What to eat Panama? culinary specialties and gastronomy

You can eat at any time in Panama, many informal restaurants are open continuously from 7am. In the capital, there are even some cafeterias open 24 hours a day... But in general, you can have breakfast(el desayuno) in the restaurant, or in your hotel, between 7 and 9 or 10 am, and lunch(el almuerzo) between 12 and 3 pm. For dinner(la cena), restaurants serve between 6:30-7pm until 10pm, or later in the capital. However, be careful in rural areas, it is often difficult to find a place to eat after 7pm.

In fondas or comedores, popular restaurants, you can eat a full meal with a drink for less than US$5. In more upscale restaurants, à la carte dishes run from 15-25 US$. The dishes are always hearty, and you can easily do without dessert (which is generally not extraordinary).

In addition to the price of the dishes displayed in restaurants, you'll often need to add 7% for taxes and 10% for service. On the other hand, it's not necessary to leave a tip in cafeterias or small informal restaurants.

You will often be served a large glass of ice water in restaurants. Don't worry, Panama is one of the only countries in Latin America where tap water(agua del grifo) is safe to drink in the capital and the major cities (not in remote areas or on the islands). Bottled water is often "purified" water that is not mineral water. If you want sparkling water, ask for agua con gas.

The cuisine is not very spicy in general, but can be on the Caribbean coast, especially in Bocas del Toro. The use of chili is common, as are coconut milk preparations.

Vegetarian options are limited, especially outside the main cities. Chinese restaurants, which are quite numerous throughout the country, often offer vegetarian dishes.

Gentlemen, if you have lunch or dinner in a restaurant with a Panamanian woman, do not offer to share the bill! You will lose her esteem, as the invitation is implied, especially the first time!

Children are welcome in the restaurants. Panamanians are used to taking their families to restaurants, so there's nothing to worry about. High chairs(silla de comer para niños) are often available, as are children's menus.

Smoking is not allowed inside the restaurants, but also on the terrace.

Beware of restaurants full of pushers, as this is generally not a good sign, as it is everywhere...

Cafés open around 9am and close around 7pm, or much later. Happy hours are common in bars in tourist areas.

Prices are reasonable in Panamanian cafes, even in very touristy places. Count between 0,50 and 3 US$ for a coffee, between 2 and 4 US$ for a natural fruit juice or a milkshake(batido), between 1,50 and 3,50 US$ for a cold beer on the terrace.

Consumption of alcohol is possible from the age of 18. You may be required to show identification to gain access to an establishment selling alcohol. A photocopy of your passport to prove your age will do if necessary.

Although the country produces one of the world's most famous coffees, coffee-growing is not very well developed in Panamá, apart from the Boquete area and the capital's upmarket districts. It's usually served American-style, i.e. drowned in water. If you want a full-bodied coffee, turn to espressos in restaurants and specialized cafés. The same goes for tea, which is hard to find outside a few establishments in the capital. Hibiscus flower infusion, on the other hand, is quite common.

Among the local curiosities, you can try duros or raspao: duros are a kind of homemade ice cream made with water or condensed milk, usually sold by individuals in the countryside on their doorstep and served in a cup or small plastic bag. Raspao is a cone of ice cream mixed with tropical-flavored syrups and topped with condensed milk or sugarcane honey. You'll no doubt see the raspaderos, street vendors, grating their huge block of ice onto a cart. A Panamanian tradition to refresh and energize! To avoid artificial sugar, treat yourself to coconut water(ague de pipa) or sugarcane juice(jugo de caña)..

Children are welcome in cafes and bars if accompanied by a parent.

As in restaurants, smoking is prohibited in bars and cafés, even on the terrace.

There are no real tourist traps in this area.

To avoid disappointment when ordering a juice, always ask if it is natural(jugo natural) and not artificial(jugo artificial).