Restaurante 1985 (Avenida Eusebio A. Morales near Vía Veneto, tel. 263-8571 or 263-8541, www.1985.com [1], 11:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 5–11:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun.) is one of Panama’s best restaurants, and one of its most expensive. It’s under the command of Chef Willy Diggelmann, who also oversees Rincón Suizo, Caffé Pomodoro, and a rather pedestrian wine bar called the Wine Bar.
It specializes in French cuisine and seafood but also offers German, Swiss, Spanish, and gourmet vegetarian dishes. The atmosphere is kind of floral country French, and not at all stuffy. This is a nice place for a splurge, as most dishes are in the double digits. If you’re going by taxi, tell the driver you want to go to restaurante mil noveciento ochenta y cinco, or just point to this entry.
Rincón Suizo (Avenida Eusebio A. Morales near Vía Veneto, tel. 263-8310, www.1985.com [1], 11:30 a.m.–11:30 p.m. Mon.–Fri., 5–11:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun.) is upstairs from Restaurante 1985, in the same building, and serves good Swiss and German food in a darker, cozier atmosphere. Offerings include raclette, berner rösti (fried potatoes), and cheese fondue. The food tends to be a bit cheaper here than at 1985.
Links:
[1] http://www.1985.com