Breakfast in Panama: 7 Essential Spots
From traditional Panamanian dishes to stylish brunch cafés, these breakfast spots are the perfect way to kick off your day…
Best Panamanian Restaurants with a View
Panama City’s skyline and coastline make it one of the best cities in Central America for a meal with a view. Glass towers catching the sunset over the Pacific, the colonial rooftops of Casco Viejo lit up after dark, and rooftop bars that turn dinner into a full evening out. From a Panamanian perspective, restaurants with a view are about timing and atmosphere rather than luxury. Locals choose places where you can sit down, feel the breeze, and actually see the city, the ocean, or the skyline without being rushed.
While the country is known for its bold traditional dishes, vibrant street foods, fresh seafood, and creative cocktail culture, there’s something extraordinary about enjoying those same flavors with a view of the city or the Pacific.
Getting around Panama City is easiest with Uber or a registered taxi. Most of the spots on this list are in Casco Viejo or nearby, an easy, walkable neighborhood during the day, though a car is the safer choice after dark, especially between venues.
Price guide: $ = under $10 per person, $$ = $10–20, $$$ = $20–35, $$$$ = $35+ per person. Panama’s official currency is the balboa, but it’s pegged 1:1 to the US dollar and USD bills are used directly, so no currency conversion is needed.
Tipping in Panama isn’t automatically added to the bill by law, but a 10% tip is customary and generally expected for good service. You’ll need to add it yourself rather than finding it pre-calculated on the check.
Map
At a Glance
| Photo | Restaurant | Price | Rating | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Casacasco | $$$$ | 4.8★ | A full night out. Dinner, drinks, and a rooftop, all in one multi-level venue |
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El Faro del Casco Antiguo | $$ | 4.9★ | A stunning 360-degree view paired with real elevated pub food |
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Cielo Rooftop Bar | $$$ | 4.8★ | Sunset drinks that turn into a full dinner if you want to stay |
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The Day Joe Died | $$ | 4.8★ | A lively, DJ-driven rooftop night, or the Sunday brunch specifically |
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Tántalo Kitchen & Roofbar | $$$ | 4.5★ | A casual, tapas-style night with a real vegetarian range |
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Lazotea Restaurant & Rooftop | $$$ | 4.8★ | Creative, chef-driven cocktails and food with strong mixology credentials |
6 Spots Worth the View
Cook With Us
To take your experience further, join our Panama food tours, where you can explore markets, kitchens, and authentic dishes guided by locals. Book today and discover Panama’s culture through its flavors.
