Casa Tortuga

This review is a bridge between the 1 Star and 5 Star reviews.

Upfront, we had great service, the food was amazing, the pricing was fair and what we expected and if we came back we will definitely revisit!

The reason there are so many one Star reviews is because this dining experience is non standard and if you are not expecting it can be frustrating. There was no menu and very little customization so if you're on a budget you might end up paying more then bargained for.

If you go in thinking of it as more of a prix fix tasting menu than you'll be better prepared for the experience. We found Peidro to be very friendly and seemed to pour on his Italian charm in spades. Go here if you want to do a tasting menu with a chef who loves creating great food for you with the expectation to pay around $45 a person before drinks and you'll be glad you stopped here.

Great restaurant, great chef, friendly, great service. The food was amazing! I always come here when in Contadora, highly recommended.

You don't expect to find a beautiful Italian place like this on an Island that far away from Italy.
The Pizza and the Salad with fresh foccacia was really delicious.
We had a great evening there and if I ever again end up on Isla Contadora I will go there again!

Magical experience. Friendly and welcoming owner and fantastically unique place. Perfect, fresh ingredients combined in simple ways to create unforgettable tastes. Ready to move next door and eat here forever

Straight out of Italy - I believe bologna - this is that hole in the wall Nonna-style restaurant we could not believe we had found. Incredibly fresh ingredients, especially the mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, and a quick “I can do this and that” type of menu that I have only seen in Italy. GREAT pizza. Perhaps the misplaced frustration of any possible non 5-star review is that you don’t really know the price until the end but it was more than fair - a giant pizza, a mozz salad, tuna carpaccio, an entire bottle of wine, sodas, a dessert (great pannacota), and all at around $100. We may eat here every night or our trip.

One of the best pizzas I ever had. The average Italian restaurant can learn from them. Also the 'salami chocolate' as dessert was really good.

Excellent pizza. For me the pizza here shares the #1 spot with a restaurant in El Valle that makes the best pizza I've ever tasted in Panama. Thin crust, made with fresh ingredients. They have a menu for dinner (if you don't feel like eating pizza) that the chef changes daily (I think). This is the best restaurant in the island.

The owner was so nice. There is no dining in right now due to Covid-19. The menu was limited to takeout Pizza. I wi tell you that those Pizza was so delicious. It was cooked to perfection.

Excellent pizza and pasta. Also the chocolate salami and panna cotta are really good. A must visit. Reserve in advance is recommended.

A very quaint place and probably the only place to eat on the island. We ordered their pizza. It was a flatbread with arugula. After a long day of snorkeling - it was exactly what we needed! Don't forget to sign the wall while you are there!

There’s a voice of one ever changing three course menu or very thin crispy pizzas. The set menu isn’t cheap but worth it. 3 interesting fresh courses

We had a very good diner. We had not a lot of options but the tuna carpaccio and pizza were very good. Like a lot of things on contadora it was not cheap but anyway good value for money.

Best food on the island and only slightly more expensive then the other resturants. Everything I ate there was delicious and fresh. Must try

Excellent food and service! No menu, chef comes up with daily dishes usually consisting of a fresh fish carpacio, fresh seafood pasta, thin crust pizza and wonderful deserts!

Excellent. Beautiful restaurant, music and atmosphere. Relaxed outdoor setting. Food was fresh, flavorful and great value! Highly recommend.

Fantastic atmosphere and food. Great little spot. A bit pricy but I was also here during a popular event in season so might not always be the case

Very good restaurant! Healthy salads, delicious pastas and perfect pizzas. If you ever go to Contadora this is a must-see.

Absolutely the best restaurant on Isla Contadora 👌🏼 Wonderful Italian food, great atmosphere and the most kind and welcoming hosts.
It is definitely worth a visit.

Quiet and cozy, the Casa Tortuga has a Gourmet food selection that is decided upon by the owner / chef. With the Casa Tortuga being one of only a handful of restaurants on Isla Contradora it sets its self apart not only with quality food but also with hospitality. The owner was actually the one who picked us up and transported our luggage from the Ferry at the beginning of our stay on the island. Kind and caring, tasty and fresh it is easy to see why the Casa Tortuga has become our favorite place to eat on Contradora Island.

Unique location, friendly Italian hosts, amazing food, delicious wine. Worth every penny