Panama City Restaurants

  1. Brooklyn Cafe

    Owned by a warm Panamanian woman who fondly recalls her time in the States, this NYC-style cafe is the perfect spot to linger over a frothy cappuccino and a buttery muffin. Of course, those with bigger appetites should stop by for the daily plato ejecutivo (USaround US$5 ), a slightly more-upscale version of the traditional Panamanian lunch served in restaurants throughout the country.

    Read more about Brooklyn Cafe

  2. Café Coca Cola

    A neighborhood institution near Plaza Santa Ana, Café Coca Cola is an old-school diner, complete with chess-playing señores and no-nonsense waitresses. It's also air-conditioned and chock full of TVs playing the latest Latin American football matches, which makes Coca Cola something of a hang-out spot for Casco Viejo's working class.

    Read more about Café Coca Cola

  3. Greenhouse

    This stylish restaurant and lounge draws its name from its enclosed patio, which puts you in touch with tropical greenery - inside, stained-glass windows, an artfully displayed fish tank and an uber-relaxed vibe completes the setting. Pleasant but sedate waiters bring warm towels as refreshment, before you dine on a variety of salads and tasty bites from the grill (corvina , steak burgers) as well as wraps and quesadillas.

    Read more about Greenhouse

  4. Lum's

    Occupying an old cavernous hangar that once housed machinery for the Panama Canal, Lum's has a long history of serving up ribs, steaks and other hot-off-the-grill mains. Today it's the expat's restaurant of choice, especially since its satellite TV, pool table, foosball and healthy offering of tap beers packs in the crowds on weekends. Located just west of La Exposición in Ancón on the edge of the canal, Lum's is one of the most popular restaurants in the Canal Zone.

    Read more about Lum's

  5. Parillada Jimmy

    The long open porch with high ceilings and wrought-iron chandeliers lends a farmhouse feel to this Panama City institution. The grill flares in the corner giving an indication of the specialties served here, namely some serious cuts of beef, meaty chicken breasts and fresh country-style sausage.

    Read more about Parillada Jimmy

  7. Restaurante y Pizzeria Napoli

    Panama's oldest pizzeria serves up delicious, wood-fired pizzas at a no-nonsense speed. Although they're piping hot and extra cheesy, the pizzas aren't the only thing on the menu, and you can't go wrong with any of the past offerings like stuffed ravioli or a hearty dish of fettuccine alfredo. Of course, no matter what you choose, you'll enjoy the classic atmosphere of open-air tables with red-checked tablecloths and rapidly moving waiters shuffling between the tables.

    Read more about Restaurante y Pizzeria Napoli