Panama 66
Bar & grill · San Diego ·
Casual eatery serving sandwiches, local beers, and live jazz.
Casual eatery serving sandwiches, local beers, and live jazz.
"An all-outdoor dining option at a major museum campus recommended for casual museum-adjacent dining and drinks in a largely outdoor setting." - Kelly Bone
"Located in the open-air sculpture courtyard adjacent to the San Diego Museum of Art, Panama 66 is one of the city’s most baby- and well-behaved-dog-friendly bars. With live jazz and jam sessions most days of the week, prompt service, and an impeccable menu, it’s a standout in Balboa Park. The bar exclusively serves local beers, such as North Park Taproom’s Tiffany Blue—an Imperial IPA with notes of grapefruit, orange, and pine—alongside a selection of California wines, cocktails, and mocktails. For those on the go, grab-and-go sandwiches, canned beers, and ciders are available, along with a map of open lawns where alcohol consumption is permitted. Sister pub Blind Lady Ale House, located on bustling Adams Avenue in Normal Heights, offers a similarly curated menu in a more traditional pub setting. But only at Panama 66 will you find remnants of its beloved lost sibling restaurant, Tiger Tiger, with dishes like Thai coconut curry fries and a chicken or tofu banh mi, finished with radish, cilantro, and shoyu aioli." - Kelly Bone
"Located in the sculpture court at the San Diego Museum of Art, this Balboa Park restaurant lets families order at the counter before finding a table on the outdoor terrace surrounded by artwork and greenery. Children can’t climb on the statues themselves but are encouraged to admire them from their seats. For kids, they have plates with a choice of steak or falafel, or for the sugar-inclined, almond butter and Nutella sandwiches." - Helen I. Hwang
"Located in the sculpture court at the San Diego Museum of Art, this Balboa Park restaurant lets families order at the counter before finding a table on the generous patio. It goes without saying that children can’t climb on the statues themselves but are encouraged to admire them from their seats. For kids, they have plates with a choice of steak or falafel, or for the sugar-inclined, almond butter and Nutella sandwiches." - Helen I. Hwang
"For lunch, head to Panama 66 in the San Diego Museum of Art sculpture garden. Grab a grain bowl and dine picnic-style in the park, or settle in among the contemporary forms for the recently reopened full-service experience."