The 8 Best Restaurants in Boquete, Panama

Located in Panama’s western most province of Chiriqui, Boquete is a small mountain town surrounded by the Baru Volcano National Park. Despite its small stature, Boquete is awash with Panamanian culture and has a great range of restaurants to sample and a variety of local foods to taste. The town itself was extremely pretty and easily walkable, even if it was extremely hot. In this guide, we will outline the best restaurants in Boquete, Panama, so you know where is best to go before you visit.

If you are planning a trip to Panama, check out our full packing guide for Panama and our other Central America posts!

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1. Big Daddy’s Grill

_{QHG8+6VW, Vía Boquete, Bajo Boquete, Panama}

Whilst the seating out front or in the initial restaurant area doesn’t look like anything special, Big Daddy’s Grill has a huge seating area out the back that is very pretty and well worth checking out. Admittedly, we did plan on eating here before we eventually went as we were put off by the entrance; what a poor decision that was. We absolutely loved the food there and ended up wishing we stayed in Boquete longer just so we could eat here again.

As you can determine from the name and aesthetics, this is quite an American and westernised establishment. Therefore, if you’re missing some home comforts, Daddy’s Grill is an absolute must. The portion sizes were really good and if you like seafood, you must try the Shrimp Po’Boy. Tossed in creamy, spicy sauce, these prawns are absolutely to die for!

2. Sugar and Spice Boquete

_{Calle Principal y, C. 7 Sur, Bajo Boquete, Panama}

Sugar and Spice ended up being our go-to restaurants in Boquete and it never disappointed! This was mainly because it had such a range of food, we both could easily find something we fancied. The restaurant is extremely popular with locals and expats alike; many of the former visit for the fresh bakery section where food is cooked and served daily. Here you can find anything from Chocolate Red Velvet Oreo Cake to Artisan bread.

Having conducted our research prior to visiting, we found they served Mexican food and it didn’t disappoint; it was incredible. We could’ve eaten here every day and still not have tried everything. It’s also worth noting that the staff were super friendly and provided great service, even when the restaurant got busy.

3. RetroGusto

_{Av. Central, Bajo Boquete, Panama}

If you’re looking for a more upmarket restaurant, RetroGusto is the place to go. The food quality is amazing and it’s well worth the trek up the hill to visit. Just remember that they don’t serve pizza at lunch; we fell foul of this and it was slightly disappointing. Nonetheless, the food that is served is extremely yummy; we had the pork with mash and the spicy sausage tagliatelle. We’d highly recommend sitting in the cute outside seating in the front where you can watch the people and cars pass by.

4. The Perfect Pair – Coffee & Chocolate

If you’re looking for a place to refuel with a coffee or simply fancy satisfying your sweet tooth, there is no better place to visit. This establishment is essentially split into two parts; a cafe and a chocolate-making factory. The cafe’s seating area is located on the second floor and is a great place to retreat from the baking hot sun. There is also a great selection of artisan chocolates for you to indulge in. The choices range from coconut to matcha with deals available depending on how peckish you are.

The lower part of the venue has been made into a bespoke chocolate factory where you’re able to visit for a tour or partake in your own class. With the latter, you’ll be able to create, taste, customise and eat your very own chocolate. If this is something you’re interested in, book today via The Perfect Pair.

6. Bambuda Castle

_{El Castillo, Calle Principal El Santuario, Los Naranjos, Bajo Boquete, Panama}

Whilst it doesn’t look it from the outside, Bambuda Castle is actually a hotel. We ended up staying here for a few nights but could’ve easily stayed longer. As the pictures suggest, the views are absolutely stunning and the perfect way to spend any vacation. However, what made the stay more enjoyable was the food. As it was located off the beaten track, we initially didn’t have high hopes for the food but it far exceeded expectations and we loved it every time we ate here; we’d highly recommend the steak with the cheese sauce as it never disappointed. The portion size was very generous and the prices were very affordable; so much so that we had to triple-check our eyes weren’t deceiving us!

Bambuda Castle is the only castle in Central America and was also where we stayed while we were in Boquete, we definitely recommend it! Check prices and availability here!

8. Boquete Brewing Company

_{Av. Central, Bajo Boquete, Panama}

Whilst this isn’t your stereotypical “sit-down restaurant”, it’s a great place to relax in the evening with a huge range of craft beer and cider. More importantly, however, Boquete Brewing has a burger van permanently stationed in the outside seating area. Whilst we again didn’t have high expectations for the van, the food quality was really good and the perfect solution if you’re craving a juicy burger. To top things off, a band plays here five times a week so it’s constantly a great atmosphere to immerse yourself in.

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Overall, there is a range of restaurants throughout Boquete that you absolutely must visit. From Mexican dishes to scenic views from Bambuda Castle, Boquete has an abundance of cuisines so whatever you’re craving, you’ll have no problem finding it.

There you have it; our visitor guide on the Best Restaurants in Boquete, Panama, giving you all the best places to eat and drink BEFORE you visit so you can enjoy the best spots Boquete has to offer.

Feel free to add any of your own recommendations in the comments.

If you enjoyed this post, check out our other Central America posts!

• 10 Things to know before visiting the Hanging Bridges in Monteverde
• 16 Things to know before Backpacking Panama 
• The Ultimate Costa Rica Bucket List
• What to Pack for Panama – A Complete Guide 
• The Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Costa Rica

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Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, are the best products possible whilst travelling.