El Caribe Restaurant
Experience authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine with a homely touch, known for high-quality comfort food made from the freshest ingredients.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Social
From TikTok & Reddit
Best Time
Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
El Caribe Restaurant
Highlights
Must-see attractions
Experience authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine with a homely touch, known for high-quality comfort food made from the freshest ingredients.
"This is the BEST Caribbean food I have eaten in years. The food, service, and atmosphere were top tier!"
Avoid peak hours
Service can be slow, so visit during off-peak times to relax and enjoy your meal.
Don't miss oxtail & jerk
The oxtail and BBQ Jerk chicken are highly recommended for their incredible flavor.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Afro-Caribbean
Price
Mid-range
Phone
+507 6090-1255
Address
Vía Argentina 12, Panama City, Panamá Province, Panama
Website
caribepty.com/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Authentic Oxtail
Experience the 'OUT OF THIS WORLD' oxtail dish, a must-try for its rich flavors and tender texture.
Fresh Seafood Delights
Savor succulent seafood dishes bursting with vibrant Caribbean flavors, expertly prepared.
Vibrant Atmosphere
Enjoy the lively atmosphere, perfect for people-watching and soaking in the local vibe.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Avoid peak hours
Service can be slow, so visit during off-peak times to relax and enjoy your meal.
Don't miss oxtail & jerk
The oxtail and BBQ Jerk chicken are highly recommended for their incredible flavor.
Patio dining
Opt for patio seating for a pleasant atmosphere and great people-watching opportunities.
Tips
from all over the internet
Avoid peak hours
Service can be slow, so visit during off-peak times to relax and enjoy your meal.
Don't miss oxtail & jerk
The oxtail and BBQ Jerk chicken are highly recommended for their incredible flavor.
Patio dining
Opt for patio seating for a pleasant atmosphere and great people-watching opportunities.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
El Caribe Restaurant is celebrated for its exceptionally flavorful and authentic Afro-Caribbean cuisine, with dishes like oxtail and jerk chicken receiving high praise. Diners frequently highlight the freshness of ingredients, generous portions, and the warm, welcoming atmosphere, often enhanced by friendly service and delicious cocktails. However, some patrons have noted that the service can be extremely slow, with long waits for food and drinks, which can detract from an otherwise enjoyable dining experience.
"Last night, I had the PERFECT meal and service at this place! I so ENJOYED the balanced and rich flavors of my entire meal. It felt as if we were visiting a long time friend to eat a very delicious home cooked meal made with love. This certainly has instantly become my favorite place to eat Panamanian Caribbean food in Panama. We’re so grateful to the chef and server for the hospitality and welcoming spirit in which they received us and took such excellent care of us. I enjoyed the meal, the service, the music, and the whole vibe!"
C. Underwood
"This place is EXCELLENT! The chef/owner is delightful. SUPER warm and welcoming. And the most important part..ma’am CAN COOK. From the oxtails, wings, fish, down to the salad. Everything was simply amazing. And the drinks were A+! So good we returned twice. 😋"
Terri Charleston
"This location has some of the best authentic Jamaican food you can ask for! The dishes are cooked fresh, so don’t expect fast food—take that time to relax, sip on a nice beverage, and enjoy the vibe. Every plate that came out looked amazing, with great presentation that made me want to try everything I saw. Big shoutout to the owner, the waitresses, and the cook—you made my visit to your humble establishment a truly enjoyable one. I’ll definitely be back!"
Viktor Moody
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
The oxtail, BBQ Jerk chicken, and red snapper are frequently recommended and highly praised dishes.
Service can be quite slow as dishes are cooked fresh. It's advised to visit during off-peak hours to avoid long waits.
The atmosphere is lively and pleasant, with options for indoor or patio seating, making it great for people-watching.
Yes, the cocktails are noted as being well-crafted, and they offer a variety of refreshing juices.
Absolutely! El Caribe is praised for serving some of the best authentic Jamaican food in Panama City.
Mentioned in
Featured in these publications
The 10 Best Restaurants In Panama City
For the best Afro-Caribbean cuisine with a home-cooked feel, Restaurante El Caribe is a culinary must-go. Renowned for its high quality and traditional comfort food, El Caribe uses only the freshest, seasonal ingredients and prides itself on its divine homemade coconut oil and scotch bonnet pepper-based sauces. Specialties include the oxtail in Lima beans with dumplings, jerk chicken and octopus in coconut sauce.
A Traveler's Guide to the Best Restaurants in Panama City, Panama
Experience Caribbean influence at El Caribe, where the seafood is rich and flavorful. The ron con pasas (rum and raisin) shrimp is a dish you won’t forget, combining unique flavors in a way only the Caribbean can. Another recommendation is the red snapper, fried to perfection and served with traditional sides.
PANAMA CITY, PANAMA - TRAVEL DIARY
On the first night after the rain subsided a little, we "Uber-ed" over (yes Uber is avilable in Panama) to the new city to have dinner at an Afro-caribbean restaurant called El Caribe. This was another recommendation from PassportHeavy's guide and let me tell you!. The food was D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S!.
Fun and Cheap Things to Do in Panama City, Panama
There is a lot of good food in Panama City that is not traditional Panamanian food and we were honestly more impressed with other places like Tantalo or El Caribe which serve up delicious food that isn’t necessarily Panamanian cuisine, but it definitely has a different style food.
Best Seafood in Panama City Panama: Complete Guide (2025)
El Caribe Restaurant in Panama City Panama left me craving for more seafood delights. Their fresh and succulent dishes showcased a burst of flavors that transported me straight to the Caribbean. The vibrant and playful atmosphere only added to the experience.
15 Best Restaurants in Panama for 2025 (Top Eats!)
El Cangrejo, Edificio 12, Local No. 3Panama City, PA 0807+507 214-6207. The Restaurante El Caribe, which opened in 2009, is a highly acclaimed eatery serving Caribbean-inspired cuisine.
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