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KAANDELA, Panamá, Provincia de Panama

KAANDELA

4.5
4.5
112 Reviews
$31 to $50
Panamanian

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 15 times today
Experiences are available.
  • Good for special occasions
  • Fancy
  • Great for creative cocktails
We invite you to join us for our playful exploration of flavour, that is equal parts: intuition and experience. With often primitive methods of concoction such as fermentation, smoking, raw dishes, curing, pickling and the magic and unpredictability of cooking over wood fire – all coming together with elegant execution in dishes designed for sharing and pairing. Purposefully a little disruptive, we take an approach to dining that is fun, and encourages looking at traditional ideas from a new angle. This can be anything from getting stuck in with your hands, to rehashing recipes with funky local produce. We never stand still and continue to evolve – just as fire refuses to hold a single form.

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Panamanian
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 7:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Phone number
    6747-0682
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Chef José Aparicio
  • Private party facilities
    At Kaandela, we offer private dinners, corporate events, intimate weddings, and family gatherings in a cozy and exclusive setting. Our space is designed to provide a unique and personalized experience, tailored to your needs, creating unforgettable memories in an intimate and elegant environment.
  • Neighborhood
    Panama City
  • Cross street
    Avenida Central entre Calles 3ra y 4ta. <br />Casco Antiguo, Ciudad de Pana
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Metro Stations:Estación 5 de Mayo: Located about a 15-minute walk from Casco Viejo. It’s one of the nearest metro stations on Line 1.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wine

Experiences

  • New Year's Eve Dinner

    $85.60 per person

    Dec 31, 2024 only
    Este 31 de diciembre, disfruta de un menú inspirado en las tradiciones panameñas, donde cada plato evoca los sabores auténticos de nuestra tierra. Fecha: 31 de diciembre Horarios: 6:30pm o 9:00pm Family Style Menu Pavo con gravy de eneldo y pimientas Jamón ahumado con glaseado de tamarindo Camote glaseado y feta Arroz de guandú, chicharrón y chorizo tableño Ensalada Waldorf Pastel de maíz nuevo Family Style Menu Turkey with Dill and Pepper Gravy Smoked Ham with Tamarind Glaze Glazed Sweet Potatoes with Feta Guandú Rice with Pork Cracklings and Tableño Sausage Waldorf Salad New Corn Cake Incluye 2 bebidas por persona. (No incluye botellas de agua). Haz de este fin de año un momento especial con nosotros en nuestra cocina de fuego.

What 112 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.5
4.5 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.1Value

NoiseModerate

Loved For

  • Panama

    Innovative

  • Panama

    Hot spot

  • Panama

    Neighborhood gem

  • Panama

    Romantic

  • Panama

    Great for scenic views

  • Panama

    Good for special occasions

  • Panama

    Lively

  • Panama

    Most Booked

  • Panama City

    Innovative

  • Panama City

    Hot spot

  • Panama City

    Neighborhood gem

  • Panama City

    Romantic

  • Panama City

    Great for scenic views

  • Panama City

    Good for special occasions

  • Panama City

    Lively

  • Panama City

    Most Booked

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
KAANDELA offers an exceptional dining experience with "amazing and inventive food" and "superb service." Known for its pork belly, seafood casserole, and unique chef's table, this restaurant blends modernity with the historic charm of Casco Viejo. While mostly praised, the occasional service hiccup suggests room for improvement.

112 Reviews
  1. Brent

    Hawaii

    1 review

    4.0

    1 review

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 3
    Service was good. Wine list was great. Starters were excellent but main course of Tamarind Pork was dry and somewhat tasteless. Side was also disappointing. Overall not good value for money. Don't think think we would return.
    KAANDELAResponded 1 day ago
    Dear Brent, we appreciate your comments and your visit. We have shared your feedback with our Chef as we are entering into a new menu era. Thanks a lot!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Joe

    New Orleans

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined 2 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Kaandela is definitely the most-go-to place for dinner in Casco Viejo, Panamá. The food is delicious, and the service is excellent. You won’t regret it.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Beth

    Denver

    5 reviews

    5.0

    5 reviews

    Dined 3 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 3
    The set menu for the holiday was very flavorful and the service was attentive

    Is this helpful?

  4. Sterling

    Washington DC

    19 reviews

    2.0

    19 reviews

    Dined on December 9, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 3
    Expected cutting edge , inventive food. Reality was far from that. Pork belly lollipops were great , but short rib just came with ice cold ordinary mashed potatoes with potato chips stuck in them. Seafood casserole had no special flavoring and was completely unremarkable.
    KAANDELAResponded on December 10, 2024
    Dear Sterling, we're really sorry to hear that your experience didn’t meet your expectations. We appreciate your feedback on the pork belly lollipops, and we're glad to hear you enjoyed them. However, we understand your disappointment with the short rib and seafood casserole. We take your comments seriously and will review the dish components and flavors to improve. We hope you'll give us another chance to provide you with a more exceptional experience next time. Thank you for sharing your thoughts!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Shelley

    VIP

    Calgary

    14 reviews

    5.0

    14 reviews

    Dined on November 30, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Fantastic food. Great cocktails and attentive service. A must go in Casco Viejo!

    Is this helpful?

  6. Graeme

    Toronto

    2 reviews

    5.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 29, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Exceptional dining. Could benefit from improved espresso quality; otherwise, first class.

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  7. Erin

    Salt Lake City

    1 review

    3.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 28, 2024

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    This was our fourth visit to Kaandela, one of our favotite restaurants for special occasions, but this was our most disappointing visit. The service was very fiendly throughout, but we went long periods of time without check-in visits, were unable to get more than one drink, and there were several problems with our meal. It was as if they forgot we were there for long periods of the evening. After waiting almost 40 minutes, all of our main plates suddenly arrived at the same time. Our appetizer was delivered after the main dishes were finished. On top of that, the food quality was not as good as the previous, exceptional, vists. The pork shank was dry and rubbery (not crispy) and the fish dish was very salty and full of bones. We live in Panama City, and will probably give Kaandela one more chance in the hope this was just an "off night," but we left feeling disappointed after this special anniversary dinner.

    Is this helpful?

  8. JUAN

    Miami

    1 review

    2.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 25, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 2
    La comida estuvo mal en general, no lo recomiendo, ni volvería

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  9. Simone

    Caribbean

    1 review

    5.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 24, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    After getting the suggestion from my sister, I booked immediately for my friends and I. I wanted somewhere nice to celebrate my birthday and Kaandela did not disappoint! All of the staff were very attentive to our table and Luis made sure our meals were to our liking. Unfortunately, I could finish my octopus and corn because I wasn't expecting such a huge portion so, to the chef, it was AMAZING and I really wanted to eat it all but I was so full already from the pork lollipops! Excellent food, excellent service, excellent staff 🖤 From my friends and I, Thank you.
    KAANDELAResponded on November 26, 2024
    Thank you very much indeed on behalf of our entire team, dear Simone!

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  10. megan

    Washington DC

    2 reviews

    2.0

    2 reviews

    Dined on November 23, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 4
    The food was outstanding but service was so poor I would never go back. I found a white hair in my food and didn’t even receive an apology. I was told no one has white hair so it was probably mine, I don’t have white hair. I wouldn’t recommend this restaurant unless they get better service.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

KAANDELA is rated 4.5 stars by 112 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 15 times today
Experiences are available.
Google Map for KAANDELA

Av. Central España, Panamá, Provincia de Panama 00000

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Cross street
    Avenida Central entre Calles 3ra y 4ta. <br />Casco Antiguo, Ciudad de Pana
  • Neighborhood
    Panama City
  • Hours of operation
    Lunch Daily 12:00 pm–3:00 pm Dinner Daily 7:00 pm–11:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Panamanian
  • Dining style
    Fine Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    Metro Stations:Estación 5 de Mayo: Located about a 15-minute walk from Casco Viejo. It’s one of the nearest metro stations on Line 1.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Chef José Aparicio
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, Chef's Table, Cocktails, Gluten-free Options, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Wine
  • Phone number
    6747-0682
  • Private party facilities
    At Kaandela, we offer private dinners, corporate events, intimate weddings, and family gatherings in a cozy and exclusive setting. Our space is designed to provide a unique and personalized experience, tailored to your needs, creating unforgettable memories in an intimate and elegant environment.
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