Your Ultimate Guide to Casco Viejo's 10 Best Restaurants: A Culinary Journey Through Panama's Most Vibrant Neighborhood

Casco Viejo isn't just Panama's most iconic neighborhood - it's where the magic happens for anyone serious about experiencing authentic Panama living. This UNESCO World Heritage site has transformed into a world-class dining destination that rivals any major Latin American city. For expats relocating to Panama, understanding the food culture here is like holding the key to social integration and genuine connection with the community. The neighborhood's colonial architecture creates the perfect backdrop for everything from rooftop fine dining to intimate family-run establishments. According to International Living, food costs in Panama are approximately 40-50% lower than in major US cities, which means you can eat incredibly well without breaking the bank. Walking through these streets, you'll find restaurants that range from Peruvian-Japanese fusion to classic Spanish steakhouses, each telling a story about Panama's cultural melting pot.

This isn't just any food tour - it's a masterclass in Panama's culinary diversity. Starting with Lazotea Rooftop, you get sweeping views alongside contemporary cuisine curated by Chef Fabian Loaiza. Then there's Luminaire, where Chef Javier brings his own vision to the Casco Viejo dining scene. Primativo Steakhouse is calling all meat lovers who refuse to compromise on quality. Nikai stands out as the only dedicated Nikkei restaurant in Casco Viejo - offering that rare fusion of Peruvian and Japanese gastronomy that Chef Mansaki explains is a heritage brought by Japanese immigrants to Peru. Vista Corona gives you another rooftop experience with Head Chef Jose Aparicio leading the kitchen. Casablanca claims the title of one of the oldest establishments in the neighborhood, with Tamara sharing the history behind every plate. Feeling Restaurante Pizzeria and Lounge offers authentic Italian pizza right next door. Nazca 21 brings Peruvian excellence through Executive Chef Eric Gonzalez. Lorana Dorada carries decades of history and reputation in the neighborhood. Finally, Masa Restaurante and Pizzeria rounds out the list with Head Chef Massimo and pizzeria expert Edwin bringing Italian authenticity to Panama.

Here's something that really stands out in this tour - Nikai is literally the only Nikkei restaurant in Casco Viejo, which means you're getting something special and exclusive. Nikkei cuisine is a fascinating fusion born when Japanese immigrants arrived in Peru and blended their culinary traditions with Peruvian ingredients and techniques. Chef Mansaki explains that they opened their first location in Peru four years ago and just opened in Casco Viejo five months prior. For expats who love food culture and want access to unique dining experiences you can't find everywhere, this is exactly the kind of hidden gem that makes Panama special. The restaurant uses fresh, locally-sourced ingredients from Panama combined with Japanese gastronomy techniques. This kind of culinary innovation is becoming a hallmark of Panama City's restaurant scene and speaks to the growing sophistication of the market. When you're considering relocating to Panama, access to diverse, high-quality cuisine at affordable prices is a real quality-of-life factor.

Two restaurants stand out for their rooftop experiences, and if you haven't experienced dining with a view in Casco Viejo, you're missing a major part of what makes living here special. Lazotea Rooftop and Vista Corona both offer that combination of elevation, fresh air, and panoramic views of the neighborhood's colorful colonial buildings and the Caribbean beyond. There's something about eating at altitude in a historic neighborhood that makes even a simple meal feel like an event. For expats relocating to Panama, these rooftop venues become regular spots for entertaining visiting family, celebrating milestones, or simply unwinding after a long day. Both restaurants pair their views with seriously good food - Chef Fabian Loaiza at Lazotea and Chef Jose Aparicio at Vista Corona both understand that location is just the appetizer. The sunset views from these rooftops have become Instagram-famous for good reason, and they represent the lifestyle upgrade many expats are seeking when they make the move to Panama.

Here's the exciting part - you're not just getting a food tour video, you're being invited to participate in a People's Choice Award. The voting period runs until April 15th at 3 PM, and the winning restaurant will be announced live on DoPanama's Facebook and Instagram channels. But it gets better - if you vote, your name goes into a drawing and one lucky person wins a $100 gift card to the restaurant they voted for. This is exactly the kind of community engagement that makes relocating to a new country feel less like a solo adventure and more like joining an active, vibrant community. Austin Hess makes it clear that your vote matters and that this contest is designed to celebrate the incredible food culture in Casco Viejo while giving back to the community. For expats just arriving in Panama or considering the move, participating in local events like this is how you start building connections and exploring your new neighborhood. The fact that DoPanama is organizing this shows their commitment to helping expats experience the full lifestyle Panama has to offer, not just real estate transactions.

Throughout the video, Austin Hess references the Restaurant Travel in Style Magazine, which is available at multiple locations across Panama. You can find free copies at Reba Smith Coastal Estate (Baya Vista), and notably at all 10 Deli Gourmets locations throughout the city, as well as Buena Ventura, Coronado, and Casco Viejo. The magazine is also exclusively available at Tocumen International Airport, which means even arriving expats can grab a copy to start getting oriented. This magazine is a resource tool for anyone relocating to or visiting Panama who wants to understand the food and lifestyle scene. Having physical magazines distributed across these key locations shows how food culture and lifestyle are woven into the fabric of Panama's expat community. For real estate professionals and relocation specialists like the team at DoPanama, understanding where expats are getting their information and what resources they're consulting is important for helping them settle into their new home successfully.

The food tour doesn't end with restaurants - Austin takes you to Colina's Art Gallery in Casco Viejo, which represents another layer of the neighborhood's cultural richness. Art galleries, museums, and cultural spaces are exactly what make neighborhoods feel like home rather than just places where you sleep. For expats relocating to Panama, discovering these cultural touchstones is part of what makes a relocation successful. The gallery features incredible work from local artists, and Austin encourages visitors to not just admire but to take a piece home. This is exactly the kind of authentic neighborhood experience that expats hope to find when they choose to relocate - places where you can support local artists, engage with culture, and become part of a community. Casco Viejo's combination of world-class dining, art galleries, historic architecture, and vibrant street life makes it one of the most desirable neighborhoods for expats in Panama City.

Austin Hess takes a moment in the middle of this food tour to explain exactly what DoPanama does, and it's important to understand because finding the right relocation partner can make or break your Panama experience. DoPanama Real Estate and Relocation was founded on a simple principle - taking care of expats who are considering Panama as a place to relocate and invest. They start with a 23-question questionnaire called 'Where Should I Live in Panama' that helps you think through what you really want in terms of lifestyle, neighborhood, and community. The questionnaire is designed both for your benefit and to give the DoPanama team the information they need to provide genuinely personalized advice. After you submit the survey, you get a free 30-minute Zoom call with a specialist who can answer your specific questions and help you understand your options. This is the kind of structured, thoughtful approach that separates professional relocation services from general real estate agents. For anyone serious about moving to Panama, having this kind of expert guidance from day one makes a real difference.