Panama’s Coffee Story — From Highlands to Casco Viejo
Panama’s coffee reputation — and Casco Viejo’s (San Felipe’s) vibrant café culture — wasn’t built overnight.Long before Geisha beans began breaking auction records, families in Boquete, Volcán, and Renacimiento were cultivating small-batch, high-altitude coffee that defined quality over quantity.
Today, those same beans make their way from misty mountain fincas to the cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo, where boutique cafés, baristas, and local roasters are redefining what coffee means to travelers.
In Casco Viejo, coffee is no longer just a drink — it’s an expression of Panama’s identity. From the baristas who learned roasting from their grandparents to third-wave pioneers opening tasting bars, the scene is evolving fast, and you can taste it in every pour-over and cortado.
Best Coffee in Casco Viejo: Sisu Coffee Studio & Geisha Beans from Lamastus Family Estates
Let me put it to you straight—if you’re in Casco Viejo and you don’t swing by Sisu, you’ve missed the hot. This place isn’t just another café; it’s where Panama’s most legendary beans—Geisha coffee get the respect they deserve. We’re talking about a coffee experience that defines Casco Viejo’s café scene.
Sisu is part of the Lamastus Family Estates, the name behind award-winning beans. Some lots fetch up to $1,000 a kilo at international auction. You’ll taste the difference—fresh, powerful, unforgettable. Take a sip, snap a pic, and trust me, this is one of the best coffee shops in Casco.
Pepe Café – Classic Coffee & Local Charm in Casco Viejo
Pepe Café is a Casco Viejo coffee shop with a loyal following. Known for its rich Italian espresso and warm service, it’s a daily ritual for many locals. Add in fresh focaccia, hearty dishes, and a timeless vibe, and you’ve got one of the best cafés in Casco.
Super Gourmet in Casco Viejo
Super Gourmet is Casco’s go-to meeting spot—where neighbors, expats, and travelers cross paths daily over artisan coffee, warm conversation, and the best épinards in Panama City. Nestled on the corner of A Avenue and 6th Street, it brews highland beans with care and consistency. This café blends gourmet bites, pantry goods, and community spirit. It’s a daily ritual and a must-stop—where Casco’s rhythms pause for coffee, connection, and comfort
Casa Sucre Café – Historic Coffee Shop in Casco Viejo
Casa Sucre Café was one of the first specialty coffee shops in Casco Viejo, housed in a beautifully restored 1873 colonial building. It helped define the café culture here, offering rich espresso, fresh-baked pastries, and warm hospitality in a charming, historic setting. This beloved corner spot has been serving up great coffee in Casco since long before the neighborhood became trendy—earning loyal regulars, curious travelers, and creatives who return time and again
Where to Drink Coffee in Casco Viejo and Why Each One Matters
Each café here was chosen because it represents something authentic craft, heritage, and hospitality that feels unmistakably Panamanian.
SISU Coffee Studio
If you’ve heard whispers of Panama’s best coffee, you’re already halfway to Sisu. This minimalist café from the Lamastus Family Estates treats coffee like fine wine sourcing, roasting, and brewing beans with precision. Whether you’re after a slow bar experience or just a Geisha espresso to remember, Sisu is where Casco’s coffee story peaks: Read my full blog on SISU
La Vasquita
A Basque dessert café that somehow makes coffee feel like home. Their cheesecake is reason enough to visit, but their espresso menu seals the deal. It’s that perfect mid-afternoon indulgence where Europe meets Casco. Read: La Vasquita — A Dessert I’ll Never Forget .
Pepe Café
Classic, cozy, and quietly local. You’ll often find Casco’s long-term residents grabbing their morning macchiato here before heading to the office. The smell of fresh focaccia baking in the back reminds you that this isn’t a chain café—it’s someone’s neighborhood kitchen.
Casa Sucre Café
One of the district’s earliest coffee pioneers, Casa Sucre blends colonial history with café culture. Try their cold brew and imagine what these same walls have seen over two centuries.
Super Gourmet
Part café, part market, 100% local. Super Gourmet is where you grab an organic smoothie, a local roast, and a slice of real community all at once. Their shelves showcase Panamanian chocolate, honey, and jams—perfect souvenirs that taste like Casco.
Discover Super Gourmet – : Discover Super Gourmet
Unido Coffee Roasters
Panama’s first internationally recognized specialty coffee brand. Unido bridges the highlands with the capital through expert roasting and approachable service. It’s a great introduction to Panama’s national coffee identity.
Coffee, Community & Slow Travel
Casco Viejo’s cafés have become sanctuaries for creatives, remote workers, and wanderers. They’re not just serving coffee—they’re shaping connection. Many doubles as galleries, host acoustic nights, or partner with local roasters for tasting events. It’s proof that this UNESCO district isn’t stuck in the past; it’s alive, evolving, and caffeinated.
Insider Tips for Coffee Lovers Visiting Casco Viejo
- Morning light: The corner cafés near Plaza Herrera and Plaza Bolívar open early—perfect for photography before the heat sets in.
- Ask the barista: Many speak fluent English and love explaining bean origins or brewing methods. Don’t be shy—it’s part of the experience.
- Coffee + dessert: Pair Geisha espresso with Basque cheesecake at La Vasquita or lemon tart at Sisu for the ultimate afternoon treat.
- Buy a bag: Most cafés sell beans from Boquete or Volcán—support local farmers directly.
FAST FACTS
Fast Facts About Coffee in Casco Viejo
- Panama’s Geisha coffee holds the world record for price per kilo (over $1,000).
- Casco Viejo has over 15 specialty cafés within a half-mile radius.
- Many beans here come from Boquete’s Lamastus, Kotowa, and Janson farms.
- The average cup price for Geisha coffee in Casco: $7–12 USD.
- CascoViejo360.com personally verifies every café listed.
Q&A SECTION
Sisu Coffee Studio consistently tops the list for its world-class Geisha beans and minimalist tasting experience.
You’ll find Geisha beans for sale at Sisu Coffee Studio, Super Gourmet, and select boutique shops linked to Boquete estates.
Yes—many serve breakfast, lunch, and light bites. La Vasquita and Pepe Café are known for full menus and artisan pastries.
Absolutely. Sisu offers guided tastings; some cafés connect directly with plantations for educational cuppings.
Yes. Many cafés have Wi-Fi, air-conditioning, and a quiet vibe—Sisu, Unido, and Casa Sucre are popular with digital nomads.
Closing Thoughts Casco Viejo coffee Shops
As you explore coffee in Casco Viejo, expect the scene to evolve before your eyes. More and more Panama coffee plantations are opening tasting rooms and cafés right here in the historic district. These aren’t side projects—they’re curated experiences for curious travelers. From the moment you land on this website to the day you walk these streets, you may notice new names. that’s intentional. CascoViejo360.com is constantly updated to reflect what’s happening now. We don’t just feature great coffee—we highlight passion, story, and local flavor.
Each café listed here was chosen with care. The best Casco Viejo cafés are not only serving artisan coffee, but offering real connections to Panama’s highland farms. You might walk in for an espresso and find a barista-led tasting or a full story on the farm where the beans were grown. Some even offer plantation tours, either directly or through QR codes linking to their farms in Boquete or Volcán. This is more than a coffee stop—it’s a chance to explore Casco Viejo coffee shops on a deeper level.
Specialty coffee in Panama is gaining global attention. While many still associate Panama only with the Canal, coffee is becoming the country’s next world-class export. And there’s no better place to discover it than in Casco. The district’s cafés now act as bridges between rural plantations and urban travelers. So if you’re one of the curious ones, ask questions, taste widely, and learn. You’re part of a growing wave of travelers discovering that coffee tasting in Panama is just as unforgettable as its landscape with its iconic Casco Viejo coffee shops.
And if you’ve read my blog about SISU, you’ll know—come with curiosity, not assumptions, as you explore coffee shops in Casco Viejo. Let your coffee journey begin here.
Restaurants & Eateries
Top spots in Casco—from tucked-away cafés to bistros and fine dining favorites loved by locals and travelers.
Explore RestaurantsPubs & Rooftop Bars
Enjoy rooftop views, cocktails, and music. From hidden gems to top rooftops, Casco’s nightlife has charm.
See the NightlifeCooking Classes
Learn to make Panamanian dishes in a hands-on session that blends flavor, culture, and fun for all ages.
Join a ClassGeisha Coffee at Lamastus
Discover Panama’s top coffee estate and learn why Geisha has become the world’s most sought-after brew.
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