Bocas del Toro Town
It's just a little plank restaurant on the water, but the Asian-fusion offerings are spot on. Sake accompanies fresh tofu spring rolls and amazing tuna…
Must-see restaurants in Panama
Darién Province
Cheap and cheerful, this spotless cafeteria-style restaurant is usually packed with locals. Breakfasts like shredded beef and eggs are popular. Lunch…
Panamá Province
Taking pride of place just below the Villa Caprichosa, this top-notch eatery with an open kitchen is Isla Taboga's swankiest and priciest. Dining packages…
Veraguas Province
Run by a young Panamanian–French Canadian couple, this lively cafe with open decks and hammocks is the spot to be after sundown. A varied menu offers up…
Highlands
This charming cafe with a long breezy terrace overlooking Volcán's main thoroughfare has a menu with Panamanian specialties, and also choices such as…
El Valle
This eclectic restaurant in pleasant surrounds serves up quite a mix of dishes – from Colombian empanadas (dough stuffed with meat or cheese and fried)…
Panamá Province
This thatched restaurant attached to the B&B of the same name has some of the best food on the island. It's certainly where you would go for a little…
Highlands
Not heavenly but certainly good, Mana offers an interesting menu that combines Panamanian favorites such as tostadas (toasted corn) and gallo pinto …
Boquete
A real expat hub, this homesick restaurant is the lovechild of Mike and Heidi who met – where else? – at the South Pole. Indulging the wanderlust theme,…
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…
Bocas del Toro Town
This treasure trove of a grocery store stocks special treats such as natural grass-fed meats and coveted imported items. It also has a section of…
Coclé Province
This place in Harinos Mall just off the main drag has a comfortable, well-stocked sports bar with pool table on the ground floor, and a rooftop grill and…
Isla Bastimentos
In an attractive little lime-green shack at the bottom of the landmark Hostel Bastimentos, a Panamanian-American couple serve cheap-as-chips burgers but…
Portobelo
Located at the Casa Congo, the best feature of this restaurant is its location. There's ample open-air seating overlooking the beautiful bay of Portobelo…
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…
Panamá Province
The seafood is fresher than fresh, and you couldn't get any closer to the beach at the Restaurante Playa Honda. Bank-like opening hours here and elsewhere…
Bocas del Toro Town
For top-notch crepes that come savory (with coconut curry) or sweet (honey cream) and a broad selection of teas, try this bohemian cafe, popular with…
Coclé Province
This small thatched restaurant-bar sits directly on the beach facing the waves. It’s the perfect setting for fresh ceviche (citrus-cured seafood),…
Veraguas Province
This bakery and cafe is a popular local lunch spot. Think fast casual, with thick deli sandwiches made to order and healthy Buddha bowls with your choice…
Bocas del Toro Town
For all-natural wraps, sandwiches and burgers served with homemade hot sauce, duck into this tiny eatery. There's also all-day breakfast, smoothies and…
Isla Grande
About halfway along the island footpath, this small Colombian-owned restaurant serves some of the best food on the island, though portions are a little…
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…
David
A find for the area, this immaculate restaurant with screens, ambient lighting and flower arrangements serves authentic Hanoi cuisine. Big bowls of pho …
Coclé Province
Situated 200m north of the main road to the beach, the 'Sea Ranch' is a new pizza and pasta place – there are some meat and fish dishes but it mostly…
Highlands
This small shop sells fruit jam, candy, milkshakes and ice cream using the region’s famous strawberries, which thrive at this altitude. Stock up on some…
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…
Isla Bastimentos
In a simple over-the-water clapboard house, this breezy little restaurant churns out wonderful plates of Asian beer fish and local patuk greens with…
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,…
Panamá Province
Touted as one of Contadora's best restaurants, this frenetic place decorated with street art with seating inside and in a small garden is the kind of…
El Valle
The anchor restaurant of El Valle's main street, Bruschetta features generous versions of its namesake (US$6.50 to US$8) as well as salads, tacos and…
Comarca de Guna Yala
This huge wooden restaurant with bar sits over the water and offers dishes of fresh octopus, fish, crab and lobster. Attached to the lodge of the same…
Panamá Province
Join what looks like a Friday bank line at El Chichemito to sample the homemade chicheme (a sweet nonalcoholic drink made from milk, mashed corn, cinnamon…
David
This fairly authentic Lebanese restaurant southwest of downtown provides a welcome relief from a steady diet of rice and beans. Homemade hummus, tabbouleh…
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 …
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…
Colón
Local business owners lunch at this nondescript building in the port area cooking up good Caribbean dishes. Expect no frills and minimal views, just…
David
A longtime neighborhood staple, this basic seafood restaurant (with a few pork dishes thrown in) does cheap and cheerful pretty well. The ceviche (citrus…
El Valle
OK, its location in the Plaza Paseo El Valle mall east of the center may not be the sexiest, but it's a nice mall (as malls go) and this place has its own…
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…
Santa Catalina
This fantastic restaurant serves up baked fish, clams and lobster as well as pleasing vegan and vegetarian dishes with fresh fare, quinoa and couscous. It…
