The most interesting restaurant in Panama City, Panama, La Cascada offers large portions of fresh seafood in a unique atmosphere.
At one time, Panama City's enormous, mostly open-air La Cascada restaurant must have been very stunning, with the trees and the big waterfall pouring into streams full of goldfish meandering between tables. (La Cascada means "the waterfall.") Signs outside still tout the exotic sea creatures to be viewed inside. Now the restaurant is somewhat run-down, and the tanks are empty. But the moat is still filled with carp and La Cascada is still a fascinating place to visit. Go at night, when the festive colored lighting smooths the rough edges. And make sure you're hungry when you go - no matter how hard you try to avoid it, you will end up with way, way too much food.
La Cascada's Famous Menu
The menu, in Spanish with English translation, is fifteen pages long. More than a mere listing of food items on offer, it's crammed with stories, tips, tidbits and grand claims about the superiority of La Cascada's food. The piña coladas, for example, are "made only with real coconut milk from black-eye coconuts."
The menu also includes a letter warning fisherman in no uncertain terms to never, not even one time, attempt to sell seafood to La Cascada that is less than perfectly fresh. And it reassures you that although La Cascada specializes in seafood, you should not worry, because they also specialize in meat. (Copies of this fascinating menu are available for purchase.)
When you're ready to order, simply turn on the small light on your table. This is the best way to get the attention of your waitress among the hundred or so tables dotted about the restaurant. Corresponding lights will go on at the hostess station and in the kitchen, and your waitress will come to you.
The Food at La Cascada
Consider carefully before ordering both an appetizer and a main course. The main courses are huge mounds of food, and the appetizers are like main courses without the baked potato, fries, bread, and salad. The plates are so heavy that La Cascada management has decided that carrying them is men's work. The dainty waitresses walk empty-handed to your table followed by young men bearing the enormous trays of food. Try not to be embarrassed by the obscene quantity - it's not your fault.
So there's a lot of food, but is it good? Well, people might not want to travel "from all over the world" to eat it, as the menu claims, but it's certainly not bad. It's freshly prepared and tasty, even if it doesn't quite live up to the menu's hype. If you like fried seafood, you'll be in heaven. (Don't worry - they also specialize in non-fried seafood. And also meat.) But you're really there for the experience. And it's quite an experience.
La Cascada: Details
Located on the waterfront at Avenida Balboa and Calle 25, La Cascada will be a US$1.50 - $4 cab ride from most locations in Panama City. Expect to pay about US$10 per person for food and cocktails.
