Boquete and Bocas del Toro will be more expensive. However, there are inns and restaurants in the interior that cater to the locals, where you can eat at a very affordable price. Here are the best cheap eats in Panama City, Panama. When it comes to price versus quality, Fonda Lo Que Hay is one of my favorite places to enjoy affordable gourmet food.
This new restaurant was inaugurated by the legendary local chef José O. Carles of the Donde José restaurant and is a gourmet version of a local Panamanian inn or cafeteria. The menu changes almost every week, so you never know what you're going to eat, but we guarantee it'll be delicious. Peach Fuzz International is by far one of the best seafood I've ever tasted in Panama City.
It is located off the beaten track in the Curundú neighborhood (use Uber to get there or Waze if you drive to locate it) and its specialty is Fried Fish, whole fried fish. With that “backpacker” budget, you could travel to Panama cheaply, but that wouldn't leave room for activities, nights out, shopping, or to appease the sudden urge to eat pizza. The Social is located in the Casco Viejo neighborhood and creates a fun and informal environment for a bite to eat. It's cheaper than expensive, traditional hotels and is incredibly widespread in the country, especially in larger cities. Niko's Cafe is open 24 hours a day and is one of those places where you can usually only eat after a night out, but they have some decent options for a local-style meal of rice, beans, banana, and meat.
Sure, it's one of the most expensive countries in the region, but it's very easy to travel cheaply here if you plan ahead, limit your meals (and drinks) away from home, and stick to cheap accommodation. Serving tropical tacos in the San Francisco and Casco Viejo areas, Tacos La Neta has some of the most creative tacos in the city. With panoramic ocean views and a pool (in case you want to take a dip later), this is a cheap restaurant that includes everything: authentic, affordable food with stunning views. With a lot of dim-sum for not too many dollars, the Golden Unicorn is one of the most popular Asian restaurants in Panama City. If you're on a tight budget or are already visiting one of Panama's many shopping malls, you can also get free popcorn at Do It Centre and Novey stores.
You just have to eat “responsibly” and save something for current customers. Enter your email address below for the latest tips on the best places to eat, drink, play and sleep in Panama City. It's located on the border between Casco Viejo and Santa Ana and is a great place for local-style breakfast, lunch, or dinner at an affordable price. Stay with a local: There are hosts (and lots of community events) in Panama's biggest cities, making it a great country for Couchsurfing.
