Eat at Donde Jose: A Must Do When in Panama City, Panama City, Panama

While I didn’t try many restaurants in Panama City, I’m going to go out on a limb and say Donde José is one of the best! Actually, I don’t even think I have to go out on a limb to say that, as it is one of the best restaurants anywhere where I’ve been. The eight-course tasting menu is unique and fun!

I figured out why the restaurant is called Donde José …where is José. It’s because there is NO sign! Just kidding, I don’t know from where the name originates except that the owner is José and there really isn’t a sign! Wandering around with my google maps in hand, I found a door to a non-descript entrance at this corner restaurant. A casual door man asked if I was here for Donde José as he politely opened the door for me.

A staff member quickly greeted me and asked if I had a reservation. Yes, of course. I reserved a spot for one online which requires a $20 deposit for the $85 meal assuming there is availability. They gladly accepted me for a mid-week reservation and explained via email that I must arrive no later than 6:45 for my 7pm dinner as all 16 guests are served the same menu simultaneously and there is another seating later, at 8:30.

As such, I expected we would all be seated family style at one or two large tables. Instead, the small dining room held six tables. Two two-top tables and four four-top tables though the four-tops only seated three people due to table side cooking. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).