Bestseller

4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience

4.92

4.9(160 reviews)

4 hours 30 minutes

English, Spanish

Mobile ticket

Show all 11 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

4 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Discover Panama's unique cuisine in this local market tour combined with a hands on cooking class. With your expert local food guide you will explore the local markets in Casco Viejo, Panama's famous colonial Old Town where you will look for the freshest ingredients for your personalized menu. You will learn about the herbs and seasonings that are unique to Panama while you create a five course meal that would make every Panamanian's grandma proud. You will learn the techniques to wrap the perfect Panamanian tamale and stuff a carimañola from a local chef with generations worth of knowledge and experience. Your cooking experience will be personalized based on your dietary preferences. Options are available for gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and pescatarian.

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Legal age that can be served alcohol is 18

What To Expect

Your tour starts at the Restaurante El Nacional in Casco Viejo, the colonial historic center of Panama City. You will walk with your expert local guide to gather your personalized ingredients at the two main markets in Panama's Old Town. You will first visit the famous Mercado de Mariscos, Panama's largest seafood market. With the help of your guide, you will select the perfect fish for your ceviche from amongst the many varieties that are delivered here daily from local fisherman on both the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. Next you will walk a short distance to the Mercado San Felipe Neri. Here you will maneuver amongst the organized chaos of local vendors selling the freshest meats, fruits, and vegetables that Panama has to offer. Once you have your ingredients, you will head back to the cooking studio at El Nacional to begin the cooking class. During the hands on cooking class, you will create a 5 course menu consisting of classic Panamanian dishes made from scratch while learning about spices and herbs that are unique to Panamanian cuisine. The tour will conclude with a sit down lunch where you can enjoy the food that you just created along with complimentary local drinks.

Sample Menu

starter

Panamanian Style Ceviche

Made with the fresh corvina that we will get at the seafood market

starter

Carimañola

A Panamanian staple that consists of mashed yucca (cassava) stuffed with seasoned meat (chicken or vegetarian)

main

Pollo Guisado

You will learn how to make this stewed chicken with local herbs and spices. You will use this chicken in the carimañola and tamal recipes.

main

Tamale Tipica

The centerpiece of any family dinner in Panama made with a velvety corn masa filled with meat and/or vegetables and wrapped in a plantain leaf

dessert

Plátano en Tentación

Sweet plantain slowly cooked in a cinnamon, molasses and citrus fruit juice.

main

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free Options

All of the dishes can be substituted with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free ingredients to fit your dietary needs.

Options

Casco Viejo Morning Class

Food from the class and drinks: All the Food cooked on the class, tamale, carimañolas, ceviche, Sweet plantain, and drinks as coffee, juice, soda, wine, etc

Casco Viejo Afternoon Class

Food from the class and drinks: All the Food cooked on the class, tamale, carimañolas, ceviche, Sweet plantain, and drinks as coffee, juice, soda, wine, etc

What‘s Included

Cooking class

A late lunch based on the same items cooked on the cooking class

Cold Bottled water to start the walk to the markets.

This cooking class includes a complimentary drink. Includes sodas, juices, beers, cocktails, wine.

Optional Tips

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.92

160 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

154

Excellent Experience!
David H,May 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was one of our favorite experiences in Panama City! I highly recommend it! First, the food is amazing, we will definitely return to the restaurant. But this is so much more than just good food! We learned about how the food relates to the Panamanian culture and how families often prepare it together, making healthy and delicious dishes from scratch. Everyone participates in making the food, doing different parts of the dishes, as you learn techniques to make your food more flavorful than what you are likely preparing at home! The chef also provided information on different ways you can personalize the dishes to your specific tastes, with simple alternatives to have different takes on the recipes. It was really fun and informative, and we all ended up chatting together as we went through the afternoon. While some of the ingredients were simmering, we walked to the public market and the fish market, about 2.2 km in total. If you are able bodied, this is an easy loop on sidewalks. The chef showed us the different parts of the markets and provided lots of information on fresh ingredients that are available in both locations. This is where the locals shop for very reasonably priced food. The food is sourced nearby and vendors are from local farms and fisheries. Both markets were very clean and are checked several times a day to make sure everything is up to the appropriate standards. You are supporting the local economy when you shop and eat here, not the giant corporations. You are welcome to purchase items while you are there, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so from the chef or the vendors. You can ask the chef as many questions as you like and get tips on how to pick out produce or fish that will fit your cooking needs! Once we returned to the restaurant, we finished preparing the dishes with the fresh food the chef purchased. Again, everyone is able to participate and ask questions. At the end, we had a delicious meal with several different Panamanian dishes! The only downside is that you have to be careful or you will be too full to try everything! A special note: To those with food allergies or celiac, this food experience was safe for us! We had two people with celiac and one with a serious allergy in our experience (two groups of two people). When you register, there is a place where you can provide comments to the provider. Once we arrived, we let the chef know again and the recipes were adjusted to be safe for us. It's rare for us to be able to do any type of food experience and knowing that we were safe was greatly appreciated. Additionally, we did not lose any of the flavor of the food - it was not bland or boring - all the delicious flavors were there, just with slight modifications to keep everyone safe! Overall, I would highly recommend this experience! If you can't fit it into your schedule, definitely try the restaurant for lunch or dinner - absolutely delicious!
An unforgettable cooking class and market experience in Panama City
Tiff C,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was hands-down one of the best cooking classes I have ever taken, and I have already recommended it to multiple people visiting Panama City. The experience was very thoughtfully organized. We started by preparing parts of the meal first, and while the dishes were simmering and cooking, we went on the market tour. We walked through parts of the city, including Chinatown, before arriving at one of the large local food markets. That alone was such a cool experience because it felt authentic and gave us a chance to learn more about local ingredients and everyday Panamanian food culture. There is also a prepared foods section at the market where vendors sell dishes until they sell out, usually by midday. Everything looked incredible, so I would definitely recommend stopping by early one day if you want to try more authentic local food. Chef Jorge was absolutely fantastic. He explained everything clearly, made the class approachable for all skill levels, and checked in about dietary restrictions before cooking. He was very accommodating to anyone who did not eat fish, gluten, etc. We made everything on the menu ourselves, and afterward he sent all of the recipes so we could recreate the dishes at home. One detail I really appreciated afterward was how thoughtful the pre-arrival information was. He included helpful travel tips, cab phone numbers, and recommendations that were genuinely useful during our stay. Our class was very small, only four people, which made the experience feel personal and interactive. We were very well taken care of with fresh sangria, water, and delicious food throughout the class. The chicken tamales were especially memorable. Everyone was friendly, relaxed, and engaged, and we learned a lot not only about cooking techniques but also about Panamanian ingredients and food traditions. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone visiting Panama City. It felt authentic, welcoming, organized, and genuinely special from beginning to end.
Fun cooking, drinking and markets activity
Soraya B,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour was really fun but it's more enjoyable if you don't mind being in the kitchen. You get to learn about some traditional Panamanian dishes and assist in cooking them. The free drinks to the experience and walk to the markets, including the fish market make it more enjoyable. At the end you get to sit and enjoy the meals your prepared. They are quite filling so go with an open appetite !
Great night-well done!
Christine G,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
What a well run and organized operation! The class moved along efficiently and we all were busy helping to prep the food and learning about different ingredients and techniques. It was so cool to walk to the fish, meat and produce market and see Jorge interact with the locals while teaching us how to maneuver. The food we prepared tasted even better because we knew the ingredients and effort put into each dish. I highly recommend this excursion. We were a family of parents and two teen boys. There was another group of four with us, and once we finished preparing the dishes, we sat all together in the dining room and got to chat amongst ourselves so we got to meet new people too!
Amazing food and great experience.
Charmaine R,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was an amazing class. In addition to making and tasting delicious food, we learned about Panamanian cuisine as well as the herbs and spices used here. Chef Jorge and the rest of the staff were wonderful. The class is scheduled for four hours and even though we ran over they made sure we still had the full experience instead of rushing to get us out the door.
We had a great time...
Quentin R,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a great time! We highly recommend this complete and amazing experience!!! Indeed, we ended up with the friendly and smiling chef Jorge, who introduced us to the local gastronomic culture, with these excellent family recipes. The most of this experience is a visit to the local markets, a pleasant walk that allowed us to discover fresh products necessary for our recipe and personal consumption, thanks in particular to the various tips of the chef. At the small care, the chef offered us throughout the morning multiple drinks! A lover of cooking classes with my wife, this activity really ranks above , by its complete side! Certainly one of the highlights of our stay.
Panamanian cooking adventure
anneburtch,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Such a fun morning of prep, shopping, more prep and eating! I highly recommend this for visitors Chef Jorge patiently taught us and then guided us through a tour of the two major markets. The end result was an amazing meal and great memories!!
The absolute BEST!!
suerC178LI,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was one of the absolute best experiences we have had! We learned so much about Panamanian food and how to prepare it, and the trip to the mercados for the fish, seasonings and vegetables was amazing! Highly recommend!!!
Take the class!
Teler D,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jorge was absolutely amazing! I learned so much and thought the experience being able to walk to the market was a nice experience. We even met the owner of the restaurant and he's a cool guy as well. I would definitely recommend this. It'll be a highlight for sure.
Cooking with Jorge
Michael B,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jorge was a great cooking teacher. He provided why certain foods/spices are used and showed the processes clearly. He also injected humor. The food was really good as well.

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Bestseller

4-Hour Guided Panamanian Cooking Class and Markets Experience

4.92

4.9(160 reviews)

4 hours 30 minutes

English, Spanish

Mobile ticket

Show all 11 photos

Overview

Available languages

English

Spanish

4 hours 30 minutes

Mobile ticket

Additional Info

Service animals allowed

Public transportation options are available nearby

Legal age that can be served alcohol is 18

What To Expect

Sample Menu

starter

Panamanian Style Ceviche

Made with the fresh corvina that we will get at the seafood market

starter

Carimañola

A Panamanian staple that consists of mashed yucca (cassava) stuffed with seasoned meat (chicken or vegetarian)

main

Pollo Guisado

You will learn how to make this stewed chicken with local herbs and spices. You will use this chicken in the carimañola and tamal recipes.

main

Tamale Tipica

The centerpiece of any family dinner in Panama made with a velvety corn masa filled with meat and/or vegetables and wrapped in a plantain leaf

dessert

Plátano en Tentación

Sweet plantain slowly cooked in a cinnamon, molasses and citrus fruit juice.

main

Vegetarian, Vegan, and Gluten Free Options

All of the dishes can be substituted with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free ingredients to fit your dietary needs.

Options

Casco Viejo Morning Class

Food from the class and drinks: All the Food cooked on the class, tamale, carimañolas, ceviche, Sweet plantain, and drinks as coffee, juice, soda, wine, etc

Casco Viejo Afternoon Class

Food from the class and drinks: All the Food cooked on the class, tamale, carimañolas, ceviche, Sweet plantain, and drinks as coffee, juice, soda, wine, etc

What‘s Included

Cooking class

A late lunch based on the same items cooked on the cooking class

Cold Bottled water to start the walk to the markets.

This cooking class includes a complimentary drink. Includes sodas, juices, beers, cocktails, wine.

Optional Tips

Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Reviews

4.92

160 reviews

Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor

154

Excellent Experience!
David H,May 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was one of our favorite experiences in Panama City! I highly recommend it! First, the food is amazing, we will definitely return to the restaurant. But this is so much more than just good food! We learned about how the food relates to the Panamanian culture and how families often prepare it together, making healthy and delicious dishes from scratch. Everyone participates in making the food, doing different parts of the dishes, as you learn techniques to make your food more flavorful than what you are likely preparing at home! The chef also provided information on different ways you can personalize the dishes to your specific tastes, with simple alternatives to have different takes on the recipes. It was really fun and informative, and we all ended up chatting together as we went through the afternoon. While some of the ingredients were simmering, we walked to the public market and the fish market, about 2.2 km in total. If you are able bodied, this is an easy loop on sidewalks. The chef showed us the different parts of the markets and provided lots of information on fresh ingredients that are available in both locations. This is where the locals shop for very reasonably priced food. The food is sourced nearby and vendors are from local farms and fisheries. Both markets were very clean and are checked several times a day to make sure everything is up to the appropriate standards. You are supporting the local economy when you shop and eat here, not the giant corporations. You are welcome to purchase items while you are there, but there is absolutely no pressure to do so from the chef or the vendors. You can ask the chef as many questions as you like and get tips on how to pick out produce or fish that will fit your cooking needs! Once we returned to the restaurant, we finished preparing the dishes with the fresh food the chef purchased. Again, everyone is able to participate and ask questions. At the end, we had a delicious meal with several different Panamanian dishes! The only downside is that you have to be careful or you will be too full to try everything! A special note: To those with food allergies or celiac, this food experience was safe for us! We had two people with celiac and one with a serious allergy in our experience (two groups of two people). When you register, there is a place where you can provide comments to the provider. Once we arrived, we let the chef know again and the recipes were adjusted to be safe for us. It's rare for us to be able to do any type of food experience and knowing that we were safe was greatly appreciated. Additionally, we did not lose any of the flavor of the food - it was not bland or boring - all the delicious flavors were there, just with slight modifications to keep everyone safe! Overall, I would highly recommend this experience! If you can't fit it into your schedule, definitely try the restaurant for lunch or dinner - absolutely delicious!
An unforgettable cooking class and market experience in Panama City
Tiff C,May 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
This was hands-down one of the best cooking classes I have ever taken, and I have already recommended it to multiple people visiting Panama City. The experience was very thoughtfully organized. We started by preparing parts of the meal first, and while the dishes were simmering and cooking, we went on the market tour. We walked through parts of the city, including Chinatown, before arriving at one of the large local food markets. That alone was such a cool experience because it felt authentic and gave us a chance to learn more about local ingredients and everyday Panamanian food culture. There is also a prepared foods section at the market where vendors sell dishes until they sell out, usually by midday. Everything looked incredible, so I would definitely recommend stopping by early one day if you want to try more authentic local food. Chef Jorge was absolutely fantastic. He explained everything clearly, made the class approachable for all skill levels, and checked in about dietary restrictions before cooking. He was very accommodating to anyone who did not eat fish, gluten, etc. We made everything on the menu ourselves, and afterward he sent all of the recipes so we could recreate the dishes at home. One detail I really appreciated afterward was how thoughtful the pre-arrival information was. He included helpful travel tips, cab phone numbers, and recommendations that were genuinely useful during our stay. Our class was very small, only four people, which made the experience feel personal and interactive. We were very well taken care of with fresh sangria, water, and delicious food throughout the class. The chicken tamales were especially memorable. Everyone was friendly, relaxed, and engaged, and we learned a lot not only about cooking techniques but also about Panamanian ingredients and food traditions. I would absolutely recommend this class to anyone visiting Panama City. It felt authentic, welcoming, organized, and genuinely special from beginning to end.
Fun cooking, drinking and markets activity
Soraya B,Apr 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This tour was really fun but it's more enjoyable if you don't mind being in the kitchen. You get to learn about some traditional Panamanian dishes and assist in cooking them. The free drinks to the experience and walk to the markets, including the fish market make it more enjoyable. At the end you get to sit and enjoy the meals your prepared. They are quite filling so go with an open appetite !
Great night-well done!
Christine G,Apr 13, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
What a well run and organized operation! The class moved along efficiently and we all were busy helping to prep the food and learning about different ingredients and techniques. It was so cool to walk to the fish, meat and produce market and see Jorge interact with the locals while teaching us how to maneuver. The food we prepared tasted even better because we knew the ingredients and effort put into each dish. I highly recommend this excursion. We were a family of parents and two teen boys. There was another group of four with us, and once we finished preparing the dishes, we sat all together in the dining room and got to chat amongst ourselves so we got to meet new people too!
Amazing food and great experience.
Charmaine R,Apr 9, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was an amazing class. In addition to making and tasting delicious food, we learned about Panamanian cuisine as well as the herbs and spices used here. Chef Jorge and the rest of the staff were wonderful. The class is scheduled for four hours and even though we ran over they made sure we still had the full experience instead of rushing to get us out the door.
We had a great time...
Quentin R,Apr 7, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
We had a great time! We highly recommend this complete and amazing experience!!! Indeed, we ended up with the friendly and smiling chef Jorge, who introduced us to the local gastronomic culture, with these excellent family recipes. The most of this experience is a visit to the local markets, a pleasant walk that allowed us to discover fresh products necessary for our recipe and personal consumption, thanks in particular to the various tips of the chef. At the small care, the chef offered us throughout the morning multiple drinks! A lover of cooking classes with my wife, this activity really ranks above , by its complete side! Certainly one of the highlights of our stay.
Panamanian cooking adventure
anneburtch,Mar 31, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
Such a fun morning of prep, shopping, more prep and eating! I highly recommend this for visitors Chef Jorge patiently taught us and then guided us through a tour of the two major markets. The end result was an amazing meal and great memories!!
The absolute BEST!!
suerC178LI,Mar 28, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00
This was one of the absolute best experiences we have had! We learned so much about Panamanian food and how to prepare it, and the trip to the mercados for the fish, seasonings and vegetables was amazing! Highly recommend!!!
Take the class!
Teler D,Mar 26, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jorge was absolutely amazing! I learned so much and thought the experience being able to walk to the market was a nice experience. We even met the owner of the restaurant and he's a cool guy as well. I would definitely recommend this. It'll be a highlight for sure.
Cooking with Jorge
Michael B,Mar 10, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00
Jorge was a great cooking teacher. He provided why certain foods/spices are used and showed the processes clearly. He also injected humor. The food was really good as well.