Street Food & Food Markets in Panama City

Best Street Food Panama City 2026 | Food Markets Panama | Local Food Panama | Panama Street Eats

1. 🦐 MERCADO DE MARISCOS (FISH MARKET)

Best Seafood Market Panama City | Cheap Fresh Seafood | Local Food Experience Panama

The most authentic food experience in Panama City. The ground floor is a working fish market where you can buy fresh catch of the day, and the upper floor is a bustling food court serving Panama’s freshest ceviche, fried fish, seafood rice, and cold coconut water — all at unbeatable prices.

  • 📍 Location: Av. Balboa, Panama City
  • 🕐 Hours: Daily, 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • 💰 Price: ~$5–$15 per plate
  • 🎯 Must Try: Ceviche de corvina (sea bass ceviche) — Panama’s national dish, made fresh to order

2. 🎪 MERCADO DE ARTESANÍAS — FOOD STALLS

Street Food Panama | Local Snacks Panama City | Authentic Panamanian Snacks

Beyond the crafts, the area around the Mercado de Artesanías at Balboa is surrounded by food carts and stalls selling Panama’s best street snacks: carimañolas (yuca fritters stuffed with meat), empanadas, patacones (fried plantains), chicheme (corn drink), and fresh tropical fruit.

  • 📍 Location: Balboa Avenue, Panama City
  • 🕐 Hours: Daily, 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • 💰 Price: ~$1–$5 per snack
  • 🎯 Must Try: Carimañola + fresh coconut water — the ultimate Panama street snack combo

3. 🌆 CASCO VIEJO SUNDAY MARKET

Panama City Sunday Market | Local Produce Panama | Community Market Casco Antiguo

Every last Sunday of the month, Casco Viejo becomes a pedestrian-only zone (Casco Peatonal) filled with artisan markets, local food vendors, live music, and community events. It’s one of the most vibrant and photogenic experiences you can have in Panama City — completely free to enjoy.

  • 📍 Location: Casco Viejo (San Felipe), Panama City
  • 🕐 When: Last Sunday of every month | 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
  • 💰 Price: Free entry | Food from ~$3–$10
  • 🎯 Must Try: Local artisan food + fresh tropical juices + live folklore music

4. 🌯 AVENIDA BALBOA FOOD TRUCKS & CINTA COSTERA

Panama City Food Trucks | Waterfront Dining Panama | Casual Eats by the Bay

The Cinta Costera waterfront promenade is lined with food trucks, casual eateries, and vendors serving everything from grilled corn and hot dogs to ceviche and empanadas — all with stunning views of Panama City’s iconic skyline across the bay.

  • 📍 Location: Cinta Costera, Av. Balboa, Panama City
  • 🕐 Hours: Daily, especially evenings from 5:00 PM
  • 💰 Price: ~$2–$8
  • 🎯 Best for: Sunset snacks with a skyline view — one of the most scenic casual dining spots in the city

5. 🍽️ VÍA ARGENTINA FOOD STREET

Best Food Street Panama City | Local Restaurants Via Argentina | Casual Dining Panama

Vía Argentina in El Cangrejo neighborhood is Panama City’s most bustling local food street — packed with casual restaurants, budget eateries, food stalls, and classic Panamanian fondas serving daily specials. This is where locals eat, not tourists, making it one of the most authentic food experiences in the city.

  • 📍 Location: Via Argentina, El Cangrejo, Panama City
  • 🕐 Hours: Daily, lunch and dinner
  • 💰 Price: ~$5–$15 per person
  • 🎯 Must Try: The daily lunch special (menu del día) at any local fonda — rice, protein, salad, and juice for ~$5