Daiquiri 23 & Hookah — Restaurant in San Francisco

I finally had an opportunity to visit this restaurant. I was absolutely impressed by everything.

1. Daiquiri 23 is in the heart of El Cangrejo. If you are staying at Torres de Alba, it is a short and safe walk from the hotel. Literally steps away. It is a nice, familiar spot to grab a bite to eat if you don't know where to go in the city when you first arrive.

2. The service was impeccable. The servers speak both English and Spanish. They are extremely attentive and give you better than U.S. level attention to detail. My water glass was never empty. My server was quick to collect finished plates and glasses. If you have experience in Panamá, you may know that you may not receive this level of service in all Panamanian restaurants. Daiquiri 23 is different. I felt like I was an important customer here.

3. The food is great. The first time I went I had the jerk chicken. I got a lot of food. The chicken was juicy and spicy. The rice and salad were perfect accompaniments to the chicken. The second time I visited, I had a simple lunch salad. The grilled chicken and bacon were crispy and were great additions. I sent my friend to Daiquiri 23 as his first meal in Panamá. He couldn't stop talking about the oxtails and his companion raved about the daiquiris.

4. The game is always on! Which game? You name it! If you are looking for U.S. sports - NBA, NFL, you name it...it's at Daiquiri 23. If you're looking to catch the big game while you're traveling in Panamá, you will find it here.

I'm so glad I stopped in on different occasions while I was visiting Panamá and I'm so glad my friend had a good experience during his first trip to Panamá. I have no reservations...

Our visit started off amazingly, the staff were attentive, although a little aloof. The drinks were great, we really enjoyed them. The problem happened once the food arrived - the pasta dish didn't arrive with the side dishes. When we inquired about the sides, we were told that the pasta doesn't come with sides, even though it is very clear on the menu that it does. When we explained that we were confused, as the menu clearly stated it came with the sides, we were told that "no one actually expects to eat side dishes with pasta, only bread". The pasta was ordered because it came with a side of vegetables, which we didn't receive. We then dropped the topic, to enjoy our meal as we were not getting anywhere with the server. At the end of our meal, another staff member came back to start arguing with us that we were wrong about the pasta coming with sides, even though it is clear on the menu, and we had already dropped the topic. It really disappointed us, he could have just apologized and said it was a menu mistake but he kept trying to tell us we were wrong and unreasonable for wanting sides with the pasta. Then, he was asking us to round up the tip for him? Absolutely not. If we end up going back, which is a huge if, we definitely won't be ordering food. The portions were also very small...

You can’t talk about Daiquiri23 without starting with Jeffrey Carter—owner, visionary, and the driving force behind the brand. A U.S. veteran and serial entrepreneur, Jeff has done everything from civil service to supplying masks during COVID. But his true passion project is right here in Panama: creating a space where veterans, expats, and locals can connect over good food, better drinks, and real conversations.

I met Jeff two years ago, just as he was laying the foundation for D23. His vision was ambitious: a hub for community, culture, and cross-border connection. Not just a bar, not a high-end restaurant—something else entirely.

Execution hasn’t always matched aspiration, and Jeff would be the first to admit that. But what sets him apart is his willingness to grow. The menu has shifted from basic bar fare to a soulful mix of Jamaican and Black American staples. Where else in Panama can you have grits for breakfast and oxtail for dinner?

D23 isn’t for tourists chasing TikTok trends. It’s for people who live here, or want to. It’s for building friendships, not just taking selfies. Jeff’s still building, still investing. And if community is the goal—he’s already...