Adored by locals and tourists alike, this legendary tapas joint serves a prix fixe five-course lunch and seven-course dinner that can't be beaten. The menu is always imaginative, and draws on both local and international culinary themes – but be prepared to eat whatever’s going, and not necessarily know what’s on your plate. It’s a laidback place, so be flexible.

Once known as the best restaurant in the city, Restaurante 1985 is a bit of a Panama City institution. It is run by Swiss chef Willy Diggelmann, who now owns five restaurants in Panama and is known for its exceptional cuisine, vast wine list and painfully high prices. Visit if your bank account can take a hit without flinching, otherwise you might feel a little let down.

Arguably the most atmospheric restaurant in the city, this French-Latin fusion spot is housed in the vault of a centuries-old fort. Although it used to be a prison (Las Bovedas means ‘the vaults’), guests can expect gourmet cuisine rather than gruel. Theoretically it offers seafood with a French twist, but the chefs don’t mind throwing in a steak or two. Worth a visit for its history alone, its location in the Casco Viejo is gorgeous too.

 For an introduction to Panama's culinary melting pot, Las Clementinas in the Casco Viejo is a great, relaxed option. With contemporary takes on traditional dishes using local ingredients, much of which come from the restaurant's own garden and the restaurant's menu often features lots of ambitious creations. There's an excellent ropa vieja, which means ‘old clothes’, and consists of shredded meat, black beans, rice and plantain. Expect quality comfort food with Caribbean and Latin flavours that will keep you going through a long day of exploring the city.

In the lower end of the mid-range bracket lies Rene Cafe, which serves up international cuisine. Its draw is the fixed price menus: five-courses at lunch, seven at dinner. What makes it most interesting, though, is the daily changing menu, with chefs serving whatever is available at the market that day. With such a great location, food and service, it’s best to book in advance.

 Central America may not be renowned for decent sushi but Sake breaks the mould. Located in the Torre de las Americas building, there’s sushi, sashimi and a host of rolls on offer as well as a decent wine list. It’s definitely at the higher end of the range, but worth every penny if you’re craving some good raw fish.

This place has a degree of fame in Panama City for allegedly being the first place to stock Coca Cola outside the US. It’s a very typical 'rice, beans and meat of the day' kind of a place, but the food is of a great standard and there’s plenty of it. As a typical local eatery, it's also great for people watching with women playing chess, men watching football and charmingly tough staff.

Leños & Carbon is a Latin American chain specialising in steaks – and boy, do they do it well. The Panama City branch is particularly worthy of mention due to its superb location: on the Amador causeway with a view of the marina. The meat is perfectly cooked and there’s usually a lot of it, typically served with a salad. It gets very busy here, so be prepared for a wait.

One essential stop while in Panama City is the fish market located by the coastal promenade known as Cinta Costera. There are several local restaurants here serving traditionally prepared seafood, including pescado frito (fried fish), deliciously fresh ceviche and even langoustines. For an authentic Panamanian Caribbean experience, don't miss this buzzing mercado (market), with great views of the Casco Viejo on one side and the financial district's soaring skyscrapers on the other.