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The best food in Panama is a mix of Spanish, African, and Indigenous traditions, using fresh local ingredients. Rice, beans, yuca, plantains, and seafood are common in everyday meals. Popular dishes include sancocho, a chicken and vegetable soup, and arroz con pollo, rice with chicken cooked in spices. Fried foods like empanadas and carimañolas are eaten as snacks. Coconut milk and herbs add flavour to many meals, especially along the coast. Panamanian food is simple but tasty, and its mix of cultures makes it special. These dishes are now shared and enjoyed in other countries too.
10 Famous Food In Panama
Here’s a selection of Panama’s most popular and loved dishes, showing the local ingredients, mixed traditions, and home-style cooking that make Panamanian cuisine special:
1. Sancocho
Photo: Caldobasico / Wikimedia Commons
Sancocho is a famous food in Panama, often considered the national dish. It’s a chicken and root vegetable soup, traditionally made with ñame (yam) and corn and seasoned with culantro for its distinct aroma. Light but nourishing, it’s commonly served with white rice on the side. Every region has its own twist, but the base always includes slow-simmered chicken in a rich, herb-infused broth. It’s a go-to comfort dish for family meals, festive gatherings, or even as a remedy for hangovers.
Cost/Plate: ₹450 – ₹800
Best Places To Try: Panama City, Santiago, Chitre
2. Ropa Vieja
Photo: El Mono Español / Wikimedia Commons
Ropa Vieja is a famous food in Panama, made from shredded beef stewed in a tomato-based sauce with onions, peppers, and spices. Served with rice and sweet plantains, it’s full of flavour and texture. The name means “old clothes” in Spanish, referring to the stringy appearance of the beef. Though originally Cuban, it’s become a regular part of Panamanian home cooking. This savoury dish is deeply satisfying and found in restaurants and family kitchens nationwide.
Cost/Plate: ₹540 – ₹990
Best Places To Try: Casco Viejo, David, Colón
3. Arroz con Guandu
Photo: Jose Kevo / Wikimedia Commons
Arroz con Guandú is a key part of traditional food in Panama, especially during holidays. It’s a fragrant rice dish made with coconut milk and guandú (pigeon peas), giving it a subtle sweetness and a nutty, earthy taste. It’s commonly paired with meats like roast pork or fried fish. The dish is especially popular during Christmas but is enjoyed year-round. Its roots trace back to African and Caribbean influences, making it a flavourful symbol of Panama’s cultural blend.
Cost/Plate: ₹360 – ₹720
Best Places To Try: Penonomé, Las Tablas, Bocas del Toro
4. Carimanolas
Photo: Jdvillalobos / Wikimedia Commons
Carimañolas are a popular street food in Panama, often eaten for breakfast or as snacks. These are yuca (cassava) fritters filled with seasoned ground beef or cheese, deep-fried until golden and crispy. The outside is crunchy, while the inside remains soft and flavourful. They’re typically served with hot sauce or aji chombo for extra heat. They are commonly sold at street stalls, bakeries, and school canteens and are loved for their portable size and rich flavour.
Cost/Plate: ₹180 – ₹360
Best Places To Try: Panama City, San Miguelito, Chorrera
5. Tamal de Olla
Photo: Valenzuela400 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Tamal de Olla is a baked cornmeal dish and part of the best food in Panama, different from the traditional wrapped tamal. Made in a pot (olla), this casserole-style meal includes corn dough mixed with chicken, olives, capers, raisins, and vegetables. It’s steamed or baked to a soft, savoury consistency. Often served at parties and family gatherings, Tamal de Olla brings together sweet, salty, and tangy flavours in one bite. It’s a local favourite showing Panama’s Spanish and Afro-Caribbean culinary roots.
Cost/Plate: ₹630 – ₹1,100
Best Places To Try: Las Cumbres, Arraiján, Davi
6. Hojaldres
Photo: Tamorlan / Wikimedia Commons
Hojaldres are flat, fried breads and one of the most beloved street foods in Panama. They’re deep-fried with simple dough until puffed and golden, often eaten at breakfast with eggs, sausages, or cheese. They have a chewy texture with crisp edges and are sometimes dusted with powdered sugar for a sweet version. Found at corner shops and roadside eateries, hojaldres are quick, satisfying, and perfect for soaking up sauces or pairing with savoury mains.
Cost/Plate: ₹180 – ₹450
Best Places To Try: Santiago, Panama City, Las Tablas
7. Chicheme
Photo: Editor161994 / Wikimedia Commons
Chicheme is a traditional, famous food in Panama, though it is technically a drink. Made from cooked corn, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, this sweet beverage has a pudding-like texture and is usually served cold. It’s especially popular in the provinces during festivals and holidays. Though it might seem like a dessert, locals treat it as a snack or light meal. The blend of creamy, spiced flavours is both nostalgic and refreshing, especially on hot days.
Cost/Glass: ₹180 – ₹360 per glass
Best Places To Try: La Chorrera, Aguadulce, Penonomé
8. Bistec Picado
Photo: Yasser Hernandez / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Bistec Picado is a go-to dish in Panamanian food culture. It’s made with thin slices of beef sautéed in tomato sauce, onions, bell peppers, and spices. Often served over white rice with a side of plantains or salad, it’s a quick and hearty everyday meal. Though simple, the slow-cooked sauce soaks into the meat, making each bite rich and satisfying. You’ll find this dish in home kitchens and casual diners throughout the country.
Cost/Plate: ₹450 – ₹900
Best Places To Try: Colón, Tocumen, San Miguelito
9. Arroz con Pollo
Photo: El Mono Español / Wikimedia Commons
Arroz con Pollo is a classic across Latin America, but it holds a special place in food in Panama. This dish combines rice with chicken, annatto for colour, and vegetables like bell peppers, peas, and carrots. It’s usually cooked in one pot, blending all the flavours into a comforting, homestyle meal. Served during birthdays and special occasions, it’s beloved for its simplicity and heartiness. The rice soaks up the chicken’s juices, making every forkful packed with flavour.
Cost/Plate: ₹540 – ₹900
Best Places To Try: Panama City, Chitré, Penonomé
10. Empanadas
Photo: Horacio Cambeiro / Wikimedia Commons
Empanadas are one of the best street foods in Panama, found at bakeries, markets, and roadside stands. These half-moon pastries are filled with cheese, beef, or chicken and either baked or fried. The dough is usually made from cornmeal or flour, giving a crisp, golden finish. They’re eaten for breakfast or as a snack and often served with hot sauce. Empanadas are loved for their portability, flavour, and the endless variety of fillings across the country.
Cost/Plate: ₹180 – ₹360
Best Places To Try: Albrook, El Valle de Antón, David
The best food in Panama combines flavours from different cultures into warm, filling, and easy-to-make meals. Panamanians enjoy soups, stews, rice dishes, and fried snacks at home and in local markets.From street food to home cooking, Panamanian food continues to be enjoyed for its heart, taste, and variety. Book your Panama trip with TripXL and enjoy the authentic flavours of Panama.
Cover Photo: Shardar Tarikul Islam / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
