What to Do? Where to Go? Where to Stay? in Casco Viejo

Restaurants, Bars and Galleries in Casco Viejo:

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! the owner is thinking on opening a third one in the same plaza... so coming soon! 262-2045

Ciao Pescao: cevichería at Plaza Bolivar. Sister restaurant to Ego & Narciso. Our top picks are: Spanish ceviche, Mexican and Sicilian.

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.

Puerta de Tierra: steak specialties at the corner of 9th Street and Central Avenue. Excelent everything, but specially meats and specialty cocktails. Next to the Iglesia de La Merced.

CasaBlanca: casual dinning 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!

Café Morales: fantastic cheesecake at the corner of the Presidential Palace, in front of the basketball field at 8th street.  Phone 212-2936

Indigo: oriental mediterranean fusion cuisine. Located between 2nd and 3rd street and Central Avenue, between the Tourism Police and Manolo Caracol, at the back of the National Theatre. Morocan ambiance and great tapas. Their back patio opens to the Arco Chato, a great spot for private dinners. Ph. 228-1822 indigo@indigopanama.com

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.

Frit- Arts: next to Cedros at Central Avenue, diagonal to Casa Gongora at 4th street. Thai Food! Fantastic Thai soup... humm....  Original souvenirs made of recycled materials and vintage clothing.

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

Callejon del Gato: tapas restaurant with great ambiance at Calle 1era. Try the figs!

Caffe Per Due: Manuela and Marco 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

Buzios: Brazilian inspired, meditarrenean food. Relaxed ambiance, outside seating, ocean view. Location: Calle 1era, at the side of the French Embassy. 228-9045

Grandclement: the best icecreams in Panama. French owned & run, wonderful new flavours! 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: our favorite bohemian bar. Art Shows, movie nights, etc. Location: Plaza Herrera, old Citibank.

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.

Avatar: at Plaza Herrera. Mediterranean with a Libanese twist.  Try the pita bread, hummus great.

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

Aromas 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.

The National Theatre: to check out what’s going on: 262-3525

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.

Sibaris Restaurant: Corner at Calle 1era and A Avenue. Informal, yet with a touch of elegance.

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.

Los Cuatro Tulipanes: short term rental apartments, nicely furnished. Nice service, good for family travelling together. http://www.loscuatrotulipanes.com/.

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 .

Community Businesses and Stores in Casco Viejo:

Beauty Salon Chateau de Klipper: located at 9th Street, between Central Avenue and B Avenue at P.H. Isabella. For appointments call Susan at  6513-5803

Video Store Cinema Paradiso: ph. 228-8619 The first video store in Casco! learn Spanish watching movies. They have movies in Spanish and English. Also has internet ! . Located at Avenida A, in front of Reprosa (Between 4th and 5th street)