Must-see restaurants in Santa Catalina

  • Chillinguito

    Santa Catalina

    This thatched restaurant does seafood in slightly different, scrumptious preparations. Try the shrimp in garlic sauce with crunchy sautéed vegetables,…

  • El Encuentro

    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…

  • La Tana Sushi Bar

    Santa Catalina

    Run by Francesco, a gregarious Italian chef, this thatched-hut sushi bar uses fresh seafood to create some delightful tropical fare. Think out of the box…

  • La Buena Vida

    Santa Catalina

    If you’re hitting the water early, this will be the first spot open for a bite and espresso fix. Great options include breakfast burritos and Greek…

  • Chano's Point

    Santa Catalina

    This thatched restaurant offers lovely seafood meals and frozen fruit drinks. Start with fresh local clams or salad with tart passionfruit dressing. The…

  • Hibiscus Restaurant

    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…

  • La Moncheria Heladería

    Santa Catalina

    This gelateria on a narrow dirt road on the way to La Punta surfing beach serves some of the best ice cream in Panama.

  • Los Pibes

    Santa Catalina

    This good-vibe Argentine eatery is an original – from its menu of nachos, steak and small Argentine-style empanadas (turnovers stuffed with meat, cheese…

  • Pizzeria Jammin

    Santa Catalina

    A Santa Catalina mainstay, this open-air rancho offers delicious thin-crust pizzas baked in a stone oven. Nightlife tends to concentrate here – perhaps it…

  • La Vieja Panaderia

    Santa Catalina

    This Italian-run local institution is a bakery by day and a pizzeria after dark. Come before 9:30am as bread (US$1.50 to US$2) sells out and breakfasts …

  • Pingüino Cafe

    Santa Catalina

    This thatched Italian-owned restaurant on the public beach is the undisputed spot for a sunset beer. Pasta dishes are a tad pricey given their somewhat…

  • Restaurante Iguanito

    Santa Catalina

    This cozy restaurant in the hotel of the same name specializes in seafood but also has a wide selection of tapas, including calamari croquettes, clams,…