Mai Mai — Restaurant in Juan Díaz

The minute you step off of the elevator, the steel door slides open automatically, opening an enchanting world with a beautiful view, a menu and beverage program to match. Comfortable lounge seating inside and out, pleasant booths line the walls. A beautiful, well lit open air kitchen sits tucked into the bamboo accents through out the restaurant tastfully done floor to ceiling. I'm not a drinker, but the beverage menu was an amazing read. Our party also enjoyed recommendations from one of the sommeliers for champagne and wine. We let the kitchen control the evening. What better way to experience the best a place has to offer. Being familiar with the restaurant's ownership group, we knew we were in for a special evening. No matter how much you spend on food in Panama, fresh fish will be an available option. We started with small bites of nigiri, sashimi platters from their sushi menu. Table side soyu, fresh Wasabi and ginger dressed the most delicate seafood selections from scallop to toro. Ceviches, dumplings, crudos, presentation was a 10, taste was an 11. Now, I'd been traveling 8 days in Panama, and beef wasn't a very common offering. Not only did they offer different cuts and aging, but the incorporation into their menu options were tastefully done. The wagyu, pictured with dumplings as well as plated with fries, so tender. So worth it. We also had the ribeye with blistered shishito peppers. The pork belly, chicken and beef skewers helped balance out what would typically be an all seafood meal in a traditional sushi setting. Much like other places in Panama, this was a blending of culinary cultures near and far. Panama, Peru, Japan... Now, about dessert. Strawberries and cream, so fresh and fluffy, just the right amount of sweet. The mochi. OH man, the mochi. I wish I had more documentation of the mochi. Incredible texture, a little more flexible than a hard frozen mochi, and when you bite in to it an explosion of crunch, coffee and chocolate.

I'll take a quick moment to describe the pour over style cocktail video. This is their Dos Fincas Negroni, classic cocktail combined with the aromatic flavors of Geisha coffee. Also, they hand stamp mai mai into all of their clear ice cubes. Little touches.

The view, the service, the food, the everything. Thank you Mai Mai for making the last dinner on a trip to Panama recap of what we've come to learn. This country is not only on the forefront of culinary cuisine, but we can all take a note from it. Look to your family, friends and neighbors for things you enjoy and invite them to your table. The magic that meets is what they're doing...

Let me start by saying I love fine dining experiences and this is byfar one of the best, not just in Panamá but in many places I have traveled globally. Although the evening started with a hiccup, everything was immediately addressed and remedied to end up with a beautiful dining experience at one of the best fine restaurants in Panama. The ambiance and decor set the mood for a luxury dining experience at Mai Mai. While difficult to find for newcomers, It is not hard to access. Located in the far left corner of the plaza, take the elevator in the back corner (not the main in the parking lot) to the top floor. As soon as you step off, you'll enter the vestibule where the automatic wall/ door will slide open, revealing a beautiful, modernly designed establishment. This is perfect for dates, business or a night out for a good time. The menu is extensive with unique Asian influence and Panamanian fusion. My favorite items on the menu were the Tom Yum noodles because they have the rich robust Thai flavors directly tossed into the noodles rather than drowned in broth, and the coconut octopus bun. These are two items remixed in a way that surprise the palate in ways I would have never imagined. I...

You don’t expect to find transcendent sushi in Panama. You expect heat, humidity, maybe a good rum, maybe a fish that still smells faintly of the sea. But Mai Mai flips that expectation on its head. Tucked away in the chaos and charm of Panama, this place quietly delivers what most high-end spots only promise — authenticity, precision, and heart. The sushi was clean, balanced, almost reverent in its simplicity. The ceviche? A lightning bolt of freshness — sharp, bright, unapologetically alive.

Every bite reminded me why I travel. To be surprised. To be humbled by craftsmanship in the most unexpected corners of the world. Mai Mai isn’t trying to be Tokyo or Lima. It’s Panama — confident, generous, and wildly good. The service matched the food — effortless, human, and deeply proud of what they serve. They even forgave my poor Spanish and worked hard to explain everything to me in English!

It was, without question, the capstone of my trip to see the Canal — a reminder that the world still has places where food isn’t just eaten, but...