Aside from delicious local coffee, they have extensive beverage menus that include tea, infusions, and natural juices, as well as artisanal pastries and breakfast and lunch items. They are places where you can comfortably work or spend quality time with friends.
If you live in Panama City or are thinking of spending time here, take note.
Annie & Motts Eating House
Annie & Motts is not just a coffee shop, it’s a restaurant that offers cozy brunches, Panamanian cuisine with a twist, and other flavors from around the world.
Panamanian Chef Ana Melissa Motta, who graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in New York, turned her former childhood home into what is now a staple in El Cangrejo Neighborhood.
Her coffee, food, and pastries are all created to offer an experience that reminds you of homemade food.
Annie & Motts also caters events, and you can rent the whole place to celebrate birthdays, baby showers, and other special occasions.
Enjoy visiting Annie & Motts on the Erick del Valle Street in El Cangrejo, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
My Food Pick: Annie’s AM croissant (croissant sandwich with egg omelet, four cheese mix, and bacon).
Café Unido
Unido opened its doors in 2014 with the goal of offering a space for locals to get to know the different varieties of one of the best coffees in the world… Panamanian coffee, of course.
The owners of Unido brought the local coffee scene different preparation methods that were not popular in the country, like v60, pour over, cold brew, and single origin espressos, and also share insights into the local coffee industry.
Currently, El Cangrejo’s Unido is one of 11 branches, eight of which are in the country (including one in Boquete) and three in Washington D.C.
The Unido team takes great care in choosing the farms where their coffee comes from, as well as the lots and micro lots from each of them, the roast of their coffee, and the baristas that prepare it.
In partnership with Chef Mario Castrellón, they created a food menu that would complement their various drinks, many becoming favorite among the regulars.
They recently created an art gallery space to promote local artists, and paintings by local artists have always adorned their walls, giving it a cool and modern atmosphere.
Visit the Via Argentina Unido Monday through Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
My Food Pick: Unido Burger (bacon cheeseburger with coffee alioli) with a side of fries.
Mentiritas Blancas
This artisanal bakery and specialty coffee micro roastery started in 2010 as a takeout bakery. Maureen Pinel, husband Giancarlo Effio, and Melissa Pinel are the current owners.
The original Mentiritas started with Maureen baking the goods out of her place, just for her friends. As it became popular, Maureen left her banking career to become a full-time baker with her cousin Melissa.
Then, Giancarlo started helping with the deliveries. Eventually, they got a small space, and he also left his career to manage the coffee shop.
In 2016, they moved to their current spot in El Cangrejo. Today, it is a highly regarded spot for locals, expats, and tourists. Customers rave about their coffee and food, and it is always included in the lists for best coffee spots in the city.
Visit Mentiritas at the Gaspar O. Hernández Street in PH Demar, Tuesday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
My Food Pick: Mentiritas’ cobb salad and pancakes with syrup.
Máncora
This is one of the latest and trendiest coffee shops around the neighborhood. Located on a recognizable pink building in El Cangrejo, Máncora’s drinks and food menu came to rival those of the other longtime beloved spots in the area.
Máncora’s house coffee comes from Bajo Mono, Boquete, from the Café Gran Del Val specialty coffee producers.
Pet friendly, hip, and delicious, Máncora became a rapidly “can’t miss” spot on my list.
Visit Máncora in the San Juan Bautista de la Salle Street, around the corner from Einstein’s head, Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
My Food Pick: Máncora’s roasted tomato soup with grilled cheese and key lime pie.
Siete Granos
This specialty coffee shop opened its doors in 2017 with its original branch in San Francisco. Its main barista and chef, Amael Candanedo, planned to only sell the beaned goods. No food. That locale didn’t even have a stove. In the end, to make the brand profitable, food had to come into the frame. But he has never forgotten the main goal… which is to offer some of the best specialty Panamanian coffee in the country.
In 2022, Siete Granos El Cangrejo was born, and it became a staple for the neighborhood residents. It has an extensive brunch and lunch menu of delicious food and drinks that make you want to return again and again.
Visit Siete Granos in Via Argentina Monday, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
My Food Pick: Siete Granos’ breaded chicken wrap with hot honey and a side of fries.
Feel Good
This is one of the newest spots in the neighborhood, moving from its San Francisco location to El Cangrejo in 2024. The atmosphere in this place matches their name—it’s colorful, full of art, and welcomes everyone (yes, even our four-legged friends). This place is also festive, which I love. Feel Good decorates for every major holiday: Halloween, Christmas, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, you name it… they are celebrating it.
Serving breakfasts, brunch, lunch, and great beverages, Feel Good is a fantastic option to spend some hours working or enjoy a nice meal. Or just pick up a coffee and pastry and go on your merry way.
Visit Feel Good in Via Argentina Tuesdays through Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays from 9 a.m. to 3 pm.
My Food Pick: Feel Good’s salmon wrap with wedge western fries and their brownie with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Sincerely,
