Panama is a vibrant Central American nation offering a unique blend of modern cosmopolitan life, rich colonial history, and pristine natural wonders. From the engineering marvel of the Panama Canal to the cobblestone streets of Casco Viejo and the untouched beaches of Bocas del Toro, Panama provides diverse experiences for every traveler.
Panamanian cuisine reflects the country's position as a crossroads of civilizations — Spanish colonial cooking techniques merged with African, indigenous, Caribbean, and Chinese influences. Rice and beans (arroz con pollo, guandú), tropical tubers (yuca, ñame, otoe), and fresh Pacific and Caribbean seafood are staples. Cosmopolitan Panama City adds Japanese, Indian, Middle Eastern, and French cuisines, earning the capital a reputation as Central America's most diverse dining destination.
Must-try dishes
Iconic dishes that define Panama.
Sancocho de Gallina
Panama's national dish — a slow-simmered hen soup with culantro (Mexican coriander), yuca, ñame, and local herbs. Rich, hearty, and deeply comforting. Every Panamanian family has their own recipe.
Where to try: Traditional fondas and family restaurants, especially on weekends
Price: $5-12
Corvina Ceviche
Fresh corvina sea bass marinated in lime juice with red onion, ají chombo chili, and culantro. Panama City's seafood market serves some of the finest ceviches in Latin America using that morning's catch.
Where to try: Mercado de Mariscos, seafood restaurants throughout Panama City
Price: $5-15
Ropa Vieja
Shredded slow-braised beef with tomatoes, peppers, and onions served over white rice with patacones. The Afro-Caribbean influence on Panamanian cooking is most evident in this dish.
Where to try: Traditional Panamanian restaurants and fondas
Price: $6-12
Patacones
Double-fried green plantain rounds, smashed and fried again until crispy. Served as a side dish or topped with ceviche, pulled pork, or guacamole. Ubiquitous at every type of Panamanian restaurant.
Where to try: Everywhere — from street stalls to fine dining restaurants
Price: $2-5
Carimañola
Deep-fried yuca dough stuffed with spiced ground beef or cheese. Panama's most beloved street snack — golden-crispy outside, soft inside, eaten for breakfast or as an afternoon snack.
Where to try: Street vendors, markets, and traditional bakeries throughout Panama
Price: $1-3
Arroz con Pollo
Chicken cooked with saffron-colored rice, culantro, peppers, and vegetables. The Panamanian version is deeply seasoned with local herbs and typically served at family gatherings and Sunday lunches.
Where to try: Fondas and traditional Panamanian restaurants
Price: $6-12
Top restaurants
Handpicked picks for the best dining experiences.
Maito
Perennial favorite on Latin America's Top 50 Restaurants list celebrating Panama's multicultural identity through innovative dishes using local ingredients, open-fire cooking techniques, and artistic presentation.
Calle 50, Obarrio, Panama City
Mai Mai
Chic rooftop restaurant blending Peruvian, Japanese, and Panamanian flavors in creative small plates. Trendy atmosphere with creative cocktails and stunning views.
Casco Viejo, Panama City
Café Coca-Cola
The oldest cafe in Panama City opened in 1875 and the only establishment in the world allowed to bear 'Coca-Cola' in the name. Serves traditional Panamanian comfort food in historic setting.
Avenida Central, Santa Ana, Panama City
Mercado de Mariscos Ceviche Stands
Ground floor of fish market with multiple ceviche stands serving the freshest ceviche in Panama. Order from vendors and eat at communal tables with locals.
Mercado de Mariscos, Avenida Balboa, Panama City
Unido Coffee
Specialty coffee shop serving premium Panamanian coffee from various regions. Minimalist design, excellent pour-overs, and light breakfast options.
Casco Viejo, Panama City
Intimo
Intimate restaurant in Casco Viejo featuring creative tasting menus that blend Panamanian ingredients with international techniques. Chef-driven cuisine with seasonal menus and expert wine pairings.
Calle 5ta, Casco Viejo, Panama City
La Barbara x Aki
Dedicated to craft cocktails and fresh sushi in the heart of Casco Viejo. Trendy spot combining excellent Japanese cuisine with creative mixology.
Avenida Central, Casco Viejo, Panama City
Niko's Café
Local favorite serving generous portions of traditional Panamanian cuisine at very affordable prices. Multiple locations around the city. Perfect for authentic local experience.
Multiple locations in Panama City
Restaurants by cuisine
Browse picks grouped by cuisine type.
Contemporary Panamanian
Maito
Peruvian-Japanese-Panamanian Fusion
Mai Mai
Traditional Panamanian
Café Coca-Cola
Seafood/Ceviche
Mercado de Mariscos Ceviche Stands
Cafe/Coffee Shop
Unido Coffee
Panamanian Fusion
Intimo
Fonda Lo Que Hay
Street food
Local flavours at affordable prices.
Carimañola
Deep-fried yuca torpedo stuffed with seasoned ground beef, chicken, or cheese. Sold warm from street vendor carts throughout Panama City, especially in working-class neighborhoods.
Find it at: Street vendors near markets, bus terminals, Casco Viejo streets
Empanada de Pipian
Fried cornmeal turnover with a variety of fillings from chicken to plantain. Different from South American empanadas — Panamanian style uses masa dough and is slightly sweeter.
Find it at: Morning street vendors, fondas, Mercado Nacional de Artesanías food stalls
Chicheme
Traditional sweet drink made from ground corn, milk, cinnamon, and vanilla. Served cold from street vendors — refreshing, filling, and distinctly Panamanian.
Find it at: Street vendors in markets and bus terminals, particularly Albrook
Hojaldras
Deep-fried dough puffs sprinkled with powdered sugar or salt — Panama's traditional fried bread eaten at breakfast with cheese or jam, or as a street snack any time of day.
Find it at: Morning street vendors, traditional bakeries, fondas serving breakfast
Tortillas de Maíz
Thick cornmeal cakes grilled on a comal, different from Mexican tortillas — substantial and eaten with butter, cheese, or alongside sancocho. Staple carb at traditional breakfast tables.
Find it at: Traditional restaurants, markets, roadside fondas
Food markets
Where locals shop and graze.
Mercado de Mariscos
Panama City's legendary seafood market on the Casco Viejo waterfront where fishing boats unload daily catches from Pacific and Caribbean. The market level sells wholesale fish while the upstairs restaurant serves the freshest ceviche in the city.
Hours: 6AM-5PM daily
Mercado Nacional de Artesanías Food Section
The artisan market near Miraflores Locks has a small food court serving traditional Panamanian street food and snacks — great for trying carimañola, tamales, and fresh fruit juices alongside handicraft shopping.
Hours: 8AM-6PM daily
Super Gourmet
Panama City's premier specialty food market in El Carmen with an extensive imported foods selection, local artisan cheeses and charcuterie, gourmet coffee, and a café section. Best for self-catering and food gifts.
Hours: 7AM-10PM daily
Feria de Boquete (Seasonal)
The highland town of Boquete hosts weekend farmers markets and the annual Feria de las Flores y del Café in January featuring fresh Geisha coffee, local honey, highland vegetables, and artisan food products.
Hours: January festival; weekend markets year-round
Dining etiquette & tips
Navigate the local food scene confidently.
Lunch (almuerzo) is the main meal of the day in Panama — set lunch menus at fondas ($4-8) are the best value and most authentic eating experience
Reservations essential at top restaurants like Maito, Donde José, and Wakame — book 1-2 weeks ahead during December-April high season
The standard tipping rate is 10% — check your bill as some restaurants include 'servicio incluido' automatically
Panama City's Chinatown (El Barrio Chino) on Calle 12 has authentic and affordable Chinese-Panamanian (chifa) restaurants dating back to the 1850s
Seafood is freshest and cheapest at lunch — the Mercado de Mariscos restaurant is best visited before 1PM when the morning catch has been processed
Food budget guide
What to expect at different price points.
| Level | Price | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $5-12/meal | Street food, fondas, market stalls — carimañola, ceviche, arroz con pollo |
| Mid-range | $15-35/meal | Mid-range restaurants and casual dining on Calle Uruguay or Via Argentina |
| Upscale | $50-120+/meal | Fine dining at Maito, Donde José, Mahogany Steakhouse, or hotel restaurants |