Cantina del Tigre
The verdict
A wall-sized tiger, clams in a brass pan and a whole sea bass. It did not put a foot wrong the first time, and we have been back since.
The room tells you what kind of night it is: an orange tiger painted the length of a black wall, spotlights on a track, bare wood tables and rattan chairs.
The first time, we ate four things in an hour: a cold pineapple and mango salad, Caribbean clams, grilled prawns and a whole sea bass. The clams are the ones to order. They come over a flame, with two grilled flatbreads for the broth.
When we went back on a Friday in September, the table included patacones, octopus off the grill and a skillet of meat in gravy.
Skip if
- You are not eating seafood. Across two visits most of our plates were shellfish, octopus or whole fish, so we have less to tell you about the rest of the menu.
- You are turning up without a table. It wants booking, and parking is valet rather than a lot.
Would we go back? Yes. We have already been back once, and we would still start with the clams.
The visit
The tiger sets the tone
Painted the length of a black wall with the name over it in red, lit by track spotlights. Bare wood tables and rattan-backed chairs in front of it, laid and waiting.
Start cold, with fruit
Shaved pineapple and mango with orange-pink curls of fruit through it, micro herbs and chilli, all sitting on a green herb sauce in a black bowl.
The clams are the order
A brass pan kept over a flame, a ramekin of chopped spring onion, an empty bowl for the shells, and two grilled flatbreads to finish the broth with.
Prawns, head on
Grilled and served whole on a blue and white plate with a half lime. Nothing else on them.
And a whole sea bass to end on
Head and charred tail hanging off both ends of an oval platter, the middle flooded with a pale creamy sauce, scattered with green and purple micro herbs and sliced red chilli. Two grilled limes on the side and a bowl of rice with it.
Back in September: patacones first
Plantain sliced wide and fried thin, stood up in a bowl, with a dish of pickled peppers and a creamy herb dip alongside.
Pulled seafood over an orange purée
Pulled into strands and piled over a smear of orange purée, finished with rounds of jalapeño, red chilli and a tangle of curled spring onion.
A cast-iron skillet of meat in gravy
Dark pieces of meat in gravy over a creamy white base, with sliced chilli, chives and a few pieces of fried plantain, brought to the table in the pan.
Pulpo a la brasa
Octopus off the grill, cut into charred pieces over a pale cream sauce with cubes of potato, thin crisps and chives.
On the table
- Pineapple mango salad
- Shaved fruit with micro herbs and chilli over a green herb sauce. The cold plate to open with.
- Caribbean Clams
- Kept over a flame, with a bowl for the shells and two flatbreads for the broth. Order these.
- Prawns
- Grilled head-on, with a half lime and nothing else.
- Catch of the day (Sea bass)
- A whole fish under a pale creamy sauce, with rice alongside.
- Sandía Spritz
- Papaya Negroni
- Patacones con salsa sexy
- Second visit. Plantain fried thin and served standing in a bowl, with pickled peppers and a creamy dip.
- Pulpo a la brasa
- Second visit. Charred octopus over a pale cream sauce, with potato and thin crisps.
Where it is
PLAZA CENTENARIO, C. 68 Este, Panamá, Provincia de Panamá, Panama
San Francisco, Panama City
Get directions →
Good to know
One of 4 Peruvian spots in San Francisco
Best time to go
Notable mentions
Recognised on Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants (ranked No. 47 in 2025 and No. 40 in 2024, after taking the Highest New Entry Award on its 2023 debut).
Frequently asked
What kind of food does Cantina del Tigre serve?
Cantina del Tigre serves Panamanian, Peruvian. The menu includes Cebiche de mamon chino, Croquetas de pulpo, Arroz rojo.
What's good at Cantina del Tigre?
Distinctive revival of Antillean and Panamanian dishes, with standout ceviches. That reflects what people consistently say online - EatsPanama does not post star ratings.
When is Cantina del Tigre open?
Cantina del Tigre serves seven days a week. Most days it opens around 12:00 and closes around 11:00 PM.
Does Cantina del Tigre take reservations?
It lists a WhatsApp contact - the green button on this page opens the chat directly.
Where is Cantina del Tigre?
PLAZA CENTENARIO, C. 68 Este, Panamá, Provincia de Panamá, Panama, San Francisco, Panama City.
Nearby alternatives
Around San Francisco
Cantina del Tigre is one of 152 restaurants EatsPanama tracks in San Francisco, Panama City. Every listing is built from public sources and menus - no restaurant can pay to appear. The neighborhood leans toward Pizza, Cafe, Burgers.
Explore more
Own this restaurant? Own this restaurant? Keep your hours, menu and photos current - it's free.
Claim this page →