Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Panama

OpenTable

Updated December 05, 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Panama? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Santa Rita - Casco Viejo

4.8

4.8 (209)

$30 and under

Steakhouse

Panama City

About the restaurant

Fusionamos lo mejor de la gastronomía Española y Argentina, con una propuesta exclusiva para ti! Visitanos en la entrada del Casco Viejo

Top review

ChristopherVIP

Dined on Nov 22, 2024

All of the food was great. The waiter was attentive to details and the menu wonderful. The portions are huge so a stray dog had a wonderful price of steak after dinner.

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 Dec 11, 2024

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

KANIBAL

4.8

4.8 (14)

$31 to $50

International

Panama City

About the restaurant

Somos 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗕𝗔𝗟, el mejor rooftop de la Avenida B…
El momento perfecto en el lugar indicado.
Nos vemos a la hora del 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗧... Disfrutarás de cócteles y comida divina. Se vale quedarse a bailar con la luna y las estrellas.

We are 𝗞𝗔𝗡𝗜𝗕𝗔𝗟, the best rooftop on Avenue B...
The perfect moment at the right place.
See you at 𝗦𝗨𝗡𝗦𝗘𝗧 hour... You'll enjoy divine cocktails and food. "It's allowed to stay and dance with the moon and the stars."

Top review

Steve

Dined on Nov 10, 2024

It was a wonderful experience!! The food was delicious and the atmosphere and service was impeccable!!

Azahar Panamá

4.7

4.7 (413)

$30 and under

Fusion / Eclectic

Panama City

About the restaurant

Un moderno y chic restaurant. Gastronomía única y servicio a la altura de nuestros más distinguidos y exigentes clientes. Entre la propuesta culinaria se encuentra una exquisita combinación de estilo fusión y cocina mediterránea clásica, siempre cuidando crear platillos de excelente calidad y brindar una gastronomía versátil. Se deleitará con pastas hechas en casa con los más finos rellenos, risottos, cortes de carnes, variedad de platillos a base de pescados y mariscos finamente preparados, ceviches, tiraditos, sushi, así como pastelería de primera, donde se conciben los más exquisitos postres que deleitan a nuestros comensales. Gozamos de una exclusiva bodega de vinos y espumantes con más de 90 etiquetas, permitiéndonos brindarle el maridaje perfecto para cada ocasión. Encontrará el perfecto equilibrio entre una cocina gourmet de altura, un servicio único y un selecto ambiente.

Top review

michaelVIP

Dined on Nov 26, 2024

Everything about Azahar was exceptional, from the personal attention paid to us by Franklin, to the ambiance- the terrace allowed gorgeous views of Panama bay… Mushroom risotto was mouth watering), as the food in general… an amazing, unforgettable experience… cannot wait to return for the sushi & live music !

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 Dec 14, 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.

Atope

4.7

4.7 (15)

$31 to $50

International

Panama City

About the restaurant

Atope comienza con un concepto de menú español, que con el tiempo, fue fusionando sabores de la riqueza gastronómica panameña. Así nace su identidad, una fusión de tradición española con los sabores frescos y vibrantes de Panamá.

En nuestro restaurante, cada plato es una celebración de la diversidad de ingredientes locales y del mundo, combinados para despertar tus sentidos. Nuestro equipo se enorgullece de innovar constantemente, creando platos que sorprenden y deleitan a nuestros comensales.

Top review

ManuelVIP

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

The seafood curry special and the grilled shrimp were amazing

KAANDELA

4.6

4.6 (109)

$31 to $50

International

Panama City

About the restaurant

We invite you to join us for our playful exploration of flavour, that is equal parts: intuition and experience. With often primitive methods of concoction such as fermentation, smoking, raw dishes, curing, pickling and the magic and unpredictability of cooking over wood fire – all coming together with elegant execution in dishes designed for sharing and pairing. Purposefully a little disruptive, we take an approach to dining that is fun, and encourages looking at traditional ideas from a new angle. This can be anything from getting stuck in with your hands, to rehashing recipes with funky local produce. We never stand still and continue to evolve – just as fire refuses to hold a single form.

Top review

ShelleyVIP

Dined on Nov 30, 2024

Fantastic food. Great cocktails and attentive service. A must go in Casco Viejo!

Discover more

Experience

Christmas Eve Dinner

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 Nov 3, 2024

Best quality of fish in all of Panama. Beautiful decoration

Salvaje - Costa del este

4.5

4.5 (52)

$30 and under

Japanese

Panama City

About the restaurant

Ubicado en el moderno y dinámico sector de Costa del Este, Panamá, Salvaje Costa del Este es un restaurante que promete una experiencia gastronómica única y sofisticada. Aunque nuestro menú es diverso y siempre está innovando, nos especializamos en ofrecer platos creativos y de alta calidad que fusionan sabores internacionales con un toque contemporáneo. Ya sea que busques una cena elegante, un almuerzo de negocios o un lugar para celebrar ocasiones especiales, Salvaje Costa del Este te ofrece un ambiente auténtico y un servicio impecable.

¡Ven y descubre lo mejor de la gastronomía en un entorno vibrante y exclusivo!

Top review

Bria

Dined 2 days ago

I attended this restaurant for my birthday…the food, ambiance, and drinks were amazing! They have entertainment sessions about every hour and celebrate everyone’s birthday individually. My next visit to Panama, I will definitely return.

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