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…
Must-see restaurants in Panama
Panama City
Neighborhood fondas (cheap restaurants) serve cheap Panamanian classics, but this one – by Panama's top chef – delivers a massive twist. Sexy rice …
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…
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…
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…
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…
Coclé Province
Love, love, love this mostly outdoor bar and restaurant right by the beach and serving seafood with gourmet touches (such as Thai mussels and crab claws…
Highlands
A gourmet restaurant in a funky country house with garden seating. The chalkboard menu offers just three or four daily options. Gregarious owner-chef…
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…
Isla Bastimentos
A clutch of open-air tables facing rough surf, this reservation-only restaurant is the perfect sunset date. An American chef cooks up local and organic…
Boquete
This sophisticated restaurant has a long-standing reputation. Chef Charlie Collins takes a modern approach, exquisitely preparing everything from smoked…
Veraguas Province
This intimate eatery at the hotel of the same name ranks among the finest eating this side of Panama City. The Cambodian owner-chef is a wonderful cook…
Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro
For excellent pescatarian, vegetarian and vegan lunches, head to this over-the-water restaurant on Isla Carenero. Start with a cool cucumber-mint-coconut…
Santa Catalina
This thatched restaurant does seafood in slightly different, scrumptious preparations. Try the shrimp in garlic sauce with crunchy sautéed vegetables,…
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…
Coclé Province
With its mustard-yellow exterior and oddly shaped columns within, this hangarlike eatery (it was once a US-military social club) offers an excellent…
Boquete
At this new Italian farm-to-table restaurant, it's a struggle not to order everything on the menu – it all looks and smells so good. But you can't go…
El Valle
The creation of renowned Panamanian chef Lourdes Fábrega de Ward, this place has a nationwide reputation and an elegant setting around a garden patio in a…
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…
Santa Catalina
At a converted gas pump, Deivis' popular no-nonsense ceviche stand does superb versions of the citrus-cured seafood on a nest of shoestring fries. The…
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…
Panamá Province
On the Interamericana opposite the turnoff for Playa El Palmar, Carlitos cooks delicious Argentine-style empanadas (turnovers stuffed with meat, cheese or…
Bocas del Toro Town
When you smell gorgeous aromas spilling out onto the sidewalk, you're at this welcoming Indian cafe serving classic curries, korma and thalis. Service can…
Boquete
One of our favorite places in Boquete for great seafood is this fish house along the Quebrada Grande. It offers sea bass prepared in eight different ways …
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…
Panamá Province
Our favorite new place for a bite and a sip, this English-owned seafront bar-restaurant with balcony seating serves excellent ceviche, cazuela de mariscos…
El Valle
This 'spit' (ie grill) restaurant is a local favorite and noted for well-prepared Spanish dishes like pulpo a la gallega (octopus grilled with paprika),…
Bocas del Toro Town
A favorite splurge of Bocas locals, this mellow North American–run place on the edge of the sea does date night right. Caribbean and seafood dishes…
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…
Darién Province
A clean and cheerful cafe serving shrimp or fish criollo-style (with a flavorful sauce) in addition to grilled meats. Always a warm welcome. It's up a…
Panama City
With red velvet chairs and lush tropical-themed wallpaper, this button-cute chocolate shop and cafe serves beautifully adorned natural bonbons: 100%…
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…
Archipiélago de Bocas del Toro
With great atmosphere, this over-the-water restaurant and surf outfitter makes tasty soups, killer ceviche (citrus-cured seafood), whole lobsters (US$27)…
Panama Canal
This upscale restaurant is worthy of the canal, though prices do reflect the exclusive setting. Serving New Panamanian cuisine and using local produce, it…
Comarca de Guna Yala
It would be hard to conjure a more idyllic setting than this tiny isle with deep white sand and three long picnic tables under the palms. Blas earned his…
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…
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…
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…
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,…
Highlands
A surprising find some 3km along the road heading northeast to Cerro Punta, this authentic Italian eatery serves excellent pasta and pizza as well as…
