The Bench Panama — Restaurant in Panamá Oeste

All these 5 star reviews seen here are real. This place is THAT good. We've been coming to Panama for 15 years. In that time we have found maybe 2 pizza places we would return to. The Bench is the kind of place that we will come back to, again and again. My wife came here in November, 2024 and really enjoyed it. She knows how much I LOVE pizza and couldn't wait to bring me here. We came on "Half-Price Pizza " night and I can honestly say, the pizza here is well-worth paying FULL price. Great location, off-street parking,friendly staff, great food and a wide-ranging menu with something for everyone, with some really creative twists...avacado and feta on pizza? YES PLEASE! Expect a crowd and expect to wait. Good food is always worth waiting for! The owner has put her heart into this place and it really shows. She visited each table,ensured each guest was comfortable and made sure staff was as engaged the the operation of the business as she is. She noticed my wife was scratching her arm...she quickly arrived at our table with a solution to her malady (ice) and an explanation of what was causing it (stinging spores from a tree that get blown around in the wind...feels like fibreglass!) . Her concern for her guests comfort goes well beyond just "Did you enjoy the food?" Coronado is filled with dining options and all of us Snowbirds spend a lot of time and money exploring them. We're here for a few more months and we hope to enjoy the rest of the menu at The Bench while we are here. We enjoyed two pizzas, a couple of local beers (ice-cold) and a drink so large it comes in a fishbowl. Total bill was less than $30. Tips are never expected in Panama but the service here is so good you will happily do so. There was a bit of a wait for our food, but if you go anywhere on Half-Price anything night you should expect to wait. It takes time to prepare and cook a good pizza and ours was worth the wait. I write this as I'm munching on our leftovers and I wish I had...

This was my second time this year at this restaurant my first being in early January and it was a total fail. But as it happend I had other business I need to do in Coronado so though I would give it another try hoping the first time was just a one off but I was wrong. When I arrived there were only 2 other tables seated probably a total of 8 people. The waitress promptly took my breakfast order and asked if I wanted coffee which I did. She brought the coffee and probably 15min passed before my meal came at that point I had consumed my 1st cup of coffee. She didn't ask if I would like more but turned away so I had to get her attention that I would like another cup, you could see the look I got was like really. I ate my meal which was nothing special but a waitress came and took my plate before I was finished my last piece of toast. For at least the next half hour not one person came to see if I wanted anything else or to give me my bill and two waitress were standing where they could see me finally after I asked for my bill the waitress went yo get it. Customer service for most part in Panama doesn't exist . But sadly this restaurant is located in one of the major expat communities and the owner is not Panamanian. I guess they just take everyone for granted. I'm not trying...

Wonderful Bacon Banana Cheeseburger! I was going to have the Hawaiian burger and then I saw this one on the menu and had to try it. Very pleased. You must try it. Served with a side of fries and oh my God I was so surprised, Onion Rings. I have been looking for Onion Rings from Panama City to Portobello and did not find any. These Onion Rings are so good I ordered an extra side order. My friend who helped me get Permanente Residente had the chicken wrap the chicken wrap he was very happy with it. Nice atmosphere not too loud so we could speak with each other the servers and host made sure we were well taken care of. Everyone in the restaurant what's smiling in between bites...