Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Panama City, Panama

1. Ceviche Mi Río

Fresh seafood marinated in citrus juices and spices served at a riverside eatery, offering a vibrant and authentic experience.

Riverside Setting: Unique location on the Panama River adds to the dining experience
Authentic Recipe: Traditional ceviche recipe using fresh local ingredients
Live Music: Enjoy live music while savoring your meal

Hearty chicken stew cooked with various vegetables and spices in the historical district of Casco Viejo, offering a glimpse into Panamanian culture.

Historical Setting: Dine in the charming Casco Viejo neighborhood
Traditional Recipe: Authentic sancocho recipe passed down through generations
Variety of Ingredients: Sancocho is typically made with chicken, yuca, plantain, and various vegetables

A classic dessert made from three types of milk, topped with fresh fruit and whipped cream, available in a charming bakery.

Charming Bakery Atmosphere: Cozy bakery setting for a sweet treat
Traditional Recipe: Tres leches cake recipe using three types of milk and topped with fresh fruit
Fresh Fruit Topping: Fresh fruits add a burst of flavor to the dessert

Flaky pastries filled with savory meat and served hot, offering a tasty snack on-the-go.

Portable Snack: Perfect for a quick bite during sightseeing
Crispy Pastry Shell: Golden and flaky pastry shell with a tasty meat filling
Authentic Recipe: Traditional empanada recipe using spiced meat

Tender shredded beef slow-cooked with vegetables and served with rice, offering a comforting dish in a casual setting.

Delicious roasted suckling pig served in a traditional restaurant with a modern twist.

Traditional Setting: Dine in a historical setting with modern touches
High-Quality Ingredients: Suckling pig is carefully sourced and prepared for maximum flavor
Unique Dish: Coquinillo al Horno is a specialty dish in Panama

Seafood soup bursting with flavor and fresh ingredients, served in a bustling seafood restaurant.

Bustling Atmosphere: Lively restaurant setting for an exciting meal
Fresh Seafood: Seafood soup made with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients
Spicy Broth: The broth is seasoned with various spices for a rich and flavorful taste

Flaky pastries filled with sweet or savory fillings, baked fresh daily in a popular Panamanian bakery.

Fresh Daily Bakery: Pastries are baked fresh every day
Variety of Fillings: Hojaldres come in sweet and savory flavors like cheese, guava, or chicken
Flaky Pastry Shell: Golden and flaky pastry shell with a delicious filling

Traditional corn-based dish filled with meat or vegetables, wrapped in a banana leaf and steamed to perfection.

Authentic Recipe: Tamal recipe passed down through generations
Banana Leaf Wrapping: The tamal is wrapped in a banana leaf for flavor and presentation
Variety of Fillings: Tamales come in meat or vegetable fillings like pork, chicken, or cheese

Classic dish of rice and chicken served with beans and plantain, offering a hearty meal in a beachside setting.

Beachside Setting: Dine on the beach while enjoying your meal
Hearty Meal: Arroz con Pollo is a filling dish with chicken, rice, beans, and plantain
Affordable Price: Arroz con Pollo is an affordable option for a delicious meal

Crispy fried green plantains flattened and filled with meat, beans, or cheese, offering a unique snack.

Unique Snack: Patacón is a traditional dish in Panama made from fried green plantains
Variety of Fillings: Patacón can be filled with meat, beans, or cheese for different flavor options
Crispy Texture: The outside is crispy while the inside remains soft and fluffy

Fish served in a spicy tomato-based sauce called tinto, available at the bustling fish market.

Bustling Atmosphere: Experience the hustle and bustle of the fish market
Fresh Fish: Seafood is fresh and sourced directly from local fishermen
Spicy Sauce: The tinto sauce is seasoned with various spices for a flavorful dish

Traditional corn beer made from fermented maize, served cold in a rustic setting.

Rustic Setting: Dine in a simple and authentic setting
Unique Beverage: Chicha de Jora is a traditional beverage in Panama
Cold and Refreshing: The chicha is served cold, making it perfect for hot days

Soft bread roll filled with melted cheese and served with ketchup or hot sauce, offering a tasty snack.

Unique Snack: Mollete con Queso is a traditional dish in Panama made from soft bread filled with cheese
Tasty Snack: The mollete is a simple and tasty snack option
Variety of Toppings: Molletes can be topped with various sauces like ketchup or hot sauce

Rich and flavorful coffee made from carefully sourced beans, offering the perfect start to a day in Panama City.

High-Quality Coffee: Coffee is made from carefully sourced and roasted beans
Rich Flavor: The coffee has a rich and full-bodied flavor
Perfect Start to the Day: A cup of café de oro is the perfect way to start your day in Panama City