La Tapa del Coco

La Tapa del Coco is more than a restaurant — it's a movement to rescue Afro-Panamanian gastronomy. Led by Chef Isaac Villaverde, who has spent over 12 years defining what it means to be Afro-Panamanian through cuisine, this restaurant celebrates Afro-Antillean and Afro-Colonial traditions that are fundamental to Panama's culinary identity. Signature dishes include arroz con coco (coconut rice), Caribbean rondón, seafood-stuffed patacones, and artisanal cocadas for dessert. With over 4,300 Google reviews and a 4.7-star rating, La Tapa del Coco has become a gastronomic reference point on Calle 68 Este in the vibrant San Carlos neighborhood. They also offer catering, an artisanal market, and their innovative "Afro-Pana Lab" culinary research concept.