National Classics

• Sancocho: A hearty soup made with chicken, root vegetables, and corn, considered the national dish—especially comforting on rainy days or when feeling under the weather.
• Ropa Vieja: Slow-cooked shredded beef served with rice and beans, a common and flavorful choice for a home-style lunch.
• Ceviche: A seafood cold dish marinated in lime juice, typically served with soda crackers, especially fresh in port cities.
• Patacones: Fried plantains flattened and refried, crispy and savory—found in nearly every meal.
• Hojaldres: Hollow fried dough pastries, often dusted with powdered sugar, popular for breakfast or snacks and great with coffee.

Staples and Seafood

• Rice and Beans: A daily staple, often paired with fried plantains, meat, or fried eggs.
• Seafood: Abundant catches from both the Pacific and Caribbean sides—shrimp, crab, grouper, and snapper are common, with affordable prices in coastal cities.
• Tamales and Empanadas: Corn husk-steamed tamales and fried pastry pockets, popular as festival treats or breakfast items.

Drinks and Where to Eat

• Drinks: Local coffee, fresh juices, and sugarcane juice are widely available; Ron Abuelo is a well-known rum brand, ideal for sipping or visiting a distillery.
• Where to Eat: Old Town Panama City and the Calle Uruguay restaurant street, cafes in Boquete, plus local markets and street stalls.
• Prices: Street food costs around $1–5 USD, main dishes at casual restaurants about $8–20 USD, and higher at mid- to high-end venues.
• Most restaurants add a 10% service charge, some also include a 7% sales tax; tipping is optional but appreciated.

Dining Tips

Panama City offers a wide range of dining options, from market stalls to international restaurants. For a taste of local cuisine, try a sancocho or ropa vieja combo—affordable and filling. Seafood ceviche is freshest in coastal towns. Panama’s historic Chinese community has shaped a unique local Chinese food scene, worth exploring. Many restaurants offer lunch specials that are better value than dinner. Peak dining hours are 12–2 PM and 7–9 PM; reservations are recommended for popular spots.