A gastronomic experience that connects to land, produce, and people through volts of deliciousness.
Our restaurant comprises two areas, each offering a unique vibe. First, our open kitchen, where you can sit at bar level and observe the evolution of our dishes with our chef and kitchen team – a symphony of sights and sounds from the crackling fire of our open grills, to the expert preparation of each plate. This is often an interactive experience loved by our more inquisitive foodie patrons.
Next, step into our intimate patio shaded by palm trees and flowering orchids. Amids this tropical space sits our mixology bar, set within the central courtyard of this historic home. With a glass roof overhead, you can enjoy the beauty of the cascading gardens above while your taste buds are seduced. With room for 22 guests, it’s the perfect place to jam with friends or enjoy a cosy date night.
FARM TO FIRE
We invite you to join us for our playful exploration of flavour that is equal parts intuition and experience. With often primitive methods of concoction such as fermentation, smoking, raw dishes, curing, pickling and the magic and unpredictability of cooking over wood fire – all coming together with elegant execution in dishes designed for sharing and pairing. Purposefully a little disruptive, we take an approach to dining that is fun and encourages looking at traditional ideas from a new angle. This can be anything from getting stuck in with your hands, to rehashing recipes with funky local produce. We never stand still and continue to evolve – just as fire refuses to hold a single form.
The libations at Kaandela crank things up a notch with sexy and innovative cocktails. On hand to regale you with tales of Panama’s finest sips and spills are our bar team. They have the inside take on everything from the best Panamanian coffee to the most sought-after mezcals and whiskies. Raise a glass with us to life’s blessings.
What’s KAANDELA
FOR ME?
A place for creativity and exploration. We love the challenge of pairing wine and cocktails to the explosive flavours of the food from the kitchen. As well as getting out on the floor and connecting to our guests. A great deal of the cocktails are unique and have been inspired by our journey as mixologists, nothing makes us happier than to share this journey with you.
Meet Luis Afú, the man behind the exceptional experience at Kaandela. He brings a contagious passion for personalised service to the table. Whether you’re looking for a customised dining experience or a knowledgeable recommendation, Luis is on hand to take that journey with you. So sit back, relax, and let Luis work his magic.
OUR GM
Maria Antonieta brings a heart-filled approach to hospitality, driven by her passion and human approach. She believes that true personal connections are built through energy and positive intention. She understands the importance of managing experiences and emotions in the service industry and brings more than 15 years of experience to the table. As the leader of Kaandela, she prides herself in offering personalised, detail-oriented experiences to each and every guest.
OpenTable Diner
2024-07-13
This was by far the best meal we had on our two week trip traveling Panama and eating at some of the best restaurants. Food was excellent. This place meets my high NYC standards.
OpenTable Diner
2024-06-16
uis coordinated our reservation directly with me and was fantastic. He arranged the chef table, which I strongly encourage you to try. You get to see the chef working, and a great state of the art kitchen. The dishes are fantastic, but you definitely need to try the chuleton cerdo and the pork shank, which is crackling crunch and juicy all at once! The crème brûlée is great too! You just try the house cocktail made from mescal.
OpenTable Diner
2024-06-11
Amazing food, great taste, try the clams !!!! Sea bass was a highlight
foodNdrinkQUEEN
2024-05-28
Best meal in Panama City. So good we went twice! Highly recommend the seafood casserole and the lamb kaftas.
MayC
2024-05-15
We loved our evening there. The food was outstanding and it was a Fiesta in our mouths! Service was friendly and the ambiance was great. A perfect night to celebrate a birthday. highly recommend sitting at the chef's counter to watch all the magic happening in front of you.
TomR
2024-04-30
By far and away our best dining experience in Panama! Edy's precision and dedication to his craft is evident by the outstanding food and thoughtfulness that goes in to the preparation and presentation of each dish. My wife and I were fortunate enough to sit at the 'chef's table' for two meals and witnessed a calm, focused, and extremely well run kitchen in which each member of the team was contributing in a detailed and focused manner. Luis provided outstanding service along with recommendations that customized our experienced each visit.
OpenTable Diner
2024-04-27
Merci pour ce bon moment lors duquel nous nous sommes régalé.
merci tout particulièrement à Yenny