Panama Restaurant & Bar in Berlin

On Potsdamer Strasse, in one of the most interesting and diverse Berlin neighbourhoods, hidden in the courtyard of an old factory building, lies beautiful Panama. Here, restaurant and bar concept meet lounging that feels both exotic and comfortable, just like being at home. The overall aesthetic is informed by destinations near and far. The culinary concept of the restaurant expresses a modern German cuisine, embracing diversity and the integration of other cultural influences to create new flavours and contemporary richness.

After Katz Orange, Panama is the second restaurant and bar project by Contemporary Food Lab. It follows the vision of the owner and CEO, Ludwig Cramer-Klett, who found inspiration in the popular German children’s book “Oh wie schön ist Panama” by author and illustrator Janoschm – to build a place that satisfies your longing for exotic wonderlands, but feels like home at the same time. Panama harmonises the antagonistic elements of closeness and distance. It is a place of deceleration that inspires to see the world with your heart, to open your eyes and discover paradise.

Restaurant and bar stretch across two storeys of the brick building. In addition, the complex covers an idyllic courtyard and a smaller shed that will be opening its doors for guests at a later stage. The interior was executed in collaboration between Ludwig Cramer-Klett and two interior architects Nora Witzigmann and Karoline Butzert. The overall inspiration reflects the Panama philosophy: a symbiosis of exotic elements and familiar materials and styles. The heritage interior of Potsdamer Strasse 91 with its high ceilings, original columns and exposed brick walls was complemented with bright ash timber and terrazzo tiled tables, classic timber Thonet chairs, accents of colourful fabrics and exotic plants and succulents.

The art collection has been curated by Ludwig Cramer-Klett himself – works of artists from his personal collection, such as a neon installation by Kerim Seiler, a clock by Alicja Kwade and two photographs of Julius von Bismarck, are accompanied by other, up and coming international artists.

Panama is not only a new restaurant on one of the most important connections between the former East and West Berlin, but a new space for encounters and inspiration. “There are only few places in the world like Berlin, a city that gives us the opportunity to create our own worlds and shape our own realities” says Ludwig Cramer-Klett. “That’s why Berlin feels right for Panama.”