
Serves meat, vegan options available. Farm-to-table restaurant at EcoVenao Lodge focusing on local produce, including vegetables and herbs grown in the lodge’s permaculture project. Offers several veggie small plates like pumpkin purée, tomato salad with moringa garnish, coconut rice with black beans, roasted local corn, fried potatoes. Some dishes made with honey or topped with cheese can be adapted for vegans. There is one main course that can be vegan: veggie curry with coconut milk. The wine list features natural and biodynamic wines. Fresh fruit juices available , along with pristine well water tapped from EcoVenao’s reforestation project. On a hill overlooking the Venao beach, the open-air thatched roof restaurant is a good location to spot howler monkeys, butterflies and birds. Open Thu-Sun 6:30pm-10:00pm, Fri-Sun 12:00pm-2:00pm. Closed Mon-Tue.
1 Review
First Review by Nancy Cadet
Nancy Cadet
Points +1042
Gourmet at the beach - Edit
Panga at EcoVenao Lodge is a farm to table restaurant catering to omnivores, with a emphasis on revitalizing traditional Panamanian food, so it’s not intentionally veg-friendly. But it is! There are many side dishes a vegan or vegetarian can order, and some portions are so large, they are easy to share. I’ve had the grilled tamale, tomato-moringa salad, pumpkin purée, roasted veggie platter, and coconut rice with beans during various visits , and have always been impressed by quality of the cooking, the presentation of the food (especially the local corn), the combinations of flavors and the polite, efficient service.
Read moreOn my last visit, I found that one of the main courses could also be made vegan: coconut curry. That dish cost $10; the small plates are less, so a vegan/vegetarian can have a meal whose quality is several levels above the other Venao dinner options,and not spend an absurd amount of money.
My advice: Come early Weds-Sun evening or come for lunch on Saturday or Sunday. The restaurant fills up quickly on weekend nights.
Updated from previous review on 2020-03-01
Pros: Unusual flavors, Local produce , Vegan/Vegetarian options
Cons: Can be pricey
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