La Pulpería - Casco Antiguo — Restaurant in San Felipe

Visited in July 2024. Panama. Panama-city.

We were drawn in by the glowing Google reviews and the mouthwatering photos on their Instagram feed. The restaurant is fairly small, more of a bar, and located in the historic centre.

The Food:

We came for their burger, as it looked amazing in their Instagram pictures. Kudos to their photographer and marketing team! Visually, the burger looked good, except for the patty. It was very thin, barely making an impact on the flavour. We were initially put off by the colour, which was slightly pink and pale, almost like pork patty. The meat had a strange consistency - we ordered medium, but it felt rubbery, as though it wasn't cooked properly. The patty was riddled with tendons and strange chewy bits, making it very unpleasant to chew. There was no rich beef flavour – a real disappointment, and we couldn't even finish it. By the way, take a look at the width of the patty on the outside and inside, the photo clearly shows it. The patty is the foundation of the burger, and even though the brioche bun was soft and fresh, and the sauces worked well together, the low-quality beef patty ruined the whole experience. The fries that came with the burger were cooked okay, but lacked seasoning.

Service:

The service was average. The waitress spoke some English, and it was easy to order, but the service was slow and not very friendly.

Overall:

I don't know where all the rave reviews come from, but it's a complete misrepresentation. The photos and videos they post on Instagram are nothing like the actual burger you get. We were left feeling disappointed and regretting spending $35 on two burgers and a beer. I think you'd get a better burger at McDonald's, because at least you wouldn't be expecting a...

I recently had the pleasure of dining at la pulpería in the heart of Casco Antiguo, and wow, what an experience! Tucked within this vibrant UNESCO-listed neighborhood of cobblestone streets and pastel colonial buildings, the place immediately feels warm and alive—like stepping into a living postcard of Panama’s rich heritage.

The food was flat-out delicious. Each dish came with bold, balanced flavors that felt both timeless and inventive—as if tradition had been given a fresh, creative spin. I savored every bite.

The service went above and beyond. JOSUE AND NAZARETH were amazing!!! The staff made me feel truly welcomed—friendly, attentive, and effortlessly accommodating. It was the kind of service that makes you feel like an honored guest, not just a diner.

And the prices? Totally reasonable for the quality. You’re getting excellent value in a place that delivers on atmosphere, cuisine, and hospitality.

I wholeheartedly—and confidently—recommend la pulpería to anyone exploring Panama City. It’s one of those rare gems where the food, service, and setting come together so beautifully. I’ll absolutely be back next time...

An absolutely AMAZING place to be! The food was divine!!! The drinks were fun, tasted good, and did the trick! Lol. The atmosphere was lively on a Friday evening and I was lucky to get a seat at the bar.

We had the prawns, the grilled octopus, the chicken sandwich, and the mussels. Everything we ordered was full of flavor, presented well, and brought us Joy! The Octopus and the Mussels were uniquely delectable!

Linda, our bartender, was efficient, friendly, and made each drink as if it were a science! She was so very sweet to us!

It was so good, we went to their 2nd location in San Francisco, a few days later. On a Monday, that location was calmer, but the service, food, and drinks were all still magnificent! Max was our bartender and he was personable, attentive and recommended a few more things on the menu. We had the chicken salad, the flavorful croquettes, the BBQ chicken fries, etc. all were DELISH! The Octopus tacos were just ok, but it was still nice to try them. They also had Happy Hour ALL DAY, which was also kind of cool. 😁

As you can see, we thoroughly enjoyed the experience and cannot...