Best places to eat solo in Casco Viejo, Panama City: cafés, restaurants & rooftops
- 2 days ago
- 10 min read
Updated: 1 day ago
Last updated: September 2026
Casco Viejo, Panama City surprised me in many ways, excellent food spots being one of them. I was blown away by the trendy cafés and restaurants that fill the old centre of the Panamanian capital. You can literally bump into a new food spot to try on every corner, which makes it an ideal destination for those who love to explore a new country through its food scene. From cozy cafes to rooftop bars, I collected some of my favourite spots in Casco Viejo, Panama City.
Whether you’re looking for the best cafés, wondering where to eat in Casco Viejo, or simply searching for the best spot to try the world-famous gesha coffee, this unique neighbourhood has some of the best options I have come across in Latin America. I spent time exploring the food scene around Casco Viejo, discovering everything from cosy cafés and trendy restaurants to rooftop spots with beautiful views.
Quick answers if you're short on time
Best fine dining: Kaandela Restaurant
Best for Panamanian food: Restaurante El Nacional Sabores de Panamá
Best rooftop: Sama Sky Lounge
Best (Geisha) coffee: Café Unido Casco Viejo
Best café for slowing down: Sisu Coffee Studio
Best fresh juice: Matcha Maria
Best atmosphere: Mahalo Cocina y Jardín
Best for a fun, vibrant setting: Alura Restaurant
One of my favourite things about travelling is finding that balance between exploring somewhere new and giving yourself time to slow down and enjoy it. In a place like Casco Viejo, it’s easy to fill your days with sightseeing, wandering the colourful streets and discovering new places to eat, but I’ve found that having a few simple wellness habits alongside the adventure can make the experience feel so much more enjoyable.
That’s one of the reasons I created my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder. It’s designed to help you build simple, realistic routines around your travels, with reflective prompts, easy habits and a printable checklist to help you feel grounded, energised and present while exploring somewhere new. Whether you’re travelling solo, working remotely or simply want to be more intentional with your time away, it’s a simple way to bring a little more balance into your travels.
The reason why I loved Casco Viejo as a solo female traveller
This part of Panama City, Panama is small, easily walkable and compact. But despite these characteristics, it is FILLED with cafes, restaurants and rooftop bars to discover and choose from. The hardest part was not to spend my daily budget on food and drinks alone! Besides, I felt safe wondering around the little streets and beautiful corners of the old town. There is strong police presence in most areas you go, making it comfortable to go with the flow. Most tourists stay in Casco Viejo when travelling to Panama City, so you are likely to meet other travellers along the way too.
If you are currently planning a trip to Panama City, make sure you checkout my guide filled with tips, recs and things to do.
Who is Casco Viejo best for?
For those who love compact, easy to explore areas that are also aesthetically pleasing. Casco Viejo is quite possibly the most beautiful area of Panama City and a must visit to those who appreciate a blend of Spanish colonial, French, neoclassical, and art nouveau styles. The colours, balconies, blooming flowers and unique blend of old and new all create an atmosphere that makes this neighbourhood worth your while. Other areas of the city are also easy to reach from here by public transport or Uber, so if you are looking for somewhere with history, charm, good food and reachability, you will appreciate Casco Viejo.
Now to my list of the best cafés & restaurants in Casco Viejo, Panama City, Panama.I visited every spot on this list during my stay, so every recommendation comes from my own experience rather than online research. Now let's get into it, one spot at a time.
Matcha Maria: fresh juices in Casco Viejo, Panama City
A small but mighty option if you feel like you need a top up on your fruit and veg intake. This juice bar offers delicious options of fruit and vegetable juices, perfect if you have been travelling and feel like your diet could do with some vitamins. I would recommend adding this spot for a takeaway before exploring the old town as the place itself is quite small and there isn’t much seating around.
Kaandela Restaurant: a must-try fine dining spot in Casco Viejo
This may have been the best food I had in Panama in general. This is more of a fancy option and you definitely want to book a table, especially during busy times. The dishes are absolutely amazing, each one of them are prepared with so much care. The beautiful interiors also deserve a mention. If you love guava, the guava sticky toffee pudding is a must try on the menu. So, if you want to add a more glamorous, high-end restaurant to your list, this one is a top contender. If you are a food enthusiast or solo traveller (like me) I would recommend sitting by the bar where you get to see the chefs preparing all the dishes. Such a fun experience!
Restaurante El Nacional: where to try Panamanian cuisine in Casco Viejo
This was my first food stop in Panama City, and I was so amazed by the flavours and kind hospitality. This place is a perfect introduction to Panamanian cuisine, and your waiter will explain a few things to know/fun facts about Panama and its food. I tried the Pollo Guisa’o and it was delicious, something I can highly recommend. I was a little bit worried that given the location this restaurant would be bit of a tourist trap, but I am so glad to say I was wrong about that!
Casco Perk Café: coffee and breakfast with Panama City views
I would recommend this for a morning coffee / breakfast spot. It has some amazing views of the skyline of Panama City, so the atmosphere is definitely worth a visit. It serves internationally known breakfast dishes, so don’t expect a huge cultural experience, but this place is more about the views and atmosphere.
Editor's note: At the time of updating this guide, Casco Perk Café is listed as temporarily closed on Google Maps. I loved visiting during my stay in , so I'm keeping it here in case it reopens. I recommend checking Google Maps before planning your visit.
Sama Sky Lounge: rooftop drinks and skyline views in Casco Viejo
Of course none of my food guides ever complete without a decent rooftop bar. I visited Sama Sky Lounge on my last evening in Casco Viejo and I really liked the atmosphere. You get a great view of the old town itself and the modern skyline of Panama City with all its skyscrapers, giving this place a very unique feeling. The mix of old and new, modern and colonial, it is a place to visit for sure.
Sisu Coffee Studio: a cool café for coffee and digital nomads
I loved the cafe scene of Panama in general, and Casco Viejo really seems to be filled with unique and cool cafes to enjoy. I particularly liked the interiors of this spot, it can be ideal for digital nomads or anyone who wants to slow down a bit and relax during a busy travel day. This spot is so quiet and zen, it can be a relaxing swap after wondering the busy and often noisy streets of Casco Viejo.
Café Unido Casco Viejo: try Panama’s famous Geisha coffee
Besides beautiful beaches, lush jungles and the canal, Panama is also famous for its geisha coffee. So, of course my list has at least one spots where you can try this famous and expensive drink. It is prepared with great care, and is supposed to be consumed without any sugar or milk to best enjoy its aromas. Personally I don’t think I would drink it everyday, especially that a cup is around $8-10, but once you’re in Casco Viejo, it’s is something you want to try.
Alura Restaurant: brunch, specialty coffee and smoothies in Casco Viejo
I remember seeing this spot from the taxi when I first arrived to Casco Viejo, I was so intrigued to visit it because it looked so vibrant, full of life and just an overall fun food spot to try. I got so busy over the 5 days I spent in Panama City, that I nearly forgot to visit this place, but managed to grab a quick protein smoothie on the last morning of my trip. Which is lucky because I got to take some photos of the eye-catching interiors. If you are looking for a place with a fun atmosphere for lunch or dinner, I can definitely recommend this one.
Mahalo Cocina y Jardín: a beautiful garden restaurant in Casco Viejo
But I have to say, in terms of the ambience, my favourite one of all was this beauty garden restaurant. Both the indoors and outdoors were something to remember, the food was delicious and the staff were very kind and helpful. If you like restaurants paired with lush greenery, you will love this little corner in Casco Viejo, Panama City.
Frequently asked questions about eating in Casco Viejo, Panama City
Is Casco Viejo a good area for food?
Absolutely, and might be the best one in Panama City actually, given how compact it is and how many options are in walking distance. Whether you're looking for a quick coffee, a relaxed breakfast, traditional Panamanian food or somewhere more high-end for dinner, you'll find plenty of options within a short walk. I loved that you could simply wander around Casco Viejo and stumble across another beautiful spot to add to your list (there are still a few spots on my 'want to go to food spots', so can't wait to be back).
Is Casco Viejo a good neighbourhood for solo travellers?
As mentioned above, in my experience, yes. I spent about 5 days exploring Casco Viejo solo and really enjoyed the atmosphere. There is always something happening around the main streets and plazas, I never felt isolated or alone. I also found that the cafés and restaurants made solo dining particularly easy, whether I wanted to grab a quick coffee, sit down for a meal or spend some time taking everything in. If you're travelling alone, I'd especially recommend trying some of the cafés and sitting at the bar in restaurants where you can enjoy the atmosphere without feeling out of place or awkward. If this is something that you struggle with, make sure you read my blog post about how to dine solo without feeling awkward.
What are the best cafés in Casco Viejo, Panama City?
Casco Viejo has an amazing café scene, and I found myself wanting to visit every single one of them. I liked Café Unido Casco Viejo for its experience around the famous Geisha coffee, while Sisu Coffee Studio is ideal if you're looking for a cool space to slow down for a while. Casco Perk Café is worth considering for breakfast and the views, while Alura is a fun option if you're after somewhere with a more vibrant atmosphere. There are plenty of cafés around the neighbourhood, so it really depends on whether you're prioritising specialty coffee, breakfast, views or simply somewhere beautiful to sit.
Is Casco Viejo good for digital nomads?
It can be. While I wouldn't say that the old town 'screams digital nomad', I have seen many spots where you can comfortably sit with a coffee and get some work done. Sisu Coffee Studio semmed like a good option to me as a remote working spot.
Where should I eat in Casco Viejo, Panama City?
The good thing about the old town of Panama City, Panama is that everyone can find something they like. Most places I visited mix traditional or local flavours and dishes with more inernationally known ones, creating menus that cater to most tourists. You will be likely to find something you know and something new to try in most spots. Restaurante El Nacional Sabores de Panamá is a great introduction to Panamanian dishes, while Kaandela Restaurant is my pick if you're looking for a more elevated dining experience. For something more casual, there are plenty of cafés and smaller food spots where you can grab breakfast, coffee or a quick bite. And, of course, I'd recommend adding at least one rooftop restaurant or bar to your itinerary so you can experience the incredible contrast between the historic old town and Panama City's modern skyline.
Do I need to make restaurant reservations in Casco Viejo?
For some of the more popular or high-end restaurants, I definitely would. Kaandela Restaurant, in particular, is somewhere I'd recommend booking ahead, especially if you're visiting during a busy period, and you are not alone. For cafés and more casual food spots, you can generally go with the flow. Even at busy times I could get a table in all the above spots.
Final thoughts on cafés and restaurants in Casco Viejo
The food scene in Casco Viejo was honestly one of my favourite surprises in Panama City. I expected to spend most of my time exploring the historic streets, beautiful architecture and colourful plazas, but I quickly found myself just as excited about discovering the next café, restaurant or rooftop bar. What I loved most is the variety. You can start your morning with a good coffee, stop for a fresh juice while exploring the old town, enjoy traditional Panamanian flavours for lunch and end the day with dinner or drinks overlooking the city skyline. There is something for every kind of traveller, whether you're looking for a casual café, a special dinner or simply somewhere beautiful to sit and take in the atmosphere.
If you're planning a trip to Panama City, I'd definitely recommend leaving some room in your itinerary to explore Casco Viejo through its food. Some of my favourite moments came from simply wandering around, discovering somewhere that caught my eye and sitting down to enjoy it. These are the food spots I'd happily return to, and I hope this guide helps you find a few favourites of your own.
