Spanish Restaurant in Costa del Este: The Arrival of Santa Rita

Costa del Este has grown into one of Panama City's most dynamic hubs: residential towers, offices, family life, and a community that had long been asking for more fine-dining options close to home. The answer arrives with a familiar name: Santa Rita, already established in Casco Viejo, is opening a second location and becoming the Spanish restaurant in Costa del Este that many were waiting for. If you are wondering where to eat in Costa del Este with an Iberian and Argentine accent, read on.

Why Costa del Este Needed Santa Rita

For years, enjoying the offering of Restaurante Santa Rita meant crossing over to Casco Antiguo. With the new location in Costa del Este, Panama City, that experience comes closer to a district that blends corporate and residential life, and that appreciates having a place nearby to celebrate, close a deal, or simply eat well midweek.

The area offers the perfect setting: wide avenues, a modern atmosphere, and a public that values both quality and convenience. Santa Rita arrives to fill that space with a kitchen of European roots that already has a proven reputation, backed by its 4.7 on Google at the original house.

The Same Spanish and Argentine Kitchen

The great promise of the new location is continuity: none of Santa Rita's DNA is left behind. The menu unfolds the same journey between two traditions that share the table with ease.

On the Spanish side, the tapas to share shine, along with the jamón ibérico, the croquettes, the tomato carpaccio, and, as the great protagonist, the arroz negro with langoustines. There are also characteristic touches like the tortilla gratinada with cheese grated tableside, and desserts that close on a sweet note, such as crema catalana.

On the Argentine side, the grill takes charge with char-grilled beef cuts, in the style of the great River Plate parrillas. And to accompany it all, a cellar of Spanish and Argentine wines and a signature cocktail list that round out any occasion.

Dishes You Cannot Miss

• Arroz negro with langoustines: the house's seafood jewel, intense and flavorful.
• Tortilla gratinada with cheese: a Spanish classic with a twist, served tableside.
• Croquettes and tomato carpaccio: ideal starters to open the appetite.
• Grilled Argentine cuts: for lovers of well-prepared beef.
• Crema catalana: the perfect dessert to close the evening.

You can review the full offering on our digital menu and learn more about the house on the Santa Rita page.

Terrace, Live Music, and Atmosphere

The Costa del Este location does not just replicate the menu: it also carries over the atmosphere that made the Casco Santa Rita famous. It has a terrace and live music, two ingredients that turn dinner into a complete experience. It is the kind of place where a business lunch can stretch into a long conversation, or where a family celebration finds just the right tone between elegant and welcoming.

For those who live or work in the east of the city, the convenience is clear: the same quality as always, now closer and in a contemporary setting designed for unhurried enjoyment. A weeknight dinner no longer requires a trip across town, and a weekend celebration finds a setting that feels both special and effortless.

Ideal for Business, Family, and Visitors

Costa del Este is an office district, so the new location fits perfectly with business dinners and corporate lunches. But the offering goes further: it works just as well for a family celebration, a special date, or for welcoming visitors who arrive in Panama looking for a good meal without heading to the historic center.

Santa Rita is also part of the Copa Stopover program, which makes it an attractive option for those with a layover in Panama. And if your plan is a group celebration, the house hosts events and groups with tailored menus at both locations.

And for a Change: Panamanian Flavor in Casco

If one day you feel like switching things up, Casco Viejo remains a culinary magnet. Very close to Santa Rita's original location, Aya la Vida celebrates Panamanian cuisine with national produce, live music, folklore nights with polleras, and a pet-friendly terrace with valet parking. Between the two houses you get a perfect escape: one night of Spanish-Argentine flavor and another of Panamanian identity.

Book at Santa Rita's New Location

The Spanish restaurant in Costa del Este is now a reality. Whether at the new location or the historic one in Casco Viejo, 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 note that you want a table in Costa del Este. Prefer 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.