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1. Barandas Restaurant at the Bristol Hotel: For great cuisine and a "Panamanian Food Experience" Barandas is a must- It offers a unique menu of Panamanian-style and international delectable dishes and appetizers made from the freshest, native ingredients and desserts to die for.

Barrandas cuisine compares favorably to the finest restaurantsin the world. A creation of Panama's famous chef Cuquita Arias, who is called "the Martha Stewart of Panama” by Travel and Leisure magazine for her extraordinary culinary talents. Recommended best sellers include the appetizers Plaintain Wantons and for a main dish Sea Bass in Tamarindo Sauce. And beware the desserts.

In the Bristol Hotel in the business district. Tel: 265.7844

2. La Posta: A new and very popular gourmet bistro with a tropical classic menu of culinary excellence, and pizza from wood burning oven. Housed historically in a turn-of-century Panamanian house with a full bar and excelllent wine list. Tel: 269.1076. Reservations required. www.lapostapanama.com

3. Eurasia- European / Asian Fusion cuisine Twice awarded the Five Star Diamond from the New York Academy of Hospitality Sciences, and recipient of numerous raving reviews from publications such as the New York Times and Lonely Planet. Daring European-Asian fusion cuisine by an inventive French chef in a setting of lavish decor and art. Favorites include jumbo shrimp in tropical tamarind sauce and rice pilaf with coconut milk.

4. 1985/Rincon Suizo- If European cuisine is your favorite don't miss this famous restaurant. Prize winning Chef Willy Diggelman 1985 Restaurant is called the "best of France in Panama". 1985's best sellers include Tenderloin Steak in Fresh Green Pepper Sauce and for dessert a tropical mousse-Guanabana Mousse with Passion Fruit Sauce. 1985/Rincon Suizo is the only establishment in Latin America to receive Wine Spectator's Best of Award of Excellence and the British magazine PrivatAir calls its wine selection one of the top seven in the world.

Adjacent Rincon Suizo, is called "the best of Switzerland in Panama". It offers moderately priced fine European and Swiss cuisine.

In the El Cangrejo section of the business district near the El Panama Hotel.
Tel: 263.8541

5. Café Barko: For an unforgettable night out or lunch swept by sea breezes, Cafe Barko on the spectacular Amador Causeway has the best panoramic views of the Panama City skyline and the Panama Canal. This great eatery specializes in a wide variety in seafood, sushi and traditional Panamanian cuisine including fresh lobster and King Crab from the Atlantic Ocean, jumbo prawns and shrimp, clams, calamari, octopus. Barko sushi is some of the best anywhere. Best sellers include the house ceviche, Panama's famous corvina with a choice of tropical and asian sauces and the sushi. Barko has one of Panama's complete wine list,a full cocktail bar,the best sangria in town and a bi-lingual staff. Recommended in the Boston Globe as the place for seafood in Panama. Dining at Cafe Barko means a visit to Amador Causeway- a tourism must-do.
Tel:314.0000

6. Madame Chang's - Widely regarded as the top Chinese restaurant in Central America and with good reason. This chic, quietly elegant restaurant is a very popular place. The menu selection includes the usual favorite Chinese dishes plus some unexpected dishes, all of them prepared with a gourmet flare.
In the restaurant section of the business district.
Tel.269.1313

7. Miraflores Restaurant at the Panama Canal. Called by Lonely Planet one of the top 5 places to dine in Panama and recommended by the New York Times, the Miraflores Restaurant is the only place in the world where you can dine and watch 4 million ton vessels pass silently by through Canal locks. Offering excellent seafood and international dishes, the restaurant is also is part of the Panama Canal Visitors Center- that means you can combine seeing the Panama Canal Museum with an unforgettable lunch. Or dine at night when night views of the lit up locks and ships are no less stunning.

Tel: 232/3120 Located just 20 minutes from downtown Panama City,serving 11am to 11pm.

9. Las Tinajas - A restaurant specializing in typical Panamanian dishes recommended by the New York Times. Las Tinajas' other popular attraction is its Panamanian folkloric dance shows, presented Tuesday, Thursday Friday and Saturday night at 9pm. This is great place to get acquainted with Panamanian cuisine and culture. Panamanian traditional dances are both beautiful and lively. The "pollera"-the national costume worn by the women dancers is considered one of the most beautiful national costumes in the world.
Conveniently located in the business district. Tel: 263.7890

10.Trapiche - Widely regarded as the place for typical Panamanian food. Delicious Panamanian cuisine at this very popular restaurant, centrally located on Via Argentina-breakfast lunch and dinner- generous portions and very reasonable prices. Try the covina in garlic sauce and the "tamal de olla"-. Recommended by the New York Times. Tel: 269.4353

11. Peperoncini - One of the most “hip” restaurants in Panama City, Peperoncini offers creativity and originality in every detail, from decor to food. The chairs are in a vibrant orange and the walls dressed with Cartooch artwork all done in car paint. The bar invites you to taste an aperitif before being seated in one of the different salons or on the terrace. Most popular dishes: Marco Polo Tortelloni; tortellonis stuffed with ricotta cheese and spinach, topped with melon, cream and prawns, great selection of Sushi. For an appetizer: try the Capriccio Salad; mixed greens, rucula (fresh herbs), figs, green pears, and Manchego cheese or Fisherman's Wanton; a cast of crispy flowers stuffed with shrimp and a discreet touch of sesame, with succulent sour-sweet orange sauce on the side. An out-of-time place. In the business district. Tel: 265.1312

12. Martin Fierro - The place for meat lovers: A wide selection of grilled meats and an international menu. In the El Cangrejo section of the business district near El Panama Hotel.

Best Views:

Miraflores Restaurant at the Panama Canal

TGIF’s at the Country Inn and Suites on Amador Causeway. Spectacular view of the Panama Canal with ships floating by, the Bridge of the Americas with mountains in the background. Especially recommended at sunset.
On Amador Causeway.
Tel: 211.4500

Cafe Barko, Las Pencas, Albertos,Bucanero and other smaller establishments all on Amador Causeway offering sweeping views of the Panama City skyline on Panama Bay - views are great by both day and night.
On Amador Causeway.El Barko: Tel: 314.1000 Las Pencas: 211.2579 Bucanero: Tel: 314.0880

IN CASCO VIEJO: Great Ambience in Casco Viejo:
Las Bovedas - Built in the historic stone vaults of Spanish colonial days, once used as dungeons and facing Plaza Francia on Panama Bay. Fine French and international dishes.