Must-see restaurants in Panama City

  • Granclement

    Panama City

    Pure pleasure defines these intense tropical-fruit gelatos and rich, creamy flavors such as coffee, orange-chocolate and ginger. A few scoops of these…

  • Lo Que Hay

    Panama City

    Neighborhood fondas (cheap restaurants) serve cheap Panamanian classics, but this one – by Panama's top chef – delivers a massive twist. Sexy rice …

  • Donde José

    Panama City

    Elevating humble Panamanian staples to haute cuisine, this 16-seat eatery is Panama's hottest reservation. Chef Jose prepares ñandu beans (native black…

  • Maito

    Panama City

    With style and pedigree, Maito toys with the classics, folding in everyday Caribbean, Latin and Chinese influences. While results are mixed, it's still…

  • Ochoymedio

    Panama City

    Under hanging vines and fairy lights, this gastronomical garden by Michelin-starred chef Andres Madrigal is romance incarnate. Start with a tropical-style…

  • Super Gourmet

    Panama City

    With the cheeriest staff around, Super Gourmet is a favorite of both locals and travelers. Stop by the air-conditioned cafe for traditional soups, fresh…

  • Hikaru

    Panama City

    For authentic Japanese food prepared by a Tokyo chef, this unassuming alleyside restaurant is pay dirt. While Hikaru serves good sushi and sashimi, you…

  • Mercado de Mariscos

    Panama City

    Get your seafood fix above a bustling fish market. Come early, as service at peak time is painfully slow. Gems include whole fried fish and cavernous…

  • Tropical Chocolate Café Chocolates bonbons, close-up.

    Mosaico Chocolate Café

    Panama City

    With red velvet chairs and lush tropical-themed wallpaper, this button-cute chocolate shop and cafe serves beautifully adorned natural bonbons: 100%…

  • Barrio Pizza

    Panama City

    Happiness is blistering wood-fired pizza cooked to order and topped with truffle oil, roasted eggplant or meatballs. The simple menu also has Caesar…

  • Botanica

    Panama City

    An Instagram darling, this clean-style eatery from Mario Castrellon caters to gourmet tastes on a budget. Think bubbly pizza topped with lobster or…

  • Miranda Bakery & Cafe

    Panama City

    This wonderful homestyle bakery and cafe gets packed with locals hungry for sourdough, fresh bagels and amazing fat burgers with crispy french fries,…

  • Ozone Cafe

    Panama City

    Packed with worker bees at midday, Ozone is a local fixture serving enormous, fragrant portions of good food from 110 countries. There are even kosher and…

  • Caffe Per Due

    Panama City

    Our pick for a quick bite, this never-fail Italian-run eatery serves scrumptious thin-crust pizzas. Check out the award-winning pizza bianca, with roasted…

  • Restaurante Vietnamita

    Panama City

    Fragrant pho (broth with noodles) with brisket, garlicky sea bass with gangalal, and barbecued pork over rice noodles are some of the mouthwatering…

  • Avatar

    Panama City

    Serving rich kormas, fragrant rice and complex curries in a swanky piano bar, Canadian-run Avatar is sheer delight for spice enthusiasts. Southern Indian…

  • Saint Honoré

    Panama City

    Saint Honoré, a French-run bakery and patisserie, has locals going weak at the knees for its fluffy pastries, rich cakes and colorful macaroons. Also for…

  • Athanasiou

    Panama City

    Indulge your sweet tooth at Athanasiou, an airy European-style bakery and cafe in Costa del Este. There’s a bread corner filled with freshly baked goods,…

  • Segundo Muelle

    Panama City

    Part of an upscale Peruvian chain, Segundo Muelle knows seafood. You would do well to sample the causas (creamy potato dishes served stacked) alongside…

  • Mika

    Panama City

    Channeling a NYC vibe, this cool coffee shop is a great place for a morning caffeine kick and croissant, or a fill-you-up brunch. Later in the day, the…

  • Laboratorio Madrigal

    Panama City

    Subdued and upscale, this stylish, sometimes fussy eatery uses seasonal produce (much of it coming all the way from Britain) to bring you asparagus and…

  • Mahalo

    Panama City

    If you miss your cold-pressed juices, quinoa bowls and avocado toast, rush to this casual, plant-filled cafe run by two Canadian sisters. Set lunches are…

  • Cafe Unido

    Panama City

    This small, local chain of chic coffee houses boasts branches around the city, but our favorite is in Casco Viejo. Stop by for a great caffeine kick or…

  • Aki Sushi Bar

    Panama City

    Duck into this dark nook for delicious fusion-style sushi. Spicy tuna on crispy rice squares hits the spot. Cocktails are innovative and well prepared…

  • Paletta America

    Panama City

    This shoe-boxed-sized shop in the heart of Casco Viejo might be small, but its palettas (ice lollies) pack a pretty punch. Cool off on a hot Panama…

  • Petit Paris

    Panama City

    Get your fresh croissants and baguettes at this French bakery and cafe, also serving handsome meals of baguette sandwiches, pâté, couscous, meats and…

  • Tacos la Neta

    Panama City

    While Panama has never had much in the way of Mexican cuisine, dive-ish Tacos la Neta wrestles to turn the tide. The scrumptious soft-corn tacos come in a…

  • Tomillo

    Panama City

    With an open-air dining room awash in violet light and set in a shell of Casco ruins, Tomillo's bare, beautiful ambience reigns supreme. Generating a lot…

  • Wine Bar

    Panama City

    Some say this Italian bistro with an encyclopedic wine list is the best dinner value in town. It's certainly popular among the local cognoscenti. You can…

  • Tío Navaja

    Panama City

    In the most touristy of locations, step into this narrow colonial for Panamanian comfort food done right. Think fried yucca or crunchy concolón (a…

  • Martín Fierro

    Panama City

    For serious steaks, there is only one name in Panama City, and it’s Martín Fierro. Top selections include the best in US-imported New York rib steaks,…

  • New York Bagel Café

    Panama City

    More San Francisco than Brooklyn, this fully American creation near Vía Argentina nonetheless packs in expats with freshly baked bagels, lox and oversized…

  • Suvla's

    Panama City

    For fresh fast food, this modern Greek eatery does delicious Angus beef or chicken gyros and Greek salads, as well as burgers and fries and syrupy baklava…

  • Lung Fung

    Panama City

    Locals swear by this longtime Chinese restaurant, one of the best in a city with good Chinese fare. Stop by on the weekend for dim sum or succulent roast…

  • Ciao Ragazzi

    Panama City

    This laid-back Italian restaurant is the place to come in Clayton for excellent thin-crust pizza. It's run by a young Italian couple who are so dedicated…

  • Pretelt Butcher Shop & Grill

    Panama City

    If you're craving a tender steak or juicy hamburger, pop into Pretelt. Front of house is a butcher’s shop where you can buy your sausages and steaks to go…

  • Sabores del Chorrillo

    Panama City

    This waterfront market contains a number of seafood stands, with miniature kitchens occupied by residents of Chorillos, an edgy neighborhood famous for…

  • Country Store

    Panama City

    Come for country breakfasts, fresh salads, pizza and baked goods with craft beer or organic coffee roasted in-house. A highlight is the live music (guitar…

  • Bucanero's

    Panama City

    Positioned on Isla Flamenco, the furthest point along the Amador Causeway from the mainland, is the pirate-themed restaurant Bucanero's. Aside from the…

  • Niko’s Café

    Panama City

    The creation of a Greek immigrant who once sold food from a cart, Niko’s has become one of Panama City’s most successful chains, with locations throughout…