Skip to content
Voykit
Set your trip — dates, party, bagsPlanner

Draft data. Times, fares and step counts are desk estimates awaiting field checks. Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify

Eat · Casco Viejo

Fonda lunch (plato del día)Fondas

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.

last order: unknownchairsPanamanianNot field-verified

Key facts

Per person
US$5–10
Panamanian
Hours
unknown
see note below
Walk in
11:30–13:30
easiest window
Seating
chairs
Card
ask
carry cash
Getting there
Walk from Plaza de la Independencia or take a taxi to Avenida Central
6 min walk

Go now?

Open?

Weekday lunch; many close by mid-afternoon

Busy this hour

Estimate by hour below

Easiest walk-in

11:30–13:30

Reservations

Walk-in, no reservation

Paying

Bring cash

Per person

US$5–102026 estimate · check

Directions (opens Google Maps)What to order ↓
  • Plate of the day
  • Sancocho
  • Cheap lunch
  • Order: Plato del día
  • Table seating
  • Walk-in window: 11:30–13:30
  • Queue risk: after 15:00
  • Bring cash

Highlights come from Voykit's own data and desk notes, not from reviews. Hover a tag to see its source.

Rules in force · 9Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…Street taxis often quote a tourist price and do not use m…
  • Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
  • Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
  • Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
  • Panama ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Panama's National Migration Service or a Panamanian consulate; proof of onward travel and funds may be asked for.
  • Panama ↗Do not travel independently in the Darién; the UK and other governments warn against parts of it, and there is no road crossing to Colombia.
  • Panama ↗Guna Yala (San Blas) is governed by the Guna people: visitor fees apply, and photography of people usually needs permission and payment. Book through Guna-run or licensed operators.
  • Panama City and the Canal ↗Check the Canal Authority's daily ship schedule before you plan the locks: the visit is worth most when a ship is due.
  • Panama City ↗Street taxis often quote a tourist price and do not use meters: book through a ride-hailing app or the airport taxi counter, and agree the fare before you get in.
  • Panama City ↗May to November brings heavy afternoon rain: plan outdoor stops for the morning and keep the afternoon for indoor stops.
Map & directions
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Directions
From where I am

Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.

Plan

When you can walk in, what to order, how to pay

Walk-in windows

11:30–13:30: highafter 15:00: riskySundays: risky

A walk-in lunch is only planned as primary when your arrival lands outside the “impossible” window.

A simple counter or room serving one plate of the day

When to go, hour by hour

desk estimate · not live

Quietest listed hour: 15:00 (quiet).

  1. 11:00lightlittle or no wait
  2. 12:00heavyexpect a line
  3. 13:00heavyexpect a line
  4. 14:00lightlittle or no wait
  5. 15:00quietlittle or no wait

Desk estimate of crowd on a weekday; weekends and public holidays run one level higher. Not live data. No line length is on file, so waits are in words.

How to order here

The order of play at the counter or table, what to say, how much to order and how to pay.

  1. 1Ask for the plato del día and point.
  2. 2Say which side you want: arroz, frijoles, patacones.

No shared language? Tap dishes in the order builder below and show the waiter the full-screen list in the local script. For a printed menu, translate a photo of it.

What to say

In EnglishSay or showSounds like
How much is this?¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAN-toh KWES-ta
Not spicy, pleaseSin picante, por favorseen pee-KAN-teh por fah-VOR
The bill, pleaseLa cuenta, por favorla KWEN-ta por fah-VOR
HelloBuenos díasBWEH-nos DEE-as
Thank youGraciasGRAH-syas

Extras, condiments and what costs extra

  • Drinks: US$1 to 3 — Drink water or a chicha.

Paying and tipping

Sit-down restaurants: about 10%, less than the 15–20% US norm.

  • Pay at the counter and take a table.
  • Ask the price of the plate before you sit.
  • Cash preferred; cards at some.
  • Tipping: About 10% in restaurants if service is not added; round up for drivers.
  • Check the bill for a service charge before tipping.

At the table

  • Eat cooked food hot; choose busy counters.
  • Ask for bottled water; ice in established places is usually fine.
  • Go to markets and fondas before 13:30.

Menu and prices

2026 estimate
  • Plato del díaPlato del díaRice, beans and a main.US$5–9if hungry
  • SancochoSancochoA hot soup; hearty.US$4–8if hungry
  • PataconesPataconesA side.US$2–4if hungry
  • ChichaChichaFruit drink.US$1–3if hungry

2026 estimate, US dollars.

Build your order

Tap + on what you want, or let Voykit suggest a starting order.

2 people

  • Plato del día

    Plato del día

    US$5–9

    0

  • Sancocho

    Sancocho

    US$4–8

    0

  • Patacones

    Patacones

    US$2–4

    0

  • Chicha

    Chicha

    US$1–3

    0

Food and drink

Nothing picked yet.

Menu prices are 2026 estimates (check the board or menu on the day).

Split the bill 2 ways

Pick dishes to see each person's share.

Sit-down restaurants: about 10%, less than the 15–20% US norm. Local custom: 10% if not added. Tipping calculator

Pick at least one dish to make the full-screen list.

Price and paying

Typical spend
US$5–10 per person (2026 estimate)

Paying

Cashyes

Preferred.

Cardask

Ask.

mobileno

Rare.

Diet and allergies

Yes means there is something for you; ask means possible with care; no means go elsewhere.

  • Vegetarianask

    Limited.

    Show: No como carne. Solo arroz y frijoles.

  • Veganno

    Rare.

  • Halalno

    Not certified.

    Show: Sin cerdo, por favor.

  • Gluten-freeask

    Rice and plantain are naturally gluten-free.

  • Nut allergyask

    Ask.

  • Allergyask

    Ask the counter.

    Show: Soy alérgico a...

Make an allergy and diet card for Panama City →

Who it suits, booking, closures

goodSolo — Counter seating.
okKids — Simple plates.
cautionStroller — Narrow.
cautionGroups of 5+ — Small rooms.
cautionWheelchair — Check the step.
How to book
No bookings.
How far ahead
Not needed
No-show / cancel fee
Not applicable
Dress code
Casual; cover up.
WhenStatusNote
Sundayscheck before you goMany close.
Public holidayscheck before you goClosed.

On the ground

Hygiene and comfort

Seating
Chairs at tables
Kids
kids' menu: no · stroller: caution · Simple plates
Access
step-free: check · Small rooms

Hygiene

  • Choose a counter with a fast turnover and hot food.
  • Ask for bottled water; ice may come from tap water.

Facts

Reservations
Not taken — Walk-in counters.
Capabilities
food · seated_rest
Getting there
Walk from Plaza de la Independencia or take a taxi to Avenida Central · ~6 min walk

Cons

  • Fans rather than air conditioning.
  • Hours vary and many close by mid-afternoon.
  • Menus are in Spanish; the plate of the day changes.
Ordering helpDish glossary · Price check

Dish glossary

On the menuWhat it isOrder it how
Plato del díaThe plate of the day.Ask what is on.
SancochoA chicken and root-vegetable soup.Try it once.
PataconesFried green plantain slices.Ask for salt.
ChichaA fruit drink.Ask for the flavour.

Price check

2026 estimate
locals pay
A plate costs US$5 to 8.
tourist price
Restaurants in Casco Viejo charge US$15 to 30 for a main.
rule
Ask the price of the plate before you sit.
Extra on the tableTypical chargeWhat to do
DrinksUS$1 to 3Drink water or a chicha.

Deep dive

Questions, nearby food and sources

Questions and answers

answered by Voykit editors · dated
When is best?

11:30 to 13:30.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Is it enough for a meal?

Yes; plates are generous.

Checked 2026-09-29 · Voykit desk

Is it safe to eat there?

Choose a busy counter with fast turnover.

Do they take cards?

Some; keep small notes.

Answers come from Voykit editors, not from other travellers.

Nearby alternatives

walk minutes · estimate

If it is closed or the line is too long

Go to Carimañolas, empanadas and hojaldres, about 1 min on foot (straight line × 1.3); no reservation needed.
  1. Carimañolas, empanadas and hojaldres1 min walkPanamanian 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.
  2. Specialty coffee cafés in Casco Viejo1 min walkCafés 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.
  3. Mercado de Mariscos7 min walkWalk-in ceviche and fried-fish counters over the seafood market on the Cinta Costera; go before 12:00 or after 14:00.

Places without an authored walk are ranked by straight-line distance × 1.3 at 5 km/h.

All places to eat in Panama City, with filters →

Nearby

Straight-line distance; walk time adds 30% for streets.

Used as a seated rest node in Panama City in 4 days.

Sources