Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato Café Where Italian Tradition Meets Panama’s Heart
CascoViejo360.com spoke with the founders of Benissimo Gelato & Caffè to learn how two young architects-turned-gelato makers transformed a passion project into one of Casco Viejo’s most loved destinations
A Community Story with Flavor
In Casco Viejo, also known as San Felipe, stories rarely begin in boardrooms they start in courtyards, cafés, and conversations. Bensimon’s story began much the same way: with a small group of Venezuelan architects and engineers who shared a dream that had nothing to do with construction drawings and everything to do with flavor.
They wanted to build something permanent not in concrete, but in memory. Ten years later, Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato Café has become part of the neighborhood’s rhythm, serving locals, visitors, and families who stroll A Street for a cone or a quiet espresso beneath stone walls that hold centuries of history.
It’s one of those rare Casco businesses that feels inevitable in hindsight—too good, too honest, to have ever not been there.
Origins and Vision — How Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato Began
The founders trace their roots back to Italian grandparents who ran artisanal gelaterias in Venezuela. Despite economic turmoil, those family shops endured, teaching the next generation two lessons: work with heart, and protect quality at all costs.
When the team relocated to Panama, they knew architecture would be competitive terrain for immigrants. So they took a risk to bring Italy’s true art of gelato to Panama City.
Before launching, they trained in Colombia under gelato chef Sergio Mantello of Mundo Helado, who taught them that precision and patience define great gelato as much as cream and sugar do.
That training was followed by months of research in Panama City from sourcing ingredients to testing flavors that could stand up to the tropical climate. They invested their savings and opened their first shop in Casco Viejo, believing that the UNESCO district’s European architecture and cosmopolitan energy were the perfect backdrop for an Italian gelateria.
Designers Turned Gelato Makers — The Benissimo Casco Viejo Story
The founders often laugh at how natural the transition from architecture to gelato felt. Both disciplines require proportion, structure, and balance. Designing flavor was simply another way to build experience.
Their philosophy was clear: each Benissimo location should reflect “design that serves emotion.”
- In Casco Viejo, warm wood tones contrast with the centuries-old stone walls protected by heritage law.
- In Clayton, an open-air terrace invites families to linger under the trees.
- At Albrook, the brand’s production center combines sterile efficiency with charm, welcoming schoolchildren for tours that teach the science of gelato.
Even their logo a gentle swirl in motion symbolizes creativity in flow.
Casco’s First Scoops — Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato and the Neighborhood Connection
Opening a small business in Casco Viejo was not simple. Permits, logistics, and the district’s rigid architectural rules tested their resolve. But the moment the doors opened, the neighborhood responded. Residents quickly claimed Benissimo as their own. Families on evening walks stopped for pistachio cones. Locals picked up containers to share at home. Visitors from nearby hotels found refuge from the sun and left smiling.
“The goal was never to serve tourists alone,” they told CascoViejo360.com. “We wanted to connect with the community the kids, the residents, the other business owners and offer a place that felt like home.” To mark their opening, they hosted small workshops for local children, teaching them how gelato is made and why craftsmanship matters. That early gesture cemented their bond with Casco Viejo a district where community is currency.
More Than Just Gelato — The Benissimo Casco Viejo Café Experience
Benissimo may be known for its silky gelato, but the experience goes far beyond the scoop. Rooted in authentic Italian heritage, this Casco Viejo favorite blends a café, deli, and dessert bar under one welcoming roof. Inside the cool stone walls, you’ll find a small, refrigerated case with imported cheeses, cured meats, and irresistible pastries. Shelves display dried Italian goods cookies, savory snacks, and pantry treats that tempt visitors to taste Italy at home. It’s a quiet nod to Benissimo’s deeper story: a family-run café that brings a slice of la dolce vita to Panama’s historic heart.
A Place for Everyone to Pause — Benissimo Casco Viejo’s Warm Welcome
While the younger crowd queues eagerly for gelato, parents and grandparents often settle into the relaxing tables for something slower. A proper espresso, a foamy cappuccino, or a light panini served with care make this the perfect stop before exploring the next plaza. Benissimo welcomes everyone from couples fresh off a morning walk to families resting between museums. It’s that rare café where you can cool down, recharge, and feel a little bit Italian before stepping back into the rhythm of Casco’s cobblestone streets.
Italian Soul, Panamanian Heart — Inside Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato’s Signature Flavors
Benissimo’s signature is balance: authentic Italian heritage with a Panamanian pulse. They import key ingredients from Italy hazelnuts from Piedmont, pistachios from Bronte, chocolate from Modica but source tropical fruits locally.
The result is a menu where tradition and innovation coexist. Classic flavors like Stracciatella and Pistachio share the display case with bold tropical sorbets of passion fruit, soursop, and mango.
Then there’s the legendary Chicheme Gelato, inspired by Panama’s sweet corn drink a flavor that exists nowhere else. During Independence Week, they create a special “No Me Olvides” gelato as a tribute to national heritage.
“Authenticity doesn’t mean rigidity,” they say. “It means respect for the recipe, the culture, and the guest.”
Crafting the Perfect Scoop — Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato’s Artistry
Behind the glass display is a precise process that honors Nonna Franca’s legacy. Benissimo maintains over forty flavors, each made in small batches for freshness. Gelato differs from ice cream in fat content and air less of both so each bite is dense, creamy, and intense.
Every ingredient is measured by weight, not volume; every temperature logged. Presentation matters too a scoop should look as beautiful as it tastes. They believe in a full sensory experience: color, texture, and aroma working together to evoke memory.
Their best-selling flavor is still Pistachio, but the fruity Maracuyá and Mango run close behind. Every month brings a new “Flavor of the Month,” like Venezuelan Crema Reale, a nod to their homeland.
Fatto in Casa — The Homemade Heart of Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato
When the pandemic hit, Benissimo’s doors closed, but their spirit did not. Out of necessity came creativity: the Fatto in Casa line of handmade desserts, inspired by Nonna Franca’s recipes.
Working from home kitchens, the family revived traditional Italian cakes like Tiramisù and Torta di Pistacchio. Customers could order online, and each dessert was delivered with a note reminding them that home is still sweet.
Today, Fatto in Casa remains a core part of Benissimo’s identity proof that resilience and heritage can flourish even in crisis. You’ll find the line in select stores like Foodie and El Rey, a testament to how humble ideas can grow into institutions.
Hospitality as Heritage — Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato’s Service Culture
From day one, Benissimo’s success rested on service. The founders saw early on that Panama’s hospitality culture was still developing so they took it upon themselves to lead by example.
They trained every staff member personally in warmth, eye contact, and consistency. Language barriers were addressed through English classes. Staff turnover remains a challenge, but their solution is constant mentorship.
“Good service isn’t a smile on command,” they say. “It’s empathy in action.”
That culture of care is now embedded in the brand the reason many customers say Benissimo feels like home away from home.
Growth, Setbacks, and Second Chances — Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato’s Journey
As the brand expanded, so did its lessons. The first Albrook location, in the then-new Terrazas de Albrook Mall, never found its footing and eventually closed. Instead of defeat, the team took insight: great gelato needs great context.
They refined their business model and reopened in better-suited spaces, choosing locations that mirror their values intimate, warm, and community-driven. The result: two thriving branches in Casco Viejo and Clayton, and a production hub that supplies Panama City’s gourmet scene.
Listening to the Community — How Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato Stays Grounded
At Benissimo, feedback is not a formality; it’s a partnership. Customers regularly influence flavor experiments and menu rotations. A tourist suggested pineapple-ginger sorbet; a local family inspired the return of almond cake.
“We listen because we care,” they say. “It’s how a family business stays alive.”
This attentive loop keeps Benissimo grounded in its community and ahead of market trends, a rare combination in Panama’s fast-changing culinary landscape.
Panama’s Café Culture and Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato’s Role
Since 2016, Panama’s café and dessert culture has matured dramatically. When Benissimo began, coffee was their co-star, sourced from Boquete’s highlands. They soon realized gelato was their core identity and doubled down on it without losing their love for a perfect espresso.
They’ve witnessed the shift firsthand: Panamanians now seek craft and story over trend. Benissimo’s blend of authentic Italian recipes and local flavor has helped define this new era. In many ways, their journey mirrors Casco Viejo itself heritage reborn through purpose and design.
Looking Forward — What’s Next for Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato
The founders see growth on the horizon, but not at the expense of essence. Their next goal is to standardize the Benissimo model so that each future store whether in Panama or abroad carries the same feeling of intimacy and care. They’re also preparing for the Gelato Festival 2026, which will run parallel to the world event in Rimini, Italy. Expect new flavors, savory paninis, and collaborations with local chefs. Their ambition isn’t mass franchising; it’s longevity through authenticity.
“Growth only matters if you keep your soul,” they say a line that captures their entire ethos.
Legacy and Lessons — What Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato Teaches About Resilience
When asked what they’re most proud of, the answer is instant. “We survived a pandemic and kept every employee on payroll. We’re still serving the same neighborhood that welcomed us.” Their Tripadvisor ranking among Panama’s gelaterias is a badge of honor. But they measure success in smiles, not statistics.Their advice to young entrepreneurs is equally grounded:
“Anything done with passion is an adventure, not a job. Stay consistent. Perseverance turns dreams into heritage.”
They also stress delegation trusting teams to lead so the brand can thrive without their constant presence. It’s how they built something that can outlast them a true family legacy.
Q & A Highlights
A: Italian heritage expressed through local ingredients and hospitality rooted in the heart.
A: Chicheme, Mango, and Passion Fruit our tropical essence with Italian technique.
A: By training our team personally and selecting ingredients with precision every day
A: The 2026 Gelato Festival and an expanded panini menu our Italian savory side
Fast Facts
- Founded: 2013
- Founders: Venezuelan architects & engineers, grandchildren of Italian immigrants
- Flagship: A Street, Casco Viejo (San Felipe)
- Other Locations: Clayton & Albrook
- Signature Flavors: Pistachio, Chicheme, Stracciatella, Mango, Tiramisu, Crema Reale
- Special Line: Fatto in Casa desserts
- Instagram: @benissimopanama
Why Benissimo Casco Viejo Gelato Matters
Benissimo represents more than ice cream it’s proof that small, values-driven businesses can outlast trends. It blends Italy’s timeless artistry with Panama’s tropical vitality, offering something increasingly rare: consistency.
Casco Viejo doesn’t reward pretenders. It rewards heart and that’s exactly what Benissimo brings to every scoop.
Whether you’re here for a pistachio cone, a quick espresso, or to see the smile of the founders behind the counter, you’ll leave with something sweeter than dessert: a sense of belonging.
🍨 Thanks for taking a moment to savor Benissimo’s story. For years, this little café has been part of Casco’s rhythm — serving scoops, smiles, and that perfect pause between sightseeing and sunset.
- Return to the homepage for more local favorites and hidden corners
- Discover more artisan cafés in Out and About with James
- Explore Casco’s creative side in You Cannot Miss the Museums
🍧 Every flavor tells a story — of fresh ingredients, friendly faces, and the joy of slowing down. Benissimo’s gelato isn’t just dessert; it’s a little taste of Casco Viejo’s heart.
🍦 Out and about with James.
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