Best Casual Lunch Spots in Panama City

A quietly treasured table in Casco Viejo, where a daily-changing menu honours Panamanian tradition with honest, soulful precision.

Panama City's dedicated Jamaican kitchen — jerk chicken, slow-braised oxtail, rice and peas, and fried plantains, all made from scratch with island technique and serious spice.

Panama City's first HiFi listening bar — two locations, one obsession. Precision-brewed specialty coffee meets audiophile sound. Slip into a seat beside a Klipsch horn or a vintage Technics deck, order a single-origin pour-over, and let the music fill the room. Coffee. HiFi. Ambient. Minima.

Panama's go-to for Lebanese cooking — generous mezze, charcoal-grilled meats and late-night hookah in a warm, bustling Obarrio room.

Brutto brings bold Asian flavours to Bella Vista — expect umami-rich broths, miso-glazed proteins and precisely crafted small plates in a sleek, moody room.

The Panama outpost of a celebrated Peruvian seafood house — bright ceviches, tiraditos and arroces in a breezy, contemporary room.

A Greek family bakery-café turning out artisan breads, pastries and Mediterranean plates — equally suited to morning coffee and a long, easy lunch.

Panama's most iconic dim sum hall since 1973 — carts of dumplings and Cantonese classics, busiest and best on Sunday mornings.

Chef Archbold's love letter to Bocas del Toro — jerk-spiced, fire-driven, Afro-Caribbean soul in a San Francisco dining room. The ribs and oxtail are revelatory.

A beloved Panama City institution — generous, soulful American brunch served all day with genuine, family-warm hospitality, where the owner makes his way to every table.

A neighbourhood café and kitchen on Calle 61 Este in Obarrio — relaxed daytime dining with a focus on fresh seafood and Panamanian home cooking.

Ranked #12 of 1,234 restaurants in Panama City with 1,715 reviews. La Pulpería packs Casco's most coveted corner table with ceviches, crispy seafood bites, natural wine and expertly mixed cocktails — lively, consistent, and utterly reliable.

Ranked #32 of 1,223 restaurants in Panama City with a 4.9★ rating and TripAdvisor Travelers' Choice. Frank's Place is Panama City's definitive Italian table — handmade pasta, proper bistecca and a wine list that earns the room's quiet sophistication on Calle 53.

Sharing plates made for the table — a Latin America's 50 Best pick best enjoyed with a group.

Soul food and serious flavour in San Francisco — live jazz and reggae bands, DJ nights, Tuesday impromptu sessions, and the kind of neighbourhood bodega energy that keeps locals coming back.

Panama City's most refined patisserie — French-trained pastry craft, single-origin coffee and a menu of elegant sweets and savoury bites.

Boquete-sourced coffee meets generous brunch plates at this beloved Clayton neighbourhood café — a loyal crowd from morning to afternoon, with some of the best eggs and pastries in the city.

A lively all-day café with a personality to match its name — bold coffee, generous brunch plates and an upbeat atmosphere that draws a loyal morning crowd.

Panama's original craft brewery — award-winning beers and an easy pub menu in Casco Viejo.

A thatched-roof Causeway landmark with skyline views — Panamanian seafood in a festive, open-air setting.

Breezy terrace at the Amador Causeway entrance — grilled seafood and bay views at sunset.

Panama's most respected specialty coffee roaster — single-origin brews and all-day brunch in Casco Viejo.

Panama City's most beloved traditional Panamanian kitchen since 1983. Sancocho, arroz con pollo, ropa vieja, chicharrón — the classics, done right, at prices locals actually pay. A genuine institution.

Panama City's favourite homegrown sushi brand — creative rolls, bao buns and fusion small plates with a local twist. Consistently packed, excellent value, and a favourite with both locals and expats.

Panama City's most loved pizza — artisan Neapolitan pies baked in a wood-fired oven since 2015. Leopard-spotted crusts, quality toppings and a loyal following that has grown to 10+ locations across Panama. The Via Argentina original remains the one to beat.

An all-day neighborhood grill at Bliss Plaza with a loyal local following. Come for the hearty rib soup and margaritas, stay for karaoke on Friday nights and one of the best casual outdoor terraces in the city. Breakfast is a local institution.

A bright, design-forward café tucked beside the Arco Chato in Casco Viejo. Olimpia draws coffee lovers and creatives with its specialty cold brew, fresh tuna sandwiches, and artful interior. One of the neighbourhood's most loved daytime spots.

A relaxed, welcoming café on the ground floor of Edificio Roslyn in El Cangrejo. Siete Granos is a neighbourhood favourite for its very good coffee, calm atmosphere, and long hours — open early for the breakfast crowd and staying on until 8pm most days.

A sleek coffee truck set up in a lush outdoor terrace on C. Elvira Méndez, with rattan chairs, turf underfoot, palm trees, and parasols. Coffee Max uses illy beans and offers WiFi — a rare open-air café spot that feels like a mini escape in the middle of the city.

El Cangrejo's serious coffee destination — a roastery and coffee lab rolled into one, serving perfectly crafted cups from their own roasting program. A 4.9-rated gem for anyone who takes their coffee seriously, from pour-overs to espresso with precision.

A charming café on C. Enrique Geenzier in El Cangrejo, loved for its beautiful plants, great service, and good coffee. Casa Valiente brings a warm, homey atmosphere to the neighbourhood — a 4.8-rated spot that earns its loyal following cup by cup.