By Carley Rojas Avila
As the skyscraper-stacked skyline of Panama City comes into view for travelers crossing the famed Panama Canal, it becomes clear why the capital has long been the region’s undisputed hub of commerce. The city’s appeal to business travelers shows no sign of fading, but visitors are increasingly flocking here in search of something more: a truly memorable meal.
Di Gravio moved to Panama from his native Italy four years ago, leaving behind a Michelin-starred kitchen in Rome after falling in love with the food scene of this UNESCO-recognized City of Gastronomy.
“Throughout Panama’s history, it has been influenced by different parts of the world, blending with local products and traditions to create a unique gastronomic identity, where techniques, ingredients, and flavors from different cultures come together in a single dish. It is a richness that many visitors do not expect to discover.”
Chef Lorenzo Di Gravio, Caleta
Caleta is at home inside the Sofitel Legend Casco Viejo, a luxury hotel perched at the water’s edge in the historic heart of the city. Recently included on the 50 Best Discovery List, the property boasts 159 beautifully appointed rooms with thoughtful touches like clawfoot soaking tubs and stately balconies overlooking the bay. Upstairs, speakeasy-style bar Arcano has become a regional standout, frequently hosting guest bartenders from across Latin America.
With a record-breaking six innovative restaurants making the latest iteration of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, Panama City is now firmly cemented as a culinary destination par excellence. Here is where to eat in Panama City.
Caleta
Caleta takes diners on a culinary journey across Panama with a menu shaped first and foremost by the country’s remarkable diversity of ingredients. Equally diverse are the influences found in standout dishes like gnocchi and clay-cooked lamb, a reflection of Di Gravio’s Italian roots meeting a deep reverence for his adopted home in the Americas.
UMI
Panama’s privileged position between the Pacific and the Caribbean makes it a natural setting for UMI, a seafood-forward Japanese-style izakaya celebrated for its handrolls and a curated menu of culturally diverse dishes and cocktails. A bar stretching the full length of the intimate space invites guests to connect directly with chef Kamel Abi Hassan and head bartender Mauricio Pardo as they work.
Maito
Mario Castrellón is the undisputed father of fine dining in Panama, with his flagship restaurant Maito long considered the country’s finest table. The newly reimagined space serves Panama’s classic dishes with a masterful creative twist, from whole grilled fish finished in the chef’s signature chombasia sauce to plates that pay eloquent homage to Panama’s deep Asian culinary influences.
Cantina del Tigre
Casual, confident, and full of character, Cantina del Tigre packs bold, vibrant flavors into every dish and drink. Faithfulness to Panamanian roots runs through everything. Comforting staples like tostones the size of dinner plates appear alongside chef Fulvio Miranda’s classic rambutan ceviche, seafood-rich rice, and tamales that speak directly to the soul of the country’s culinary tradition.
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