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Hours
Sun
7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Mon
7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Tue
7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Wed
7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Thu
7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Fri
7:00 am - 10:00 pm
Sat
7:00 am - 10:00 pm
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Ratings and reviews
Travellers' Choice 2023
RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere
Details
Someone from this business manages this listing.
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PRICE RANGE
$8.00 – $24.00
CUISINES
Caribbean, Latin, Central American, Indigenous
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly
meals, features
Details
About
At El Trapiche we specialize in Panamanian traditional cuisine since 1983. Our mission is to provide our guests with the best examples of our culinary traditions in a relaxed, casual atmosphere. We have 4 locations in downtown Panama City: Via Argentina (Original location), San Francisco, Bella Vista and Albrook Mall.
PRICE RANGE
$8.00 – $24.00
CUISINES
Caribbean, Latin, Central American, Indigenous
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly
Meals
Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch
FEATURES
Takeout, Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Street Parking, Free off-street parking, Television, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Wine and Beer, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Free Wifi, Accepts Credit Cards, Table Service
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4.0
1,990 reviews
Excellent
824
Very good
752
Average
281
Poor
82
Terrible
51
Nohemi G
Chicago22 contributions
Feb 2020 • couples
An uber driver recommended us here, said if you want attentic. We made it and it was full inside and outside had so e tables available but it was hot we decided to wait for a table inside and as we opened the door we were lead to a table that was being cleared. Waiter came by dropped menus, we decided on our food and drinks.
Husband go ropa vieja and I was not very hungry and only got the chicharrón with rice.
The food came out quickly and hot, so that made us happy, but once you try your first bite you realize why they recommend, it was delicious. Husband is picky eater and said this is a definite place to comeback while we are in Panama. The price of our food was very inexpensive, it was perfect.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rhispow
50 contributions
Nov 2020 • none
Want to get a taste of Panama, this is the place to go. Get the platter that has multiple sampling - included beef, fried yucca, rice and chicken, soup, plantains, tripe, stuffed plantain. I probably missed something, because it was so much an so good. My dining partner had the sandwich. It was the size of two whole sandwiches in a delicious bread. Wash it down with the berry juice.
Written 21 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
denise801
Arlington27 contributions
Apr 2019 • friends
This chain restaurant is the best
place to try traditional Panamanian food. For $12,95 try the Panamanian Fiesta. You will get to try a bit of all the typical foods: Sancocho (a delicious chicken soup, yuca frita (fried yucca). arroz con pollo, (Rice with chicken), ropa vieja (pulled beef), patacones (fried plantains), tamales, carimañola (ground beef in a yucca dough pastry), chicharron (sausage), and almojabano (dough fritter with cheese). The restaurant highlights typical Panamanian culture with wall hangings of the traditional hats and dresses. Food is delivered hot and fast. Come hungry because the portions are large and filling.
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Marcel_C_ZH
Zurich555 contributions
Feb 2020 • solo
Tour guide highly recommended it as one of the best Panamese restaurant; indeed a lot of local people ate there.
I ordered the 'favourite' menu, which was ok, with a soup, potatoes and a mix of vegetable, chicken and rice. Was ok, but not with a lot of taste.
Good that I found on an other table a spicy sauce.
Inside far too cold outside fine. Not sure whether waiters like to work there, not friendly.
The floor was full with food from former guests.
Yes, I liked to taste it once, but would not go a second time
Written 9 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
rcmtrekker
Houston37 contributions
Dec 2019 • none
I went to the Trapiche in the San Francisco neighborhood. It was nicely decorated. I think that it is a good place to go where you will find most traditional Panamanian dishes featured in the menu.
The food in general was very good, not the best but good. I had the tamal de olla, carimañola, saconcho and arroz con guandu; the tamal was well made but the flavor was ok, the carimañola and the sancocho were excellent, and they used the black guandu which is a little less fragrant so it was okay. The food was not greasy like you will find in other fast food locations.
It was not too pricey and service was very good.
Written 2 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
_guertin54
Townsend14 contributions
Mar 2020 • none
Fortunately we dined at El Trapiche prior to the closure of restaurants in Panama due to the virus. El Trapiche was at the top of of list of restaurants for us to experience Panamanian cuisine. We chose to eat al fresco. We had a leisurely dinner for two at a corner table. Service was excellent. Wait staff were decked out in their Panamanian attire. Both my husband and I ordered the corvina. The fish was cooked to perfection. We ordered the yucca fries that we had heard so much about,. They did not disappoint. Their house sangria with fruit chunks complemented our meals perfectly. Our only disappointment was that we were not able to return for a second visit.
Written 6 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TravelMother2015
Miami186 contributions
Feb 2022 • couples
The food was really good. I had fish and vegetables and my husband had the fried chicken with rice and beans. They were the best black beans I ever had!
The menu is not in English (for everyone who doesn’t speak Spanish so I had to rely on my little Spanish skills to decide what to eat.
The food was great and the service attentive.
Written 10 February 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chrisbaxter78
Newport116 contributions
Jan 2020 • none
The dish that I enjoyed provided a sample of multiple food items along with a side of soup. The environment was pleasant and everything tasted wonderful. If I had been in town longer, I would have definitely eaten here again.
Written 16 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lightningboy
Vancouver2930 contributions
Mar 2022 • none
There are a few locations in Panama City and we visited the one in the San Francisco area. They serve typical Panamanian food with inside dining well as an outdoor garden. Our server was attentive to our needs but didn’t speak English. The menu has a large selection of items. I choose the Sampler to try little bit of everything. The food was done well, but there was a lot of fried items. Overall we had a good experience but for me, typical Panamanian food is not the most exciting thing to eat. However I do recommend El Trapiche to have a taste of local food.
Written 30 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jerri S
Opelika242 contributions
Mar 2022 • couples
We visited the San Francisco location because it was walkable from our hotel (Sheraton Grand). It was highly recommended for a taste of Panama on the Panama Forums. My husband and I ordered a the Queso Blanco with little slices of thick corn tortilla or thin cornbread. The cheese was good with the bread sparingly. We felt the cheese was a little overwhelming. The Panamena Fiesta was plenty to share. We tried everything. Mostly good. We were a little disappointed because we expected more spice/heat. We ordered a 'margarita'. The server told us it was spicy. It was about 4 to 6 oz of a cool pinkish liquid. Nothing like we expected. Very intriguing and good. Not really spicy, but a little flavorful.
A very good experience, altogether. Worth the walk.
Written 27 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deborah V
Montreal233 contributions
Feb 2023 • solo
I went to El Trapiche several times while in town. They have great variety of dishes, including all types of meat and also veggie/vegan ones (which is rare in Panama). Servers are friendly and you also have the option to order from your phone. Prices for a dish vary between 6-10 USD (except for seafood, which was a bit higher). The location Via Argentina is a 10 min walk from the subway station, in a very cute neighbourhood.
Written 20 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donald S
2 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
This is a local restaurant away in San Francisco section away from the main tourist area in Panama City. It was recommended by our hotel concierge when we said that we want to eat what Panamanians eat. What a delightful meal! We had an appetizer sampler platter, ceviche and flan. Everything was absolutely delicious. As an aside I will note that neither the ceviche nor the flan was on the menu but we asked and they said si!
Written 6 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rhonda S
Toledo19 contributions
Jan 2023 • none
My hubby and I stayed overnight in Panama City before we embarked on a cruise. Our hotel concierge recommended El Trapiche for local, authentic food and she did not do us wrong. WHAT AN AMAZING PLACE! The food was outstanding and our waiter suggested what we should try. We wanted to try it all so we had a little of everything His English was broken and my Spanish is minimal but we figured it out!! Fantastic service as well. Highly recommend the sampler platter. You won't regret eating here!! My only negative is that it's too far from our home in Toledo, Ohio!!
Written 12 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Monica P
6 contributions
Jan 2023 • couples
Staying at the Best Western Zen this friendly restaurant is just around the corner in a safe and quite lively area. The vegetarian option with chickpeas in coconut was great and came with rice, beans and other vegetables. We went again with our tour party and everyone enjoyed it. Service was good and prices very reasonable. Recommended
Written 16 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mel R.
50 contributions
Jun 2022 • none
El Trapiche is a staple in Panama, they are know to offer authentic Panamanian food. It's a very popular restaurant that for some reason or another comes highly recommended by many travelers.
It didn't quite meet my expectations, we ordered we had the sampler which had some of their popular dishes, a little bit of everything, with natural juice to drink. It just wasn't very good. The food lacked flavor. the Sancocho (their national dish) was just ok to me. In speaking to some of the locals, they'll usually recommend Trapiche but more for the location than the food. The best panamanian food can be found in the ghetto parts of panama, at least that's what I'm told by some uber drivers.
The location couldn't be better, it's in the heart of one of my favorite towns in Panama, el cangrejo. Great for eating out, walking and people watching. I would skip El Trapiche and try some of the other options in the area.
Written 8 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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