Fonda Lo Que Hay

Amazing fare. The tuna yuca tartare is truly unique as well as the beef guacho. Never had tried such dishes and they really represent a different and creative take on Caribbean and Panamenian food. Can’t wait to go back. It is hard to get a table unless you go early or at off times. Very good service too in one of the most. Picturesque areas of Panama City.

The atmosphere is really fantastic. Bright, airy, and vibrant are all words I'd use to describe it. I wasn't as in love with my food, which was good but not outstanding. (I will say it's very possible that I just ordered the wrong thing. I had the "Sexy Clams" and it was kinda weird. My colleague's food looked amazing and they raved about it.) The staff accommodated us even though we hadn't made reservations, which was very nice and very appreciated. Worth a trip? Absolutely! Just suss out the menu carefully to make sure you'll like what you order. :-)

The venue is absolutely lovely. We got a cozy table by the window, which gave us a great view of the street and the people passing by—perfect for a little people-watching while we ate! We started with the Tamarind Margaritas, and they were fantastic. For our mains, we went with the roasted catch of the day served with patacones, and the grilled octopus with green curry and coconut rice. Both dishes were delicious, but the green curry sauce really stood out—it was so flavourful! For dessert, we tried the famous flan and the shaved ice with coconut sauce. I can definitely see why the flan gets so much praise—it’s rich, with a unique smoky twist that sets it apart from others I’ve had. Personally, I prefer a lighter flan at the end of a meal, but it was still a treat to try. It is on the pricier side, but without a doubt, this is a must-visit spot if you’re in Panama City.

The food was delicious but unfortunately the experience was not good for so many reasons. 1. I ordered a second glass of wine. The waiter poured the remaining wine from a bottle but it was not a full glass the same as the first. He never came back to finish pouring. 2. We ordered cocktails but my husband’s order was wrong. This could be a language problem (but their English is very good) so he took a sip. He did not enjoy the flavour so he explained to the waiter who didn’t appear pleased. His original order arrived but they didn’t take the wrong order away. 3. I made a reservation a number of days ago to be polite. We were seated on a corner in a walkway by the kitchen and we were being bumped all night. This could easily be ignored until a waiter spilled food all down my husband’s back. It was mostly oil and leftover sauces. They were quick to assist but he was left with a very wet and messy back. We did our best to clean the shirt when we returned to our accommodation but without the correct chemicals, it was not possible and the $100+ shirt is now ruined. As we are travelling for 2 months, we will need to buy a replacement today. St the end of the evening, the account included everything. All the cocktails and nothing was removed as a gesture of goodwill for the mess that was created. It was not mentioned. It turned out to be a very expensive night.

This was the best meal we had in Panama and some of the tastiest food that we have ever had. Stand out dishes included the tuna carpaccio, the crazy clams, and the fried chicken with the most amazing puréed potatoes. The atmosphere was fun. Everyone was friendly. My teens really enjoyed it as well. I didn’t think to take photos until dessert, but the flan was impeccable and the kids loved the shave ice. I’m really surprised it only has 4.5 stars on here (we went to a restaurant last night that was much more mediocre and had 4.9 stars). My advice if you are visiting Panama (or a local!) make a reservation and check it out!

Excellent food. The best. The a tropical salad was phenomenal. Passion fruit/tahini dressing. My friend’s OG Fish Empanada was good. I had the Caribbean Prawns with Tajadas, presented beautifully, cooked perfectly. Smoked flan for Easter. Perfect smokiness with the perfect balance of occasional crunch of salt. I would have given 5 stars. The major problem was the horrible service. My friend was served both her salad and empanadas in a timely manner. I waited 30 to 40 minutes after she was served, before I was served the prawns. Unacceptable. This was at lunchtime, just after 12 noon, and we were the second table seated. I watched others come and go before we finally finished our meal. Two hours. Ridiculous.

A must do while in Casco viejo! A well loved spot everyone loves. Must get: sexy clams (packed with so much flavor, a little kick of spice and the nuts are a great touch, tuna tostada (easily a favorite, the chives are a great touch), fried chicken (mashed potatoes are incredibly creamy), and all the desserts. Everyone I have taken here loves this place!

This place came recommended by a staff member at our hotel for authentic Panamanian cuisine. The reviews seemed mixed, but we thought we give it a try anyhow. Wished we would’ve went somewhere else for our last dinner in Panama. We arrived before 5pm and the restaurant was practically empty. After our waitress took our order, we never saw her again. The cocktails and oyster appetizer were okay. The LHQ fried chicken dish was salty and it didn’t really taste like anything. Not sure if the pieces were baked then fried..it just tasted off. The mashed potatoes served with the dish were probably the worst part. It was incredibly watery and gummy…it tasted like creamed soup and nothing like potatoes. Despite there being a lot of staff members there, service was poor. We waited a long time for someone to acknowledge us and get the check.