Kaandela Restaurant

Kaandela Restaurant is an absolute gem in historic downtown Panama! Located in the heart of the city just minutes from the cathedral, the restaurant is surrounded by stunning architecture and breathtaking views that create an unforgettable atmosphere. A special thank you to Luis Afu, the restaurant manager, who provided extensive and thoughtful details about food preparation and perfect wine pairing options. His knowledge and passion truly elevated the entire dining experience. The staff is fantastic — welcoming, attentive, and incredibly knowledgeable. You can genuinely feel their passion for hospitality from the moment you arrive. Chef Jose Aparicio even came out, and we had the opportunity to meet and personally thank him. He is such a young and talented chef with a true passion for the art of cooking. From the rich flavors to the beautiful plating, every dish is presented like art and tastes just as incredible. I can’t emphasize enough how delicious the meal was. I will definitely be back to continue experiencing the food, culture, and vibrant energy this place brings. Highly recommend! P.S. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to book a stay in this exclusive location — which makes the experience even more special.

A truly exceptional experience. Staff were very attentive and engaged. It was a joy to dine at the bar and watch the chef and sous chefs approach every plate with intention. We highly recommend this restaurant. It is small, reservations recommended. Jaime was a most excellent host/server.

I LOVE THIS PLACE!!!!! Definitely recommend. It’s an impressive array of dishes that highlight the diverse flavors of Panama. From fresh seafood caught daily to locally sourced ingredients used in their signature recipe. it is a very intimate restaurant. It is divided in two areas. First, the open kitchen, where you can sit at bar level and observe the evolution of dishes with the chef and kitchen team. The courtyard of the hotel offers a chic tropical vibe with palm trees and orchids. Great cocktails w/ unique flavours. Fish and papaya salad a highlight w: the perfect amount of spice. Seafood risotto was good but nothing outstanding, but a lot of seafood! Beef tongue amazing. And the tomato salad refreshing classic and great. Amazing service. All around great experience.

The main course and dessert were delicious — which is to be expected at this price point. Unfortunately, the starters didn’t quite live up to the same standard. The highlight of the evening was definitely the atmosphere; the setting is beautiful and inviting. While some of the waiters were very kind and attentive, our waiter, Juan, was not, which was a bit disappointing.

The best passion fruit cocktail in town! The food was very flavourful and delicious! Definitely worth the hype. Service exceptional - waiter Luis made sure I’m well taken care off. If you are in Panama City - must visit restaurant

Absolutely fabulous experience. We sat right near the fire so we could watch the magic happen. We had a great chat with Lewis as well who told us about the history of the restaurant and how the dishes embody the Panamanian spirit. I can’t recommend this place highly enough and hope you get a chance to visit.

We enjoyed the six-course tasting menu at KAANDELA, and it was a wonderful experience from start to finish. Our server, Yenny, was lovely and attentive — there was a slight language barrier at times, but she made sure everything went smoothly and we felt well taken care of. I did the wine pairing with the tasting menu, and each pairing complemented the dishes beautifully. The flavors felt authentically Panamanian, giving us a real taste of the local culture and cuisine. The lobster course was the star of the show — perfectly cooked and bursting with flavor! We also loved the intimate ambiance and the thoughtful presentation of each unique dish. Overall, an excellent dining experience that highlights the creativity and flavor of Panama. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a true culinary experience in Panama City!

Everything was great. The service, food and atmosphere. Miguel was our server and he was awesome. He was super knowledgeable and was able to answer all or our questions regarding the food: preparation and ingredients. The papaya salad, pork pops, short rib and lobster and rice was amazing. We will definitely go back.