Leaf Eaters Cafe image

Leaf Eaters Cafe

Restaurant Vegetarian restaurant Vegan restaurant

One of the Best Places To Visits in Bocas del Toro


Address

Over the Water On Isla Carenero 1 min boat ride from Bocas Town, Panama

Website

www.leafeaterscafe.com

Contact

+507 757-9543

Price rating

$$ $$

Rating on Google Maps

4.90 (183 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Monday: 11:30 am to 4 pm
  • Tuesday: 11:30 am to 4 pm
  • Wednesday: 11:30 am to 4 pm
  • Thursday: Closed
  • Friday: (Mother's Day), Closed, Hours might differ
  • Saturday: 11:30 am to 4 pm
  • Sunday: 11:30 am to 4 pm

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: fish (24) water (20) Bocas (18) restaurant (15) great (14) Great (14) vegan (13) view (13) friendly (12) staff (12)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Jose U. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Amazing views and the food was also great. (Original) Unas vistas increíbles y la comida también estaba buenísima.
    2 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Izabella S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great location. Yummy food - many choices - fresh, local, well spiced. Super place for kids to play in the water while you wait for food. May be a pick-up location for motor boats.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Michelle B. 5 years ago on Google
    Nice place on the water. Super cute gift shop. Pet friendly. Alex is the best!! Will come again
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Randy C. 5 years ago on Google
    Vegan food at it's best. Beautiful location over the water dining.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Maggie R. 4 years ago on Google
    I would literally go ALL the way back to Panama JUST so i could eat here again!! This wondeful place it just AMAZING!! AND the owner WOW what a GEM. she even has her very own souvenir shop on the other side of the restaurant! She makes her own soaps, candles and even coconut oil!! I was so upset when it got taken away at the airport!! But thats a different story for a different platform 😊 THE FISH TACOS ARE A MUST HAVE!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Brandon C. 6 years ago on Google
    This is vegetarian and vegan heaven. This place is amazing. I ate here at least 5 times during my short stay in Bocas. I highly recommend the tacos and the veggie burgers. The vegan zucchini bread was so delicious, it's great with a cup of coffee. Everything is freshly prepared with high quality ingredients. The vibe is super tranquilo and the restaurant has some of the best views in Bocas, looking out towards the town and Isla Solarte. The water around the restaurant can be very clear and there is a bunch of animal life all around. During my visits I saw starfish, barracuda, needle fish and dolphins just outside. The staff is very friendly and welcoming and help to keep the vibe muy tranquilo. It's a great spot to stop and refuel after surfing on Caranero. They also started doing a cocktail hour right around sunset and it's one of the best spots in Bocas to watch the sunset. It's a bit hidden so either take a water taxi there from the main island (just tell them "comé ojas" which means "leaf eaters") or access it by foot through their gate. It's located between aqua lounge and the little yellow houses built on the water.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Teshii Edwards (Teshii E. 6 years ago on Google
    Awesome place to eat vegetarian dishes and work remotely... Tooootally recommended!!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lital M. 2 years ago on Google
    wow, the food was amazing and everyone is so nice over there, we loved the place and definitely going back !!!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Franco Secundino G. 2 years ago on Google
    It's a must! I strongly recommend the carrot cake or the big fish sandwich.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Boris B. 4 years ago on Google
    Good vegeterian food at a great price.

  • 5/5 Justina 2 years ago on Google
    Best place to eat at Bocas! Wish they be open every Day and for dinner so I could go more often because it’s so good.

  • 5/5 rhoders12 2 years ago on Google
    Really nice spot on the water front! Good selection of food both veggie, vegan and pescatarian food and friendly staff would definitely visit again..

  • 5/5 alexis 2 years ago on Google
    Awesome restaurant, absolutely great fish burgers. Very friendly owner in a beautiful location!

  • 4/5 Ann-Kathrin F. 2 years ago on Google
    The food and smoothies were extremely tasty and the place has a very relaxed and friendly vibe. The menu for veggie options was however a little limited. This might be due to low season/pandemic. We also had to wait quite long for our food. I would still highly recommend the place for a relaxed meal (especially after diving, since it’s in the same shop).

  • 5/5 Smack S. 1 year ago on Google
    Very nice little place with super friendly Owners, tasty vegan food and a great view to the Caribbean sea. Everything is so relaxed here, you will love it. It's very easy to get here from Bocas town with the boat for only one dollar. All the best for the future..

  • 5/5 Otto H. 2 years ago on Google
    I at a late lunch here. The portions are on the smaller side but the food was fantastic. I had the cobia fish sandwich with coleslaw. The fish was fresh and cooked right. They also have the coldest beers in Boca.Great view over the water. Will go back.

  • 5/5 Missy W. 1 year ago on Google
    Best fish sandwich I have ever had. This was my favorite meal I had on Bocas and would love to return. The owners are so nice and the ingredients are fresh

  • 5/5 Jamie M. 2 years ago on Google
    The healthiest meal I can afford on these islands

  • 5/5 Marcus K. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely views and Tacos

  • 4/5 Jhon R. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is very good place to go with friends and family (Original) Es muy bueno el lugar para ir con los amigos y familia

  • 5/5 Gavin W. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Wonderful place (Original) Maravilloso lugar

  • 5/5 Amanda B. 2 years ago on Google
    Leaf eaters and the big fish share one location. Delicious food and nice options!

  • 5/5 Kathleen H. 1 year ago on Google
    Visited July 30 and can’t wait to get back. Relaxing atmosphere. Can jump into the water for a swim. Ordered the big fish sandwich- hand made roll, delicious and delicate white fish, caramelized onions, cheese. Great service, nice wines. Also has a curio store with unique items for sale. Just love this place.

  • 5/5 Gustavo V. 5 years ago on Google
    Very good food!!

  • 5/5 Christine O. 1 year ago on Google
    Great food and amazing place to sit outside and enjoy the view over the water. Food was very delicious (many veggie options!!!) and prices fair

  • 5/5 Yannick 1 year ago on Google
    Amazing food and super friendly staff. If you're in Bocas visit!

  • 5/5 Adam J. 1 year ago on Google
    Really delicious vegan tacos and a fantastic view too!

  • 5/5 Chad M. 1 year ago on Google
    Lunch here was fantastic and the owner is super friendly! Enjoy the beautiful scenery (with starfish lining the sea floor below the dock) while enjoying one of the best fish sandwiches I’ve ever had, sipping smoothies, and finishing it off with a chocolate chip cookie. Highly recommend lunch here if you’re staying in Bocas!

  • 5/5 morarozum1 1 year ago on Google
    Beautiful little restaurant on clear water lots of little fish to see . Amazing strong cold brew coffee with coffee ice cubes and great vegan tacos . they even gave us extra jalapenos for the tacos The owner is absolutely lovely lady and super friendly .

  • 5/5 Zackary B. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious, healthy food served right over the water. The restaurant has a good selection of vegetarian options and some fresh fish.

  • 5/5 Autumn M. 1 year ago on Google
    Been here 2 weeks. Hands down the best fish sandwich on the islands. The shakes are also extremely refreshing after a dive or surf session

  • 5/5 Alex A. 1 year ago on Google
    Everything tasted so fresh and the view and wonderful. Great cold brew options!

  • 5/5 Martin H. 9 months ago on Google
    This is pescatarian restaurant. The menu looked amazing for leaf eaters. But for us non veggies they offer amazing fish sandwiches. I had the big fish and a beer. The sandwich was HUGH and delicious. Something about the way they caramelized the onions in Panama makes them so tasty. Highly recommend

  • 5/5 Steve K. 10 months ago on Google
    Bocas offers a lot of dining options, and Leaf Eaters is definitely top tier! The food is tasty and beautifully presented. The atmosphere is laid back and relaxed. And the view across the water is incredible. Love the variety of vegetarian options, the friendliness of the owner and crew, and they even have a small store of local handicraft items. Take a $1 water taxi from Bocas Town to Leaf Eaters (on Carenero Island) and enjoy the gastronomic experience!

  • 5/5 Elaina G. 6 months ago on Google
    Delicious!!!!! Amazing vegan, vegetarian, and pescatarian food. Hippie bowl with hummus was hearty and fresh. My partner had the big fish sandwich and said the fish was cooked perfectly. The views from the restaurant are great too, right on the water. My only complaint was how slow the food was. There was only one other table there when we arrived and it took almost a half hour. I’ll chalk it up to island time. While waiting we walked on their dock and saw a ton of fish and starfish too.

  • 5/5 P L. 5 months ago on Google
    Amazing, beautiful and such a good atmosphere at this "must go place", when in Bocas del Toro. Food, smoothies, drinks, view, staff, all are made to make you feel special. To Francesca and Keyla "mojitos star", Big Thanks. Muito obrigado.

  • 5/5 Knox 8 months ago on Google
    This cozy restaurant over the ocean on Careneros Island is only a 2 minute water taxi ride from Isla Colon. They specialize in Vegetarian food, but also offer seafood from the Big Fish grill. Don't miss this location if you love healthy food. It has been in Bocas for many years and a regular stop for many.

  • 5/5 Horia P. 4 years ago on Google
    Great staff and the location is awesome

  • 5/5 Ewa B. 4 years ago on Google
    Great food, nice smoothies. Great, friendly staff. Definately must visit this place to eat, dribk and chill out!!!

  • 5/5 Barbara H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) I would have liked to try the whole menu (was delicious) friendly staff unfortunately not open in the evening. (Original) ich hätte am liebsten die ganze karte probiert (: war sehr lecker. freundliches personal. leider abends nicht geöffnet. (:

  • 5/5 Peter H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Best Mojito in Panama. (Original) Best Mojito in Panamá.

  • 5/5 Natalie L. 4 years ago on Google
    Amazing food and amazing view ! You must check this place out! The service is also very good! Alex who works there is such a great guy, who also teaches private surf lessons. My boyfriend and I went surfing with him and had a blast! It is a must when in Bocos :)

  • 5/5 Patrick G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Wonderful view of the sea, good vegan selection, nice music, lovingly decorated (Original) Wundervoller Ausblick auf das Meer, gute vegane Auswahl, nette Musik, liebevoll eingerichtet

  • 5/5 Idra N. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The most (Original) Lo máximo

  • 4/5 Enrique M. 4 years ago on Google
    Nice vibe, with ocean view. Staff is super nice and the have a cute dog. Food is fresh and tasty, vegan options available. Portion could have been a bit bigger. Not cheap but normal for the location. Would reccomend!

  • 4/5 Agostino F. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Restaurant located on a stilt house accessible by boat where the pier from directly to the patio where you eat, cool! Famous for its fish tacos, it also offers other delicacies. Tried a fillet of corvina with rice and patacones. Good indeed. Prices on average in place. (Original) Ristorantino posto su una palafitta raggiungibile in barca dove il pontile da direttamente al patio dove si mangia, una figata! Famoso per i suoi tacos di pesce offre anche altre prelibatezze. Provato un filetto di corvina con riso e patacones. Buono davvero. Prezzi nella media del posto.

  • 5/5 Ryan W. 4 years ago on Google
    Awesome food, awesome team, awesome peps

  • 5/5 Ariel S. 4 years ago on Google
    Great food and host

  • 5/5 Danielle L. 3 years ago on Google
    Easily my friend and I’s favourite restaurant in the world. The atmosphere and staff, as well as the food are outstanding. You’ll never find a better view or vibe, truly integrated with the locals and fresh cuisine. We literally jumped off the restaurant and snorkelled while we waited for our food. We tried to order a coconut drink and couldn’t have it because Alex hadn’t climbed the trees due to the rain! Things like this make it authentic and delicious. My friend and I daydream about the day we can come back!

  • 5/5 Veena J. 4 years ago on Google
    This place is a gem on Isla Carenero with great salads, panini, burger, tacos and smoothies. The boat ride costs $1 from Bocas Del toro and just a few mins. The owner Francesca is a very sweet person. She has a cute souvenir shop adjacent to the restaurant. Must visit when you are in Bocas.

  • 4/5 Adriana L. 4 years ago on Google
    Delicious fresh fish tacos. Spectacular views over the water

  • 5/5 Rachael 3 years ago on Google
    Yummy vegan food in paradise.

  • 5/5 patricia y. 4 years ago on Google
    The best veggie burger ever, huevos rancheros, banana nut pancakes, tuna burger, Cobia....mmmmm...had to come back every day!! The staff is welcoming and don't forget to order passion fruit lemonade!

  • 5/5 Yuval S. 5 years ago on Google
    Great vegetarian restaurant with some nice vegan options, including an amazing burger and smoothies!

  • 5/5 maxime p. 5 years ago on Google
    The food, the vibe, the service, everything was flawless! You have to try the dish of the day and the iced coffee.

  • 5/5 elena m. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Beautiful place and super rich food !!! (Original) Precioso lugar y comida súper rica!!!

  • 5/5 Joana Z. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) A small alternative, charming restaurant, overlooking the Caribbean Sea! The food is delicious, tasteful and the quality of the food is high quality. There is a limited selection of vegetarian and vegan dishes. The food, sympathetic service and Caribbean ambience made us 100% confident and we went there as often as possible to enjoy the unique taste of the great food! There should be a lot more such special restaurants in the world! My greatest praise to the service and to the kitchen staff. Thanks for the great stay with you..❤🌊☀️😋👌 (Original) Ein kleines alternatives, bezauberndes Restaurant, mit Blick auf das Karibische Meer! Das Essen ist sehr lecker, geschmackvoll und die Qualität der Lebensmittel ist hochwertig. Es gibt eine überschauliche Auswahl an Vegetarischen und Veganen Gerichten. Das Essen, der sympathische Service und das Karibischeambiente hat uns zu 100% überzeugt und wir sind so oft wie möglich dort eingekehrt, um den einzigartigen Geschmack des großartigen Essen zu genießen! Es sollte wesentlich mehr derart besondere Restaurants auf der Welt geben! Mein größten Lob an die Bedienung und an das Küchenpersonal. Danke für den tollen Aufenthalt bei euch..❤🌊☀️😋👌

  • 5/5 Marya H. 4 years ago on Google
    Mushroom panini! Yum. The best veggie place in Bocas! Thanks! Francesca and Scott for you and your staff creatively making us more vegetarian and loving it—as pescadarians we also love Leafeaters!

  • 5/5 Fabio C. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Rich food, nice relaxed atmosphere, good views, good service. (Original) Rica comida, lindo ambiente relax, buenas vistas, buen servicio.

  • 5/5 Ada O. 5 years ago on Google
    Awesome fish tacos, the ambience and the people are great as well.

  • 5/5 Isa D. 5 years ago on Google
    Great food and service

  • 5/5 Elease H. 5 years ago on Google
    Best food in Bocas. Fresh food for a change. Everything else was pizza or sandwiches. I finally found a salad! Get the Cesar salad if they have it.

  • 5/5 TJ J. 5 years ago on Google
    This is an incredibly great spot on Carenero! Part of its charm comes from: the fact it is built over the wster; the service is superb (thanks, Alex!): the food and coffee are terrific!

  • 5/5 Brittany T. 5 years ago on Google
    This place is incredible! Had an amazing lunch here - the burger was soooo good with a chewy bun and a delicious and fresh side salad. I’ll definitely be back!

  • 5/5 hilda m. 5 years ago on Google
    Good food

  • 5/5 benny b. 5 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Cool place (Original) Cooler Ort

  • 5/5 Elaine D. 5 years ago on Google
    Lovely place with lovely staff, owner, food and view!

  • 5/5 Nikita S. 5 years ago on Google
    You have to try big fish sandwich or big fish salat. So awesome. the best restaurant in Carenero due to prices & quality. The stuff is also really friendly. Barmen Alex makes the best passion fruit lemonade.

  • 5/5 luv s. 4 years ago on Google
    Great view, Alll the sauces are vegan. Great place if you're Vegan,If the water is clean you can see star fish in the water. Great food.

  • 2/5 Ian L. 5 years ago on Google
    Overrated. People love to take pretty pictures of food to testify to their experience, but there is more to the story. This place is possibly recommended for vegetarians, but nobody else. The food is average, but may appeal to those who want familiar vegetarian options instead of the vegetarian food that locals eat. The location over the water is supposed to be part of the appeal, but it's one of the busiest spots in all of Bocas Del Toro for motorboats (see video). Food is overpriced, with some dishes almost the same as what locals eat in Bocas for a fraction of the price. Our dishes looked nothing like the ones posted by the owner.


Call +507 757-9543 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Vegan options
    • ✓️ Organic dishes
    • ✓️ Vegetarian options
  • Accessibility
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • ✗ Wheelchair-accessible entrance
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Brunch
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
    • ✓️ Breakfast
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Takeaway
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

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