4-Hour Tasting Session with 32 Local Flavors in Panama City
Overview
Available languages
3 hours 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Every country has a story - Panama tells hers through flavor.
This experience was born from our love for those hidden tastes locals grow up with but travelers rarely find.
Your host opens her home to share 32 of Panama’s most beloved bites and sips, connecting each one to a region, a ritual, or a memory.
It’s not just a tasting, it’s a cultural map told through food.
You’ll experience how ingredients, traditions, and people blend into the country’s identity, and leave with stories and flavors that stay with you long after you return home.
Additional Info
Specialized infant seats are available
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Wheelchair accessible
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
Minimum age requirement for alcohol consumption is 18 years of age.
What To Expect
Step inside a local home and taste Panama like a local, not a tourist. Join our food expert for a 4-hour journey through 32 traditional local flavors — from street snacks and tropical fruits to rum cocktails and handmade desserts. You’ll hear the stories behind each bite while sipping mojitos and tropical juices, discovering how every ingredient connects to Panama’s rich mix of cultures. No walking required — just sit back, taste, laugh, and compare favorites. Each portion is curated to give you a full taste of the country without feeling too full. Perfect for couples, friends, or solo travelers looking for a fun and cultural evening in the city. Vegetarian and non-alcoholic options are always available. And if it’s not a five-star night, you won’t pay for a four-star one - simple as that! We just ask one thing: come hungry for stories. Because long after the last bite, you’ll still carry the flavors, laughter, and memories of Panama with you.
Sample Menu
starter
Street Food & Snacks
Start your journey with empanadas, fried dumplings, and crispy plantain chips — the kind locals grab on a Sunday morning at the market.
starter
Tropical Juices & Refreshers
Cool down with fresh-pressed passion fruit, mango, and tamarind juices, served over ice and full of sunshine.
starter
Rum Cocktails & Mojitos
Classic mojitos, spiced rum cocktails, and tropical house creations. Caribbean refreshment in every sip.
main
Meats, Cheeses & Packaged Treats
A tasting table with marinated meats, regional cheeses, packaged snacks, and handpicked antipasti from the local market.
dessert
Tropical Fruits Sampler
A colorful tasting of seasonal fruits — from creamy cashew apples to starfruit and sweet soursop — including a few surprises you’ve likely never seen.
dessert
Desserts & Candies
Regional sweets like coconut treats, fruit chews, spiced caramels, and classic Central American desserts.
dessert
Digestifs & Coffee
We wrap things up with traditional digestif liqueurs and rich Central American coffee — bold, aromatic, and served the local way.
dessert
Iced Teas & Local Sodas
Spice-infused iced teas and exotic sodas from local brands. A delicious non-alcoholic alternative.
Options
Private Tasting
Min. of 2 participants require
Shared Group Tasting
What‘s Included
Cultural storytelling with insights into each flavor’s origin and meaning.
32 tasting portions covering Panama’s most authentic flavors — from savory bites to sweet desserts.
Vegetarian and non-alcoholic options always available upon request.
Handpicked meats, cheeses, fruits, and sweets curated by your local host.
Full satisfaction guarantee — if it’s not five stars, you don’t pay for a four-star night.
Mojitos, rum cocktails, and tropical juices made fresh during the experience.
Personal expenses
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Reviews
67 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Incredible Food, Stories, and Local Insights
anrienac2025,Jun 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Chef Tanya’s food tasting session was one of the highlights of my time in Panama! The experience felt incredibly intimate and personal, making it easy to connect not only with the food but also with the culture behind it. Every dish was absolutely delicious, and Tanya took the time to provide detailed explanations about each one—sharing its origins, history, and significance in Panamanian cuisine. Her passion and knowledge brought every bite to life. Beyond the amazing food, Tanya was warm, welcoming, and exceptionally hospitable. She truly knows Panama inside and out and seems to have all the local connections and hidden gems. It felt like exploring the city with a knowledgeable friend who wanted to share the very best of it. If you’re looking for an authentic, memorable, and delicious way to experience Panama, I can’t recommend Chef Tanya’s food tasting enough!
Wonderful journey across Panama and your Taste buds.
smiledaily,Jun 2, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This is a must do. Tanya is the chef that creates a fabulous tasting journey of Panamanian cuisine; all small plates so you can try everything and be stuffed by the end. Even catered to my vegetarian needs.. Tanya shares her home and kitchen for this experience. She herself speak English beautifully and provides us a great cultural journey with full explanation along with providing plenty of information about the city and life in Panama. I planning on returning with my wife and am sure we will do this tasting together.
Great experience
Della C,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tanya is an amazing person who does lots of food tours as well as her own cooking business. Her mother is originally from Panama so this is her heritage. We enjoyed trying all the different foods as well as some drinks. It was a small group of 4 tonight and it was a great evening. We were stuffed with all the tastings. It took place at her home in a gated community. Very safe location.
Yummy
D4098ZMkimd,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Tanya was great! Such a talented cook and a joy to spend time with! We tasted food we wouldn't have tried had we not done this, along with its background!
So yummy!
KimDowell,Apr 22, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Tanya is an amazing cook and so fun to be around! Got to taste and experience so much food that I wouldn't have tried any other way!
Best Food Tour in Town
Ivory C,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Whatever preconceived notions you may have throw them away and come for quality food and time. So much love and effort was put into these delicious foods and drinks you learn a lot you laugh a lot and you leave with not only a full stomach but with a lot of knowledge.
An intimate experience with a wide range of flavours and knowledgeable host!
Lisa F,Apr 14, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00This was a great intimate experience of Panama flavours. Bring your appetite! We did not do the food justice and wish we could have eaten a whole lot more. Loved all the information that the host gave us and wonderful tips on where to shop and eat in Panama. I would recommend this experience for anyone who wants a wide range of typical Panamian food to try.
Perfect first evening in Panama City
Jakob K,Apr 6, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An amazing evening at Catherine’s home. The food was absolutely outstanding—authentic Panamanian specialties! Catherine is a fantastic, welcoming host who made me feel at home immediately. I went alone but met two other great guests, making for a very relaxed and cool atmosphere. Highly recommend this for anyone who wants to try Panamanian specialties in a nice atmosphere!
A Gem Experience for Foodies!
OferBerenstein,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This event was a wonderful opportunity to capture a lot of the flavours and culinary approaches to produce that are hard to come by when roaming the streets and looking for vendors/eateries. Tanya, our chef, compiled a menu that reflected different regions of the country, cultural influences, and choices that may be lesser-known to non-locals. Tanya also has a wealth of knowledge and recommendations about places to try, dishes to scout, and ingredients to search for.
Great!
emilierQ9258YQ,Mar 8, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great experience with Tanya who bent over backwards to satisfy us. The dishes were delicious and we discovered new flavors. We also received advice for our visit to the country.
Related Experiences
Operated by Cook in Fiesta