Popino Restaurante — Restaurant in San Francisco

Let me start by saying that the service was nothing short of beautiful. My friends and I were on vacation in Panama, staying at Wanders and Yoo, and decided to check out Popino one evening, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of our trip. The first night was so incredible that we found ourselves coming back a second time before we left, just to relive the experience.

From the moment we stepped through the door, we were warmly greeted and instantly felt cared for. Every team member was attentive, gracious, and genuinely invested in making our evening special. But the true standout was Santiago, who went above and beyond in every possible way. Despite our limited Spanish, he anticipated our needs with ease, communicating through kindness, intuition, and professionalism that transcended language barriers. His recommendations were perfect, his timing impeccable, and his genuine warmth made the evening feel personal. You can tell he takes great pride in what he does, offering the kind of service that turns a dinner into a lasting memory.

The food was nothing short of Michelin-star quality. Each dish was beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. From the first bite to the last, you could taste the creativity and care in every detail. The ingredients were fresh, the textures perfectly balanced, and the plating was stunning. It’s rare to find a restaurant that combines innovation with such inviting familiarity, but Popino does it effortlessly.

And just when we thought the evening couldn’t get any better, the restaurant transformed into a vibrant lounge and club as the night went on. The lights softened, the music came alive, and the energy shifted into a chic, electric atmosphere. It was the perfect continuation of an already unforgettable dinner.

We left completely impressed, full, and happy, already planning to return on our next trip to Panama. Whether you’re a traveler looking for a culinary gem or a local searching for a refined yet lively experience, Popino is an absolute must. And if you’re lucky enough to have Santiago as your server, you’ll understand why this place leaves such a lasting impression.

Popino isn’t just a restaurant. It’s...

This is a very welcome addition to the fine-dining scene in Panama City. The cocktail list is outstanding. I ordered a Paco, which features mezcal and tequila, along with cocoa butter and truffle oil. It sounds strange, but it's served with two small pieces of chocolate and was absolutely delicious, conjuring up flavors of orange where none existed in the drink. For appetizers, we ordered the White Tuna Crudo, the Brisket Sliders, and the Roast Octopus. All were outstanding. I never thought I'd see sliders elevated to such a sophisticated level, but these ones hit the mark. For main dishes, we had the Pork Belly and the Fettucini with Mushrooms. The Pork Belly was a huge hit. The fettucini was OK. There was a very nice variety of mushrooms, which had been roasted beautifully, but the sauce was too thick and had a bit of a pasty consistency. A little bit of the pasta cooking water would have thinned it out perfectly. The desserts were beautifully plated and skillfully executed. The banana cake with a bruléed sugar topping was unexpected and tasty. The star was the Pistachio and White Chocolate Coulant, a nice take on a lava cake that oozed flavor. Maybe a touch on the sweet side but delicious. The service was outstanding, especially the bar crew who expertly described the confection of each drink and clearly...

I'll probably start with the pros: I really liked the design, the very casual style and everything is ergonomic, but then there will be cons. The two of us came to the opening of the restaurant at 6 pm. We like to sit at a large table so that we can sit comfortably, and we told the hostess that this was important for us, but she sat us at a table for two, although during the hour we were eating, only 3 tables were occupied along with ours. This is very sad. When I sat down at the table, I saw a dirty fork in the table setting, I told the waiter, he quickly replaced the fork but did not even apologize for the inconvenience caused to us, my partner also had a dirty menu with stains. This also upset us. we ordered 3 different dishes and you will see them in the video, but they all tasted the same! this is very strange for a restaurant of this level. I couldn’t distinguish Himachi, Fish and Shrimp by taste - it all tasted like one dish, because the sauces in all dishes were the same! It is very strange. I only liked the presentation, it is really beautiful, but the taste is very strange. If the chef and menu ever change, we will definitely return to this restaurant, but not now. Very upset with both the service...