El Trapiche

Location:
Via Argentina y Ave 2a B Norte close to Via España
Panama City, Panama

Restaurant

By Will Gray

If you want to try a few local dishes this is a good place to go. Situated on a busy street the restaurant offers tables outside on a terrace or inside in a large room with a mock-up straw hut at one side. Service is a little slow but the menu makes up for it as normal fare is mixed with items like Surtido de Piscadas (assorted traditional fried starters, $1.60) and the very tasty Tamal de Olla (traditional stew like Hunngarian goulash, $4).

Price Description: entrees $5-9

Traveler Reviews of El Trapiche

Good Food and Atmosphere

Rating: 100%

We really enjoyed the dining experience. The food was excellent along with the atmosphere and prices were great. Four adults one 9 year old, cost $45 (included a $5 tip). Staff very friendly and polite. I thought that the service great. The interior was nice with the Devil's Mask and the tropical design of the interior.

By V!VA User from Florida, USA, Jul 11, 2007

El Trapiche is a winner

Rating: 100%

The food is absolutely wonderful. Corvina con salsa de camarones, with extremely tasty side dishes, is exceptionally pleasing. A variety of delicious chichas will combat thirst on a warm, humid day. The restaurant staff is very pleasant and courteous, and all who visit Panamá will be favorably impressed. Conveniently situated, El Trapiche offers traditional Panamanian fare at a very reasonable cost, in a dining environment which those of us who knew the Panama of long ago recognize as culturally authentic. I wouldn't miss dining here while in Panamá.

By V!VA User from USA, Jul 19, 2007

El Trapiche is a Trap - Awful

Rating: 25%

The food was sub-standard and not reflective at all of how delicious typical Panamanian food should taste. Short cuts, low quality ingredients, and no pride in preparation. Carimañolas used processed yuca dough rather than fresh and had virtually no meat inside, same for empanadas, patacones weren't crisp, yuca frita were also processed (looked like frozen French fries) and were undercooked. Service was lackadaisical. I could go on and on. Even as a tourist trap, this was low class. Should be stricken from all guide books.

By Chuck from Born in Panama, now live in DC area, Mar 03, 2008