice of Panamanian and Greek
Niko’s Café C 51 Este at Vía España T223 0111, food, plenty of light bites and fresh, strong coffee. Mains
Wnikoscafe.com; map pp.62–63. The unpromising from around $9. A second, larger, open-air version serving
frontage masks a city institution. This no-frills cafetería is succulent barbecued dishes sits opposite the ATLAPA
the original in a chain that now numbers nine outlets Convention Centre on C Cincuentenario (daily
(there are others in Albrook bus terminal and El Dorado 11.30am–11.30pm). Daily 24hr.
Mall and on C 50). Good-value hot dishes – seafood, meat Rincón Habanero Vía Argentina, opposite El
and generic pasta options plus sides – for around $5–6, to Trapiche T213 2560, Wfacebook.com/restaurante
take out or eat in. Daily 24hr. rinconhabanero; map pp.62–63. Sample a slice of Cuba

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