20 Best Places to Eat in Panama: The Ultimate Culinary & Dining Guide

Panama's culinary identity is a delicious crossroads of indigenous traditions, Spanish colonial heritage, Afro-Caribbean flair, and a thriving modern international gastronomic scene. From fresh Pacific seafood and aromatic sancocho stews to world-renowned Geisha coffee and award-winning fine dining in Panama City’s Casco Viejo, eating in Panama is an exciting exploration of flavors.

Must-Try Traditional Dishes

Sancocho: Panama's comforting national dish—a hearty chicken soup cooked with yuca, culantro herbs, corn, and green plantains.
Ceviche: Ultra-fresh raw sea bass, octopus, or shrimp cured in fresh lime juice, finely diced onions, and spicy chilies, served cold.
Ropa Vieja with Patacones: Shredded flank steak slow-cooked in a rich tomato, pepper, and onion sauce, paired with crispy double-fried green plantain discs.
Arroz con Guandú y Coco: Fragrant rice cooked with pigeon peas and fresh coconut milk, traditionally served alongside braised meats.
Carimañolas: Yuca fritters stuffed with seasoned ground meat or cheese and fried until golden and crispy.

20 Best Places to Eat in Panama

1. Maito

Cuisine: Fine Dining Panamanian Fusion ("Criollo-World")
Location: Coco del Mar, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Chef Mario Castrellón’s Tasting Menu featuring Indigenous Afro-Panamanian Flavors
About the Place: Consistently ranked among Latin America’s 50 Best Restaurants, celebrated for pioneering modern Panamanian fine dining using local indigenous ingredients.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Maito

2. Fonda Lo Que Hay

Cuisine: Gourmet Panamanian Comfort Food
Location: Casco Viejo, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Yuca Toast with Tuna Carpaccio & Concolón Rice
About the Place: A lively, unpretentious dining venue elevating traditional local fonda comfort food into inventive, mouthwatering modern creations.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Fonda Lo Que Hay

3. Mercado de Mariscos (Fish Market)

Cuisine: Fresh Seafood & Ceviche
Location: Cinta Costera, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Corvina (Sea Bass) Ceviche & Fried Whole Fish with Patacones
About the Place: A high-energy municipal fish market where local stalls serve incredible cups of fresh, cold lime-cured ceviche and fried catches.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Mercado de Mariscos

4. El Trapiche

Cuisine: Traditional Authentic Panamanian
Location: Vía Argentina (El Cangrejo) & San Francisco, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Fiesta Panameña Platter (Carimañolas, Tamales, Ropa Vieja, & Sancocho)
About the Place: Operating for over 40 years, the ultimate destination to taste traditional, authentic Panamanian home-style dishes in a warm atmosphere.
Explore More: Read our full guide to El Trapiche

5. Donde José

Cuisine: Conceptual Panamanian Tasting Menu
Location: Casco Viejo, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Multi-course Narrative Tasting Menu
About the Place: An intimate 16-seat restaurant offering an exclusive tasting menu that tells the story of Panama's history through creative culinary art.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Donde José

6. The Firefly Bocas

Cuisine: Caribbean Asian Fusion
Location: Isla Bastimentos, Bocas del Toro
Must-Try Dish: Coconut Curry Fish and Thai-style Empanadas
About the Place: A dreamy overwater restaurant on Isla Bastimentos serving small-plate Caribbean fusion dishes with ocean breezes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to The Firefly Bocas

7. Tantalo Kitchen

Cuisine: International Tapas & Rooftop Lounge
Location: Casco Viejo, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Pork Belly Tacos and Passion Fruit Ceviche
About the Place: A vibrant boutique hotel restaurant in Casco Viejo serving creative global tapas, topped with an iconic rooftop bar overlooking the skyline.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Tantalo Kitchen

8. La Posta

Cuisine: Italian & Caribbean Seafood Bistro
Location: Calle 49 Este, Bella Vista, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Wood-Fired Lobster Pizza and Grilled Mahi-Mahi
About the Place: Set inside a stylish 1950s plantation-style home, serving sophisticated Mediterranean and Caribbean seafood dishes.
Explore More: Read our full guide to La Posta

9. Boquete Coffee Estate Cafes (The Perfect Pair)

Cuisine: Coffee House & Bakery
Location: Boquete Highlands
Must-Try Dish: Pour-over Geisha Coffee paired with Artisanal Chocolates
About the Place: Experience world-famous, award-winning Panamanian Geisha coffee brewed by expert baristas in the cool mountain highlands.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Boquete Coffee Estates

10. Calopepe (Restaurante Calopepe)

Cuisine: Afro-Caribbean Coastal
Location: Portobelo, Colón
Must-Try Dish: Coconut Seafood Rice with Fried Plantains
About the Place: A coastal restaurant in historic Portobelo celebrating rich Afro-Caribbean flavors, fresh coconut stews, and spicy catches.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Calopepe

11. Santa Rita Casco Viejo

Cuisine: Spanish Tapas & Argentine Grill
Location: Casco Viejo, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Ribeye Steak and Garlic Shrimp Tapas
About the Place: Merges Spanish tapas culture with Argentine charcoal grilling inside a atmospheric colonial building in Casco Viejo.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Santa Rita

12. Receta Michoacana

Cuisine: Authentic Mexican & Seafood
Location: Santa Catalina, Veraguas
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Fish Tacos and Spicy House Margaritas
About the Place: A popular casual spot in Santa Catalina serving post-surf fish tacos, cold craft beer, and vibrant guacamole.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Santa Catalina Dining

13. Lo Que Hay en El Valle

Cuisine: Mountain Bistro & Bakery
Location: El Valle de Antón
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Artisanal Pastries and Local Coffee
About the Place: A charming mountain crater bistro serving fresh bakery goods, hearty soups, and organic farm-to-table lunch specials.
Explore More: Read our full guide to El Valle Dining

14. Raw Sushi & Steakhouse

Cuisine: Japanese Fusion & Seafood
Location: Isla Colón, Bocas del Toro
Must-Try Dish: Spicy Yellowfin Tuna Rolls and Coconut Tempura Shrimp
About the Place: High-energy waterfront restaurant in Bocas Town serving fresh Pacific and Caribbean sushi rolls alongside craft cocktails.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bocas Town Dining

15. Lazotea Rooftop

Cuisine: Contemporary Modern & Grill
Location: Casco Viejo, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Grilled Octopus with Chimichurri and Craft Cocktails
About the Place: An exclusive rooftop restaurant and bar featuring a pool, live DJ music, and gourmet Latin fusion cuisine looking over the bay.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Lazotea Rooftop

16. Restaurante Isla de Cañas

Cuisine: Traditional Azuero Coastal
Location: Pedasí, Los Santos
Must-Try Dish: Whole Fried Snapper with Coconut Rice
About the Place: A casual coastal eatery in Pedasí serving fresh daily catches directly from local Azuero fishermen.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Pedasí Dining

17. Azahar Panama

Cuisine: International & Asian-Western Fusion
Location: Costa del Este, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Black Cod with Miso and Truffle Risotto
About the Place: An elegant hidden "speakeasy-style" restaurant entered through a flower shop, offering high-end gourmet international dining.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Azahar Panama

18. Colono Beach Bar & Grill

Cuisine: Beachside Grill
Location: Playa Venao
Must-Try Dish: Fresh Tuna Burger and Passion Fruit Smoothies
About the Place: The ultimate surfside hangout on Playa Venao, serving hearty burgers, fresh fish bowls, and cold beers right on the sand.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Playa Venao Dining

19. Sabor de la India

Cuisine: Authentic Indian
Location: Vía España, Panama City
Must-Try Dish: Garlic Naan and Chicken Tikka Masala
About the Place: A long-standing favorite in Panama City for rich, authentic Indian curries, tandoori grills, and savory naan bread.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Sabor de la India

20. Bistro Boquete

Cuisine: International Mountain Comfort
Location: Boquete Highlands
Must-Try Dish: Braised Beef Short Ribs and Farm Salad
About the Place: Cozy mountain bistro in Boquete serving comforting international dishes crafted from fresh local Chiriquí farm vegetables.
Explore More: Read our full guide to Bistro Boquete

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Fresh Panamanian Ceviche and Seafood Feast