Restaurants in Panama City - Panama's Cuisine

Being a cosmopolitan city with a strong international influence, Panama city hosts an exciting range of restaurants to suit any taste. An extensive number of restaurants offer high quality, local and international cuisine at very reasonable prices. These include Panamanian, Chinese, Japanese, Indian, Lebanese, Greek, French, Spanish, Italian, German, Peruvian, Cuban, Columbian and many other international flavors. Many of these restaurants are available for breakfast, lunch and/or dinner and offer tasty cuisine in comfortable yet stylish settings.

Many of the restaurants in Panama city use fresh foods prepared in very hygienic conditions. Additionally, you can rest assured about the use of water in restaurants because it is very safe to consume tap water in Panama city.

Treat yourself to world class langoustinos, corvina (sea bass), locally prepared ceviche and other seafood dishes - at unbeatable prices. And be sure to take advantage of the array of exotic fruits and vegetables that are used in restaurants in this tropical region.

There are high quality restaurants distributed throughout Panama city, so no matter where you are staying you will not need to travel far to have an enjoyable dining experience. However, some of the more popular gourmet restaurants in Panama city tend to be concentrated in the districts of El Cangrejo; Bella Vista; Obarrio; Marbella; Casco Viejo; and the Amador Causeway.

El Cangrejo is a lively urban district with many restaurants that are popular with travelers. One of the most commonly visited restaurants in Panama city is ‘Café Pomodoro’ which is a bustling and energetic Italian restaurant with a picturesque garden eating area. Or if you are vegetarian, try the ‘Veggie Kingdom’ for delicious Jamaican influenced vegetarian cuisine, at a great price. Other favorite restaurants in El Cangrejo include the European restaurant ‘1985’; the Japanese restaurant ‘Matsuei’; and Seafood restaurant ‘Siete Mares’.

Bella Vista is a water-front district bordering Avenue Balboa that provides a fine dining experience. Renowned restaurant ‘Eurasia’ offers a selection of European-Asian fusion cuisine in an eclectic setting with distinctive elegance. Another European-Asian fusion restaurant ‘Twist’ provides substantial and delicious dishes in a stylish and contemporary ambience. ‘Gasthouse’ is a lively German restaurant/bar that serves tasty German meals and snacks, as well as a range of European beers. A recent and valued addition to the Bella Vista district is also the ‘Taj Mahal’ - an exotically decorated Indian restaurant with mouth-watering and authentic Indian curries that tease the senses.

Obarrio is a lively residential/business district in the inner part of Panama city. Many travelers, as well as local Panamanians frequent the Italian restaurant ‘Napoli’ which has great tasting pizzas with great low-budget prices. Another popular Italian restaurant is ‘Carlos Pizzeria’. And for tasty, fresh sushi and Japanese-Pacific fusions visit the Japanese restaurant ‘Sushi Itto’.

Marbellla is a thriving suburb that includes many restaurants on the famous Calle Uruguay, which is known for its lively nightlife in Panama city. ‘Madame Chang’ is a stylish Chinese restaurant offering delectable contemporary Chinese cuisine. ‘Limoncillo’ is a modern restaurant that provides modern European cuisine cleverly fused with local foods and flavors. And ‘La Posta’ is a relatively new, yet well valued addition to Marbella, offering tasty, contemporary European cuisine.

Casco Viejo is a charming and energetic district containing some of the most historical buildings in the city. Before dinner take a stroll and admire the historic architecture and enjoy city views while walking along Las Bóvedas - an old Spanish seawall. ‘Monolo Caraco’ is a very reputable restaurant that serves a changing fixed menu of eclectic latin tapas. Dine in a dungeon beneath the seawall at ‘Las Bóvedas ‘and enjoy contemporary European cuisine. Or eat in style at ‘Mostaza’ which offers mouth watering European dishes served in a romantic setting with live music. After dinner kick back and relax at a jazz bar or the famous La Casona bar.

Amador causeway is a very popular location in Panama city for dining and dancing. Relax and enjoy refreshing breezes and views of Panama city, the Bay of Panama and the Panama Canal. Taste the deliciously fresh seafood and sushi at ‘Café Barko’ and afterwards watch or take part in the lively dancing. The ‘Wine Bar’ is also a popular option among many looking for tasty meals with a relaxed atmosphere. And ‘Sakura’ is a new Japanese restaurant that provides high quality Japanese dishes with style and simplicity.

Around Panama city there are also a number of restaurants that offer good quality Panamanian cuisine. Some of these serve tasty local food at fantastically low prices. Try ‘El Trapiche’ in El Cangrejo for local seafood delights. Or ‘Rincon Tableno’ in La Exposicion. Some of these restaurants also provide traditional Panamanian folkloric dance and music performances. The most famous of these is the popular Las Tinajas (in Bella Vista). The menu provides a range of delicious traditional Panamanian and International foods and the entertainment of traditional dancing is excellent.

Clearly, Panama city is brimming with a wide range of high quality restaurants that serve fresh and delicious foods in refined and stylish settings. As a bonus, many of the meals at these restaurants are available at very affordable prices. There are so many options that you will have difficulty deciding. Try some of them for yourself!