Maito Restaurante
Restaurant · Panama City
C. 50, Panamá, Provincia de Panamá, Panama
"Chef Mario Castrellón is a pioneer of contemporary Panamanian cuisine. At Maito, set in an airy space inspired by the architecture of the Panama Canal in the heart of the Coco del Mar neighborhood, he celebrates the cultural and culinary diversity of Panama’s melting pot. Blending Afro Antillean, Creole, and Cantonese cuisines in a style he calls Chombasia, Castrellón serves inventive dishes such as shrimp wonton dumplings in coconut curry sauce or “Chinatown-style” langoustines wok-cooked in red curry paste with coconut oil and kombu. Both tasting and a la carte menus are available." - Jorge Chanis
"Chef Mario Castrellón describes his cuisine as 'Chombasia,' a fusion of Cantonese, African, Indian, and Creole influences; his pesca Chombasia applies Afro-Caribbean ingredients and smoky wok hei to the daily catch, exemplifying Panama City’s role as a culinary crossroads." - Eater Staff
"The Central American country racked up a second gong with Mario Castrellón of Maito capturing the hearts and minds of his colleagues to be chosen as the ‘Chefs’ Chef.’"
"Maito in Panama City won the Highest Climber Award, leaping 36 places from last year to sixth place on the list."
"Rank: #42 "You’ll need your passport for Chef Mario Castrellón’s tasting menu, as it runs a whistle-stop journey through Caribbean, Indigenous, Asian, Creole, Afro-Antillean and American cuisine that expresses Panama’s multicultural culinary identity like no other. The casual fine dining experience here is perfectly adapted to the hot weather, with light, exciting dishes."
