Creative Gastronomic City

Eating in Panama City, Panamá, 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.

Don't leave without trying some typical dishes like sancocho, carimañolas, tamales, guacho, and rondón. And don't hesitate to try the international foods: Spanish, Greek, Italian, Japanese, Peruvian, Chinese, and others, as well as a great diversity of kosher restaurants. All of them are now an essential part of the capital's gastronomic culture.

The Capital of Flavor
Culinary Destination

Close-up of a dumpling, with several Chinese breakfast dishes visible in Panama City, Panamá

The Capital of Flavor

Panama City has 5 gastronomic hubs you can't miss: Casco Antiguo, San Francisco, El Cangrejo, Costa del Este, and Cinta Costera. The first four offer modern international food, fusion cuisine, and a great atmosphere. Most options are found in Casco Antiguo, which is also very popular for its nightlife and rooftops with views of the city's skyline.

On the other hand, next to the Bay of Panamá is Cinta Costera. The options here are more street food, open-air, and informal, with typical and Afro-Caribbean flavors. Be sure to stop by Sabores del Chorrillo, a project that seeks to reclaim the neighborhood and the traditional cooks who used to sell fried fish and patacones from their doorsteps.

A dish served on a white bowl. The dish seems to be made up of dumplings, which are covered in a red sauce.

In the same area, a classic Sunday afternoon spot is the Mercado del Marisco. Many say it has the best ceviche in Panamá. It's worth going to check it out.

When you're in the area, make sure to visit the Mercado San Felipe Neri, where you can see all the fruits and vegetables harvested in Panama and get an idea of the national produce.

Lamb ribs in a with plate beautiful served

Culinary Destination

Panamá is once again shining on the list of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants thanks to its outstanding culinary scene:

• Maito, ranked 14th. This restaurant has maintained its position among the best for several years. Its fusion menu, which blends typical food with Afro and Asian influences, continues to attract enthusiastic diners.

• Cantina del Tigre, ranked 40th. This spot delights with its offering of Antillean food and reinvented traditional dishes.

A Chef with his crew cooking in a restaurant

In addition, on the extended list from 51 to 100 of Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, Panamá solidified its position as the country with the most mentions in Central America thanks to three additional restaurants:

• Fonda Lo Que Hay, ranked 65th. A casual-style concept with a menu designed for sharing, offering diners a varied gastronomic experience.

• La Tapa del Coco, which debuted on the 2024 list, is now at position 64. The restaurant celebrates Afro-cultural heritage with recipes full of flavor and tradition.

The gastronomic offerings of Panama City not only satisfy the palate but also the spirit, combining unique flavors with a cultural touch.

Visit these restaurants in the iconic areas of Casco Antiguo, Coco del Mar, and San Francisco. Remember that some require reservations, so we recommend you confirm before your visit.

Creative Gastronomic City

The Capital of Flavor

Culinary Destination

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