Portobelo
Located at the Casa Congo, the best feature of this restaurant is its location. There's ample open-air seating overlooking the beautiful bay of Portobelo…
Portobelo
Located at the Casa Congo, the best feature of this restaurant is its location. There's ample open-air seating overlooking the beautiful bay of Portobelo…
Península de Azuero
Known for exquisite breakfasts (US$4 to US$6.50) with homemade wheat or sourdough bread and organic coffee, this Israeli-run Pedasí institution does a…
Panamá Province
The seafood is fresher than fresh, and you couldn't get any closer to the beach at the Restaurante Playa Honda. Bank-like opening hours here and elsewhere…
Bocas del Toro Town
For top-notch crepes that come savory (with coconut curry) or sweet (honey cream) and a broad selection of teas, try this bohemian cafe, popular with…
Bocas del Toro Town
For all-natural wraps, sandwiches and burgers served with homemade hot sauce, duck into this tiny eatery. There's also all-day breakfast, smoothies and…
Península de Azuero
Catering largely to expats, this friendly bar-restaurant serves up grilled fish, ribs and deli sandwiches (US$5 to US$7.50), including minced BBQ pork…
David
A find for the area, this immaculate restaurant with screens, ambient lighting and flower arrangements serves authentic Hanoi cuisine. Big bowls of pho …
Panama City
In the most touristy of locations, step into this narrow colonial for Panamanian comfort food done right. Think fried yucca or crunchy concolón (a…
Isla Bastimentos
In a simple over-the-water clapboard house, this breezy little restaurant churns out wonderful plates of Asian beer fish and local patuk greens with…
Panama City
For serious steaks, there is only one name in Panama City, and it’s Martín Fierro. Top selections include the best in US-imported New York rib steaks,…
Panamá Province
Touted as one of Contadora's best restaurants, this frenetic place decorated with street art with seating inside and in a small garden is the kind of…
El Valle
The anchor restaurant of El Valle's main street, Bruschetta features generous versions of its namesake (US$6.50 to US$8) as well as salads, tacos and…
Comarca de Guna Yala
This huge wooden restaurant with bar sits over the water and offers dishes of fresh octopus, fish, crab and lobster. Attached to the lodge of the same…
Panamá Province
Join what looks like a Friday bank line at El Chichemito to sample the homemade chicheme (a sweet nonalcoholic drink made from milk, mashed corn, cinnamon…
David
This fairly authentic Lebanese restaurant southwest of downtown provides a welcome relief from a steady diet of rice and beans. Homemade hummus, tabbouleh…
Península de Azuero
For filling seafood that won't break the bank, try this roadside restaurant that somehow manages the atmosphere of a friendly truck stop. Try the ceviche …
Panama City
More San Francisco than Brooklyn, this fully American creation near Vía Argentina nonetheless packs in expats with freshly baked bagels, lox and oversized…
Colón
Local business owners lunch at this nondescript building in the port area cooking up good Caribbean dishes. Expect no frills and minimal views, just…
David
A longtime neighborhood staple, this basic seafood restaurant (with a few pork dishes thrown in) does cheap and cheerful pretty well. The ceviche (citrus…
El Valle
OK, its location in the Plaza Paseo El Valle mall east of the center may not be the sexiest, but it's a nice mall (as malls go) and this place has its own…
Península de Azuero
Chitré's favorite seafood restaurant specializes in ceviche (citrus-cured seafood, from US$4) but has many more inventive dishes on offer, including those…
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…
Portobelo
Located at the Coco Plum Eco Lodge, this popular bar-restaurant serves fish and shellfish dishes with a Caribbean twist in a large sea-facing dining room…
Boquete
Throngs gather at this artisan bakery, a modest storefront with a couple of patio tables, for US-style sandwiches, organic salads and oh-so-good brownies…
Panamá Province
This pretty little eatery in a nautically themed bungalow serves excellent fish and shellfish as well as some meat-based pasta dishes (US$7.50 to US$12.50…
Península de Azuero
This wonderful little place just up from the beach serves Asian noodle dishes such as pad thai, delicious hummus plates, sandwiches (US$4.50 to US$6) and…
Panamá Province
A good bet for lunch (set lunch US$6, sandwiches from US$8) and dinner, the 'Chef's Corner' serves grilled meats, pastas and Panamanian classics. It's…
Panama City
For fresh fast food, this modern Greek eatery does delicious Angus beef or chicken gyros and Greek salads, as well as burgers and fries and syrupy baklava…
Chiriquí Province
In Las Lajas town near the main plaza, you will swoon for this artisan gelato with flavors ranging from tropical fruits to tart yogurt and chocolate as…
Darién Province
We might visit this place for the name alone, but its eyrie-like position above the main street and overlooking the port is a major draw (as is a quick…
Comarca de Guna Yala
This restaurant on Banedup Bibbi (Isla Fragata Chica) is very poplar with sailors and day-trippers for its fish, seafood and chicken dishes. Unusual for…
Boquete
Great selection of Italian ice cream at this central and very friendly little gelateria. Choose from 10 flavors, including guanabana (soursop), pineapple…
Península de Azuero
Many punters swear by the pasta at this rustic little place at the southern end of town, but we come here for the pizzas, arguably the best in town…
Panama City
Locals swear by this longtime Chinese restaurant, one of the best in a city with good Chinese fare. Stop by on the weekend for dim sum or succulent roast…
Bocas del Toro Town
Sardinian-run Alberto’s is a favorite local haunt, where pizza with toppings such as artichokes, olives and Gorgonzola satisfies big appetites.
Comarca de Guna Yala
Yachties and excursion boats stop by for meals (US$10 to US$15) of quality seafood, rice and salad. The over-the-water setting is a delight.
Boquete
On the main road 3km south of town, this German patisserie serves up decadent apple strudel and tortes, as well as authentic German breads.
Boquete
Enjoy the real McCoy at this hole in-the-wall pizzeria with six tables. It's just across the bridge and facing the fairgrounds.
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.
Panama City
This laid-back Italian restaurant is the place to come in Clayton for excellent thin-crust pizza. It's run by a young Italian couple who are so dedicated…