Dining & Nightlife
Food Scene
Panama City has the best restaurant scene in Central America. The culinary range spans from a $3 fonda menu to world-class fine dining. The restaurant Maito (Chef Mario Castrellón) regularly ranks among the 50 best restaurants in Latin America and interprets Panamanian cuisine at a modern level.
Must-Try in Panama City
- Mercado de Mariscos (Fish Market): The legendary fish market on the Cinta Costera. Below are the stalls with the freshest ceviche in the city (2–4$ per cup — eat there, NOT in the expensive restaurant upstairs!). Corvina ceviche, octopus ceviche, shrimp cocktail — all freshly caught and delicious.
- Fondas in Calidonia: Around the metro stations, you'll find local eateries: rice, beans, chicken, salad, drink for $3–5. It doesn't get more authentic than this.
- Casco Viejo: Bajareque Coffee House (best specialty coffee), Donde José (Panamanian tasting menu), Super Gourmet (sandwiches and salads at a fair price).
- El Cangrejo: Naki Sushi (Japanese-Panamanian), New York Bagel (breakfast), and the many international restaurants along Via Argentina.
Nightlife
Panama City has the best nightlife in Central America — diverse, safe, and lasting until the early hours:
- Casco Viejo: Rooftop bars (Tantalo, CasaCasco), jazz clubs (Danilo's), wine bars — chic and atmospheric.
- Calle Uruguay: The city's party mile — clubs, bars, reggaeton, and Latin music until dawn. It buzzes here on Fridays and Saturdays.
- Zona Viva (El Cangrejo): International bars, craft beer spots, and the Rana Dorada brewery.
💡 Tipp
The best ceviche in Panama City is at the Mercado de Mariscos — but at the small stalls UNDER the restaurant, not in the restaurant upstairs (overpriced and touristy). A cup of Corvina ceviche for $2–3, plus a cold Balboa — the perfect lunch for under $5.
