The Rock — Restaurant in Los Naranjos

Terrible service! I came from Texas to Boquete to visit the "famous" The Rock Restaurant. We were very excited to try the food but we didn't even get to the drinks before we left.

I made a reservation online and was trying to find outdoor seating (the website DID NOT have outdoor seating options). So we went to the restaurant with the hopes that they could sit us outside since the outdoor seating has the best view. We were greeted by the hostess and we asked to be seated outside. (Mind you, we are just a party of 2).

The hostess said to us that they did not have any available seats outside (even though there were people seating outside ordering food and there were a couple of empty tables too). They sat us right by the door which had horrible lighting, you could hear the people coming in and out of the place, and waiter after waiter would ignore us.

We finally got someone to come visit our table. The waitress couldn't give us suggestions, didn't know the menu, and told us we were the first table she ever helped. (THE WAITRESS WAS THE TABLE CLEANING GIRL). Apparently non of the other waiters wanted to serve us so they told the cleaning girl to take our order.

A few minutes later, an older couple walks by and they get seated outside. I was infuriated, I couldn't believe how horrible they were treating us since we got to the restaurant. We decided to call the manager and ask us to please seat us outside, he said no.

I asked why and he says, "Because you need to make a reservation WEEKS IN ADVANCE" and the manager blamed me for not choosing the option to sit outside when I made the reservation. I told him that there was no option like that on their website. He challenged me and said to open the app so he could show me. I asked, "Is that gonna change anything? Are you gonna let us sit outside if I prove you wrong?". His response was simply NO.

We walked out immediately and asked for his name. He argued with us saying that he wouldn't give us his name because he didn't give us "bad service". The level of entitlement from this staff is so astonishing.

I'm deeply disappointed I wasted my time going to this restaurant. I don't care how "great" the food is, your staff is a representation of your establishment and the face of your restaurant. I WILL NOT recommend this restaurant to anyone and I hope this review will help others to look for BETTER...

A Culinary and Aesthetic Triumph in Boquete

Nestled in the verdant embrace of Boquete’s mist-laden highlands, The Rock is not merely a restaurant—it is an exquisite symphony of flavors, ambiance, and hospitality. My recent visit to this gastronomic haven was nothing short of revelatory, an experience that seamlessly wove together the art of fine dining with the natural grandeur of Panama’s Chiriquí province.

From the moment one crosses the threshold, The Rock exudes an understated elegance. The rustic yet refined interior, punctuated by warm wood tones and an inviting fireplace, cultivates an atmosphere of both sophistication and comfort. The restaurant’s positioning alongside the Palo Alto River further enhances its charm, as the gentle murmur of flowing water provides a soothing counterpoint to the culinary brilliance unfolding within.

The menu, a thoughtfully curated testament to both local and international influences, demonstrates an acute understanding of balance and innovation. The braised short ribs—tender to the point of transcendence—were a masterclass in slow-cooked perfection, their deep umami richness complemented by a velvety red wine reduction. Equally remarkable was the Pacific sea bass, its delicate flakiness heightened by the judicious application of citrus-infused beurre blanc. Even the accompaniments—locally sourced vegetables and impeccably prepared sides—spoke to the kitchen’s meticulous attention to detail.

Service at The Rock is exemplary. The staff, with their poised professionalism and genuine warmth, navigate the delicate balance between attentiveness and unobtrusiveness with remarkable finesse. Each recommendation was both informed and enthusiastic, reflecting a profound knowledge of the menu and an evident pride in the culinary craft.

To dine at The Rock is to partake in an experience that transcends mere sustenance; it is to be enveloped in an ambiance of tranquility, to savor dishes that are both comforting and elevated, and to encounter hospitality at its most refined. This establishment is a paragon of fine dining in Boquete, deserving of nothing less than the highest...

I made a reservation for the famous The Rock and I could not be more disappointed. The Food was great but the service was terrible. I’m sorry that such good cooks and chefs are working with such staff.

First, they gave us the table next to the kitchen door and bathrooms, claiming that the restaurant was at its full capacity although there were only 8-10 tables with customers and at least 10 other empty tables both inside and outside (and most of them remained empty until we left 3 hours later). We refused to sit there and after some negotiating they gave us another table.

We ordered drinks, and after a while we ordered the food. The appetizers arrived and we had to ask for the drinks twice again until they finally came. The waiter brought the main course when we were still halfway through the appetizers, and they were almost taking the plates out of our hands.

We went for a smoke outside and when we came back they took everything from our table, drinks, water, etc; even though our things were still on the table and we told the hostess we were not leaving.

We ordered dessert, they arrived and I was not done with my dessert when the waiter came to the table and took it without even asking. She then apologized and put it back.

The person on the entrance was on their phone texting and when I approach them, without looking, they answer “thanks for coming bye”, they wouldnt even care to see who was the person.

In summary, many weird and rude behaviours from the staff, although food was great I wouldnt go back neither I would recommend this place. I felt like they wanted us out of the restaurant as fast as possible.

The manager contacted me to apologize and to give them another chance but we came from Czech Republic to Panama to experience The Rock therefore a second chance wont be happening anytime soon. Hope...