El Ultimo Refugio image

El Ultimo Refugio

Restaurant

👍 Best food we had in Bocas. They’re not world-class, however the lobster risotto and breaded shrimp were wonderful. Probably your best option if you’re looking to have a nice meal in Bocas People often mention service, good, Bocas, great, restaurant, Great, music, staff, meal, comida,


Address

8QR5+XHM, Bocas del Toro, Panama

Website

www.instagram.com

Contact

+507 6726-9851

Rating on Google Maps

4.50 (416 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Thursday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Friday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Saturday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: 4:30 to 10 PM
  • Tuesday: 5 to 10 PM
  • Wednesday: 5 to 10 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: service (25) good (25) Bocas (19) great (19) restaurant (17) Great (14) music (13) staff (11) meal (11) comida (11)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Bill 2 years ago on Google
    Consistently Great! My wife and I love this charming on the water restaurant. Chill staff, excellent service, and amazing food. The restaurant was covered with fresh tropical flowers and our view and the nice breeze made for a fantastic night. Local musicians play here often. A must for Bocas. Highly recommend.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ruben V. 4 years ago on Google
    Damn, this was good tuna. And afterwards, jungle juice. Which is usually terrible, but this juice was good juice. Anyway, go eat here
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Sam K. 2 years ago on Google
    Very very good food! Hard working staff, we had a really great night here. There was live music that night, the restaurant was packed, but staff still cooked amazing and were fast and friendly.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ami S. 1 year ago on Google
    Best food we had in Bocas. They’re not world-class, however the lobster risotto and breaded shrimp were wonderful. Probably your best option if you’re looking to have a nice meal in Bocas
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 P M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Live music and pleasant atmosphere. The food excellent. Quality / price somewhat high but like everything in the area Very good flavors The sealed tuna is the best dish. The dessert made with cocoa from the area very simple but very good. Very good service and very fast service. (Original) Música en directo y ambiente agradable. La comida excelente. Calidad/ precio algo elevado pero como todo lo de la zona Sabores muy buenos. El atún sellado es el mejor plato. El postre hecho con cacao de la zona muy sencillo pero muy bueno. Muy buena atención y servicio muy rápido.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Samantha F. 7 years ago on Google
    Great food and great live music! I went with my friends and we all really enjoyed it. My friends ordered the fish, and it was super good. Our octopus appetizer was great too 😄
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Anette H. 6 years ago on Google
    Good Food Nice place
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Rolf W. 6 years ago on Google
    The best thing I've put in my mouth since I got to Panamá. Started with a Jungle Juice, and the Calamares al Curry were to die for. The Filet looked great and the desserts even better! Attentive, but not overbearing service, too. Right on the water for sunset, it was a really nice place to end the day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Magnus A. 1 year ago on Google • 428 reviews
    Super nice food. Had the tuna and it was really good. My girlfriend had the shrimp risotto, it was nice, but the tuna was better! Big portions and really friendly staff. When we were here they had live music. Recommend this place in Bocas del Toro

  • 5/5 Estefania O. 5 months ago on Google • 241 reviews
    Food, drinks, live music everything was awesome. Everything was tasty, good quality, and perfect portions. I strongly suggest the banana cake!

  • 5/5 Monika L. 3 months ago on Google • 134 reviews New
    Very nice restaurant! Delicious food, great view, friendly staff. Dessert was soooo good! (Snickers cake I guess) 🤎 I wish there were more vegetarian options though.

  • 5/5 Kelly M. 7 months ago on Google • 65 reviews
    Great place for dinner! It’s right on the waterfront and was the perfect spot to watch the sun set, boats drive by, and, on the night I was there, see the full moon. The staff are also incredible and were super helpful in sharing their favorite dishes from the menu. I got the lobster risotto and it was delicious!

  • 5/5 Katie K. 2 months ago on Google • 52 reviews New
    Great place in Bocas town! Highly recommend. Food was delicious, they change the menu with what is fresh. Live band was awesome and the service was great despite it being a full house.

  • 5/5 Liza S. 1 year ago on Google • 48 reviews
    Amazing place with delicious food! Costumer service is nice and kind! Service speaks Spanish and English. Everything is so clear on the menu! It was the best food in Bocas del Toro. Thank you we will come back tomorrow! 👏🏻🇵🇦💙

  • 5/5 Valerie L. 1 month ago on Google • 19 reviews New
    One word: WOW! Wasn’t expecting so much deliciousness when I walked in. I strongly recommend it and the service is nothing short of amazing.

  • 4/5 Raul T. 1 year ago on Google
    Delicious food especially the chicken satay with coconut rice. Cocktail drinks are weak but tasty.

  • 5/5 Jason S. 2 years ago on Google
    Was back here tonight for the second time this week. This was the best restaurant we found in Bocas this week. Everything we had on both visits was great. Tonight we had ceviche, the seared tuna, fish fillet and the filet mignot. The filet mignot was as good as a steakhouse in the US or Canada. I normally don’t order beef in Central America. The flavour with the blue cheese sauce and mash potatoes was outstanding. I’d order it again tomorrow if I could! Like I say we loved everything we got. Our first visit was the chicken satay and the passionfruit shrimp.

  • 5/5 Garry M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It is perfect (Original) Es perfecto

  • 4/5 Niki H. 5 years ago on Google
    Good quality food and very friendly staff. Give it a try you won't be disappointed!

  • 5/5 Thomas V. 4 years ago on Google
    It's not super cheap but the quality of the food and the outstanding service make it totally worth it. I had the mahi mahi fish and a cold chocolate cake as a dessert. One of the best meals on our Panama trip.

  • 3/5 Daniel Carlos G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) It eats well, the attention leaves to be desired !! There are many places to eat similar Caribbean food !!! Much more economical (Original) Se come bien, la atención deja que desear!! Hay muchos lugares donde comer comida caribeña similar!!! Mucho más económico

  • 5/5 Paul H. 4 years ago on Google
    Wonderful meal & owner!

  • 5/5 Joao Pedro B. 4 years ago on Google
    Great food and location

  • 4/5 Bastian H. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Good restaurant with sea view, a bit off the main road. Something high priced, but shines with high quality of the food. The Miha fish was good. The tuna very good and the curry chicken delicious, but a bit dry. (Original) Gutes Restaurant mit Meerblick, etwas abseits der Hauptstraße. Etwas hochpreisig, glänzt dafür aber mit hoher Qualität der Speisen. Der Miha Fisch was gut. Der Thunfisch sehr gut und das curry Hühnchen sehr lecker, dafür aber etwas trocken.

  • 2/5 Nasiem V. 2 months ago on Google • 4 reviews New
    The service is friendly. Unfortunately the food and atmosphere is lacking. The music is too loud and overpowering the atmosphere, you can barely hear the person next to you. Food is fine but you can get way better on this island.

  • 5/5 Cheryl O. 3 years ago on Google
    Service was amazing! Katherine & her staff are very down to earth people. The food was amazing. We had the gnocchi & the ceviche, along with a few drinks they specialize in: passion fruit & rum and the hibiscus tea cocktail. Don’t miss this fabulous gem. The view, the breeze, the food & the service are worth it.

  • 5/5 Michael Van H. 2 years ago on Google
    Excellent food, atmosphere and service. The place was packed, they were a little understaffed, yet the servers worked together and still did a great job. Great seafood and live music.

  • 4/5 Jamie W. 2 years ago on Google
    Lovely spot off the beaten path and hidden from the street. We just had appetizers- the wings were great, the shrimp just average. Service impeccable.

  • 5/5 Vernon K. 3 years ago on Google
    Great service and great food. When you visit Bocos you have to go to this amazing restaurant. Not only is the service and food good the view is spectacular.

  • 1/5 miquelpadres 1 year ago on Google
    Mediocre food at high price. Ordered tuna tartar which was quite a poor quality tuna with a poorly made dressing. Also ordered camarones with maracuya sauce. The sauce is decent but it does not combine at all with the dish as is it strong and overshadows the tasteless and overly cooked camarones. The meal goes with some random boiled veggies and coconut rice which lacks coconut flavor. Last we ordered langostinos (the most expensive offering) which comes in an undefinable bland half way sauce-soup. That dish is just bad. How can your most expensive offering be so bad? We totally let ourself fool by the rating. Moreover is expensive. By far our worse dining experience in the whole trip. Even an empanada from the gas station is a better food experience than this restaurant. They just don’t know what cooking is.

  • 5/5 August P. 1 year ago on Google
    We have eaten here on numerous occasions. The food has always been amazing and consistent. The staff are incredible! A must if you come to Bocas!

  • 4/5 Tiffany M. 1 year ago on Google
    This was the best food we had on the island. We ordered lobster risotto and some rum drinks. Everything was great. I have them 4 stars because we noticed they have 3 menus with different prices. It seemed as if they gave us the American high priced menu but they also have a cheaper locals menu, so watch out!

  • 5/5 Rogel A. Garcia J. 1 year ago on Google
    This was a worthy last meal for the end of our Bocas stay! Another restaurant on my list to try and this one did not disappoint. As stated on my other Bocas restaurant reviews, there's seating available over the water as well as inside, just like most Bocas restaurants. We chose to sit inside as there was a light drizzle on and off. We started our meal with the Patacon Pisao appetizer. Shrimp in passion fruit, curry sauce on top of patacones (twice fried plantains) and topped with pico de gallo. So good and an awesome start to our meal! For our entrees we ordered Passion Fruit Shrimp and Lobster Risotto. The shrimp dish was tasty and had an almost Asian flavor to it. It came with coconut rice and a side of vegetables. As you can see we had an appetizer and an entree with passion fruit as a main ingredient, but both plates had their own distinct flavor profiles. That's what made me enjoy this meal even more. It wasn't the same repeated passion fruit sauce used over again. Now, my favorite dish of the night, the risotto. It was delicious! The tomato, coconut bisque was on point. I swear there must have been 3 lobster tails worth of meat in there too! I almost always finish my plate, even with an appetizer, but I literally had to wrap this up because I was so full from all that lobster. This restaurant is a must when in Bocas and the prices make it even better!

  • 5/5 Warren S. 1 year ago on Google
    Great meal. Great service. Great location. Not as much water taxi traffic but still some. Highly recommended

  • 3/5 Alicia 5 months ago on Google
    We arrived to the sound of beautiful music. The staff and band were welcoming. The ambiance great; however, the wait time was long. Unfortunately, the Mahi-Mahi and the Tropical wings were inedible. We, however, liked the chicken satay and the shrimp and bacon rigatoni. Overall, overpriced and inconsistent.

  • 5/5 Ethan S. 1 year ago on Google
    Lovely higher-end restaurant with a great outdoor view of paranero and the ocean. They had live music and the menu is displayed on a whiteboard since the menu changes daily. I tried some appetizers and got the filet mignon for my entree. It was great, though I didn't care too much for the mashed potatoes. The onion rings were a bit different than I am used to but they were good.

  • 4/5 Thomas H. 4 years ago on Google
    Really nice restaurant. The food is delicious and for a fair price. A bit more pricey than other places on the Island. There is no salt and pepper om the tables and the tuna needed a bit, therefor 4 stars.

  • 5/5 Jeanna L. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent food, excellent service, excellent view!

  • 4/5 Virginia R. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Delicious food .. they moved to the other beautiful side always overlooking the sea. Excellent service (Original) Deliciosa comida..se cambiaron al otro lado hermoso siempre vista al mar. Excelente servicio

  • 5/5 Antti Mihael K. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very good food, the tuna is served overcooked, but the rest of the dishes were excellent. They have live music. Rico Ceviche (Original) muy buena comida, el atún lo sirven recocido, pero el resto de los platos estaban excelentes. tienen musica en vivo. Rico ceviche

  • 5/5 susana g. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very good. Ambient music and great local food. (Original) Muito bom. Música ambiente e comida local ótima.

  • 5/5 Natalia B. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Great place to spend the late afternoon, cool atmosphere, great service and cold beer. (Original) Ótimo lugar para passar o final da tarde, um clima descolado, ótimo atendimento e cerveja gelada.

  • 5/5 Belen De O. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent food and service as always! I love the new location (Original) Excelente comida y servicio como siempre! La nueva ubicación me encanta

  • 1/5 Ruben P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) they charge you the fees, they tell you that they respect the laws but only in their favor. Good food but bad attitude. (Original) te cobran las tasas, te dicen que respetan la leyes pero solamente hacia su favor. Buena comida pero mala actitud.

  • 5/5 Patricia F. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) You eat very well, the attention is excellent, the girls without super! (Original) Se come muy bien , la atención es excelente, las chicas sin súper!

  • 5/5 Cindy C. 3 years ago on Google
    Do not miss this restaurant if in Bocas. Not only is the food delicious and presented beautifully with top quality fish and even meats. But the decor and view are incredible. Owned by an American ex-pat, she recently re-opened in late October 2020 after a strict 8 month lockdown for the pandemic in Panama. One of the few restaurants to survive and reopen in Bocas with full service dining. Restaurant is complying with strict distancing rules but all tables are in an open air setting. Great full bar too. We got a water taxi right from their dock to take us home too.

  • 5/5 Geneviève S. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent meal with a superb view of the sea! Thank you very much Érika I loved it 😁 (Original) Repas excellent avec une vue superbe sur la mer! Merci beaucoup Érika j'ai adoré 😁

  • 5/5 Sue M. 3 years ago on Google
    Excellent food, ambiance, staff. Can never get enough of this place!

  • 5/5 Anette V. 5 years ago on Google
    Great value for money! Very attentive service and really good food. Especially compared to what you tend to get in such touristy spots as Bocas town. Definitely the best meal we had in our 5 days on Bocas.

  • 5/5 Hannes B. 4 years ago on Google
    Wonderful food, wonderful service and wonderful atmosphere. This place is an absolute recommendation! One of the best, if not the best place we've been to during our stay in Bocas.

  • 4/5 cece f. 5 years ago on Google
    I was looking for a good dinner spot as this would be my last dinner before heading home to the states. The restaurant is adorable. Waiters come by your table with a huge white erase board as their menu is listed there. I assume the menu changes a lot and this is a result of that. Price wise it’s not cheap. It is comparable to a meal I would have back in California. However, the plates are huge and filling. I read some reviews that claim portions are small. I couldn’t disagree more. I arrived starving and was satisfied. They have cocktails and good sangria. My cousin and I had two full dinner plates, a starting salad, two cocktails and dessert for $80.00 American dollars. I recommend this place.

  • 5/5 Nicole R. 5 years ago on Google
    We had 5 kids and the restaurant was so accommodating. The food was fantastic. The curry chicken was one of the best dishes I've had in a long time. Cute ambiance and great customer service.

  • 5/5 Joseph S. 3 years ago on Google
    Fun place!

  • 2/5 Wesley G. 3 years ago on Google
    Heavily overpriced

  • 4/5 Raquel M. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Amazing taste of their dishes and good attention until you don't want to tip. Hahaha (Original) Sabor increíble de sus platos y buena atención hasta que no quieres dar propina. Jajaja

  • 5/5 Tino S. 4 years ago on Google
    Located a bit away from everything else, but worth the extra mile. Yummy food, fair prizes, good service.

  • 5/5 Ruperto Ortiz G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent (Original) Excelente

  • 4/5 Liliana J. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) The delicious food (Original) La comida deliciosa

  • 5/5 Steven G. 4 years ago on Google
    Really is the best place for sunset at the end of the dock. Happy hour at that time too. Food was good.

  • 5/5 Sandra L. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) At the end of bocas a bit away from the hustle and bustle. Almost always live music. Great cocktails and fine food. However, one of the more expensive locations in Bocas is definitely worth a visit. (Original) Am ende von bocas ein bisschen abseits vom Trubel. Fast immer live Music. Super Cocktails und feines Essen. Allerdings eines der teureren locations in bocas jedoch unbedingt einen Besuch Wert.

  • 5/5 Klaas P. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) nice and fresh fish and very atmospheric (Original) lekker verse vis o.a. en heel sfeervol

  • 5/5 Alcy A. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Very good food (Original) Muy buena comida

  • 4/5 stuart c. 4 years ago on Google
    Good food reasonable price great service. Live music.

  • 5/5 Alec H. 4 years ago on Google
    Top quality food!

  • 5/5 Emily 4 years ago on Google
    Ate at this restaurant with my group of 7 from Canada. AMAZING FOOD! Best food we had during our stay in Panama. The lobster risotto and coconut shrimp was to die for! Highly recommend

  • 5/5 Eva G. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Rich and different food in Bocas del Toro (Original) Rica y diferente comida en bocas del toro

  • 4/5 Jimmy F. 4 years ago on Google
    (Translated by Google) Excellent service .... delicious food ... (Original) Exelente serviço .... comida deliciosa...

  • 5/5 Donna R. 4 years ago on Google
    Food is incredible, Cool vibe and great views.

  • 5/5 Laura 4 years ago on Google
    quite expensive but it's worth it! 👌

  • 5/5 Jessica S. 4 years ago on Google
    I wish there were more stars. Ultimo is definitely a refuge; providing a laid back Caribbean feel, attentive servers, and live local musicians. What Chef Anel and his team do behind the kitchen curtain is phenomenal. He takes the simplest of ingredients and puts them each on a pedestal, demonstrating not only creativity but expertise for cuisine. Each plate was fresh and paired to perfection. We had a little of everything.. starting with the coconut shrimp served with pineapple salsa. It was the best I’ve ever tasted. Next, was the red snapper ceviche and homemade chips which was bright, approachable, and fun to the senses. For mains we order the grilled octopus with carrot puree and potato, and I was treated to my first lion fish, served with pineapple and mint gazpacho. Everything was plated beautifully, and every bite was engaging as well as explorative to the region. Ultimo is MUST try on Isla Colon, and hard competitor in the culinary community.


Call +507 6726-9851 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Coffee
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
    • ✓️ Small plates
    • ✓️ Late-night food
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible seating
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Lunch
    • ✓️ Dinner
    • ✓️ Dessert
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✓️ Takeout
    • ✗ Delivery
    • ✓️ Outdoor seating

Trends



Last updated:

Similar Restaurants nearby

Bibi's image
1
Bibi's
Restaurant
👍👍 Good food and service. Happy hour 4-7 has good deals on cocktails. Had the mahi mahi fish sandwich with fries. Delicious. Nice views over the water and a lovely breeze in September with help of fans in the heat. Clean bathroom with soap (finding this a rarety in bocas to have soap in the restaura...
$$ $$
4.40 (1K reviews)
Skully's image
2
Skully's
Restaurant
👍👍 Really time at Skully's house. The staff are very friendly, the room is clean and comfortable with an amazing sea view ! Lot of activities & animation (beer pong, karaoke, bingo, fitness course...) A pool next to a big bar ! Everything was perfect Thanks to Luigi & Pedro, we'll be back!
$$ $$
4.50 (821 reviews)
Café Del Mar image
3
Café Del Mar
Restaurant
🫤 I ended up being quite sorry that I chose to have my breakfast here, despite the acceptably tasty spinach and feta omelette. I sat at an outside table for 15 minutes without so much as a hello. Some people finished inside and I took that table. I ordered quickly but still 5 more minutes for my co...
$ $$$
4.50 (702 reviews)
La Buga Gastro Market image
4
La Buga Gastro Market
Restaurant
👍👍 This is one of the best restaurants on the main road in Boca. We had the Red Snapper, the shrimp salad and the crazy papas. Everything was excellent and fresh. The drinks were also excellent. They also have a happy hour. My only negative would be the use of paper straws. It's a great idea but they d...
$$ $$
4.40 (584 reviews)
Yarisnori image
5
Yarisnori
Restaurant
🫤 The food and customer service were equally two stars worthy. Better off elsewhere to find food.
$$ $$
4.30 (539 reviews)
Last updated:
()