Must-see restaurants in Península de Azuero

  • Panga

    Península de Azuero

    When chef Andres Morataya left award-winning Manolo Caracol and the hubbub of Panama City for Playa Venao, he opened this most inventive restaurant. The…

  • Mare Bonita

    Península de Azuero

    A recent migrant from Pedasí (its loss), this tapas bar and restaurant is considered by many to be the best restaurant in Chitré and it certainly is the…

  • Segreto

    Península de Azuero

    Pedasí's best (some might stop there) Italian restaurant is set in what feels like a glassed-in conservatory. There are more complex secondi (main courses…

  • Salsa y Carbon

    Península de Azuero

    This open-air Colombian BBQ house grills some of the best steak and ribs in the region. Meat and chicken are exceptionally tender and served with salad…

  • El Sitio Restaurant

    Península de Azuero

    This is an excellent choice for sunset dining or just drinks on Playa Venao. Open-air El Sitio offers sesame-crusted tuna and a host of Asian-inspired…

  • El Caserón

    Península de Azuero

    This pink hacienda-like restaurant has a large covered terrace that is a delight on a warm evening. The emphasis here is on seafood and grills, but the…

  • Restaurante El Mirador

    Península de Azuero

    Atop a hill in La Arena below the TV tower, El Mirador is a popular spot where visitors from around Panama congregate to take in the views of the city and…

  • Fonda Mama Fefa

    Península de Azuero

    Matriarch of Creole cooking, Mama Fefa usually runs out of lunch by noon (though you can linger longer). Cheap and cheerful, these huge comidas típicas …

  • Bakery

    Península de Azuero

    Known for exquisite breakfasts (US$4 to US$6.50) with homemade wheat or sourdough bread and organic coffee, this Israeli-run Pedasí institution does a…

  • Restaurante Smiley's

    Península de Azuero

    Catering largely to expats, this friendly bar-restaurant serves up grilled fish, ribs and deli sandwiches (US$5 to US$7.50), including minced BBQ pork…

  • Isla Iguana

    Península de Azuero

    For filling seafood that won't break the bank, try this roadside restaurant that somehow manages the atmosphere of a friendly truck stop. Try the ceviche …

  • Ceviches Tio Caimán

    Península de Azuero

    Chitré's favorite seafood restaurant specializes in ceviche (citrus-cured seafood, from US$4) but has many more inventive dishes on offer, including those…

  • Coleos Cafe

    Península de Azuero

    This wonderful little place just up from the beach serves Asian noodle dishes such as pad thai, delicious hummus plates, sandwiches (US$4.50 to US$6) and…

  • Bohemia Pizzeria Restaurante

    Península de Azuero

    Many punters swear by the pasta at this rustic little place at the southern end of town, but we come here for the pizzas, arguably the best in town…

  • Restaurante El Meson de Rex

    Península de Azuero

    This plaza restaurant with relatively long hours has an expansive list of offerings, from sandwiches to steak and seafood. The chicken tacos will fully…

  • Los Sombreros

    Península de Azuero

    The relaxed, thatched-roof loft restaurant at Eco Venao resort is open to the public and caters to beach-goers with an appetite. While surfers usually…

  • Restaurante Aire Libre

    Península de Azuero

    Get your greasy-spoon fix at breakfast (from US$3), lunch or dinner at this friendly open-air plaza-cafe overlooking Parque Union. It offers two kinds of…

  • Kiosco El Ciruelo

    Península de Azuero

    About 3km southeast of Los Santos along the Carretera Nacional you'll discover this rustic truck stop where everything is cooked on a wood-fire grill…

  • Pizzeria Ebenezer

    Península de Azuero

    In addition to pizza, this popular pizzeria in the shadow of an enormous water tower a short distance south of the main square does a good range of pasta,…

  • Dalila Cafe

    Península de Azuero

    This cake shop on a side street off Av Central is not the institution it once was, but the cakes are still good, the empanadas filling and the sandwiches…

  • Pizzeria Tiesto

    Península de Azuero

    With brick-oven pizzas topped with local cheese and tasty chicken tacos, this plaza-front Panamanian cafe on the southeast corner of the main square…

  • Boquitas Caseras

    Península de Azuero

    This snack shop is a perfect hunger fix if you have a few minutes between buses: think marinated meatballs, potato salad and empanadas (turnovers stuffed…

  • Los Portales

    Península de Azuero

    Housed in a colonial building on its very last legs, this low-key spot serves grilled meats and basic Panamanian dishes. Stop by in the morning for a…

  • Mama Gita's

    Península de Azuero

    This no-frills little family-run restaurant on the way to the beach offers fresh fish and simple Panamanian dishes alongside four very basic double rooms…

  • Restaurante Aida

    Península de Azuero

    This very basic fonda serves comida típica (traditional Panamanian dishes) that won't win any culinary awards, but you can't beat the prices or the…

  • Super Centro El Pueblo

    Península de Azuero

    The town's principal supermarket sits on the corner of Av Central and Calle Los Estudiantes.