Must-see restaurants in Panama

  • Granclement

    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…

  • Lo Que Hay

    Panama City

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

  • Panga

    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…

  • Donde José

    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…

  • Maito

    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…

  • Ochoymedio

    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…

  • Super Gourmet

    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…

  • Firefly Restaurant

    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…

  • Hotel Panamonte Restaurant

    Boquete

    This sophisticated restaurant has a long-standing reputation. Chef Charlie Collins takes a modern approach, exquisitely preparing everything from smoked…

  • Leaf Eaters Cafe

    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…

  • Chillinguito

    Santa Catalina

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

  • Hikaru

    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…

  • Retrogusto

    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…

  • La Casa de Lourdes

    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…

  • Mercado de Mariscos

    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…

  • 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…

  • Mare Bonita

    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…

  • Carlitos

    Panamá Province

    On the Interamericana opposite the turnoff for Playa El Palmar, Carlitos cooks delicious Argentine-style empanadas (turnovers stuffed with meat, cheese or…

  • Om Café

    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 Fish House

    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 …

  • Segreto

    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…

  • London's Pier Bar & Grill

    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…

  • Don Quijote

    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),…

  • Salsa y Carbon

    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…

  • El Último Refugio

    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…

  • Lola Grill

    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…

  • Tropical Chocolate Café Chocolates bonbons, close-up.

    Mosaico Chocolate Café

    Panama City

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

  • Barrio Pizza

    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…

  • Bibi’s on the Beach

    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)…

  • Atlantic & Pacific Co.

    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…

  • Restaurant Chef Blas

    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…

  • El Sitio Restaurant

    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…

  • Botanica

    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…

  • Ozone Cafe

    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…

  • Miranda Bakery & Cafe

    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,…

  • Caffe Per Due

    Panama City

    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…

  • El Caserón

    Península de Azuero

    This pink hacienda-like restaurant has a large covered terrace that is a delight on a warm evening. The emphasis here is on seafood and grills, but the…

  • APizza

    Boquete

    Crisp, thin-crust Neapolitan pies are the simple stars of this casual eatery. They're made from local mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes and flour imported…

  • La Casbah

    Bocas del Toro Town

    Locals and travelers love this Mediterranean restaurant serving up gazpacho, goat's cheese salad, and seafood and meat dishes such as tabbouleh couscous…

  • Restaurante Vietnamita

    Panama City

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

More destinations you need to see