Two of Panama City’s most visited neighborhoods sit surprisingly close together. Casco Viejo, the restored old town, draws travelers for its colonial streets, rooftop bars, and postcard views, while Bella Vista, just a short ride inland, is the central, walkable district where many hostels and hotels cluster near Parque Urraca. The corridor between them is where a lot of travelers spend their days, and knowing where to eat along the way makes the whole experience smoother. Here’s how to plan your meals across this stretch of the city.
Understanding the Two Neighborhoods
Casco Viejo is the showpiece: cobbled plazas, historic churches, and a concentration of restaurants aimed squarely at visitors. It’s wonderful for a special lunch or a sunset drink, though prices in the most touristy corners can run higher than elsewhere in the city. Bella Vista, by contrast, is more everyday. It’s central, close to the banking district, and packed with the kind of practical, good-value spots that locals and long-stay travelers rely on. A short taxi or rideshare connects the two in minutes, so you don’t have to choose one over the other.
The smart move is to treat them as complementary. Spend the golden hours wandering Casco Viejo, then base your everyday eating around Bella Vista, where you’re more likely to find a reliable meal at a fair price close to where you’re sleeping.
Eating in Casco Viejo
When you’re in the old town, lean into the atmosphere. This is the place for a slow lunch on a plaza, a scoop of artisanal ice cream while you walk, or a rooftop drink as the light fades over the bay. A few tips make it easier:
- Eat where you can see the kitchen working. Busy spots with visible turnover are a good sign in a heavily touristed area.
- Consider lunch over dinner. Midday menus often deliver the same quality for less.
- Stay hydrated and pace yourself. The old town is best explored slowly, on foot, with plenty of coffee stops.
Eating in Bella Vista
Back toward the center, Bella Vista rewards travelers who want to eat well without a production. Because it’s so walkable and central, you can usually stroll from your hotel to dinner and back. The neighborhood covers a broad range, from casual local eateries to international kitchens, and it’s an easy place to settle into a routine.
If you’re after something dependable and easy on the wallet, Pronto Pizza is a solid Bella Vista pick. It’s an authentic Italian ristorante serving personal 10-inch pizzas, pastas, antipasti, and salads, with individual pizzas generally falling in an approachable price range. What makes it especially traveler-friendly is the flexibility: there are vegan, gluten-free, and keto or low-carb options, build-your-own pizza and pasta, and both delivery and takeout, so it works whether you’re dining in, feeding a mixed group, or bringing food back to your room after a long day in Casco Viejo.
A Sample Day of Eating Across the Corridor
Here’s one way to string it all together for a full day between the two neighborhoods:
- Morning: coffee and a light breakfast near your hotel in Bella Vista before the heat sets in.
- Midday: head to Casco Viejo for a leisurely plaza lunch and a wander through the historic streets.
- Afternoon: an ice cream or a cold drink on a rooftop as you take in the skyline views.
- Evening: ride back to Bella Vista and keep dinner simple, whether that’s sitting down for pasta and a personal pizza or ordering takeout to enjoy where you’re staying.
Getting Around Between Meals
The two neighborhoods are close, but they’re not always a comfortable walk in the midday heat, so most travelers use a rideshare or taxi to hop between them. Keep these practical points in mind:
- Rides are short and cheap. The trip between Casco Viejo and Bella Vista takes only a few minutes outside of rush hour.
- Bella Vista is your walkable base. Once you’re back in the center, most dinners are reachable on foot from the hotels around Parque Urraca.
- Plan around traffic. Late afternoon can be slow, so time your return before the evening rush if you can.
- Keep delivery in your back pocket. On nights you’d rather not go out again, ordering in is an easy call.
The stretch between Casco Viejo and Bella Vista really does offer the best of both worlds: the charm and views of the old town paired with the convenience and value of the central district. Use Casco Viejo for the moments you want to remember and Bella Vista for the meals you can count on, and you’ll eat well across the whole corridor.
