Restaurants in Panama
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A
Restaurante 1985
Restaurant-goers with very large expense accounts should consider a meal of unparalleled decadence at Restaurante 1985, one of the city's most highly regarded culinary institutions. Located inside the Chalet Suizo (Swiss Chalet), this French restaurant provides impeccable service, elegant decor and an extensive wine list. Steak morilles (steak with morel mushrooms), lobster Provençal, shrimp cognac and the many changing daily specials highlight the talents of chef Willy Diggelmann.
reviewed
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B
Ali Baba
This landmark restaurant capitalizes on its stunning location on the 2nd floor of the Panama Yacht Club. The views of the bay here are stunning and it's easy to pass away the hours just staring at the boats bobbing up and down on the sea. Popular with the business crowd during lunch hours and with romantic couples at night, Ali Baba features an eclectic menu including Spanish paellas, thin-crust pizzas and, befitting the name, an ample selection of Middle Eastern dishes.
There's live music on the weekends.
reviewed
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C
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, a slightly more-upscale version of the traditional Panamanian lunch served in restaurants throughout the country.
Although it's only been around for a short while, the Brooklyn Cafe is fixing to become the neighborhood coffee shop and it's already won a mountain of praise from scores of devotees.
reviewed
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D
Gasthaus Bavaria
Hands down the best German restaurant in the capital, Gasthaus Bavaria serves up all of your favorite dishes from the motherland, as well as enough traditional beers to inspire your own mini-Oktoberfest any time of the year. Although you're welcome to try anything on the menu, the favorite is the Jaeger Schnitzel, a breaded sausage with a mushroom cream sauce - definitely not for the weak of heart.
Of course, even if you were foolish enough to leave your appetite behind, don't pass up the complimentary cheesy puffs served alongside pints of rich, fragrant Warstheiner beer.
reviewed
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E
Restaurante Matsuei
Although Japanese restaurants come and go in Panama City with the same frequency as transiting ships, Matsuei has a long and proud history stretching back over a quarter of a century. True to its Japanese roots, the sushi bar stretches across the entire restaurant and is easily one of Panama's finest raw fish experiences - much of the fish is imported from Miami, so you can expect to see everything from unagi (eel) to maguro (tuna) on offer.
Even if you're not tempted by fresh sushi, Matsuei is known for its piping hot sukiyaki and lightly fried tempura, as well as countless other Japanese standards.
reviewed
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F
Madame Chang
The top Chinese restaurant in town offers Oriental opulence in the center of a historic Bella Vista home. Although Western palates fearful of Asian cuisine will find familiar favorites, serious aficionados should choose any of the traditional offerings including pato al estilo Pekin (Peking duck), filete 'tit pang' (sizzling sliced beef with oyster sauce) and pichón en pétalos de lechuga (a combination of duck, chicken and pigeon, served on a bed of crispy rice noodles).
In a country where Chinese food is often a sorry excuse to serve up day-old fried rice, Madame Chang is a breath of fresh lotus-scented air.
reviewed
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G
Bistro Boquete
This handsome yet casual bistro in the center of town serves a range of eclectic cuisine ranging from grilled mountain trout to chili-rubbed filet mignon. For those with lighter appetites, Bistro Boquete also offers a variety of gourmet sandwiches and salads as well as a rich dessert selection.
reviewed
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H
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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I
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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J
Palo Alto
This rustic charmer occupies an open-air spot alongside the rushing Río Palo Alto. The eclectic menu here received high marks from the local expat community, and emphasized fresh produce and locally raised meats.
reviewed
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Pastelería Alemana
On the main road 2km south of town, this gorgeous spot serves decadent fresh-baked pies alongside strong cups of coffee. If you're missing the motherland, this is also the best place in town to buy authentic German breads.
reviewed
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K
Posada Los Delfines
The cheapest breakfast on the island is yours to be had at this hotel restaurant, which is a popular spot for locals in the know. Order your eggs any way you want and don't be afraid to get a second helping of rice and beans.
reviewed
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Panaderia Europeo
Sample the island's best baked goods at this tasty bakery, though be warned that the huge, fluffy cinnamon rolls are highly addictive. Wash it all down with a cup of gourmet brew and you've got yourself a fine start to the day.
reviewed
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L
El Ultimo Refugio
This rustic, mellow place on the edge of the sea specializes in seafood dishes such as calamari, red snapper and tiger prawns. It's in a quiet location on the southern edge of town, which makes it a great spot for a romantic dinner.
reviewed
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M
La Huaca
North of the plaza, La Huaca is set in a beautifully restored colonial-style building with river and mountain views. It's locally famous for its tasty stone-baked pizzas, and if you phone ahead, they'll deliver one right to your door.
reviewed
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N
Alberto's Pizzeria
Nothing fills the gut like a big and cheesy pepperoni pizza, especially if you've been on the road for a while and in need of comfort food. Stop by this Italian-run spot and long-time resident chef Alberto will make sure you're well taken care of.
reviewed
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O
Java Juice
Java Juice is your spot for veggie burgers, fresh salads, juices, iced cappuccinos and tasty milkshakes. Like its sister store in David, Java Juice seems more suited to Northern California than to Chiriquí, but satisfied meal-goers aren't complaining.
reviewed
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P
Café Ruiz
The outdoor patio at Ruiz makes for a good spot to sip a cappuccino and watch the mist move across the mountains. It's also the epicenter of Panama's most famous coffee industry, so you can be sure that your brew had its origin in the surrounding hillsides.
reviewed
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Q
Shalom Bakery Cafe
There's no doubt about it - a bagel is a coveted food here in Latin America, and no matter how much rice and beans you eat, it just doesn't compare. We like ours with poppy seeds and an extra smear of veggie cream cheese, but go ahead and have it any way you want.
reviewed
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Pinocchio's
This much-loved pizzeria is your best (and only) spot in El Valle for tasty and cheap pizzas with a range of toppings. Also available here is rotisserie-cooked chicken, meaty burgers and tacos, though locals and tourists alike swear that the pizzas here are to die for.
reviewed
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R
El Pecado
This well-established upstairs restaurant near the park is one of Bocas' best-known institutions. El Pecado specializes in unique Thai-Panamanian combinations of fresh, local produce, such as fillet of fish smothered in coconut-milk-based curry, and spicy chicken satays.
reviewed
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La Casa de Lourdes
El Valle's most beautiful restaurant has the look and feel of a Tuscan villa. Situated on the back terrace with stunning views, Lourdes offers an eclectic menu of dishes like lobster and sweet corn risotto, pork chop with a port wine and guava sauce, and blackened corvina with tamarind.
reviewed
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Restaurante y Parrillada Vicente
If you're looking to take a break from all the rice and beans, this greasy-spoon Chinese restaurant serves up all your Latin American-Asian favorites. Brightly painted walls hung with Van Gogh prints form the backdrop to excellent chow mein, chicken with sweet-and-sour sauce and roast pork.
reviewed
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S
Bistro Boquete
This handsome yet casual bistro in the center of town serves a range of eclectic cuisine ranging from grilled mountain trout to chili-rubbed filet mignon. For those with lighter appetites, Bistro Boquete also offers a variety of gourmet sandwiches and salads as well as a rich dessert selection.
reviewed
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Restaurant La Fonda
Just before Rolo's, this long-standing local restaurant offers fresh and healthy Panamanian cuisine at ridiculously low prices. Tuna sandwiches, fresh batidos, and fruit with granola are aimed more at the surfers, though there's no shortage of local staples including rice and beans with chicken and plantains.
reviewed