How to Experience Panama's Cuisine

Panama has a rich culinary history that visitors can explore during a visit to the country.

Its indigenous traditions are deeply rooted in the country's epicurean heritage which has many layers. As Panama grew as a nation, the country developed its culinary traditions from many places around the world, including Spanish colonists, enslaved people arriving from Africa, Chinese railroad workers and the French, West Indians, Europeans and Americans who worked to construct the Panama Canal.

This exchange of ingredients has come to create unique and distinct Panamanian dishes that visitors can try in the country today.

Panama City has been designated a UNESCO Creative Cities of Gastronomy and is home to a stellar bar scene, buzzing restaurants, traditional cart vendors and more. It is also a hotspot for young chefs, coming to debut their contemporary dishes that have been derived from Panama's gastronomic traditions.

Visitors can visit Chef Ariel Zebede's A to Z restaurant in Panama City where they will find an immersive, pop-up experience and a multicourse chef's table tasting menu.

The Chiriqui Highlands are known for another Panamanian tradition-coffee.

It's the highest point in the country, and its rich volcanic soil and mild temperatures form the ideal environment for growing beans. Geisha, an Arabica bean brought to Panama from Ethiopia, is one of the region's most recognized varieties.

Coffee farms, such as Don Pepe Estate Coffee, which was founded in 1898, offer tours for visitors.