Restaurants in Panama
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Martín Fierro
For top-quality sirloins, porterhouse cuts and filet mignon, there is only one name in Panama City, and it's Martín Fierro. The quality of meat served here is unparalleled - top selections include the best in US-imported New York rib steaks, grass-fed Argentinean fillets and locally-raised Panamanian cuts. And of course, nothing washes down braised beef quite like a deep and bold glass of red wine, and Martín Fierro has no shortage of Chilean standards to round out your meal.
reviewed
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El Sabrosón
This much-loved local institution cooks up cheap and filling Panamanian cuisine served cafeteria style. Although Boquete is rapidly being colonized by gringo-friendly boutique eateries, this is one local institution that stays true to its roots.
reviewed
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La Cocotte
Fine Parisian cuisine reigns supreme under the stewardship of chef Fabien Migny, who studied at the Ecole Hotelliére Belliard while simultaneously training at the renowned Restaurant Jamin de Joel Robouchon in Paris. Appetizers like pâté de canard (duck pate) meld nicely with entrées of confit de canard (roasted duck) or fresh salmon in a red wine sauce, and everything is expertly topped off with crêpes soufflées au chocolat (chocolate crepes soufflé).
The fixed-price lunch is a good way to sample Migny's cuisine without breaking the bank, though there are certainly less enjoyable ways to spend your hard-earned money.
reviewed
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Restaurante Las Bóvedas
This utterly unique French restaurant is set in the vaults of a 300-year-old fort that housed political prisoners for most of the 19th century - fortunately for the crowds who converge here on the weekends, the ghosts of the past haven't had a deleterious effect on the cooking. Specializing in local seafood with a French twist, the menu varies daily, subject to the catch of the day, but always includes a fish fillet, mixed seafood and a cut of steak just to round things out a bit.
A guitarist performs in the last vault nightly except Friday and Saturday, when there's jazz; the music usually starts around 21:00.
reviewed
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René Cafe
With an unbeatable location underneath the shadows of the Iglesia Catedral and overlooking the Plaza de la Independencia, this relative newcomer is primed to become one of the most popular restaurants in the city. Drawing on the successes of Manolo Caracol, René Cafe also offers prix-fixe five-course lunches and seven-course dinners that change daily.
However, the difference is that René emphasizes the international nature of the capital by infusing traditional Panamanian favorites with influences as broad as Pan-Asian and Continental cuisine to create some truly unique tapas.
reviewed
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Siete Mares
Artful lighting and a few impressionistic paintings scattered along the exposed brick walls sets the mood for some serious seafood dining, which attracts suits from all corners of Panama City's financial district. The speciality here is lobster, though if the sea hasn't been bountiful, you can choose from a wide variety of options including sea bass, jumbo shrimp and red snapper.
Despite the fact that the street is lined with countless other eateries, the crowds flocking in front of Siete Mares are testament to the fact that seafood here is about as fresh as it gets.
reviewed
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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.
Although it's located in the San Francisco district just east of the old Aeropuerto Paitilla, Parillada Jimmy still packs in lunchtime diners from the business district and it's always hopping with the after-work crowd.
reviewed
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Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu is a low-key but traditional restaurant where blue-vested waiters make the rounds among a mix of Peruvian expats and in-the-know Panamanians. True to its roots, the authentic menu has a long list of Peruvian specialties including pan-fried sea bass served with cream sauce, topped with shrimp or half a dozen other ways. And of course, nothing quenches your thirst and cleans your palate quite like a Pisco Sour, Peru's sometimes sweet and sometimes tart national drink.
reviewed
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Limoncillo [closed]
Panamanian chef Clara Icaza Angelini cooked at some of the best restaurants in New York before returning to her roots and opening one of Panama City's best restaurants. The menu changes every few months, but you can always count on a fresh and creative assortment of plates with delicate spices, such as pan-roasted grouper with grilled asparagus or sautéed sea scallops with Thai red curry sauce.
Incredibly stylish and decorated with an eye for detail, Limoncillo benefits from Angelini's family of artists - many of the paintings, photographs and sculptures in the restaurant were made by her relatives (some are for sale).
reviewed
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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.
reviewed
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Niko's Cafe
Spawned from the dreams of a Greek immigrant who once sold food from a cart, Niko's has become one of Panama City's most successful restaurant chains, with several locations throughout the city. The secret is simple: serve fresh, hearty portions of inexpensive food in a laid-back cafeteria-style ambience and the crowds will file in.
Open 24 hours to serve all of your late-night snack attacks, Niko's serves up everything from made-to-order breakfasts, Panamanian staples, Greek gyros, Italian pastas and every kind of meat from grilled chicken and fried cutlets to greasy burgers to T-bone fillets.
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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.
At night, the restaurant puts the electronic music up a notch as a young good-looking crowd holds court over round upon round of expertly mixed martinis.
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El Pavo Real
A mix of Panamanians and expats gather over games of darts or pool at this British pub-restaurant made famous by John le Carré's thriller The Tailor of Panama. (The British Foreign Service employee/best-selling novelist spent a lot of time here while conducting research for his book. The pub-restaurant's owner, Sarah Simpson, is also an ex-BFS employee. Coincidence?)
The pub grub here is tasty and filling, and offerings include burgers, chicken-breast sandwiches and fish 'n' chips. There is also occasional live music and there's never a cover charge.
reviewed
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Crêpes & Waffles
Crêpe and waffle lovers rejoice at this popular spot in nightlife-rich Bella Vista, which is an ideal place to grab a quick bite before hitting the bars and clubs. Spinach, ricotta and tomato are good standbys, though the truly hungry should opt for the more filling lomito á la pimienta (strips of roast beef with pepper sauce).
Owing to its increasing popularity, Crêpes & Waffles franchises are popping up all over the city, which is a good thing - there's nothing quite like wrapping your dinner up in a thin and savory pancake package.
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El Rincón Tableño
The menu changes daily at this open-air cafeteria-style eatery, but the type of food never does: it's always 100% working-class Panamanian. Typical items include sopa de carne (meat soup), camarones guisados (shrimp in tomato sauce), and ropa vieja (literally, 'old clothes'; marinated shredded beef served as a stew), and there's a choice of a half-dozen or so natural fruit juices, each priced under US$1.
Panama City has no shortage of upscale international eateries, but sometimes it's refreshing to simply stick to your roots.
reviewed
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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.
Of course, all of this shouldn't distract you from the real reason you're here, namely to fill the gut without breaking the bank on hearty platefuls of rice, beans and the featured meat of the day.
reviewed
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Eurasia
Dining at Eurasia is a rich, sensory experience, starting with the lavishly adorned restaurant complete with marble floors and hanging original artwork. The experience continues with impeccable service and daring fusion cuisine including Vietnamese shrimp rolls with orange sauce, and onion soup with tofu and duck breast.
Entrées similarly range across the continents with dishes such as jumbo shrimp in tamarind sauce and coconut milk with rice pilaf to tuna breaded with ajonjolí seeds and caramelized in honey.
reviewed
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Manolo Caracol
Arguably the most famous restaurant in the city, Manolo Caracol offers prix-fixe five-course lunches and seven-course dinners that change daily. The menu emphasizes seasonal produce, locally raised meats and freshly caught fish, but it's the imaginative recipes and flawless presentation that have helped vault the restaurant's reputation.
Manolo is also located in a historic colonial mansion complete with the original tiling, historic tapestries and hewn-wood furniture, which completes the warm and intimate atmosphere.
reviewed
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Granclement
Nothing beats the tropical heat like a cool scoop of mango gelato and there's no better gourmet spot in the city than this European-style ice-cream shop. With French owners who refuse to skimp on quality or authenticity, Granclement serves up the perfect accompaniment to a leisurely stroll through the old streets of Casco Viejo or along the waterfront.
If you want to speed things up a bit however, there's also a real Italian espresso machine on the premises that will get you exactly where you need to go.
reviewed
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Masala Indian Cuisine
Nothing complements hot and humid tropical climes quite like a fiery plate of Indian curry and an ice-cold Kingfisher lager. Housed in a historic Bella Vista mansion that's been redecorated with colorful textiles and Indian art, Masala offers a full complement of traditional dishes from the subcontinent. Although non-adventurous eaters can stick to more Westernized dishes like tikka masala and tandori chicken, iron-stomach masochistic types should pile on the heat with dishes like lamb vindaloo.
reviewed
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Café de Asís
Located on the ground floor of a beautifully restored 19th-century building, Café de Asís is perhaps the most charming spot in Panama City. With outdoor tables spilling out into the Parque Bolívar and overlooking the soaring spires of the Iglesia de San Francisco, the Old World atmosphere here is Casco Viejo at its best. The food at Asís can easily hold its own, and the fresh Peruvian-style ceviche and the house sangria pretty much complement everything on menu perfectly.
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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.
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Restaurante Vegetariano Mireya
Mireya is a budget traveler's delight, especially if you're a vegetarian on a desperate search for nutrition in this meat-lover's paradise. Tasty cruelty-free offerings include eggplant parmesan, soy burgers and freshly squeezed tropical juices, and there's no shortage of healthy snacks available for purchase. Even if you're not a vegetarian, skip on the cow for a day and mix things up a bit - your body will thank you.
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Restaurante y Refresquería Aire Libre
This pleasant open-air café faces the western end of the plaza, and is a good place to soak up the tropical climes and indulge in a bit of people watching. Good inexpensive Panamanian dishes are on offer including camarones al ajillo (shrimp with garlic), though a cup of coffee and some chocolate ice cream is an equally divine choice.
reviewed
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Pizzeria Jamming
Something of a Santa Catalina institution, this pizzeria offers delicious thin-crust pizzas made from fresh ingredients, any of which go nicely with the cold beer on hand. Located on the road to the beach-facing hotels, this stylish, open-air rancho is Santa Catalina's liveliest gathering spot - it gets crowded, so arrive early in the night.
reviewed