Where to eat in Panama City

1. Amador Causeway waterfront lunchCalzada de Amador

   Amador Causeway and Biomuseo · Grill and skewers, Seafood and sushi, International · sit-down

   Mid-range

   US$15 to 40

   Restaurants along the Amador Causeway with a view of the skyline and ships waiting for the Canal: a sit-down lunch after the Biomuseo, US$15 to 40 a head, best with a reservation at weekends.

   • Skyline view
   • Ships at anchor
   • Seafood
   • Order: Ceviche or grilled fish
   • Table seating

   Veg

   ask

   Halal

   no

   Good for

   solo, couple, family, group

   Voykit page: walk-in windows, diet and payment on file.

2. Carimañolas, empanadas and hojaldresFritanga

   Casco Viejo · Tempura and fried, Coffee, tea and sweets, Market and street stalls · street / counter

   Budget

   US$2 to 5

   Panamanian fried snacks from a bakery counter or street stall: a carimañola (a cassava fritter with meat), an empanada or a hojaldra with coffee for US$1 to 4; a breakfast or a snack, best before 10:00.Panamanian fried snacks from a bakery counter or street stall: a carimañola (a cassava fritter with meat), an empanada or a hojaldra with coffee for US$1 to 4; a breakfast or a snack, best before 10:00 AM.

   • Carimañolas
   • Cheap
   • Fast
   • Order: Carimañola and coffee
   • Counter seating

   Veg

   ask

   Halal

   no

   Good for

   solo, couple, family, group

   Voykit page: walk-in windows, diet and payment on file.

3. Fonda lunch (plato del día)Fondas

   Casco Viejo · Rice and bowls · sit-down

   Budget

   US$5 to 9

   Fonda-style lunch counters serve a plate of the day for US$5 to 9: rice, beans, plantain and stew or chicken. Go at 11:30 to 13:30, and choose a place with a queue of workers.Fonda-style lunch counters serve a plate of the day for US$5 to 9: rice, beans, plantain and stew or chicken. Go at 11:30 AM to 1:30 PM, and choose a place with a queue of workers.

   • Plate of the day
   • Sancocho
   • Cheap lunch
   • Order: Plato del día
   • Table seating

   Veg

   ask

   Halal

   no

   Good for

   solo, couple, family

   Voykit page: walk-in windows, diet and payment on file.

4. Mercado de Mariscos

   Casco Viejo · Seafood and sushi, Tempura and fried, Market and street stalls · sit-down

   Budget

   US$4 to 8

   Walk-in ceviche and fried-fish counters over the seafood market on the Cinta Costera; go before 12:00 or after 14:00.Walk-in ceviche and fried-fish counters over the seafood market on the Cinta Costera; go before 12:00 PM or after 2:00 PM.

   • Ceviche
   • Market atmosphere
   • Cheap
   • Order: A cup of ceviche
   • Table seating

   Veg

   no

   Halal

   no

   Good for

   solo, couple, family

   Voykit page: walk-in windows, diet and payment on file.

5. Specialty coffee cafés in Casco ViejoCafés de especialidad

   Casco Viejo · Coffee, tea and sweets · sit-down

   Mid-range

   US$4 to 12

   Cafés that serve Panamanian highland coffee, including the expensive geisha variety: a good air-conditioned break from the heat; an ordinary cup costs US$3 to 6, a geisha US$8 to 20 or more.

   • Highland coffee
   • Air conditioning
   • A cool break
   • Order: Filter coffee and a pastry
   • Table seating

   Veg

   yes

   Halal

   ask

   Good for

   solo, couple, family

   Voykit page: walk-in windows, diet and payment on file.

6. A fine-dining tasting menu

   Casco Viejo · Tasting menus · sit-down

   Splurge

   US$60 to 150

   Modern Panamanian — Book ahead.

   • Order: Modern Panamanian
   • Book ahead

   Veg

   ?

   From the city eat guide · not yet checked (check); no Voykit page yet.

Walk times are straight-line estimates (×1.3 for streets, 5 km/h3 mph); “(area)” means the cluster centre, not the door. Diet “ask” means possible with care; Voykit has not tested cross-contact.