Diners' Choice: Best Ambiance restaurants in Panama City

OpenTable

Updated May 05, 2026

Looking for restaurants with the best ambiance in Panama City? 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!

Filomena

4.7

4.7 (188)

$31 to $50

Italian

Panama City

About the restaurant

Nuevo concepto 100% Italiano - Cucina di Mare.
Ubicado en la Avenida Balboa de la Ciudad de Panamá, Filomena te recibe con una vista inigualable. Su diseño es impactante, moderno y pulcro, al igual que cada uno de sus detalles.
Cada uno de los platos tiene una historia, un trayecto, pero sobre todo ingredientes sorprendentes. Traídos directo de Italia o hechos en casa, son la clave para lograr los sabores que te transportan.

Top review

IndiraGold

Dined on May 12, 2026

Great restaurant, good food, good quality, great view

Mystic India

4.8

4.8 (15)

$30 and under

Indian

Panama City

About the restaurant

Descubre un santuario de auténticos sabores de la india en el corazón de la Ciudad de Panamá. En Mystic India, cada plato, ya sea un curry meticulosamente especiado, o un Kebab cocinado al tandoor, refleja nuestra dedicación, la calidad de la comida artesanal y nuestra refinada hospitalidad. Te invitamos a que nos visites en Grand Plaza, Punta Pacífica y disfrutes de una cena de lujo y una elevada experiencia donde lo tradicional , lo moderno y lo elegante convergen. Para su comodidad contamos con estacionamientos gratis indoor. Los esperamos para que nos den el gusto de atenderlos.

Top review

Kathy

Dined on May 20, 2026

The curry was excellent, my favorite was definitely the paneer one! The salmon curry had a really good sauce, but personally I don’t think salmon belongs in curry… though I’m sure other people would love it. The appetizers were delicious, and the drinks are worth trying too. That said, I’d honestly come back mainly for the curry and the dessert, which I highly recommend!

La Barbara

4.9

4.9 (128)

$30 and under

Sushi

Panama City

About the restaurant

Dedicated to craft cocktails and fresh sushi, La Barbara was created to bring a social and intimate but comfortable lounge to the community of Casco Viejo. Originally from LA & Toronto, Canada, we are two owner-operators who truly believe in creating a unique experience for every customer. How to get here? Follow the fox through a secret entrance within our adjacent restaurant, Bruma Seafood & Wine.

Top review

LUIS

Dined on May 13, 2026

Outstanding experience from start to finish. The food was exceptional, every dish was well executed and full of flavor. The ambience was superb, with music that perfectly complemented the overall atmosphere without overpowering the experience. The drinks were also excellent and very well prepared. Definitely a place I would return to and highly recommend.

Mahalo Cocina y Jardin

4.7

4.7 (114)

$30 and under

International

Panama City

About the restaurant

Welcome to Mahalo, created by Canadian sisters Emma & Brit, located in the heart of Casco Viejo, what began as a dream, became a reality. Mahalo Panama, opened July 1st 2016, and the concept was simple, healthy food, promoting healthy living, and providing a space for people to feel comfortable, as if in your own backyard. Mahalo has since branched into two locations, maintaining the original location as a juice bar under the name of Snack Shack, and the new Mahalo Cocina y Jardin with a slightly more intimate cozy setting offering an international menu with the same healthy base. Since opening Mahalo has been seen in Vogue, GQ, Conde Naste Traveler, Lonely Planet and more.

Top review

MalharGold

Dined on May 1, 2026

Both service and food are excellent. Our server recommended Turkish Eggs in chilli oil and it did not disappoint. Drinks were well made and felt unique. Very attentive and fast service.

Maito

4.7

4.7 (298)

$50 and over

Panamanian

Panama City

About the restaurant

Maito, led by chef Mario Castrellón, expresses Panama’s multicultural culinary identity through its Chombasia cuisine: a criollization of Asian cooking shaped by Afro influences, local traditions, and the ingredients of the tropical territory. The menu travels through flavors of creole cuisine, sea, mountain, and Panamanian land. Maito ranks #18 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants.

Top review

Susana

Dined 5 days ago

Lunch to celebrate with family — including our 11-month-old — and it was a wonderful experience overall. The food was delicious, the ambiance was great, and the staff was incredibly patient and accommodating with our little one. We truly felt welcomed and had a lovely time there.

Discover more

Experience

Maito Terraza 3 P.M. a 6 P.M.

Experience

Menú Degustación /// Chombasia

Krume Costa del Este

4.8

4.8 (63)

$30 and under

Organic

Panama City

About the restaurant

Somos una panadería tradicional austriaca de panes de masa madre. Utilizamos granos como: centeno Waldstaude, Emmer y Espelta de Niederösterreich una provincia boscosa al norte de Austria. Gracias a nuestra cuidadosa selección de ingredientes y énfasis en nuestros procesos de producción y elaboración. Nos hemos convertido en la primera panadería que consta con una certificación orgánica en Panamá, sumada a la certificación Demeter, otorgada por la Unión Europea a aquellos productos que cumplen estrictamente con las normas de agricultura biodinámica. Buscando maridar nuestros panes con ingredientes igualmente excepcionales, desarrollamos un menú bistro, una propuesta purista, orgánica y saludables que va desde tostadas francesas, ensaladas, sopas, “tostas” y “pastries” de masa madre. Contamos con una barra de café panameño de especialidad, que incluye variedades como el Catuaí, Caturra, Pacamara, Geisha o Maragogype. También usamos café de otras fincas para filtrados.

Top review

JohnGold

Dined on Jan 18, 2026

I love this place. It's exceptionally well designed and offers high quality food and service. It's always a treat to eat breakfast, brunch or lunch there. A gem!

MARULA

4.4

4.4 (48)

$31 to $50

International

Panama City

About the restaurant

Marula opens its doors in 2016, offering an innovative gastronomic experience where fusion cuisine is perfectly intertwined with an author's proposal resulting in a self-described "travelling cuisine", Marula Restaurant has conquered the palates of avid diners, who want taste authentic and typical flavors of local and international recipes. Marula is a fusion food restaurant with a Panamanian touch, in which you will experience exotic flavors with local and international ingredients in a unique place. The restaurant is located on level 3 of a luxurious building in front of Parque Herrera in Casco Antiguo, Panama.

Top review

Joe

Dined on May 3, 2026

Balcony table had an amazing view and the host and waitress were knowledgeable and friendly.

Mai Mai

4.8

4.8 (260)

$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

Freddy

Dined on May 21, 2026

Our waiter, Edwin, made the difference. Mai Mai is Always a good bet in terms of good food and fancy cocktails. Everything was superb!

RICŌMINCIARE | CUCINA ITALIANA

4.8

4.8 (79)

$31 to $50

Italian

Panama City

About the restaurant

Ricōminciare, esta ubicado en una zona exclusiva de Ciudad de Panamá como lo es Punta Pacifica, invitamos a disfrutar de una experiencia de alta cocina italiana que combina ingredientes de primera calidad, técnicas tradicionales y un enfoque moderno. Nuestra cocina ofrece auténticos sabores italianos con un toque innovador para deleitar a los paladares más exigentes. El ambiente es elegante e íntimo, perfecto para ocasiones especiales, cenas románticas o eventos privados, creando un entorno acogedor y de buen gusto. Un servicio atento y personalizado que cuida cada detalle para que cada comensal se sienta especial. En Ricōminciare, la cálida elegancia se une con la excelencia culinaria para brindar una experiencia inolvidable en Panamá.

Il Vero lieto fine è no smettere mai di Ricōminciare...

Top review

Lisa

Dined on May 4, 2026

Excellent food and service. When the head host realized we were english speaking, they switched our menus to english and provided a server who also spoke english; making our experience relaxing and pleasant.

Caleta

4.9

4.9 (224)

$31 to $50

International

Panama City

About the restaurant

Neo-Brasserie style restaurant with a local flare by Michelin starred chef Lorenzo Di Gravio.

Top review

MichaelGold

Dined 6 days ago

We thought Caleta was amazing, including the daily breakfast as part of our Sofitel room rate. We actually made a second reservation here after the fantastic first dinner. The service and presentation was refined and there were enough tasty vegetarian options that it was hard to decide. Even if you are not normally after dinner coffee drinkers, go for the Geisha coffee experience for dessert as it was its easy to see why this is among the most expensive coffee in the world and it's own show and as someone who normally doesn't drink coffee past noon, I was able to get a good night sleep. I wouldn't hesitate to make a reservation here the next time we are in PC.

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