Fonda Lo Que Hay — Restaurant in San Felipe

I recently had the pleasure of dining at Lo Que Hay, a charming restaurant located in the heart of Panama City. From the moment I stepped through the doors, I was greeted with warm hospitality by the waiter, Roberto. His friendly demeanor and welcoming attitude set the tone for a delightful dining experience.

One aspect that truly stood out during my visit was Roberto's extensive knowledge of the menu. He eagerly shared his expertise and made fantastic suggestions for both food and drinks. His recommendations were spot-on and greatly enhanced my overall dining experience.

Speaking of the menu, Lo Que Hay boasts an impressive array of food selections that showcase the best of authentic Panamanian cuisine with a gourmet twist. From traditional favorites to innovative creations, there was something to please every palate. The attention to detail in the presentation of each dish was evident, and it was clear that the chefs at Lo Que Hay take great pride in their craft.

Now, let's talk about the taste. The food at Lo Que Hay was simply outstanding. Every bite was bursting with flavor, and the combination of fresh ingredients and skillful preparation made each dish a culinary delight. Whether I was savoring the amazing tuna carpaccio, fried chicken or the tasty shaved ice dessert, the quality and taste were consistently exceptional.

What truly sets Lo Que Hay apart is its ability to blend traditional Panamanian flavors with a gourmet touch. The chefs have managed to strike the perfect balance, creating dishes that pay homage to the country's culinary heritage while infusing them with innovative elements that elevate the dining experience to new heights.

The ambiance of the restaurant was also worth mentioning. The decor was tastefully done, striking a harmonious balance between modern elegance and a cozy atmosphere. The attentive and friendly staff, led by Roberto, ensured that every guest felt comfortable and well taken care of throughout their visit.

In conclusion, I highly recommend Lo Que Hay to anyone seeking an unforgettable dining experience in Panama City. The combination of Roberto's warm hospitality, the excellent food and drink suggestions, and the outstanding flavors of the dishes make this restaurant a true gem. Whether you're a local looking for a taste of authentic Panamanian cuisine or a traveler eager to explore the country's culinary delights, Lo Que Hay is the perfect destination. Prepare to be captivated by the amazing food selections and the delightful gourmet twist on traditional...

My Friends have urged me to experience Fonda Lo Que Hay in Casco. I was looking forward to this.

I reserved an Uber for a 12:00 noon pick up.

In preparation for my experience I saved my appetite. I was famished when I arrived. As I proceeded to turn the door knob of my Dream meal, the door did not open!!!

What? I looked at the glass door a bite closer. There is a paper listing the hours of operation.

Nowhere in any review do they mention that this place Opens at 5 p.m. on weekdays.

I was so hungry!

I Walked around the old town and snacked on coffee and sweet bun. Not happy but Undefeated.

I went home and reserved a second Uber for 4:45.

My Uber took me back to this highly reveared eatery. The neón OPEN sign felt good on my again-hungry belly.

I entered and opted to sit at the bar. The bar is in front of the kitchen. Quite entertaining since I dined alone.

I ordered the fried chicken. The waiter explained that one of the three tiny cups around the chicken was a sauce for the chicken. The other was a very watery mashed potato. The third tiny cup had 5 tiny cubes of undercooked, hard to chew carrots and another 3 Cubes of something else.

Lets discuss the chicken. The chicken was delicious. On its own, it reigned. It was perfectly fried; crispy on the outside and moist, juicy and flavorful inside. True perfection.

The sauce took away from the chicken.

The mashed potatos were a miss. They were soupy. I could have used a straw to sip these potatos. -- another miss.

The undercooked carrots did not have favor, they were hard to chew and were cold too. --- another miss

The presentation was nice, but the service was not what I anticipated. The waiter needed to be asked 3 times for a glass of water.

The bar stools were super uncomfortable. After my meal I could not feel my legs! They were numb. I had to simply stand the rest of the time. Still, I ordered desert (Flan) and coffee. Oh wait!!! What???

This place does not serve coffee!! No coffee??? Flan is married to coffee!!!

Holy cow! So I had a few spoonfuls of phenomenal Flan with WATER. Sinful!!!

So I paid my check and left. Will...

I don't know how this restaurant is in the top 50 Best restaurants in Latinamerica. I was excited to go try it. My experience was disappointing.

I looked up the menu ahead of time because I can't eat dairy or gluten. Found a dish which, based on the description, fulfilled my dietary needs. A Beef Guacho: Beans, rice, criollo stew, poached egg and cassava. Perfect, right? No... Luckily, I asked the waiter if the dish had gluten or dairy, and he said it has tons of butter and cheese. I asked if it could be made without cheese and he said no because it's pre-prepared with the cheese. I told him, please have management include those ingredients in the menu... Stuff like this is important. He said "well, we always ask if anyone has any allergies beforehand" but he hadn't asked me. It was such a turn off. I had been craving to try this dish all afternoon only to be told on site because I asked, that the dish is smothered in cheese, when there is no mention of it on the menu. Also, guacho typically DOES NOT include cheese in Panama, so there was no reason for me to have that expectation. I do appreciate that he knew his way around the menu and was able to recommend options for my dietary needs. I ordered the ceviche poke which was good though small. The ceviche had more onion than fish, I wish it had just a little more fish. The patacones were beautiful and amazing. The music could have been 15% lower... I couldn't hear the waiter and had to stand up and walk around the table to talk to him.

My friend was sitting under the A/C and water was drippig on her and her menu. My menu had dried water droplets from a previous time it had been wet, smudging the ink.

We had dishes on the table that were never removed, so we had to push the around to accommodate our dishes when they came in. Our food came in at different times, so we either had to wait or apologize to our friends for starting earlier so our dishes didn't get cold. The bussers didn't know who's dishes belonged to who and had to ask us. This is not what I expected from a restaurant of...