I want more of these guys
Foods, drinks & others that make me feel at home
These were my top picks of places to eat, places to drink and in a twist from Colombia’s best of the best that just focused on mostly food and drinks, I have already had so many memorable experiences in Panama City that I have added some additional categories.
Trust me…these additional categories are on here because #itwasworthit.
These suggestions were places that I stumbled across or were recommended by Goran, one of my walking tour guides and other people that I have met along my journey.
Tell The World!
Sometimes you get what you pay for…but sometimes the best discoveries are the most unexpected findings.
Happy Eating, Drinking, Touring and Yogaing!!!
Jackelyn Approved 
Best Hair Salon
Hairarchy 
I went to the Casco Viejo location at the time of this post, but I will need to go back in April at which time I will be staying near one of their other locations. I was going to go to that location for my next appointment but I am so in love with this salon and Audray, the stylist that now when I need to get my hair done again in April before I leave Panama I have to come back here…it will be a stress free experience and that makes me feel even more elated.
Hairarchy has successfully aided me in attaining the highest level of peace. They were so good they deserved their own post: Real Talk: Self-Love vs. Vanity.
Location: Casco Viejo (but there are a few locations)
Web: hairarchysalon.com
Insta: @hairarchy_salon
FB: @hairarchysalon
Best Online Yoga Classes
Casco Yoga
This was such a great place to stumble across. I wasn’t able to bring my mat with me & unfortunately Casco Yoga didn’t have any but they recommended a place.
On their website, they offer a full range of online classes and just ask for donations. My first class felt soooo good, I subscribed to a month membership to have access to their on demand library as well.
Read my post: Real Talk: Casco Yoga
Location: Casco Viejo
Website: cascoyogapanama.com
Insta: @cascoyogapanama
FB: @cascoyogapanama
Best Flavours in All The Land
Fonda Lo Que Hay
Where your taste buds go to have a lusty affair. I feel confident enough to say that if you do not eat here when given the chance then you are a fool.
You MUST experience this restaurant at least once in your life.
Funny story…turns out that a great friend of mine back in Canada (who is from Panama) actually knows the owner…which I didn’t know until recently.
Location: Casco Viejo
Insta: @fondaloquehay
FB: https://bit.ly/3tWx4wa
Best Vegan & Vegetarian Food
Mahalo Cocina y Jardin
This was a suggestion from Goran and it just happens to be on the next block over from my apartment. I was working way too long one day that when I realized that it was well past lunch time and I hadn’t eaten yet…I decided to go here for some late lunch. I actually didn’t even know that they served Vegan and Vegetarian food so that was a very pleasant surprise. Their courtyard is really intimate and private and it was a really peaceful lunch break.
I had the Mediterranean bowl with Falafels and a CANADIAN Caesar. Hellz YA!
Location: Casco Viejo
Website: mahalopanama.com
FB: @mahalopty
Best Craft Beer
La Rana Dorada
La Rana Dorada is my favorite spot to go for their local house-brewed beers. I didn’t know they had boat samplers until too late…but that would have been the way to go. But to be honest, I tried a few of their crafty concoctions and no matter what you can’t go wrong.
I even tried their Maracuya Sour, I typically do NOT like Sour beer, but I decided to give it a try for a friend because she LOVES her sour beers. Dude! People please…La Rana Dorada is a million thumbs up…even the sour, I am digging it fierce.
Location: Casco Viejo (but there are 8 Locations in total)
Website: laranadorada.com
Insta: @laranadorada
FB: @LaRanaDoradaPUB
Best Raspao
Don Julio
(a street vendor)
I have had this Raspao several times and I always have the same one….Coco with ALL the toppings. Go all in for $2. It is super super delicious. Get the Coconut flavour and it is topped with malted milk powder, sweetened condensed milk, honey and fresh coconut. Panamanian shaved ice (Raspao) is the best shaved ice I have had to date from all the places I have travelled. This was also a suggestion from Goran.
Location: Casco Viejo in front of Plaza de Francia
(Note: I did go by there on a Friday around noon and he wasn’t there, but on a Tuesday around 3pm he was there)
Best Tacos
Tacos La Neta
I actually ordered enough for two meals so I could have some for dinner and then for lunch the next day. I swear on my favourite pair of shoes that it took all my self control to not eat it all in one go. I took one bite of the Chimichanga and my taste buds were cheering like a stadium cheers when your favourite team wins the Stanley Cup. (Yup, hockey reference cause I am Canadian)
Location: Casco Viejo
Website: tacoslaneta.net
Insta: @tacoslaneta
FB: @tacoslanetapanama
Best Vietnamese
Sen Vietnam
I truly enjoyed the shrimp rolls and pho! It has been months and months and months since I enjoyed a bowl of Pho.
In Vancouver there are a million places to get a great bowl of this noodle soup and I admit, I eat it often at home. The peanut sauce with the shrimp rolls was perfection and exactly how I love it.
Location: Obarrio
Address: Av 1a B Nte, Panamá, Panama
Phone: +5073861236
Best Japanese Food
Izakaya Kabuki
To be specific…I had their Yakitori and Okonomiyaki.
Oh WOW! This place was recommended by the girl I met on the tour and we went for dinner here and I am so glad we did.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE Japanese food and this made my palate super happy.
We also had some warm Sake and it was soooo good.
This place is kind of hidden from the street but you should go here if you can. Super authentic and such a great score in Panama City.
Location: Obarrio/El Cangrejo
Insta: @izakaya_kabuki
Address: Google Map
Best Empanadas & Soup
Super Gourmet aka “Super G” aka “El Deli”
This is no joke…they were INCREDIBLE! Honestly, I went in here on a food tour and had some amazing chocolate…then I saw that they sell Coconut Milk in the 1 Litre Tetra packs and I have been looking everywhere for Coconut Milk (I don’t like Almond Milk). So the next day I went back to get some groceries and when I walked in the door the wave of fresh baked empanadas floating in the air was exactly what heaven should smell like so naturally I bought 3: A chicken, a spinach & mushroom and a pineapple. I also took home some split pea soup. The first thing I thought was… oh my gosh if my mother tried this soup she would BEG for the recipe.
Holy man alive! Do not miss out on this place if you are in Casco Viejo.
Location: Casco Viejo
Address: Casa Testa, Calle 6a Oeste, Panamá
Insta: @supergcasco
FB: @supergpty
Best Tours
Trust me…I went on many more tours with other companies…but these 3 were the elite class! Honestly these were such great and memorable experiences that I had to expand my Best of the Best categories to include these tour companies as well.
Barefoot Panama Tours
Read my review about Barefoot Panama Tours: Real Talk: Taste of Panama Walking Tour. Aside from the tour being amazing, the communication with the owner has been superb customer service as well, from before the tour and even after the tour. Kevin (the owner) and his team are top notch professionals. You are missing out if you don’t take this tour with them…but honestly, while you are booking tours just go ahead and book everything they offer!
Website: barefootpanama.com
Insta: @barefootpanamatours
FB: @barefootpanamatours
El Trip de Jenny
Read my review about El Trip de Jenny: Real Talk: El Trip de Jenny. Her personality is so electric that she makes the Best of the Best cut as well. Everyone needs a person like Jenny in their lives.
Book everything you can with Jenny!
Website: eltripdejenny.com
Insta: @tripdejenny
FB: @eltripdejenny
Tours with Goran
Read my review about Goran: Welcome to Panama Tour: An AirBnB Experience. This guy was super unique because it is so apparent that your experience is his top priority. He is very well informed and is extremely passionate about the topics he covers on the tours.
His tours have a unique spin on the typical ‘city tours’ and are purposefully small groups, crafted so that you are treated like royalty. I have never felt so valued as a customer on a tour before.
Book everything you can with Goran!
Website: Airbnb Experiences
