Península de Azuero
Get your greasy-spoon fix at breakfast (from US$3), lunch or dinner at this friendly open-air plaza-cafe overlooking Parque Union. It offers two kinds of…
Must-see restaurants in Panama
Isla Bastimentos
Close to the island’s highest point, Australian Michelle concocts some pretty exotic meatless dishes at her vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free restaurant…
Boquete
A stalwart choice of gringo boquteños, this friendly eatery serves the most enormous and satisfying fish tacos. The menu also includes chicken wings,…
Panama City
A long, open porch and wrought-iron chandeliers lend a farmhouse feel to this Panama City institution, most popular with an older crowd delighted to dine…
Santa Catalina
This Italian-run local institution is a bakery by day and a pizzeria after dark. Come before 9:30am as bread (US$1.50 to US$2) sells out and breakfasts …
Península de Azuero
About 3km southeast of Los Santos along the Carretera Nacional you'll discover this rustic truck stop where everything is cooked on a wood-fire grill…
Panama City
Ideal for an afternoon pick-me-up or a quick bite before clubbing, this salad bar and crêpe factory has something for everyone. Spinach, ricotta and…
Península de Azuero
In addition to pizza, this popular pizzeria in the shadow of an enormous water tower a short distance south of the main square does a good range of pasta,…
David
This spacious red, yellow and orange eatery is a welcome oasis northwest of the center. Grilled meats and seafood are the standard main courses, and there…
Bocas del Toro Town
Locals of every stripe agree that Tom's is the spot for a tasty lunch of seafood or chicken paired with rice or fries (fixed menu US$6) that doesn't break…
Isla Bastimentos
Pitched on the shifting sands of Red Frog Beach, this one-hit wonder does a thriving business dispensing tacos with fish, shrimp, ceviche (citrus-cured…
Coclé Province
One of several outlets in a growing chain, this place serves a lot more than just the eponymous national dish of Costa Rica, which is chicken with rice…
Santa Catalina
This thatched Italian-owned restaurant on the public beach is the undisputed spot for a sunset beer. Pasta dishes are a tad pricey given their somewhat…
Península de Azuero
This cake shop on a side street off Av Central is not the institution it once was, but the cakes are still good, the empanadas filling and the sandwiches…
Panama City
With Bollywood on the telly and staff and cooks from the subcontinent, this unassuming spot is a fast track to your spicy-food fix. We only wish it were a…
Santa Catalina
This cozy restaurant in the hotel of the same name specializes in seafood but also has a wide selection of tapas, including calamari croquettes, clams,…
Coclé Province
A local place along the beach and popular with day-trippers from the capital, Cokoblue serves burgers, sandwiches and seafood pasta dishes but seems first…
David
A prime choice if you're looking for something cheap and filling while you're on the hoof downtown. This colorful cafeteria south of the landmark…
Península de Azuero
With brick-oven pizzas topped with local cheese and tasty chicken tacos, this plaza-front Panamanian cafe on the southeast corner of the main square…
El Valle Gourmet & Coffee Shop
El Valle
Selling gourmet sandwiches and smoothies, this landmark cafe is a good place to stock up on picnic fare before heading for the trails. You can also find a…
Comarca de Guna Yala
The island's only restaurant is just beyond the main pier. Expect fish (and patacones). The pigs in wooden cages above the pier are being fattened up for…
Isla Colón
This outdoor open-deck restaurant with graffiti art and full views of the beach serves pizzas and seafood with cold beers and margaritas. For cyclists…
Península de Azuero
This snack shop is a perfect hunger fix if you have a few minutes between buses: think marinated meatballs, potato salad and empanadas (turnovers stuffed…
Comarca de Guna Yala
This very basic eatery serves the usual Panamanian fodder alongside mountains of patacones (fried green plantains). Pleasant outside seating. The small…
Península de Azuero
Housed in a colonial building on its very last legs, this low-key spot serves grilled meats and basic Panamanian dishes. Stop by in the morning for a…
Darién Province
This very basic fonda on the west side of the Interamericana just before (or after) you cross the Metetí River serves simple chicken and pork dishes with…
Panamá Province
This tiny outdoor eatery has good plain food that's popular with locals. Fish and chips is on the menu, but lunch specials such as chicken with patacones …
Península de Azuero
This no-frills little family-run restaurant on the way to the beach offers fresh fish and simple Panamanian dishes alongside four very basic double rooms…
Darién Province
Pretty much the only game in town, this tiny place with two tables serves up acceptable fish, chicken and pork dishes with the inevitable patacones (fried…
David
Fruit smoothies, salads and grilled burgers are the fare at this health-food cafe-restaurant with a US owner to the west of downtown. Good vegetarian…
Panadería y Dulcería Romellini
Coclé Province
You wouldn't exactly write home about this cafe-bakery – even a postcard would be overkill – but it's spotless, central and dispenses delicious…
Península de Azuero
This very basic fonda serves comida típica (traditional Panamanian dishes) that won't win any culinary awards, but you can't beat the prices or the…
Coclé Province
Penonomé's central market dating back to 1918 serves hearty breakfasts, with such dishes as hojaldras (fried dough), bistec encebollado (steak and onions)…
Panama Canal
This branch of a national cafe chain on the ground floor of the Miraflores Visitors Center serves snacks and light meals throughout the day.
Comarca de Guna Yala
The best (only?) place to eat on the island is this hole-in-the-wall not far from the pier. There'll be fish and seafood dishes on offer, as well as…
Darién Province
This very simple place opposite the ferry pier serves up the usual comida típica, local fare that offers few surprises but will get you through the day.
Boquete
With strawberry and other fruit batidos (shakes) that will make you quake with pleasure, this cute cafe on the road to Volcán Barú makes a worthy stop.
Bocas del Toro Town
In addition to moist slabs of carrot cake and freshly baked wholegrain bread, this German bakery and patisserie also sells sandwiches, salads and pasta…
El Valle
This popular pizzeria does pizzas with a range of toppings as well as meaty burgers. But save room for the tasty lemon pie and/or the signature brownie.
Bocas del Toro Town
Patronized by locals and travelers alike, this no-frills cafeteria is the best spot in town for cheap but tasty grub. Soups are especially good.
