Restaurante El Nacional Sabores de Panamá — Restaurant in San Felipe

When you eat at a restaurant, you generally don't want to be consumed by a feeling of regret that you should be eating somewhere else.

The idea of El Nacional Sabor, from a marketing perspective, is one of genius. With expensive touristy food all around Casco Viejo, how better to position a new restaurant than as one that sells comparably affordable, authentic Panamanian cuisine?

And no one loves this idea more than silly people like myself who are, you guessed it, tourists. Because despite the charade of authenticity, this too is a tourist restaurant. Yes, it's serving authentic Panamanian cuisine - the same typical Panamanian cuisine, in fact, that is sold just across the road at Fonda San Felipe for just a fraction of the price.

Granted, the atmosphere is nicer here, there's wifi, better presentation of the food, and much more professional service. But in truth, if people truly want the 'authentic' experience, they may as well cross the road to eat there instead of paying 3 times as much for smaller portions, and food that tastes really only marginally better. I, unfortunately, wish that I had.

This place has fantastic service and it really is an affordable option compared to other tourist restaurants around, so I will give it 4 stars, but I think it's important to make sure people understand that if you want to eat this tyoe of food, you can also do it elsewhere for...

We had two great meals at this restaurant. We first went there by chance... We walked by around lunch time, saw the menu, "100% Authentic Panamanian Food", and quite reasonable prices. We had wonderful food both times, trying a total of 5 different dishes and maybe 5 or 6 drinks! The Ropa Vieja is wonderful, with a nice balance from a crisp salad, warm rice, and sweet and soft shredded meat. We also ordered the Ropa Vieja empanadas, the chicken carimanola, carne guisada (nice dish that essential a beef stew), and the house appetizer. For drinks we tried the pinacolada, passion fruit mojito, coco mojito, the coffee cocktail, and the lychee margarita.

The waiters were quite new... it was obvious, but man they tried hard and wanted to do a good job. They were pleasant and responsive, and the waiter (Amen?) made excellent drinks both visits. Given how many people were in the place both times, we were shocked to see how smooth and fast the place ran. Well done!

I think we paid about $50 for two people both times, including several cocktails each, so not bad in general, and probably the best value for an excellent meal and experience in Casco...

During my visit to Panama, I had the pleasure of dining at El Nacional, located in the historic Casco Viejo. This restaurant came highly recommended by a local who assured me it was the place to experience authentic Panamanian cuisine—and they were absolutely right.

The ambiance at El Nacional is charming, blending traditional and modern elements that create a welcoming and cozy atmosphere. It’s the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the local culture while enjoying a meal.

For my entrée, I tried the Seitan Guisado, which was absolutely delicious. The flavors were rich and well-balanced, making it a standout dish. House bread which was complimentary tasted nice with tangy sauce. However, the highlight of my meal was undoubtedly the Helado Endiabl’o, a house special coconut ice cream with rice pudding. The unique combination was heavenly and left a lasting impression.

The staff at El Nacional were attentive and friendly, contributing to an overall great dining experience. Whether you're a local or a visitor, I highly recommend making a stop at El Nacional to savor the flavors of Panama. It’s a must-try in...