What to Eat in Panama City

Eating in Panama City is like going around the world with your palate. Each dish is the result of the multiple cultures that have arrived and settled in the country for centuries. Come with an appetite. You will be sitting at the table of a Creative Gastronomic City, so nominated by Unesco since 2017.

Gastronomy in Panamá is the product of a series of events that wove our history. The native peoples, the conquest of Spain, the Africans brought in slavery, the attempt of the French canal, the Chinese workers who arrived for the construction of the railroad and of course, the Panama Canal. Europe, Asia, Africa, America; the whole world has passed through here leaving ingredients, recipes and flavors, which today form the powerful culinary scene of Panama City.

Do not leave without trying some typical dishes such as sancocho, carimañolas, tamales, guacho, rondón. You can also try some international food: Greek, Italian, Japanese, Peruvian, Chinese; which today are an indispensable part of the gastronomic culture of the capital.

The Capital of Flavor

Panama City has 4 gastronomic poles that you cannot miss: Casco Antiguo, San Francisco, Costa del Este and Cinta Costera.

The first 3 have modern proposals of international food, fusion cuisine and lots of atmosphere. Most options are found in Casco Antiguo, which is also very popular for its nightlife and rooftops overlooking the city skyline.

On the other side, next to the Bay of Panama, is the Cinta Costera. The options here are more street food, outdoors, informal, with typical and Afro-Caribbean flavors. Be sure to stop by Sabores del Chorrillo, a project that seeks to vindicate the neighborhood and the traditional cooks who used to sell fried fish and patacón from the doors of their homes. In the same area, a Sunday afternoon classic, the Mercado Del Marisco. Many say it has the best ceviche in Panamá. It is worth going to check it out. When you are in the area, be sure to stop by the Mercado San Felipe Neri, there you can see all the fruits and vegetables that are harvested in Panamá and get an idea of what national production is like.

Culinary Destination

Panamá enters the list of Latin America's 50 Best Restaurants with Maito, where it has remained for several years. Its fusion menu of typical food with Afro and Asian influences keeps its tables full of happy diners. Find it in the Coco del Mar neighborhood, but book in advance.

More recently, when the organization decided to expand its list from 50 best to 100 best, we were honored to be represented by three more restaurants. This placed us as the second country with the most mentions in Central America.

In Casco Antiguo is Fonda Lo Que Hay. It is casual, first-come, first-served and has a menu designed to share dishes and try everything. In the San Francisco area is Íntimo, which creates dishes 90/10. Made with 90% local products and 10% imported products. In the same area, there is Cantina del Tigre, its specialty is Antillean food and has traditional dishes but reimagined. For these two restaurants, it is best to make reservations.

The gastronomic offer of Panama City is so rich that it will satisfy even your hunger for culture.