Diners' Choice: Best Food restaurants in Panama

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants with the best overall cuisine in Panama? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit.

Umi

4.6

4.6 (17)

$50 and over

Japanese

Panama City

About the restaurant

Welcome to UMI

"The Bar Experience"
We offer handrolls, Japanese raw dishes, and cocktails, a unique experience!

"The Table Experience"
Where small plates and mixology take center stage.

Top review

Tania

Dined on 3 Nov 2024

Best quality of fish in all of Panama. Beautiful decoration

Intimo Restaurante

4.7

4.7 (39)

$31 to $50

Panamanian

Panama City

About the restaurant

Intimo Restaurant is a dining experience that takes local cuisine and traditions combined with a full beverage program. In the heart of the culinary neighborhood of San Francisco you can enjoy the small intimate mess hall with an open kitchen or enjoy the outside cozy dining experience by our outdoor garden.

Top review

juan

Dined on 27 Nov 2024

Amazing food! They have a 5 course tasting menu that was amazing. It’s about $60/person and totally worth it! The service was great and everyone was very friendly. Perfect spot for a romantic date or relaxing solo dinner at the bar

La Tapa Del Coco

4.7

4.7 (79)

$30 and under

Panamanian

Panama City

About the restaurant

La Tapa del Coco es un restaurante movimiento gastronómico que investiga, recupera y resguarda la tradición cultural afro panameña en Panamá poniéndola a disposición del mundo a través de distintos formatos, experiencias, marcas, productos y subproductos.

Su plato estrella es el One Pot Colonense y su ambiente es casual con toques juveniles.

Top review

Sebastían

Dined on 14 Dec 2024

So, I finally made it to La Tapa del Coco. I was expecting the kind of place that serves soul food with a little flair—and they definitely delivered on that. But… let’s be real, not everything was as fabulous as I’d hoped. First, the good stuff. The clams in curry? Holy moly. If I could marry a sauce, I’d put a ring on this one. It’s creamy, spicy, and just everything you want in life. And the codfish croquettes? Perfection. Crispy on the outside, soft on the inside, with that berry sauce that’s got this magical balance of sweet and spicy. These dishes? Absolutely worth the trip. But then… the burger. Now, I know this burger’s got a reputation. It’s been crowned “the best” at some point, and I can see why—juicy, flavorful, and with that chicharrón making an appearance. It’s like a party in your mouth, but… it’s like the cool kid at the party who doesn’t talk to you much. It’s good, but it doesn’t make you want to shout from the rooftops. Here’s the deal: La Tapa del Coco has so much potential. The food’s got heart, the flavors are on point, and you can tell they’re passionate about their dishes. But for a place that’s ranked in the 100 Best in Latin America? Some of the hits are real home runs, and some are just… okay. If you’re in it for the vibe and a few unforgettable bites, you’ll be good. But if you’re looking for the full experience? Maybe leave the high expectations at the door.

Maito

4.8

4.8 (114)

$31 to $50

Panamanian

Panama City

About the restaurant

Maito celebra la rica identidad culinaria multicultural de Panamá, donde la fusión de influencias afro, asiáticas y caribeñas se traduce en un menú que refleja la diversidad de sabores criollos, inspirados en el mar, la montaña y la tierra panameña. Maito ha mantenido su prominencia en la escena gastronómica, logrando durante siete años consecutivos un lugar destacado en Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants, llegando al impresionante puesto número 6. Además, ha sido reconocido internacionalmente al figurar en la prestigiosa lista The World's 50 Best Restaurants, ocupando la posición número 100.

Top review

Gaynl

Dined 5 days ago

The menu has an excellent selection. We had lunch on the patio, which was perfectly relaxing. The service was warm and knowledgeable. I would like to eat there again.

Discover more

Experience

Menú de degustación vegano

Benny's

4.7

4.7 (12)

$31 to $50

International

Panama City

About the restaurant

Bistró contemporáneo. Platillos y coctelería clásica, con énfasis en los mejores productos y un ambiente acogedor.

Top review

OpenTable DinerVIP

Dined on 15 Nov 2024

The sauces are what makes this place special, particularly the sauce on the escargots and the kimchi sauce that accompanied the pork cutlet. Nadia’s service was spectacular as well! Make sure to ask for a table away from the noise since it gets pretty loud at certain hours.

Mai Mai

4.8

4.8 (119)

$31 to $50

Panamanian

Panama City

About the restaurant

Rooftop Bar - Sushi Izakaya por Maido y Maito
Costa del Este, Panama Design Center, Piso 6.

Top review

gianVIP

Dined 1 day ago

This is our second time in Mai Mai and the experience was fabulous!! Amazing food, service and experience.

Popino

4.8

4.8 (50)

$31 to $50

Contemporary Latin

Panama City

About the restaurant

Experience a gastronomic fine dining at Casa Popino, a refined restaurant located in the modern Wanders and Yoo building in Panama. With a contemporary culinary perspective, Popino blends signature cuisine with modern touches, selecting the finest local products to create exquisite flavors using modern techniques. The blend of jazz sounds completes an unforgettable experience at Popino.

Top review

Christy

Dined on 11 Dec 2024

We loved everything about Popino!! Thank you for such a wonderful experience.

La Vespa Vistamare

4.7

4.7 (219)

$30 and under

Italian

Panama City

About the restaurant

Coming Soon!

Top review

Jason

Dined on 8 Dec 2024

Good except for the first two things we order they said they didn’t have. Not a good start but the food was delicious and the environment was nice.

Makoto Panamá

4.7

4.7 (555)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Panama City

About the restaurant

La oferta de Makoto son una verdadera delicia para los sentidos. Cada bocado es una experiencia que despierta tus papilas gustativas y te transporta a un mundo de sabores exquisitos. La cocina de Makoto es una sinfonía de ingredientes frescos y cuidadosamente seleccionados, combinados con maestría para crear una explosión de sabores inolvidables.
Los platos de Makoto son una celebración de la comida japonesa en su forma más auténtica y refinada. Desde el sushi fresco y delicadamente elaborado hasta las carnes a la parrilla con una capa crujiente y marinadas en sabores únicos, cada elección es un viaje culinario que te transporta a Japón sin tener que salir de tu asiento.

Top review

Karina

Dined on 21 Nov 2024

Loved everything, great food as usual. Only difference I noticed this time was the spicy edamame, it was overcooked and didn’t have the same flavor and spice as before.

Krume Costa del Este

4.6

4.6 (16)

$30 and under

Organic

Panama City

About the restaurant

Somos una panadería tradicional austriaca de panes de masa madre. Utilizamos granos como: centeno Waldstaude, Emmer y Espelta de Niederösterreich una provincia boscosa al norte de Austria. Gracias a nuestra cuidadosa selección de ingredientes y énfasis en nuestros procesos de producción y elaboración. Nos hemos convertido en la primera panadería que consta con una certificación orgánica en Panamá, sumada a la certificación Demeter, otorgada por la Unión Europea a aquellos productos que cumplen estrictamente con las normas de agricultura biodinámica. Buscando maridar nuestros panes con ingredientes igualmente excepcionales, desarrollamos un menú bistro, una propuesta purista, orgánica y saludables que va desde tostadas francesas, ensaladas, sopas, “tostas” y “pastries” de masa madre. Contamos con una barra de café panameño de especialidad, que incluye variedades como el Catuaí, Caturra, Pacamara, Geisha o Maragogype. También usamos café de otras fincas para filtrados.

Top review

Luis

Dined on 7 Dec 2024

Best bread in Panama e delicious coffee. The ambience is very nice… incredible place to have breakfast or brunch!

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