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How do you take your coffee? I’m partial to a silky flat white or a frothy latte, thanks to my time in Australia. Preferably paired with something fresh from the oven. Luckily, cafes in Panama City prove themselves a worthy rival.
In Panama, the best coffee is often taken black, and for good reason. Not only is it a coffee-growing country, it is also home to the world’s most expensive coffee bean: Geisha.
I’m living and working remotely in Panama, visiting all the cafes and sharing my favorite finds so you don’t have to start from scratch.
I’ve rounded up the best coffee shops in Panama City, spotlighting local chains and independent cafes that tick three boxes:
☕ They serve an excellent brew,
🥐 They bake/serve something worth the calories
✨ And have a thoughtful design and atmosphere.
Whether you are after breakfast cafes in Panama City or an afternoon pick-me-up, you’ll find your next favorite spot here.
Why Panama’s Coffee Culture Deserves Attention
Panamanian coffee didn’t start to gain international recognition until only two decades ago, when the Geisha varietal of Hacienda La Esmeralda shocked the industry with its flavor profile and record-breaking auction price, placing Panama on the map as a coffee destination.
As Geisha continues to break records (currently worth $13,705.70 per pound), producers experiment with new production methods, prioritizing quality over quantity. But Panama’s unique terroir grows other notable varietals (Typica, Catuai, Caturra, and more), so there’s plenty on offer for a coffee connoisseur.
Trying Geisha is one of the must-do activities in Panama City. Start with this guided tasting of 6 to 7 premium varieties, including the world-famous Geisha, to see which one suits your palate before venturing to the city’s best cafés. It’s an introduction to Panama’s coffee culture, complete with a photo to mark the moment you taste the world’s most expensive brew.
It wasn’t until a movement pioneered by Panamanian coffee brands like Café Unido that cafés in Panama City shifted to serving Panamanian coffee, replacing imported beans and proving that homegrown varietals are anything but inferior. And to appreciate the flavor of Panamanian coffee, encouraging lighter roasts and brewing methods like pour-over and cold brew.
Here are the cafes serving the best coffee in Panama City, including places to buy Geisha coffee. I keep this guide updated, so check back for new spots. Download my map to have everything right in your pocket!
Best Cafés and Bakeries in Panama City
Panama City’s Cafés on the Map
Cafe Unido
Starting out with a bang: Café Unido. A local coffee chain founded with a simple mission to make Panamanian coffee more accessible. A pioneer of Panamanian coffee, an advocate of the country’s third-wave coffee movement, and a champion of expanding the public’s palate beyond its comfort zone, Café Unido is a one-stop shop for all must-try varietals like Geisha.
With eleven branches across Panama City, wherever you are, a good cup of coffee is never too far away. And a fun food menu to boot, designed in collaboration with Chef Mario Castrellón of Maito.
Leto Coffee Brew Bar
With three branches in some of Panama City’s most popular neighborhoods, Leto Coffee is a mini-empire of specialty coffee, serving up stellar classic brews and some of the most unique signature coffees in Panama City. The coffee is sourced from Panamanian estates and roasted in-house.
If you’re into cozy coffee drinks like Raf – a creamy, sweet hug in a mug, or refreshing ones like Espresso Tonic, Leto’s extensive drinks menu will surprise you and then some. There’s also a Russian-inspired tea selection, ideal if your travel companion is not hot for coffee.
Mentiritas Blancas
Next up is Mentiritas Blancas, located in the hip, partly Art Deco neighborhood of Cangrejo. It’s a cafe/cowork that seamlessly blends with the neighborhood’s vibe from the retro font in the sign to the penny tile on the floor. The main decorative feature is the wall plastered with Post-it notes bearing kind messages.
The food will meet all your expectations, whether you are craving something healthy and fresh or hearty like a breakfast burrito. The star of the show is the specialty coffee selection.
Here, you can order your coffee in a 2-way cup that underlines different flavors depending on which way you sip it. Ideal for trying Geisha coffee. Or you can go for a signature drink that looks like a dessert in a cup. And as someone who works remotely, the cushioned seating is a cozy place to cowork. Just bring a sweater!
Krume Backer
If you are a sucker for minimalistic design and sourdough, then run to Krume Backer, operated by an Austrian-Panamanian duo. What started as an ode to Austria’s flavors became Panama’s first organic certified bakery, replete with a Panamanian coffee bar that includes Geisha.
The couple recently opened a second venue in Costa del Este. It’s modern and sleek, with a high ceiling. Bright and airy as if you’ve entered one of those air pockets in your sourdough toast. The older counterpart in San Francisco is a touch warmer and more intimate in size and design. But both serve a unique menu revolving around bread and a delicious cup of coffee, any way you like it.
Oh, and did I say they have cardamom buns?
Brew Coffee Company
Located about two blocks from Panama City’s best park, Parque Omar, in the residential part of San Francisco, Brew Coffee Company is the neighborhood’s cafenating hole and a hidden gem to visitors. Guests and service staff have long formed a special bond, which becomes apparent moments after settling into your seat.
Everything about Brew Coffee Company invites you to linger around, from the cozy outdoor seating to the well-stocked mini library. The coffee served here is among the best available in Panama City. It’s sourced from Panamanian estates, including Geisha, and roasted in-house.
Sisu Coffee Studio
Panamanian coffee is synonymous with prestige, and there’s no place that embodies that better than Sisu Coffee Studio — an extension of Lamastus Family Estates, an award-winning coffee-producing family of fincas (farms).
Sisu has two branches in Panama City — in Casco Viejo and Marbella — both modern, elegant, and minimalist, using natural materials in artistic ways as an analogy to the cultivation of Panamanian coffee as art.
This was the first place I tried Geisha coffee in Panama City, and it was a full-on experience. Every step mattered, from the meticulous preparation to presentation, and the way the barista built suspense by explaining the value and significance of Geisha before the very first sip.
On top of its specialty coffee menu, Sisu also offers cupping ceremonies for those who don’t have the chance to travel to Boquete and experience it at the source.
Cooking Mamma Bakery
Cooking Mamma is a stylish café and bakery with my favorite accent color: orange. They are a triple powerhouse, serving specialty coffee, French-inspired pastries, and a brunch menu.
The main branch, housed in a remodeled villa in the heart of San Francisco — a popular weekend spot for brunch — mimics outdoor seating with a large skylight. The other branch, nestled inside Steven’s department store in Multiplaza, is just as bright and charming.
While the endless croissant options may cause decision paralysis, oat milk lovers must try Café Maria. It pairs perfectly with a sweet treat.
Kokoma Specialty Coffee
Asian flavors are ingrained in Panama’s culture, which you will discover as you eat your way through the city. Kokoma, a specialty coffee shop in trendy Coco del Mar, fuses Panamanian and Japanese flavors to create platters that will do a number on your taste buds.
Imagine churros with miso-dulce de leche and aged cheese whip, grilled cheese sourdough sando with spiced pumpkin—all a lovely play on savory and sweet. Apart from a solid coffee menu, this is also where you’ll find the best matcha in Panama City.
There is a little jungly terrace for those who love alfresco seating, which is super nice early in the day with less traffic.
Miranda Bakery & Cafe
Miranda Bakery is my favorite breakfast and brunch spot in San Francisco. It’s set in a villa tucked away in a quieter alley with a charming seating nook by the window and an alfresco section in the backyard. Eating here feels like getting an invite to a friend’s house who has good taste in design, which also extends to the menu.
Everything is baked fresh in-house – that’s Miranda’s mission from the start.
The menu is comforting but also creative. The seasonal sandwiches served at lunch are a sought-after item. Think Thanksgiving sandwich, which is a must-try if you’re visiting Panama City during the holidays. Be sure to ask for specials! Try the signature doughnuts or butterscotch mamallena (Panamanian bread pudding) for something sweet. The coffee is of Panamanian origin, and the drinks menu is espresso-centric, with all the staples plus chai and creative signature beverages.
888 Bakery & Cafe
It’s estimated that around 6% of Panama’s population is of Chinese origin, and about 35% can trace Chinese roots in their family tree, though it’s unclear exactly how many Panamanians of Asian descent live on the isthmus. This means Chinese traditions are interlaced with Panamanian culture, and Asian gastronomy is abundant. That’s why the next entry on this list of cafés in Panama City is an Asian bakery.
Having spent my formative years in Southeast Asia, I was overjoyed to stumble upon 888 Bakery, complete with trays, tongs, and parchment paper liners. 888 isn’t the only Asian bakery and café in Panama City, but in my opinion, it is the best in terms of quality, variety, and service.
So whenever I’m craving a pineapple bun, egg tarts, or Japanese cheesecake, I head to 888 Bakery & Café in El Dorado. You don’t come here for Panamanian specialty coffee; instead, you get Vietnamese coffee, bubble tea, and Thai or Hong Kong milk tea.
Et voila, hope you find your next favorite spot on my list of the best cafes in Panama City. Happy sipping!
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