Fonda Lo Que Hay

Restaurant · Panama City

Fonda Lo Que Hay

Restaurant · Panama City

Edificio el Colegio, C. José D. de la Obaldía, Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama

Highlights

Dive into Fonda Lo Que Hay, where vibrant Panama-inspired dishes and casual garden vibes await, promising a culinary adventure that sparks creativity.

Edificio el Colegio, C. José D. de la Obaldía, Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama Get directions

fondaloquehay.com

@fondaloquehay

@eater

"Fonda Lo Que Hay (What Is Available) reinvents the cherished fonda genre with modern interpretations of traditional recipes, made from the freshest daily ingredients. Eater Award-winning chef José Olmedo Carles Rojas (of Si! Mon in Los Angeles) crafts inventive fish curry empanadas, shrimp cocktail spiced up with cachucha pepper paste, and bollo preñado (“pregnant” buns): steamed corn rolls stuffed with cheese, labneh, and spicy honey. The restaurant’s cozy yet vibrant setting features a mix of wooden tables, neon lights, and a tree anchoring the patio. There’s also a standout cocktail program, which centers local ingredients." - Jorge Chanis, Rafael Tonon

The 26 Best Restaurants in Panama City

View Postcard for Fonda Lo Que Hay

@cntraveler

"Chef José Olmedo Carles Rojas’s modern spin on a typical Panamanian roadside restaurant."

The Best Things to Do in Panama: Surfing, Coffee Tastings, and Private Island Stays

View Postcard for Fonda Lo Que Hay

@eater

"Carles is the chef-owner behind the award-winning restaurant Fonda Lo Que Hay, which is currently ranked number 57 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list." - Cathy Chaplin

A Lauded Chef From Panama Takes Over Venice’s Iconic James Beach Space - Eater LA

View Postcard for Fonda Lo Que Hay

@vogue

"Meander over to The Strangers Club, a bar by Steve Schneider and five other bartenders from New York City’s Employees Only, and you’ll find retro-inspired interiors in line with Casco’s other atmospheric spots including fine dining restaurant Donde José, healthy eatery Mahalo and hole-in-the-wall diner Fonda Lo Que Hay." - Julia Eskins

Panama City Turns 500 This Year—Here’s Where to Eat and Stay | Vogue

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Gaurav Aggarwal

Google

You need a reservation but they got us a table with 30 min wait and no reservations. They have a nice patio in a garden setting. Service was very slow. Took long time for food that arrives at different times. The drinks were good. The veggie wrap was very interesting and had to be assembled. The quantity of food for each dish is small except for the pasta. Food was delicious but perhaps nothing out of the world. Not for a vegetarian at least.

Cindy Cesare

Google

I rarely give low ratings. Ever. But this was a real disappointment. Not only was the restaurant rated one of the best 50 in the world, but I have had friends rave about it. Rave! So, I went in with high expectations. Sadly, they were not met. I did a last minute walk-in and sat at the bar solo. I had to wait about 15 minutes to be escorted just to sit at the bar. I ordered the tuna carpaccio tostada and found it so slathered in a tumeric-like sauce that it was inedible. Plus, it stained my hands. Frankly, my stomach was a little tossed by it and I left half remaining. I know that people love this dish. So, maybe just not my taste. But I couldn’t get through it. I had two non alcoholic drinks that were tasty. And my bill came to 32.00. The service was just okay. Typical of at-their-pace-Panama style. But for a restaurant with so much hype, you would think it wouldn’t be so full of a lack of pride. I will say the atmosphere was very cool Panama 🇵🇦 decor. But sadly, overall did not live up to the hype for me.

Alpa Patel

Google

I think I had higher expectations based on reviews and recommendations but the food was a miss for me. The menu was incredibly creative and unique; I have never been to a similar restaurant but almost seemed like too much. The cacio e Pepe had too many flavor profiles to figure out the dish. It wasn’t enjoyable. The Rum cake lacked flavor from both cake and ice cream. Ambience and service was exceptional, drinks were delicious

John Hultquist

Google

During our week-long trip to Panama, my family had dinner here, and it quickly became one of our favorite dining spots. The five of us ordered a good portion of the menu to share. For appetizers, we had the tuna, veggie wrap, shrimp cocktail, and tortillas—all were excellent. We unanimously agreed the tortillas were the standout (a hot take compared to other reviews!). For entrées, I had the LQH Fried Chicken, which was very good and consistent with other reviews. My dad enjoyed the prawns and gave them high praise. My mom loved the pig sandwich, though it was a large portion, and my sisters split the skirt steak, which they had no complaints about. The service was decent (better than most places we visited). However, one thing to note: the restaurant served the food as it was prepared, so entrées were brought out about 20 minutes apart from start to everyone having food, starting with the pig sandwich, followed by the chicken, prawns, and finally the skirt steak.

Emmanuel

Google

One of the must try restaurants in Panama City! Stepping into Fonda Lo Que Hay is like being invited into a chef's personal playground - a celebration of flavors and creativity. My favorite dishes: I love the Tuna Tostada (Yuca Toastada de Atun), First tine for me to try the Poke Ceviche (Poke de Ceviche Caribeño) and what a treat! I am not a clam person but these Almejitas Sexy are definitely sexy! and pick the One Pot Con Centollo if you are a really hungry! All cocktails were very well balanced. Everything was very fresh and the service was exceptional. The servers were warm and passionate about the menu. I love the open kitchen and the outside "garden". The restaurant is very clean and the team there is doing an amazing job! Perfect restaurant for those seeking bold flavors

N T.

Google

Made reservation month in advance and was quite disappointed. Food was good and came out quick but service could’ve been much friendlier especially for such a famous restaurant recognized as one of the Top 50 restaurants in Latin America. The host and our waitress looked upset to be there - working with zero smile and gave unusual unfriendliness vibe. I ended up having to refill my own water since no one checked up on us eventhough our section of restaurant was quite empty. I got more friendliness from street vendor and again, eventhough food was good, the service put quite a dent in our experience.

Antonio Skarica

Google

By far the best fine dining in Panama City. I have been coming here once a month or so for a few years. Consistently delicious, with occasional fun updates to the menu. They elevate traditional Panamanian dishes in the most exciting ways, keeping it approachable and non pretentious. My favorites are the tostada, bollo prenao, and caldito pho (this one is an absolute must!!!). If you’re ready for a heavier meal, the guacho and the mondongo are super hearty and indulgent, also A+! The cocktail menu has improved over the years and there are good options to match with any of the dishes. The bartenders are also great at making custom drinks - still dreaming about that mezcal negroni. If you have time for one restaurant in the city, make sure it’s Fonda lo que hay!! My one suggestion to the restaurant: bring back that sexy concolon!!! 😀

David Hall

Google

Worth it, share everything and ask for recommendations. The kombucha tasted off however, they have it on tap which it could have pumped out mainly fermentation versus a mixed batch Eat sexy clams with rice

@eater

The 26 Best Restaurants in Panama City

View Postcard for Fonda Lo Que Hay

@cntraveler

"Chef José Olmedo Carles Rojas’s modern spin on a typical Panamanian roadside restaurant."

The Best Things to Do in Panama: Surfing, Coffee Tastings, and Private Island Stays

View Postcard for Fonda Lo Que Hay

@eater

"Carles is the chef-owner behind the award-winning restaurant Fonda Lo Que Hay, which is currently ranked number 57 on Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants list." - Cathy Chaplin

A Lauded Chef From Panama Takes Over Venice’s Iconic James Beach Space - Eater LA

View Postcard for Fonda Lo Que Hay

@vogue

Panama City Turns 500 This Year—Here’s Where to Eat and Stay | Vogue

View Postcard for Fonda Lo Que Hay

Gaurav Aggarwal

Google

Cindy Cesare

Google

Alpa Patel

Google

John Hultquist