With about 40+ Kosher restaurants and eats in Panama City, choosing the few that suits you best while you're here on vacation may seem overwhelming. I aim to break down each place for you so you know what to expect, and let know which dishes were delicious and worth ordering.
(Obviously this is all just my humble opinion:)
*This blog post is still in middle of being updated.
Breakfast Lunch
(Certified LA Kosher, Dairy Cholov Stam) // Casual
📍Located in the Balboa Strip Mall
There are multiple Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf spots that are fully Kosher in this area! They have has sandwiches, coffee, tea, empanadas, pastries, and more! This specific location has an upstairs seating area which is perfect for working and also an outdoor seating area which is lovely. All in all a great experience! The Caramel blended iced drink was a winner!
(Dairy with Cholov Yisroel Options) // Casual
📍XFHP+5F2, C. Ramon H. Jurado, Panamá
This breakfast and lunch spot has a pretty extensive menu so it's easy to get lost. We tried a variety of things and came to the conclusion that their pastries and cakes are where they shine! We had this one praline crunch that was addictive and we couldn't stop eating it! It's also one of the only few places in Panama City with Cholov Yisroel options, they have it labeled in the store but you can also ask your server.
Definitely come here for their baked good! A local also recommended Tequenos but we didn't have a chance to try it.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Vegan options, Vegetarian, Dairy not CY) // Casual
📍Plaza Bal Harbour
This is a Kosher health food store that has delicious juices, fish, pasta and so much more. We ordered a few dishes, our favorite one being the crunchy sea bass. It was crunchy, flavorful, well cooked and delicious!
We also got the orange salmon which was alright and the lasagna. The lasagna had zucchini and eggplant it but wasn’t fully cooked. We sent it back and the host graciously didn’t charge for it. The winners were the smoothies and juices and that crunchy sea bass!
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Dairy not CY) // Casual
📍Plaza Bal Harbour
We asked the locals around us what they loved from the menu and they said that breakfast is their favorite here.
We ordered the Tzatziki with pita chips, the shakshuka, a twisted pastry with honey, a mushroom boureka, and a coffee. The shakshuka was very well flavored. The tzatziki was light and refreshing, the iced blended coffee however tasted like water.
My husband was obsessed with the mushroom boureka and we ordered another to go!nAll in all a great breakfast experience.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Dairy not CY) // Casual
📍Plaza Bal Harbour
This place is a little cheaper than the coffee bean and they have similar items.
We tried the rice pudding, which was good but also super sweet. A blended ice chocolate, a wrap and a mushroom cheese boureka.
It’s a good place to chill and get some work done. They have indoor and outdoor doing options.
(Dairy Cholov Yisroel) // Casual
📍
It’s one of the only places in Panama City that has Cholov Yisroel, so if you keep it then this is the perfect place for you.
We ordered the cheese boureka and it was very tasty. We also ordered the pizza. The just order item here is their bagel tostado, they make it fresh, I literally saw them making it in front us! You can add whatever you want inside- cheese, veggies etc.
(Dairy Cholov Yisroel) // Casual
📍Plaza Bal Harbour
We came here to have some healthy eats after spending 3 weeks of eating pizza and pasta here in Panama City.
We started with the “it’s a date” smoothie and it was excellent.
We also got the Israeli power bowl and salmon salad. They were good. Wholesome.
It is a little bit on the pricier side.
Lunch / Dinner
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Meat) // Casual/Upscale
📍Paitilla Mall
We came here twice because the bread machine wasn't working the first time around and we just HAD to have their burgers since it's what they are known for.
They have fresh juices and if you love watermelon you have to get the watermelon drink, its fresh, icy, yummmm. Okay for apps we got the cauliflower and chili nachos. The chili nachos was the winner! We also ordered the ramen, and the broth is really really tasty and rich, I just wish it had more noodles.
For the burgers, we tried 3 of them, the Mushroom Bomb, The Mexican, and the Tropical Chicken, they were all honestly very tasty. The mushroom bomb was packed with truffle and so much flavor. The Mexican was lighter and easy and so good.
Basically, come here for the burgers!
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Dairy not CY) // Upscale
📍Paitilla Mall
For starters, they bring hot fresh bread to the table with two dipping options, one was garlic butter and the other I’m not sure. It was really difficult to not eat the whole thing cuz it was so so good! But we need save our appetite.
We got the ravioli with rose sauce, the sauce was so addictive that we started sticking everything we ordered in it! I'm not egagerating.
We ordered the Lemonana, which was refreshing and tasty. The Lebanese croaker which was a little bland. Breaded mushroom that had feta cheese on the inside, it tasted even even better with the rose sauce! We also got the risotto.
I really wish we had time to order desserts but our daughter was getting fussy so we had to bounce. Definitely order the ravioli.
We simultaneously decided on our last day here to go back and the bread was somehow better the second time around! The Bianca pizza was insane and the penne rose was delicious. I think this may be our favorite restaurant in Panama City.
(Update as of 2/23/23 no longer kosher)
📍Ave balboa ph bay mall, Panamá
This Kosher Turkish restaurant has a small outdoor seating area, delicious juices and great desserts. They serve Shakshuka, bourekas, empanadas and more.
We happened to be there when the owner was and he was super nice, he even made a glove balloon for my daughter (9mo) who was fussy at the time. The juices are made fresh daily and I’ll be back for more.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Meat) // Casual
📍 PH University Club, Calle 1, Panamá
This trendy Kosher spot has an adorable interior and it’s located in a really cute area to explore.
We started off with the sampler plate, it had fried pickles, fried plantains, fried eggplant, and empanadas. It was very heavy since all of it was fried, but I definitely enjoyed the pickles and the various dipping sauces the plate came with.
Next was the chipotle hummus with ribeye, it also had zucchini strips in it and pico, it was very tasty. The fresh and hot pita it came with was great!
We also ordered the Kabab on an eggplant with non dairy yogurt and the gnocchi. The gnocchi was very flavorful and since we ordered too much we took it to go and enjoyed it later.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Dairy not CY) // Upscale/Casual
📍Calle 59 este, Downtown plaza, Obarrio
I put these two together because it's in the same restaurant, same facility but two different menus.
Kava is the Sushi and Asian menu. We ordered the Tempura broccoli, a the Samba sushi and the sushi pizza. The sushi pizza was the winner and it's a must order! The crispy rice on the bottom is topped with Kani and then topped with fresh nigiri and seaweed salad. It was perfect, flavorful, and I would go back just for that.
The Brusca menu has milkshakes, pizzas and more. The pizzas are very unique and we decided to be adventurous and we ordered the Amazonian pizza. There was nothing basic about it, it has onion jam, arugula, white sauce, mozzarella, purple sweet potato emulsion, and red cabbage. I would encourage you to try something new here, be adventurous too!
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Meat) // Casual
📍 Calle Juan Ramón Poll C., Panamá
I really really wanted to LOVE this place as it was highly recommend and the locals loved it.
We ordered a ton of dishes to taste each one. Some of them were disappointing. Let’s start with the good ones!
The short rib tacos were superb and a hit all around. The BBQ crispy chicken sandwich was also fabulous and a winner!
We got the beef sushi and the topping of beef was very smoky and flavored but the rest of the sushi was bland.
The magnolian beef was okay but nothing to write home about.
The drinks are really good! And they have hookah too.
We ordered a few other items not mentioned but they didn’t hit the spot.
The churros for dessert was overdone and had no softness in the middle as it should have been.
Overall good vibes and nice ambience. I just wish the food was more flavored and all.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Dairy not CY) // Upscale-Casual
📍P.H. Yoo Panama
This is hands down the most beautiful restaurant in Panama City.
We arrived on a Sunday in the middle of the afternoon and we were seated right away without a reservation.
We ordered two pizzas off of their brunch menu. (Their dinner menu is different) We got the Rainbow Vodka and the Honey I’m Home. They were pretty good but the Vodka one had a little bit too much pesto.
I want to come back for the dinner menu but this is all for now.
Pita Plus
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Meat) // Casual
📍 Plaza Bal Harbor
Okay so, we were going to skip this place after being in Panama City for 3 weeks because it just seemed like another Israeli Mediterranean restaurant.
But I’m so glad we didn’t! Don’t snooze on this place, the food is really good.
We ordered the chicken poppers and it came with many sauce options. The outside was crispy and the inside was juicy. Just the way it should be! We also got the pargiyot sandwich which was excellent.
(Cholov Yisrael, Bishul Yisroel, Pas Yisroel)
📍Sunset Strip Mall
This is the only Kosher restaurant in Panama City that is bougie and also Cholov Yisroel.
The service was also excellent and we had a wonderful time eating outside. The interior is very beautiful!
We ordered a pizza, lasagna, drinks and the caramel cheesecake. It was all pretty good. I would definitely come back here.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Meat) // Casual/Upscale
📍 Plaza Paitilla
This butcher shop serves fresh steaks and grilled meats and they also make a mean Israeli salad.
We also got the potato salad as a side but it wasn’t a winner. Also note that they don’t have seats for babies.
The handle of the door is a butchers knife which I thought was a nice touch!
Come here for the meat, it’s what they are good for.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Meat) // Casual/Upscale
📍 The address isn't specified on Google but if you put it in Uber it will take you there.
We were also going to skip this place because... it's shawarma! But I'm glad we didn't as it quickly became one of our favorites.
We got the Shawarma plate where you can choose your side salads. So we chose the pico de gallo, it was spicy and perfectly dressed. We got the eggplant too and the Israeli salad which was not seasoned well. The actual shawarma was juicy but also crispy and the flavor was on point! Definitely a winner. Menahem got the falafel laffa and enjoyed it as well.
More aka we didn't make it here:
Dr. Sandwich
Kosher Grocery Shopping
📍Pacific Center
I’m blown away by how easy and smooth it is to shop here. They have everything, the aisles are spacious, it’s not crowded either.
They also have a wine section that is beautiful, a area area for kids, a cafe with pizza, salads, and more. Upstairs there is a meat restaurant with delicious lo mein, schnitzel and more!
We’ll be back for that lo mein for sure.
Deli K
📍Megapolis Outlets Panama, Panamá
We didn't have a chance to eat her even though they had some dining options. Super Kosher is a nicer experience so we mainly shopped there.
Snacks
Pinkberry
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Dairy not Cholov Yisroel)
📍Located in the Balboa Strip Mall
This place is absolutely delicious although a little pricy. We got two combos, one with the pomegranate and classic, the other was chocolate hazelnut mixed with cookies and cream.
The chocolate crunch topping costs extra but it’s a must!
Sugar Lab
📍Across the street from Kava/Brusca
Xing Fu Tang (Boba Tea)
📍Multiplaza
So this is my first time having real Boba since it’s not usually Kosher and boy do I have to say it was experience!
We got the mango one and the brown sugar one and the latter was definitely the winner!
I’m still not sure how I feel about the sensation of pulling up one of the beads through the straw. If you haven’t yet, you’ll have to experience it for yourself!
📍Multiplaza
This cookie shop has certain cookies that are certified kosher and although they have multiple locations this one is in the Multiplaza Mall.
We tired out the Macadamia Nut Cookie and the Red Velvet. They were tasty, but we liked the Macadamia one better!
More aka we didn't make it here:
Candy Bazaar
Delivery Only
Sushi Rocket (Certified Shevet Ahim, Pareve)
This places serves sushi and some Asian dishes. We ordered a variety of things, but our recommendations are definitely the truffle noodles and the sushi pizza.
Crust Pizza (Certified Shevet Ahim, Dairy not CY)
Update: it seems that this places has closed down :(
This place really lives up to its name, the crust was phenomenal! The pizzas also have really fun names. We got the Not So Basic B*itch, the Mushroom Madness and Grandma's Vodka Pasta. They have a special where you can get 2 pizzas with a free pasta and that's what we did.
Fitbar (Certified Shevet Ahim, Pareve)
On Google this place says dine-in options but they recently moved and it's currently only takeout or pick up. This is a health food store with Açaí Bowls, smoothies, salads, sandwiches and more.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Pareve)
This is also a delivery or pickup spot with healthy eats and treats. We tried the banana bread, energy bites, hummus and crackers, chocolate, passionfruit snack cup, and chocolate snack cup. The hummus and crackers are excellent and the snack cups are tasty too!
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Meat)
Good for late night grub.
(Certified Shevet Ahim, Meat)
More aka we didn't make it here:
Taco bar
Shabbos / Takeout
Kosher Express