Must see restaurants in Panama City

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Pure pleasure defines these intense tropical-fruit gelatos and rich, creamy flavors such as coffee, orange-chocolate and ginger. A few scoops of these…

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Neighborhood fondas (cheap restaurants) serve cheap Panamanian classics, but this one – by Panama's top chef – delivers a massive twist. Sexy rice …

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Elevating humble Panamanian staples to haute cuisine, this 16-seat eatery is Panama's hottest reservation. Chef Jose prepares ñandu beans (native black…

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With style and pedigree, Maito toys with the classics, folding in everyday Caribbean, Latin and Chinese influences. While results are mixed, it's still…

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Under hanging vines and fairy lights, this gastronomical garden by Michelin-starred chef Andres Madrigal is romance incarnate. Start with a tropical-style…

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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…

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For authentic Japanese food prepared by a Tokyo chef, this unassuming alleyside restaurant is pay dirt. While Hikaru serves good sushi and sashimi, you…

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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…

With red velvet chairs and lush tropical-themed wallpaper, this button-cute chocolate shop and cafe serves beautifully adorned natural bonbons: 100%…

Happiness is blistering wood-fired pizza cooked to order and topped with truffle oil, roasted eggplant or meatballs. The simple menu also has Caesar…

An Instagram darling, this clean-style eatery from Mario Castrellon caters to gourmet tastes on a budget. Think bubbly pizza topped with lobster or…

This wonderful homestyle bakery and cafe gets packed with locals hungry for sourdough, fresh bagels and amazing fat burgers with crispy french fries,…

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…

Our pick for a quick bite, this never-fail Italian-run eatery serves scrumptious thin-crust pizzas. Check out the award-winning pizza bianca, with roasted…

Fragrant pho (broth with noodles) with brisket, garlicky sea bass with gangalal, and barbecued pork over rice noodles are some of the mouthwatering…

Serving rich kormas, fragrant rice and complex curries in a swanky piano bar, Canadian-run Avatar is sheer delight for spice enthusiasts. Southern Indian…

Saint Honoré, a French-run bakery and patisserie, has locals going weak at the knees for its fluffy pastries, rich cakes and colorful macaroons. Also for…

Part of an upscale Peruvian chain, Segundo Muelle knows seafood. You would do well to sample the causas (creamy potato dishes served stacked) alongside…

Indulge your sweet tooth at Athanasiou, an airy European-style bakery and cafe in Costa del Este. There’s a bread corner filled with freshly baked goods,…

Channeling a NYC vibe, this cool coffee shop is a great place for a morning caffeine kick and croissant, or a fill-you-up brunch. Later in the day, the…