Tucked away amid lush greenery in the residential neighborhood of Coco del Mar, Maito is chef Mario Castrellon’s landmark restaurant and one of the most decorated tables in Latin America, consistently ranked among Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants. The kitchen tells the story of Panama itself, a crossroads of Afro-Antillean, Indigenous, Chinese, and Spanish influences, through ingredients sourced from local farmers, fishermen, and producers.
Signature plates weave those cultures together, from guacho de mariscos, a soupy Panamanian seafood rice, to whole fish prepared in Afro-Caribbean style and playful nods to the country’s Chinese heritage. The tasting and a la carte menus change with the seasons, always anchored by an obsessive respect for Panamanian produce and the sea. Rather than importing a foreign fine-dining template, Maito builds its identity around what the country’s land and coastline actually offer at any given moment.
The atmosphere is warm, polished, and unpretentious, a deliberate contrast to the formality often associated with restaurants of its caliber. Attentive service and a relaxed dining room make the experience feel welcoming rather than intimidating, even as the cooking operates at a world-class level.
Maito suits serious food lovers, celebratory dinners, and travelers who want to understand Panama on a plate in a single, memorable meal. It works well for both special occasions and curious diners exploring the country’s cuisine at its most refined. Given its acclaim and steady demand, reservations are strongly recommended, especially on weekends.
At a glance:
Contemporary Panamanian cuisine by chef Mario Castrellon, celebrating the country’s Afro-Antillean, Indigenous, Chinese and Spanish influences with locally sourced ingredients.
In the residential neighborhood of Coco del Mar, off Calle 50 in Panama City, a short drive from Punta Pacifica and San Francisco.
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September, 2026
Friday
12:15 am - 12:30 am
12:30 am - 12:45 am
12:45 am - 1:00 am
1:00 am - 1:15 am
1:15 am - 1:30 am
1:30 am - 1:45 am
1:45 am - 2:00 am
2:00 am - 2:15 am
2:15 am - 2:30 am
2:30 am - 2:45 am
2:45 am - 3:00 am
3:00 am - 3:15 am
3:15 am - 3:30 am
August 26,2019
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Maito is a restaurants in Panama City, Panama. On this page you’ll find its location on the map, contact details, phone number and reviews. You can call +507 391-4657 or use the contact button to get in touch.
Serving: Panama City and the nearby Pacific beach towns of Coronado, Nueva Gorgona, San Carlos, El Palmar, Santa Clara, Punta Chame and Playa Blanca.
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