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Panama 66

3.7 (895 reviews)
Open 4:00 pm - 10:00 PM

Panama 66 Photos

Business Info

PANAMA 66 ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Casual
Live music
Good for kids

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Recommended Reviews - Panama 66

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Gregg S.

The BF and I, we're spending the day in Balboa park, trying to see it all in one day And we needed respite, when we saw panama 99, we decided to have lunch Al fresco and ice cold beers. We dined on pork adobe and jasmine rice and fish tacos We sat and listened to the live jazz playing in the courtyard.

IG @devouredwithlove
Clara T.

Visited on a weekend with my furkid. Pros: - Pet friendly! Seating is outside. - Decent sized portions of food. Price goes in line with portion and location of restaurant. - Ordering drinks were quick. Minimal wait. - Great ambience. Cons: - Line to order food was somewhat long. Quality of food itself was average. We ordered Mediterranean appetizer platter of sort and fish tacos with fries. Tacos were eh, but everything else was decent. - Service was nothing to rave about.

Yu S.

I got a chicken bahn mi. The baguette and veggies were not bad, but as usual i find the chicken to be bland and dry. On top of that, there was very little sauce too, not much pate or anything else. I did like the salad just because it's not a regular lettuce salad. This has a unique vibe where it feels classy, but also feels like a cafeteria. Like, you've got a live band and a nice looking bar. But we also had to stand in a line between stanchions to order food. There were still a lot of empty tables on a Saturday evening, but customers were backed up trying to order through a single register. I.....feel like they're not understaffed, but their management is really inefficient. We had at least 3-4 servers come to our table, and none of them were quite sure what the others are doing. At one point, one woman noticed we didn't have silverware yet, and she leaves for silverware, followed by a second dude going "you guys don't have silverware yet?", followed by a third woman bringing our silverware. Later, the server who brings our food forgets to take our numbers. About 15 minutes later, another server comes and asks if we got all our food. We said we did, so she says, "I'll take your numbers then." While I do think they were busier than usual, the way they operate feels questionable. I suspect that the real reason they force people to order upfront is due to dine and dashers. Unfortunate.

Fall evening
Lynn R.

Fabulous night on a beautiful fall evening with the tower lit up. A night of Latin jazz and delicious burgers with side of fries and salad and a dazzling pink lighted California Tower right in front of us!! Service with a smile and food ready in ten minutes. A simply delightful evening. Plenty of parking at the Oregon pavilion and it's still free! I was surprised, but it wasn't more crowded on a Friday evening. We arrived at 5:30 and the music started at 6 PM. The tables were getting full by the time the music started.

Mezze platter and fries
Rebecca C.

As a San Diego local, I sometimes go here because this is extremely conveniently located in the middle of Balboa Park. I think the food is just ok, but better than other options within walking distance so if I'm showing someone around Balboa Park it is convenient. The location is also quite nice and you can have a view of the SD Museum of Art sculpture garden. I went recently and the line was extremely slow (when I went only 1 person was at the register even though there were 2 registers), which was the biggest downside. The food came pretty quickly after ordering. I got the mezze platter as an entree because I was feeling like veggies, and it was a great choice. As an appetizer, I would probably want 3+ people to share this because I didn't finish it as an entree. I was pleasantly surprised with how filling it was! My friend got the tuna melt and also enjoyed it.

$4, Lemonade & $18, The Pulled Pork Sandwich with side salad
Caitlin D.

This was my first time here at Panama 66 in Balboa Park. We came for a late lunch and I was surprised at how fast the service was. We stood in line at the bar and ordered from there. I even ordered a lemonade ($4) and they gave it to me as I got the number order stand as well. To eat, I ordered their $18, Pulled Pork Sandwich with the side salad (the other option was truffle fries). And as you finish ordering, as you may notice, they have a station to grab some nice ice cold water as well. After they give you a number, you find a seat on the patio. The area in the front of the restaurant has reserved signs on the tables, but apparently it's just reserved for larger groups (rather than solo eaters, 2-4 people) such as the one I was with. We were a table of 8-10. Like I said, I didn't even sit down for more than 5 minutes and they already brought out my plate of Pulled Pork Sandwich. I cut for sandwich in half for easier eating. The first half that I ate, didn't have as much flavor in the pulled pork as the second half did. I think it would be lovely to have a little more of that Seasonal IPA BBQ Sauce because you'd think that would be the star of the show right? The dijonnaise was light and not overwhelming. There were some tasty spicy dill pickles inside the sandwich. What I loved is that they used Bread & Cie pretzel bun, so beautifully toasted it didn't get soggy at all. I didn't taste a creamy veggie slaw, so I added my side salad into the sandwich and boy that was a great idea! Since the salad was lightly dressed and a bit difficult to stab with the fork-- being in a sandwich was the best for it. I'd rate this a 8.5/10! The lemonade was good, but a little thick. Reminding me of the ones you'd get premade in bottles at the store. Lots of simple syrup or sugar, I think a little more water was needed and maybe even some more lemon. It was refreshing, but unless it was made hand squeezed-- I'd say only worth $3! (I do not know if they make the lemonades themselves). My friends were happy with their Soup of the Day- which looked like it was Carrot, Cauliflower Ceviche ($16) , and Truffle Parm Fries ($10). A few of them have eaten here before and recommended the Tofu Banh Mi ($17) and the Smash Veg Burger ($17). Overall for lunch I paid ~23-$25.71 which is not bad for a restaurant within Balboa Park. The food was tasty and fulfilling after a long walk around the area. The workers were kind, place was clean, great atmosphere, and fast service. I'd recommend Panama 66 if you're in Balboa Park or even just Bankers Hill area.

Park burger, turkey club sandwich, mezze platter, & chocolate mousse dessert.
Jasmine C.

I've been wanting to come here for the longest time and it was worth the wait )expecting long lines) but they go by fast. We went on Friday night for the live music and it makes a huge difference. The seating is outside so bring a jacket because it was a little chilly. I got the park burger and it was not the best but it was not the worst. I also got the chocolate mousse for dessert and that was delicious. Overall very cute place for vibes and drinks.

food menu
Brianne R.

Vibes are excellent here! The patio is gorgeous, there's a sculpture garden in the back and on wednesday's they have jazz night. You can't see the stage from the restaurant area but you can definitely hear it! And they have seating in the hall if you'd like to watch the performance. There's full bar and wide selection of beers/ciders/etc. We shared some fries which were yummy and crispy; and the mezze platter which was just okay. There was a bit of a line to order but the food and drinks came out quickly and the servers/bussers were very attentive.

Jill W.

We went here for lunch before a play. It did not disappoint. The line to order food gets long, but kids can run around in the plaza or inside, on the back grass. If you just want a drink, there's a bar line inside. If you like beer, this is a great place to go. Lots of great beers on tap. All seating is outside. They have heaters of it gets chilly. You can people watch up at the front or sit to watch kids play on the grass in the back. We chose a high top table by the water feature. I got the burger because they are done so well, but all the food is delicious. I got a side of curry for the side of fries. If we're just going for a drink, I usually order the fries with curry. The daily soups have all been really good too.

Soups on menu
Alyssa S.

Super takeout experience. They have an organized line where you order the people who are staying to eat in the sculpture garden, and I got my Go bag packed nicely to eat elsewhere in the park within 15 minutes. The tomato soup is amazing, kind of an epitome of why it's iconic. Basil oil and goat cheese and a yummy soup. My mother loves the caramelized onion grilled cheese sandwich which is extremely tasty, but I got the tuna melt which was fabulous. Fresh local tuna, olive bread, and then tarragon and cheese and other yummy things. I'll come back for this!

Mescal Muel
Lizzie R.

It's clean elegant and relaxing inside. Solid drinks and the food was pretty good. The burger and fries were really good. I would go back; but try a different option than the sandwich again. The workers were all kind!

Joan S.

The hostess was very happy and kept the line going. The food was okay. Very simple and more of a place to grab a cafe snack. It's outdoor seating and the patio in the back is open to everyone dinning there. It's nice to sit down and take a break. They had cups on the side of the registers for self serve water. There are statues around, it's gated exclusively for the people dining there, the kids can run around and play if they have energy. They can't go too far but it's perfect for them.

Welcome to Panama 66 the outdoor restaurant where you   can have drinks or relax with lunch or the light lunch.
Joel C.

Of the many restaurants the parks that have their own reztaurants the one place that has changed the many things is the Balboa Park. Balboa )ark had the many snacks of tge zoo and thevtray lunches you can gave with sandwiches or the half poundhotdogs. One of the many places that caught my eyebtge statuez O looked the museums near by to find they have an outdoor bar with umbrellas and the tablesbyou xan have a group of coworkers. Having time in the aftwrmoon looking for lunch places the outdoor patio tgecsign they have with a menu at the front welcpmed by the female hostess that was very rude looking at the menu seeing the many dishes. Going to the front register the front area waz something that you would set up for an outside party. Paying by credit card the bill included the tip and the drink was a can of coke with an 17.00 dollar lunch the service was not the best for the hamburger was undercooked dripping blood. French fries over salty the food was not somthing thet matches the menu was told it was avgrilled burger. Looking at the outside area I was lookibg for servers the only ones they had those that were picking up the plates. As a Yelp Elite Reviewer the many places that I have veen from the service to see a restaurant that was not welcoming the outside very different.

Vegan grilled cheese

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2 months ago

Currently having a religious experience with a tuna melt, here. Creative menu and a relaxing outdoor setting. What's not to like?

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3 months ago

Awesome spot with the jazz and food! Thanks for making the date so fun. Super cool ambiance and Wednesdays are pretty busy!

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Panama 66 Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Panama 66

What are the hours during December nights?

Friday will be in the evening till 900pm and saturday will be the hours of the 1100am till 1000pm sunday the hours of the closing day the hours will be the hours of 1200pm to 900pm.

Is the band viewable from the barstools?

The bar at the Panama 66 I had lunch there but the music has been a no show of the music.

Kid friendly? Thanks

Yes there were many children

What is the usual wait time to get seated on Sunday morning?

10 minutes

How busy does this place get on a Saturday evening?

Very busy, not worth it.

What are your gluten free options?

Lots of salads, main plates, and apps are

What's the closest parking to Panama 66?

625 Pan American Rd E, San Diego, CA 92101

I can't find anything about Happy Hour. Does that mean it doesn't exist?

Hi. They have informal HP. I had the chance to see a jazz jam for 2 hours with a good glass of wine.

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The Noble Experiment: 9/10…read more Aesthetic & Ambiance: 9.5 - This place gives "speakeasy haunted mansion" vibes. You walk into the barrels, down the mirrors, and into the skull room...IYKYK no less. The waits to get very deadly so make sure to put your name on the list early. Service: 9/10 The host was chill, and we had Quintin as our mixologist. There are no menus he told us, he just went off of our flavors, and palate, so I can't really speak for how to order the same drink. First drink: 9/10 (profile) Vodka bases with cucumber and strawberry. Second drink: 8.5/10 (profile) Smokey, deep old fashion. Overall a MUST-GO to if you're in the area stopping by!

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False Idol - Isn't it gorgeous?!

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4.4(1.4k reviews)
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My False Idol experience was memorable, albeit blurry toward the end! My boyfriend and I had been…read moreon a half-day tour beforehand, but I saw that False Idol was near our hotel and I insisted we stop in for a cocktail before calling it a night. I knew it was a speakeasy but he did not. I was trying to double-check on my phone that Craft & Commerce was the right restaurant its housed in (yes) when he tried to jet set off down the block "to keep looking" rather than listen to me. I yelled, "MOTHER!" by accident and then he did truly leave me hahaha. He resurfaced a few minutes later, and then we walked in. It was 5:15 at the time, so 15 minutes after opening. I had NO IDEA how popular this spot was, nor anything about its nation-wide reputation. I actually didn't know that until two days ago when a Yelp-friend at home here in Richmond, Virginia, exclaimed excitedly when I told her we stopped in. The host who greeted us was kind, informed us there had been a line to get in that day, but that they had one barrel left; we jumped on it of course. It was happy hour, so the first cocktail I ordered was dirt cheap at $9. It was the Imperial Hawaiian with gin, rum, lemon, pineapple, and orgeat. I really shouldn't have ordered a second drink after that one, but I did have the classic Saturn later on in the night and it was absurdly good! Definitely my favorite of the two. The moody tiki vibe was so cool and fun. They even had frogs you could play on the tables. We had some fun neighbors too, which livened up the experience even more. We had a great time and both walked out heavily buzzed. We were asleep by 8 that night, but it was worth it!

False idol is a tucked away Hawaiian themed speakeasy behind a restaurant. Reservations are…read morerequired so be mindful of that before going. Once inside seating is first come first served so the place is insanely crowded with people trying to get drinks. Service is a little confusing as the waiters will come up to you with a menu asking for your order instead of an order at the bar type of thing. Once we actually got a seat things were okay. The menu is mostly rum drinks since this is a rum bar however since I'm not the biggest fan I ordered the only thing with tequila on the menu. My drink was actually really good, it was refreshing, not too sweet or strong at all. I just wish there would be more variety.

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False Idol - Tiki themed decor

Tiki themed decor

False Idol - Rum barrel

Rum barrel

False Idol - Back bar rum selection

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Books & Records - Table setting

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My wife and I took a day trip down to San Diego to celebrate our 4 year anniversary, and somehow we…read morestumbled onto one of the highlights of the whole trip. We had spent most of the day around Bankers Hill and decided to grab an early dinner at Books & Records. Getting reservations was easy, but from the moment we walked in, the ambiance alone already had us sold. The place was still pretty quiet when we arrived, and to our surprise it was happy hour, so naturally we ordered a bunch of items off the menu along with drinks. Everything was ridiculously good. Not one miss. What really stood out though was the attention to detail. The host brought us a complimentary glass of champagne after hearing we were celebrating our anniversary. Small gesture, big impact. Stuff like that matters. As the night went on, the restaurant filled up, live music started playing, and the whole atmosphere just came alive. Our waiter never rushed us once, which made the experience feel even more intentional and relaxed. We were able to actually enjoy the moment instead of feeling pushed through dinner service. Good food is one thing. Great hospitality is another. This place gave us both. Next time we're in San Diego, we're absolutely making it a point to come back. Lovely spot. Lovely experience.

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Books & Records - Interior

Interior

Books & Records - Bao buns

Bao buns

Books & Records - Blueberry Beret ($14)

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Charade - In house artist during the jazz performance

Charade

4.5(78 reviews)
0.8 miBanker's Hill

First time here. Definitely out of our comfort zone but enjoyed the show. Cas, Mj and Josie were…read moreamazing host and had great hospitality. Come visit!!!!!

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Charade - The jazzy sound of Sip & Curl

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Panama 66 - cocktailbars - Updated May 2026

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