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Restaurants in Panama City

The restaurant scene in Panama City is varied, to say the least. You can find North American-style fast-food in the shopping centres, Latin American fast-food along Avenida Central, remarkably elegant, swish bar-restaurants in the Casco Viejo and then some of the more famous places like Hard Rock Cafes. On top of that, there are more local cafe-restaurants dotted around the city, so there is something for everyone.

The Panama City restaurants below have been grouped into three pricing categories:
Expensive (over $40)
Moderate ($10 to $40)
Cheap (up to $10)
These Panama City restaurant prices are for an average three-course meal and for a bottle of house wine or cheapest equivalent per person; they include service charges and taxes but not tip.

Rene Cafe

Price: Moderate

In the lower end of the mid-range bracket lies Rene Cafe, which serves up international cuisine. Its draw is the fixed price menus – five-course at lunch, seven at dinner. What makes it interesting is the daily changing menu – they serve whatever is available at the market that day. Great location, food and service, but book in advance if possible.

Address: Calle Pedro J Sossa, Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 262 3487.

Eurasia

Price: Expensive

An up-market fusion of Asian and French cuisine, Eurasia is to be found in on the second floor of an elegant former home, spread out over a few dining rooms in downtown Panama City. They have a three-course executive lunch which is good value, and an innovative mix of food, as well as a relaxing ambience with paintings from Latin American artists on the walls.

Address: 48th Street Bella Vista, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 264 7859.

Manolo Caracol

Price: Moderate

Adored by locals and tourists alike, this legendary tapas joint serves a prix-fix five course lunch and seven course dinner that can't be beaten. The menu is always imaginative, and draws on both local and international culinary themes – but be prepared to eat whatever’s going, and no necessarily to know what’s on your plate. It’s a laid-back place, so be flexible.

Address: Avenida Central and Calle 3 Oeste, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 228 4640.
www.manolocaracol.com

Restaurante 1985

Price: Expensive

Once known as the best restaurant in the city, Restaurante 1985 is a bit of an institution of Panama City. It is run by Swiss chef Willy Diggelmann, who now owns five restaurants in Panama. It is known for its exceptional cuisine, vast wine list – and painfully high prices. Visit if your bank account can take a hit without flinching – otherwise you might feel a little let down.

Address: Chalet Suizo, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 263 8541.
http://www.1985.com/

Restaurante Las Bóvedas

Price: Expensive

Arguably the most atmospheric restaurant in the city, this French-Latin fusion spot is housed in the vault of a centuries-old fort. Although it used to be a prison (Las Bovedas means ‘the vaults’), guests don't seem to be bothered once they dig into the gourmet cuisine. Theoretically it offers seafood with a French twist, but the chefs don’t mind throwing in a steak or two. You’ll find it in a gorgeous location in the Casco Viejo. Worth it for the history alone.

Address: Plaza de Francia, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 228 8058.

Cafe Coca Cola

Price: Cheap

This place has a degree of fame in Panama City – it was allegedly the first place to stock Coca-Cola outside the US. It’s a very typical “rice, beans and meat of the day” kind of a place, but you’ll get lots of it, it will all be good, and you can people watch the old boys playing chess.

Address: Avenida Central and Plaza Santa Ana, Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama

Leños & Carbon

Price: Cheap

Leños & Carbon is a Latin American chain specialising in steaks – and boy, do they do it well. The Panama City branch is particularly worthy of mention due to its superb location: on the Amador causeway with a view of the marina. The meat is perfectly cooked and there’s usually a lot of it, served with a salad. Gets very busy, so be prepared to wait.

Address: Centro Comercial Multiplaza, Panama City, Panama

Restaurante La Casa Vegetariana

Price: Cheap

Good veggie food is difficult to come by in this part of the world, but La Casa Vegetariana seems to be filling the gap. Soups, salads, soy meats, fresh juices, veggies, plantains... they seem to have it all, and at ridiculously low prices. You should be able to get a quick meal here for about £2.

Address: Calle D near Via Veneto, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 391 4410.

Sake

Price: Moderate

Central America may not be renowned for decent sushi but Sake breaks the mould. Located in the Torre de las Americas building, there’s sushi, sashimi and a host of rolls on offer, as well as wine. It’s definitely at the higher end of the range, but worth it if you’re craving some good raw fish.

Address: Torre de las Americas, near Multiplaza Mall, Panama City, Panama
Telephone: (507) 301 7250.
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