Mai Mai

You'll know a restaurant is well run when the food comes promptly, service is kind and friendly and the entire staff seems to be chill and enjoying their shift. It was truly a joy to dine at maimai. The food was exceptional (ceviche nitro was the best ceviche I've ever had), we had fun watching the kitchen work and the staff interact with each other. The restaurant was busy but no one seemed stressed or upset, everything ran smooth from start to finish. One of the coolest restaurants I've ever been in. I hope to be back someday.

Local friends took me here for my last dinner in Panama City, and we had an amazing time. The space is super vibey and cool without being pretentious. Service was attentive and well paced, seating was comfortable and fun. We split a ton of stuff. Ceviche, fried fish, tuna maki, lomo saltado, gyoza. Everything was super tasty and well presented. Cocktail program had a lot of interesting options, I ended up with a twist on a dirty martini. I was really fun and delicious. Even got to meet the co-owners who were super friendly and gave us great recommendations for places to eat and drink on the rest of our trip, highly recommended!

This place offers truly delightful sushi. It’s impossible to imagine eating just a little when every dish bursts with flavor. I didn’t have a reservation, but they seated me at the counter, and honestly, that turned into a show of its own — watching the precise preparation of each roll was spectacular.

You don’t expect to find transcendent sushi in Panama. You expect heat, humidity, maybe a good rum, maybe a fish that still smells faintly of the sea. But Mai Mai flips that expectation on its head. Tucked away in the chaos and charm of Panama, this place quietly delivers what most high-end spots only promise — authenticity, precision, and heart. The sushi was clean, balanced, almost reverent in its simplicity. The ceviche? A lightning bolt of freshness — sharp, bright, unapologetically alive. Every bite reminded me why I travel. To be surprised. To be humbled by craftsmanship in the most unexpected corners of the world. Mai Mai isn’t trying to be Tokyo or Lima. It’s Panama — confident, generous, and wildly good. The service matched the food — effortless, human, and deeply proud of what they serve. They even forgave my poor Spanish and worked hard to explain everything to me in English! It was, without question, the capstone of my trip to see the Canal — a reminder that the world still has places where food isn’t just eaten, but experienced.

Let me start by saying I love fine dining experiences and this is byfar one of the best, not just in Panamá but in many places I have traveled globally. Although the evening started with a hiccup, everything was immediately addressed and remedied to end up with a beautiful dining experience at one of the best fine restaurants in Panama. The ambiance and decor set the mood for a luxury dining experience at Mai Mai. While difficult to find for newcomers, It is not hard to access. Located in the far left corner of the plaza, take the elevator in the back corner (not the main in the parking lot) to the top floor. As soon as you step off, you'll enter the vestibule where the automatic wall/ door will slide open, revealing a beautiful, modernly designed establishment. This is perfect for dates, business or a night out for a good time. The menu is extensive with unique Asian influence and Panamanian fusion. My favorite items on the menu were the Tom Yum noodles because they have the rich robust Thai flavors directly tossed into the noodles rather than drowned in broth, and the coconut octopus bun. These are two items remixed in a way that surprise the palate in ways I would have never imagined. I recommend going.

I was very excited to try this restaurant while on my trip to Panama City, unfortunately it left a lot to be desired. The good: The karaage and tiradito mai mai were both amazing appetizers. I feel like most of the karaage that I’ve tried in the past were a little dry and flavorless, but this was quite the opposite. The fish of the day for the tiradito was salmon. It was amazing and flavorful. The restaurant is very aesthetically pleasing and picturesque. All of the food was displayed nicely. The bad: The restaurant was quite loud, I could hear several conversations around me. Also the staff was not very personable and didn’t tell us the contents of the sashimi that we ordered. This could be due to a language barrier. With the sashimi moriasawe, I didn’t realize it only came with four types of fish. The fish itself was okay, but had a very mild flavor. Overall, I probably would not recommend this restaurant based on the service and the food that I ordered. Perhaps if I made different choices, I would feel differently.

Been here two times. Food is good but doesn’t quite match the price in my opinion. Server was too fast in trying to take food and drinks. They forgot my wife’s main course and we canceled it.

Luxurious experience. Stylish interior design. Fresh ingredients and creative presentations. We love the dish “tiradito Mai Mai”. Enjoyed the food and the vibe so much.