Panama’s gastronomy scene is ever-changing and globally influenced. It reflects our identity as Panamanians and the identity of the countless expats who we coexist with. Casco Viejo especially is known as an eclectic and effervescent gastronomic center. In Casco you will be able to find everything you are looking for, from unique fine-dining experiences, to casual street food joints.
Read more: Best Rooftop Bars in Casco Viejo, Panama
Madre – Cucina Italiana Panama
Madre is the favorite of many of my friends and family. This restaurant offers a unique gastronomic experience that will make you never want to eat anything else.
In addition to having a great authentic Italian dishes, they also use completely fresh, high-quality ingredients.
My favorite dishes are the Rigatoni Trombette dei Morti and the Pizza al Tartufo. If you go to Casco Viejo, it is your obligation to dine at this exquisite restaurant.
Please check out their menu here
For reservations, please check out their website here
Casa Blanca
With Casa Blanca you can never go wrong. This classic restaurant/bar in the middle of this historic center by Plaza Bolivar is beloved by many. Their fusion cuisine combines seafood, meats, and traditional Panamanian food with a menu that will pass the test for most.
The public’s favorite dish is “patacones a la Morgan,” which includes a serving of fried plantains that you can dip into a seafood dish in white sauce.
Casa Blanca provides excellent customer service, fresh and tasty foods, good portions, and great price for value. An average entrée with a drink will go for about $26, but more affordable and more expensive options are available.
Reserve your seat in this popular Casco Viejo restaurant here
Tantalo Kitchen
Tantalo is multifaceted. A hotel, restaurant, and rooftop bar all-in-one elegantly wrapped package. Chef Pierre De Janon brings to Panama his global experience and fuses flavors from all over, while still adding the Panamanian magic touch.
You can enjoy Tantalo’s food for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for affordable prices. Breakfast for under $15, and an average lunch or dinner for $20 to $25… and don’t pass up the chance to order one of their delicious cocktails.
E-mail Tantalo at eat@tantalohotel.com or here to reserve a seat.
Primitivo Steakhouse Club
This steakhouse and club concept was created by Chef Frank Escalona. He brings to the table 13 years of experience in the culinary arts and started several other restaurants in Panama City. Throughout the years his dream of founding a boutique restaurant grew to what Primitivo is today.
Offering an exclusive experience, the menu includes prime cuts of meat, international appetizers, high-quality wines, and creative cocktails.
The entire ambiance of this restaurant is what also captivates whoever eats here. The rustic feel of the location where you can notice the attention to detail placed to every nook and corner makes for an enjoyable atmosphere.
In Primitivo the staff will always make you feel at home and you will always leave wanting to come back. Text them through WhatsApp at +507 6082-2706 to make your reservation.
Cascomar
Craving Mediterranean and Spanish cuisine? Cascomar is the place to be. As with many Casco Viejo spots, you can enjoy their tasty dishes on a beautiful outdoor terrace that completes the chill atmosphere. On Fridays, you will be able to enjoy fantastic live music.
This seafood restaurant has raving reviews for the excellent customer service, vast menu, and top-notch quality meals.
Come for the tapas and good times… reserve your table here
Santa Rita
Santa Rita is the product of a marriage (literally) between two cultures—Spanish and Argentinian. Nino Muñoz was born in Barcelona, and comes from culinary lineage, following the steps of his grandfather and father before him. Geraldina was born in Patagonia, where she worked in restaurants since she was 18 years old.
The relaxed but sophisticated ambiance of their locale lure people in. They stay because of the classic tapas influenced by Spanish cuisine and the beloved Argentinian “parrillada.”
Come enjoy a meal in one of the top-rated restaurants in Casco. Reserve your spot by calling +507 6629-6315.
Nazca 21
This restaurant transports you to Peru, but is right in the heart of the Old City. Nazca 21 offers authentic homemade style Peruvian food, with a gourmet touch. Seafood is their specialty, so don’t be shy and try their best rated meal—chargrilled octopus. If that’s not up your alley, maybe the Inka prawn with crab sauce will knock your socks off.
Nazca 21’s chef Aristoteles Breña made all the right moves when working on the details of his restaurant. Breña took the culture, music, and culinary skills from his home country and successfully brought his vision to life in the middle of Casco Viejo.
Reserve your spot online here.
Fonda Lo Que Hay
Another Panamanian gastronomic experience that you can’t miss. Born from the mind of our own Chef José Olmedo Carles, from Donde José, this is his more relaxed and informal take on our classic Panamanian food. But with his unique take on it included.
Fonda Lo Que Hay seems to be an ode to the “fondas” or street food found throughout the country. You’ll find the menu in a big chalkboard where they offer about nine dishes inspired by our native cuisine but with a twist that makes this place stand out from the crowd. It’s no wonder why this year they made the cut among Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants.
Find here your typical catch of the day with a side of perfectly crispy and fresh fried plantains, ceviches, mondongo, guacho, and concolón.
They don’t take reservations, but you can come in at any time from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. every day of the week.
Pastissima
When you’re on the lookout for some old-time favorite Italian food, Pastissima has your back. Italian Chef Gaetano Maturo embarked on a journey throughout South America when he was only a teenager. He worked in several hotels and restaurants in Venezuela, Colombia, and eventually found his way to Panama. In here he operates several successful restaurants and has made a name for himself locally.
Without leaving behind his Italian roots, he has created in Pastissima an innovative menu that will cater to every palate. Ask what the chef’s suggestion of the day is and prepare to be amazed by Chef Maturo’s delicacies.
Call +507 388-9430 to save your seat and enjoy some of the best Italian food in Casco Viejo.
Blue Moon Taphouse
Sometimes you just want to grab a good beer, eat a burger or wings, and have a relaxed time with friends. In Blue Moon Taphouse, you’ll get to experience exclusive Blue Moon craft beers alongside an original menu full of a North American and Latin American fusion.
You’ll find a wide array of hamburgers and sandwiches… but also interesting finds like their black empanadas, which are filled with shrimp with a side of pineapple chili pepper sauce. Or their take on a classic, their special oxtail mac and cheese.
The beers are top notch, the food is satisfying, and the vibes are unmatched. It’s certainly one of the hotspots of Casco Viejo. Don’t think twice and reserve by texting their WhatsApp, +507 6311-6312.
Bonus: Desserts
All of the incredible restaurants in this list have mouth watering desserts you can enjoy. But if you ever find yourself strolling around the Old City while craving a sweet treat, make sure to try these…
Ay Mi Negra
You’ve probably seen the popular rolled ice creams before, and in Casco, this is the place to find them. Also enjoy waffle pops, crepes, and fresh-made cookies that will surely hit the sweet spot.
Royale Cookie Bar
This is the new “it” place for freshly baked cookies and milkshakes. Be warned, they are huge. You can even get them filled with Nutella, marshmallow fluff, chocolate, and the list go on.
La Michoacana
If you’re not into the cookies and ice cream, La Michoacana’s specialty is their unique popsicles. In here you’ll find your typical fruity popsicles or you can get their deluxe ones, filled with condensed milk, or even dipped in a milkshake. Rolled ice cream is also available, so there’s something for everyone.
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