Food & Cuisine in Panama
Panama offers a variety of regional foods, and has been influenced by both its northern and southern neighbours. Those who enjoy their food a little spicy will find Panamanian cuisine a delight. There are also a number of traditional, regional dishes that you may wish to try, in order to truly experience the diversity of the cuisine on offer in Panama.
With a range of culinary influences and fresh, varied ingredients, Panama is sure to offer something to satisfy any palate!
This Panama Restaurant Guide gives a brief indication of the cuisine of Panama, as well as detailing some of the regional specialities and some of the more popular dishes you may wish to try. Details of restaurants within Panama City can be found by going to our Panama City Restaurant Guide. And don\'t forget to check out our Panama Shopping Guide as well, for information about what there is to buy when in Panama.
Food & Cuisine in Panama
Panama's fine restaurants with their various types of cuisine are a consequence of the country's ideal location on the world map and the resulting diversity of cultures to which it is home. If you enjoy good food, Panama is the place to relish some of the finest cuisine in Central America. You can embark on a culinary adventure with the exotic cuisine from the Far East, dine in Europe's top restaurants, or sample Panama's traditional dishes and excellent seafood.
Panama's wealth of flora and fauna ensures a regular supply of wonderful tropical food ingredients like vegetables, fruits, spices as well as various types of seafood. As can be expected, the cuisine of the country reflects the fact that Panama has welcomed immigrants from all over the world. Some of these are the Africans, the French and the Chinese.
You will find many great Panama restaurants across the country, each offering a pleasurable dining experience. Seafood is a good bet throughout Panama, and the Panamanians enjoy their lunch of Guacho (wah-choh) every Friday. The dish is a thick gumbo of seafood. But if you're missing the flavours of America, there are many American fast food restaurants such as McDonald’s and Burger King.
As befits a city used by the world as an international crossroads, Panama City restaurants offer an incredible choice of fine cuisine at reasonable rates. You'll find the majority of these restaurants in the business district, on the Amador Causeway and in the historic Casco Viejo.
Local Food
You might find that Panamanian food resembles the cuisine of other Latin American countries, but you will notice that it is not as spicy. Corn is used in many ways in Panamanian cuisine. The Panamanians mainly cook in oil. Some of the specialities of the country are dishes prepared from fish, shellfish and seafood.
Other foods you will commonly find here include ceviche (raw fish in lemon juice and cilantro), pollo (chicken), patacones (fried plantain), camarones (shrimp) and corvina (a white fish from the Pacific). Although Panama grows a variety of fruits, you won't often find fresh fruit in the restaurants. But you can buy fruit from outdoor markets and from fruit stalls on the roads.
All the hotels and restaurants in Panama City and Colón offer American, Spanish and French food. The main cities of Panama (including Panama City) have a huge number of excellent restaurants to choose from. You can also find restaurants that serve oriental cuisine in Panama. Traditional cuisine is generally hot and spicy like Creole cuisine. What's more, you'll find an unlimited choice of spirits, wines and beers in the hotels, bars and restaurants.
There are all kinds of food and cuisine in Panama – from Thai and Chinese to nouvelle gourmet and Mexican. In the town of Boquete, you can drink wonderful coffee and choose from an excellent selection of restaurants.
The diet of the people of Panama is based on rice, beans and meat, along with locally grown vegetables. They eat fruits like yucca, papaya, squash, banana and watermelon.
If you're heading to the islands of Bocas del Toro and San Blas, look forward to some fine seafood and coconuts fresh from the palm trees.
Breakfast in Panama
Breakfast in Panama is generally a heavy affair with deep-fried corn tortillas heaped with eggs and other tasty stuff like fried meat. If you want a simpler breakfast, you can easily find eggs and toast with fresh fruit. And don't miss the Panamanian coffee.
Panama Specialties
The usual meal in Panama includes meat, beans and coconut rice and is accompanied by locally produced fruits and vegetables such as yucca, plantain and squash. As in Costa Rica, this type of dish is known as a casado (“married”). On the islands and coasts, the food is enriched with fresh seafood and fruits like coconut and mango.
Don't forget to try the specialities of Panama. There's Sancocho (stew with meat, chicken and vegetables), Empanadas (turnovers stuffed with chicken, meat or cheese), Casado (a platter with rice, a piece of chicken, fish or meat, black beans and usually a small salad) and Gallo pinto (breakfast of rice-and-beans, often accompanied by eggs).
