What to Do? Where to Go? Where to Stay? in Casco Viejo
- Restaurants, Bars and Galleries in Casco Viejo
- Where to Stay? Hotels and hostels in Casco Viejo
- Where to Shop? Shopping and Retail in Casco Viejo
- Theaters and Art Galleries in Casco Viejo
Restaurants, Bars and Galleries in Casco Viejo
Las Clementinas Café: you`ll love having brunchat Clementina`s lush gardens. Panamanian cuisine with a twist! Or if you go for dinner, try the coconut soup or the sea bass.
Ego & Narciso: One beside the other at Plaza Bolivar. Wonderful Peruvian tapas at Ego and very good italian food at Narciso. You can order from both, no problem! Ph. 262-2045
Ciao Pescao: cevichería at Plaza Bolivar. Sister restaurant to Ego & Narciso. Our top picks are: Spanish ceviche, Mexican and Sicilian.
Cevichería: at Central Avenue and 3rd Street, this is fresh ceviche “on the go”. Try all of them, sauces range from traditional to passion fruit and tamarind. The owner spent some time in Singapur so you’ll see some creative and spicy combinations!
Bohemios: owned and run by Casco Viejo locals, it has surprising good food and relaxed ambiance. You can sign your name at the wall or draw some art! if it´s good enough, the beer is on the house. Try the chicken satay, the fish tacos and the fried fish sticks. They also have good samosas with mango sauce! Located at A Avenue, between 4th and 5th, next to VIP Juice.
Mojitos: our favorite beer bar in Casco Viejo! at Plaza Herrera, you can have a good hamburger with beer or any other drink … that is not a Mojito. Don´t ask! The garden surrounded by old stone walls makes for a great hang out.
Divino: Italian wine bar! right in front of Arco Properties at the corner of 4th St. and A Avenue. You`ll love to hang out there!
Puerta de Tierra: steak specialties at the corner of 9th Street and Central Avenue. Excellent everything, but specially meats and specialty cocktails. Next to the Iglesia de La Merced.
Ay Carmela!: located at Casa Antigua, next to Luna`s Castle (9th Street and B Avenue) it has great sandwiches and salads.
Pintas: next to Ay Carmela! “Pintas” means “beers”… and is exactly that!
El Sitio del Casco: the neighborhood was in desperate need of a sports bar! a classic place where to watch the games and have nachos con queso. A Avenue, between 4th and 5th, next to La Vecindad and Bohemios. In front of Di Vino.
CasaBlanca: casual dining at Plaza Bolivar. 212-0040
Vieja Habana: relaxed, Cuban ambiance at B Avenue , corner with 5th, right in front of the Presidential police. A great place to start your night with a mojito.
Habana Panama: the craziest salsa dance hall you can imagine, located at the very entrance of San Felipe (known as Terraplen). Right before getting up the ramp, you´ll see it at your left. Live salsa bands!
Diablo Rosso: alternative art gallery and café, a space for young artists to show their work and market. Also has great soups (spicy curry!) and light food.
Diablicos: next to Cevichería, at Central Avenue, between 2nd and 3rd. It specializes in Panamanian food, mainly from the Pacific side. On Fridays they bring the Caribbean spice up!
Platea & Scena: Scena is a nice formal restaurant above Platea which is our favorite jazz bar. They also have live music most nights, ranging from salsa to rock. Located on Calle 1era, in front of the old Club Union. 228-4011
Caffe Per Due: Manuela run our favorite neighborhood spot for pizza. She is from Mantova, where I have to say I got the best food ever in Italy. They are located at A Avenue and First Street, at PH Paseo Las Bovedas. 6512-9311 / 6496-4878/ caffeperdue@gmail.com
La Forchetta: Italian cuisine, outdoors and indoors seating at Plaza Catedral. Great pizzas and risottos. Try the Bocca di Fuoco if you like spicy!
Buzios: Brazilian inspired, Mediterranean food. Relaxed ambiance, outside seating, ocean view. Location: Calle 1era, at the side of the French Embassy. 228-9045
Grandclement: the best ice creams in Panama. French owned & run, wonderful new flavors! Location: Central Avenue and 4th street. 228-0737
Manolo Caracol: Spanish tapas and salads. Location: Avenida Central and 3rd street. 228-0109
Mostaza: Italian food with a cozy feeling. You will feel at home, either sitting outside or inside. Location: 3rd street and Avenida A. 228-3341
Super Gourmet: great gourmet sandwiches and food to grab & run. Location: Avenida A and 6th street.
La Casona: Outdoors bar, facing the beach. Art Shows, movie nights, etc. Location: 5th Street and A Avenue.
La Vecindad: beautiful, rustic bar at A Avenue, between 4th and 5th. Weekend bar hoping has to include La Vecindad. Ask for Nico or Idalibeth!
Relic (at Luna’s Castle): neat underground bar, literally built under the original stone city wall. Located at 9th Street, inside the backpackers hostel Luna´s Castle. This is a nice place you can’t miss.
Cedros: Rock at Central Avenue and 4th street, next to Hotel Central, a few steps away from Plaza Catedral.
Café René: Tapas restaurant, informal. Location: Plaza Catedral, at the side of the church. 262-3487
Las Bóvedas Restaurant: because it’s set up at two of the vaults of Plaza Francia, its interesting to see the interior. Sometimes they have live music. Location: Plaza Francia. 228-8058
Azafran Café: Informal lunch cafe at the corner of 11th Street and Central Avenue, right next to the Lottery building. Nice ambiance and friendly staff.
VIP Juices: A Avenue, between 4th and 5th street. Nice milkshakes for a $1.
Tequilas Bar and Restaurant: at the corner of 3rd Street with Central Avenue, next to Manolo Caracol. A little bit of everything, young owners, friendly atmosphere, outside seating.
Kyoto: Sushi restaurant at Plaza Bolivar.
Tinto de Verano: wine bar near the Presidential Palace, at Casa Morales. Charming corner, perfect to enjoy a summer afternoon. Ph. 212-3439
Where to Stay? Hotels and hostels in Casco Viejo
Canal House Panama: A beautifully restored colonial mansion at the heart of San Felipe. Ideal to rent the entire house, it has 3 suites, most of them with inner offices, all of them with internet. Fully staffed 24/7. Check it out at: www.canalhousepanama.com Phone: 228-2907/ 8683.
Las Clementinas, Chambers and Cafe: One of the most romantic places to stay in Casco! Don`t miss the gardens. All suites are full one bedrooms with equiped kitchen. Contact info: Panama +507-228-7613 | +507-228-7617and Toll-free from US & Canada: 1-888-593-5023
Los Cuatro Tulipanes: short term rental apartments, nicely furnished. Nice service, good for family travelling together. http://www.loscuatrotulipanes.com/.
Casa del Horno: beautifully restored, with original calicanto stone everywhere and a great little café at the groundfloor (restaurant opening soon). Ph. 212-0052 info@casadelhorno.net
Hotel Casco Antiguo: budget hotel at one of Casco`s hidden gems. Don´t miss the moroccan style lobby and the still running original elevator!
Casa Antigua: short term apartments for rent, with partial hotel services.
Hospedaje Casco Viejo: Very well located, low budget, perfect for backpackers. http://www.hospedajecascoviejo.com/hotel.html or cascoviejo@centrodereservas.net or call (507) 269-6166
Luna´s Castle: Also for backpackers. This is the most recent acquisition of the guys who own Mondo Taitu and Heike hostel in Bocas del Toro. They are expanding to Casco and the place is beautiful. Great Bar! Give them a call at: 262-1540. http://wakansadhana.blogspot.com/2007/07/blog-post.htm.
Where to Shop? Shopping and Retail in Casco Viejo
Papiro y Yo: our favorite store for souvenirs and gifts made out of recycled materials. Beautifully crafted everything. No kidding!
Diablo Rosso: young art gallery featuring Panamanian artists and creative souvenirs. A Avenue and 7th Street.
Reprosa: Panamanian jewelry inspired in traditional pre colombian huacas. Art Deco building, Avenida A, between Calle 5ta y 4ta
Galería Vida: next to Entre Pulgas, has furniture and handcrafts from Central America.
Museo de la Esmeralda: jewelry showcasing emeralds. Located at Plaza Catedral.
Galería de Arte Indígena: artcraft shop, located at Calle 2nda. Wide range of Panama Hats.
Souvenirs La Ronda: artcraft at Calle 2nda
Souvenirs El Farol: artcraft at Calle 2nda and Avenida A
Karavan: Art from the Caribbean part of Panama (Portobelo). Located at 3rd Street, in front of the Arco Chato
Pana Art: artcraft and Italian icecreams. Good desserts! Avenida A y Calle 6ta.
Artesanías Daisy: Avenida A, Entre Calle 4ta y 5ta.
Theaters and Art Galleries in Casco Viejo
The National Theatre: Near Plaza Bolivar, next to the parking lot. They never publish what they have, basically you have to ask. However, they always have something interesting going on, from ballet to opera! To check out what’s going on: 262-3525. The theatre inside is beautiful, if you are just passing by, don´t forget to visit. Normally is $2 or so to get in and get a small tour. Check out the Arco Properties Events Calendar, whenever we hear about something we post it there!
Teatro Anita Villalaz: Small theatre at Plaza Francia. It used to be a court room, and when you walk in you can get the sense. Today is the favorite spot for more intimate events. To find out what is going on, basically you have to go there and ask!
Diablo Rosso: very good food but also has an interesting art gallery. Located at A Avenue and 7th Street, their shows change almost every week. They host movie nights (ask for CenaCine) and other events.
Los Del Patio: Located at 3rd Street and Central Avenue, next to the Ministry of Justice. Diagonal to Manolo Caracol. Los Del Patio is a combination of an Art Gallery, Theatre, Café and Art School all wrapped around a central courtyard. From painting workshop for local children to yoga and theatre classes. The building is a small “art” compound that includes a small theatre for experimental shows.
Karavan: Art from the Caribbean part of Panama (Portobelo). Located at 3rd Street, in front of the Arco Chato.
