Santa Rita: Two Locations in Panama, Casco Viejo and Costa del Este

When a restaurant finds its voice, the natural next step is to bring it to more people. That is what is happening with Santa Rita, the Spanish restaurant in Casco Viejo that has become one of the city's benchmarks for Spanish and Argentine gastronomy, and which now adds a second home: a new location in Costa del Este. Two addresses, one kitchen rooted in Iberian and pampas traditions. This guide tells you what to expect from each.

Casco Viejo: The Original Home

The original location of Restaurante Santa Rita sits in the heart of Casco Antiguo, the World Heritage neighborhood where history breathes through every facade. Here, the concept blends the flavors of Spain and Argentina with the views and unmistakable atmosphere of Casco: a terrace, live music, and the kind of setting that turns a dinner into a long evening.

It is the ideal place to travel without leaving the city. Between tapas, jamón ibérico, and grilled Argentine cuts, the menu unfolds a journey through two traditions that share the table with ease. With a 4.7 on Google, the Casco location has earned the trust of both Panamanians and visitors seeking an experience with a European accent. You can find all the details on the Santa Rita page.

Costa del Este: The New Location

The big news is Santa Rita's arrival in Costa del Este, Panama City. This modern district — with its wide avenues, residential towers, and corporate life — gains with this opening a reference point for Spanish and Argentine cuisine that until now had its home exclusively in Casco.

The new location keeps the house DNA: the same passion for the product, the same cellar of Spanish and Argentine wines, and the same care in every dish. Like the original, the Costa del Este location has a terrace and live music, so the experience carries over intact into a different setting: more contemporary, just as flavorful.

For those who live or work in the east of the city, the advantage is clear: there is no longer any need to cross over to Casco to enjoy the arroz negro, the croquettes, or a tortilla gratinada with cheese. Santa Rita comes closer, with the same quality as always.

One Kitchen, Two Settings

What unites both locations is, above all, the table. Santa Rita's offering moves between two great traditions:

• Spain on the table: tapas to share, jamón ibérico, its famous arroz negro with langoustines, croquettes, tomato carpaccio, and desserts like crema catalana.
• Argentina on the grill: char-grilled beef cuts, in the style of the great River Plate parrillas.
• Wine cellar: Spanish and Argentine labels chosen to accompany every dish.
• Signature cocktails: drinks prepared with a view of the surroundings, ideal to open or close the night.

This repertoire stays faithful at both addresses, so the choice between one and the other depends more on where you are than on what you feel like eating.

Casco Viejo or Costa del Este?

The short answer is: whichever suits you best. If you want history, a terrace overlooking the colonial neighborhood, and that mix of tourism and bohemia, Casco is your location. If you prefer the convenience of a modern district, with easy parking and a more contemporary vibe, Costa del Este is your option. At both, the kitchen is the same promise kept.

Reservations: One Channel for Both Locations

Although there are two addresses, reservations are handled through the same channels. You can message WhatsApp at +507 6629-6315 or book directly from the Restaurante Santa Rita website, indicating which of the two locations you want your table at. That way you can be sure you are expected in the right place, whether in Casco or in Costa del Este.

Santa Rita is also part of the Copa Stopover program, great news for those with a layover in Panama who want to make the most of a few hours over a good meal. With two locations, there is now more flexibility to fit a Spanish and Argentine dinner into any itinerary. Check the full menu on our digital menu.

And in the Same Neighborhood: Panamanian Flavor

Casco Viejo is a map of flavors, and Santa Rita is not alone. Nearby, Aya la Vida celebrates Panamanian cuisine with national produce, live music from bands like Afropiano and Son Tropical, folklore nights with polleras, and a pet-friendly terrace with valet parking. Between the two houses you get a complete culinary escape: one night of Iberian-Argentine flavor and another of Panamanian identity. If you are planning a celebration, both offer events and groups with tailored menus.

Book Your Table at Santa Rita

Two locations, one kitchen of Spain and Argentina. Whether in historic Casco Viejo or modern Costa del Este, Santa Rita awaits you with tapas, grill, rice dishes, and a cellar chosen to accompany them. Book by WhatsApp at +507 6629-6315 or from its website, and indicate your preferred location. Want to alternate with a night of Panamanian folklore? Message Aya la Vida at +507 6588-4855. And for any question, contact us: we will help you plan the perfect evening.