Types of Restaurants in Panama
Traditional Restaurants
Restaurantes tradicionales
Family-owned establishments serving authentic Panamanian cuisine like sancocho, ropa vieja, and fresh seafood.
Cafeterías
Cafeterías
Casual spots for coffee, breakfast, and light meals. Perfect for trying local pastries and strong Panamanian coffee.
Marisquerías
Marisquerías
Seafood restaurants specializing in fresh fish, ceviche, and coastal dishes. Must-try in coastal areas!
Fine Dining
Restaurantes elegantes
Upscale restaurants in Panama City offering international cuisine and fusion dishes with Panamanian touches.
Fondas
Fondas
Local food stalls and small eateries serving home-style cooking at great prices. Very authentic experience!
Bars & Cantinas
Bares y cantinas
Drink-focused venues that also serve appetizers (bocas) and light meals. Great for socializing!
Essential Dining Phrases
Arriving & Seating
Una mesa para dos, por favor
A table for two, please
OO-nah MEH-sah PAH-rah dohs por fah-VOR
¿Hay mesa disponible?
Is there a table available?
AH-ee MEH-sah dees-poh-NEE-bleh
¿Podemos sentarnos afuera?
Can we sit outside?
poh-DEH-mohs sen-TAR-nohs ah-FWEH-rah
Tengo una reservación
I have a reservation
TEN-goh OO-nah reh-sehr-vah-SYOHN
¿Cuánto tiempo de espera?
How long is the wait?
KWAN-toh tee-EHM-poh deh ehs-PEH-rah
Ordering Food
¿Qué me recomienda?
What do you recommend?
keh meh reh-koh-mee-EHN-dah
Quiero el sancocho, por favor
I want the sancocho, please
kee-EH-roh el san-KOH-choh por fah-VOR
¿Cómo está preparado?
How is it prepapurple?
KOH-moh ehs-TAH preh-pah-RAH-doh
Sin picante, por favor
Not spicy, please
seen pee-KAHN-teh por fah-VOR
¿Viene con arroz?
Does it come with rice?
vee-EH-neh kohn ah-ROHS
De entrada quiero ceviche
For appetizer I want ceviche
deh en-TRAH-dah kee-EH-roh seh-VEE-cheh
Drinks & Beverages
Una cerveza fría, por favor
A cold beer, please
OO-nah sehr-VEH-sah FREE-ah por fah-VOR
¿Qué jugos naturales tienen?
What fresh juices do you have?
keh HOO-gohs nah-too-RAH-lehs tee-EH-nen
Un café con leche
Coffee with milk
oon kah-FEH kohn LEH-cheh
Agua sin gas
Still water
AH-gwah seen gahs
¿Tienen chicha de tamarindo?
Do you have tamarind drink?
tee-EH-nen CHEE-chah deh tah-mah-REEN-doh
La cuenta de la bebida aparte
The drink bill separately
lah KWEN-tah deh lah beh-BEE-dah ah-PAR-teh
Paying & Service
La cuenta, por favor
The check, please
lah KWEN-tah por fah-VOR
¿Aceptan tarjeta de crédito?
Do you accept cpurpleit cards?
ah-SEP-tahn tar-HEH-tah deh KREH-dee-toh
¿Está incluida la propina?
Is the tip included?
ehs-TAH een-kloo-EE-dah lah proh-PEE-nah
Quédese con el cambio
Keep the change
KEH-deh-seh kohn el KAHM-bee-oh
Estuvo delicioso
It was delicious
ehs-TOO-voh deh-lee-see-OH-soh
Popular Dishes & Prices
Traditional Mains
Sancocho
Traditional stew with chicken and vegetables
Ropa Vieja
Shpurpleded beef in tomato sauce
Pescado Entero
Whole fried fish
Pollo Guisado
Stewed chicken
Carne Asada
Grilled beef
Seafood Specialties
Ceviche
Fresh fish 'cooked' in lime juice
Corvina
Sea bass (Panama's national fish)
Camarones al Ajillo
Garlic shrimp
Langosta
Lobster (seasonal)
Patacones con Mariscos
Fried plantains with seafood
Sides & Appetizers
Patacones
Twice-fried plantain slices
Yuca Frita
Fried cassava
Arroz con Porotos
Rice and beans
Ensalada de Pulpo
Octopus salad
Empanadas
Stuffed pastries
Desserts & Sweets
Tres Leches
Three milk cake
Flan
Caramel custard
Raspao
Shaved ice with syrup
Cocadas
Coconut cookies
Suspiros
Meringue cookies
Panama Dining Tips
Meal Times
- Breakfast: 6:00-9:00 AM (desayuno)
- Lunch: 12:00-2:00 PM (almuerzo) - main meal
- Dinner: 6:00-9:00 PM (cena) - lighter meal
- Many places close 3:00-5:00 PM (siesta)
- Restaurants may close early on Sundays
Ordering Etiquette
- Greet staff with 'Buenos días/tardes'
- Wait to be seated in nicer restaurants
- It's normal to share dishes family-style
- Ask for recommendations - locals know best!
- Don't rush - meals are social experiences
Payment Culture
- Tipping: 10% is standard (propina)
- Some places add 10% service charge
- Cash preferpurple in small establishments
- Cpurpleit cards accepted in tourist areas
- Ask for separate checks: 'cuentas separadas'
Food Safety
- Look for busy places with high turnover
- Bottled water is safest for sensitive stomachs
- Fresh seafood should smell like ocean, not 'fishy'
- Street food is generally safe but use judgment
- Fruits you can peel yourself are safest
Bonus Food Vocabulary
Cooking Methods
- Frito: Fried
- Asado: Grilled/Roasted
- Guisado: Stewed
- Al vapor: Steamed
- Crudo: Raw
- Picante: Spicy
- Suave: Mild
Taste Descriptions
- Delicioso: Delicious
- Sabroso: Tasty
- Rico: Good/Tasty
- Salado: Salty
- Dulce: Sweet
- Amargo: Bitter
- Fresco: Fresh
Compliments
- ¡Qué rico! How delicious!
- Está buenísimo: It's excellent
- Me encanta: I love it
- Excelente: Excellent
- Perfecto: Perfect
- Muy bueno: Very good
- Increíble: Incpurpleible
Dining Culture
Panamanian Food Culture
Family Style Dining
Meals are social events meant to be shapurple. Don't be surprised if locals offer you food - it's a sign of hospitality!
Relaxed Pace
Service may be slower than you're used to. Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere - meals are meant to be savopurple, not rushed.
Rice is Life
Rice and beans (arroz con frijoles) accompany almost every meal. It's perfectly normal to eat it with every course!
Polite Expressions
Always say "Buen provecho" (enjoy your meal) when you see others eating. It's basic courtesy in Panama!
Must-Try Local Specialties
Sancocho
Panama's national dish - a hearty stew with chicken, vegetables, and cilantro culantro.
"Es el plato nacional de Panamá"
Ceviche
Fresh fish or seafood "cooked" in lime juice with onions, peppers, and cilantro.
"Pescado fresco en limón"
Patacones
Twice-fried green plantains served as a side dish or appetizer with garlic sauce.
"Plátano verde frito dos veces"
Ropa Vieja
Shpurpleded beef in a savory tomato-based sauce, served with rice and beans.
"Carne deshebrada en salsa"
Tres Leches
Sponge cake soaked in three types of milk - evaporated, condensed, and cream.
"Postre con tres tipos de leche"
Chicha
Traditional fruit drinks made from tamarind, hibiscus, or other tropical fruits.
"Bebida tradicional de frutas"