Jazmin Li
Panama City Airport, also known as Tocumen International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in Central America. It is a large, modern airport with plenty of dining options for travellers with long layovers. The airport has a good food court, with close to 20 eateries, including sit-down restaurants, cafes, and to-go options. International chains with a presence at the airport include Cinnabon, Subway, Quizno’s, Domino's, Starbucks, and Olive Garden. Eateries close by 9:00 p.m. or 10:00 p.m., so it is advisable to plan ahead if you will be spending the night. If you have at least a 7-hour layover, you can leave the airport and explore Panama City's restaurants, bars, and rooftop lounges.
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What You'll Learn
Panama Tocumen Airport has a good food court
Panama Tocumen Airport is a large, modern airport that is considered one of the busiest airports in Central America. It has a good food court with close to 20 eateries, including several cafes and to-go options. Sit-down restaurants include Tierra Firma and Air Margaritaville, which are good options if you have time for leisurely dining. There are also various international chains, such as Cinnabon, Subway, Quizno’s, and Domino’s.
The airport's eateries all close by 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., although they may open 24 hours during the high season. If you are travelling with kids, one traveller recommends the soups, salads, and fettuccine Alfredo with shrimp at Olive Garden. There are also other good kiosk-type places upstairs, including a decent ramen place.
If you have a long layover, you might want to leave the airport and head to Panama City for a meal. It is about 20 miles from the airport, which can take 40 minutes in moderate traffic, or 50 minutes by public bus. Once there, you can stroll through Casco Viejo, the historic heart of the city, and explore its winding alleys, churches, architecture, souvenir shops, art shops, restaurants, bars, and rooftop lounges.
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Eateries close by 10 pm, plan ahead for late-night snacks
If you're looking for eateries close to Tocumen International Airport in Panama City, you have several options, though it's worth noting that many airport restaurants close at 9 pm. The airport itself is quite large and modern, with a good food court, charging stations, shops, and free WiFi. Here are some suggestions for places to eat if you plan to stay near the airport:
- Air Margaritaville: This restaurant is located within the airport and offers a variety of dining options and drinks.
- Barú Bar & Grill: Another airport option, serving grilled dishes and potentially other Central American cuisine.
- Bistró Market: A market-style dining option inside the airport, offering a range of food choices.
- Oh Toro Ramen & Sushi: If you're craving Japanese cuisine, this airport restaurant serves ramen and sushi.
- Terra Firme: A potential choice for traditional Panamanian cuisine or Latin American dishes.
- Fast food chains: For a quick bite, you can choose from a variety of familiar fast-food chains, including Cinnabon, Domino's, Dunkin' Donuts, Subway, and Pizza Stop.
If you don't mind venturing a bit further, the city centre is about a 30- to 40-minute taxi ride away, and you can find a wider range of dining options there. Keep in mind that if you're travelling with children or have specific dietary needs, it's always a good idea to plan ahead and bring snacks or meals with you to ensure you have something to eat, regardless of your arrival time.
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There are many restaurants near Panama City Bay County Airport
There are indeed several restaurants near Panama City Bay County Airport. If you're looking for a place to eat within the airport itself, there are close to 20 eateries, including sit-down restaurants, cafes, and to-go options. Sit-down restaurants Tierra Firma and Air Margaritaville are recommended for leisurely dining. International chains with a presence at the airport include Cinnabon, Subway, Quizno’s, and Domino’s. Eateries tend to close by 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., although they may open 24 hours a day during the high season.
If you have a long layover and would like to explore Panama City for a meal, there are many restaurants, bars, and rooftop lounges in the historic Casco Viejo neighbourhood, which is about 20 miles or a 40-minute drive from the airport. Stroll through winding alleys, view well-preserved churches and architecture, and pop into souvenir and art shops. If you're looking for a more modern experience, Avenida Balboa offers ultra-modern, newly built skyscrapers and international shops along Panama Bay.
For a meal with breathtaking views, Compass Kitchen and Bar at the Springhill Suites Panama City Beach hotel offers handcrafted cocktails, bar bites, and entrées. The Grand Marlin Restaurant is another great option for seafood lovers, featuring a main dining area with a shucked-to-order oyster bar, an exterior North Drop Bar overlooking Grand Lagoon, and private meeting rooms. This restaurant fuses the Caribbean with the Panama City Beach Area in its atmosphere and serves the highest-quality, fresh, local seafood.
For a unique dining experience, The Pearl Hotel's signature restaurant is inspired by El Floridita, Hemingway's favourite haunt in old-town Havana. The restaurant offers a comfortable, communal ambiance with a joyful atmosphere, serving Gulf Coast Americana cuisine with Caribbean influences and ingredients sourced from family-owned, small producers on the Gulf Coast. The hand-carved mahogany bar is the perfect spot for an expertly crafted cocktail, craft beer, or fine wine.
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The airport has a busy, ultra-modern feel with lots of shops
Tocumen International Airport in Panama City is a large, modern airport with a busy, ultra-modern feel. It is considered one of the busiest airports in Central America. The airport has close to 20 eateries, with several cafes and to-go options. Sit-down restaurants include Tierra Firma and Air Margaritaville, which are good options if you have time to dine in. There are also international chains such as Cinnabon, Subway, Quizno’s, Domino's, and Starbucks. Eateries tend to close by 9:00 or 10:00 p.m., although they may open 24 hours during the high season.
The airport also has 40+ shops, including internationally-known brands like Adidas, Dolce & Gabbana, Burberry, Kate Spade, and Mango. There are also smaller shops selling convenience items, books, news, and souvenirs. The Duty-free areas offer discounts on alcohol, makeup, and edible treats, and Studio Natural and Celebra Panama offer locally-made goods.
If you have a long layover and want to get out of the airport, you can easily visit Panama City. It's about 20 miles from the airport, which takes around 40 minutes to an hour to reach by public bus or taxi. Head to Casco Viejo, the historic heart of the city, to explore winding alleys, churches, architecture, souvenir shops, art shops, restaurants, bars, and rooftop lounges. For an ultra-modern feel, walk along Avenida Balboa, which follows Panama Bay, and take in the newly built skyscrapers and international shops.
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You can leave the airport to eat in Panama City with a long layover
If you have a long layover in Panama City, you might want to leave the airport and explore the city's food scene. Tocumen International Airport is about 20 miles from the city centre, which can take 40 minutes in moderate traffic.
The colourful streets of Casco Viejo are a popular choice for strolling and dining. The area boasts colonial-style architecture, colourful houses and buildings, and plenty of eateries, shops, and cafes. It is also aligned with the water, so you can enjoy top-notch views while you eat.
If you're craving seafood, consider heading to Veracruz Beach or Monkey Island, both located about a half-hour drive from Panama City. Here, you can relax in a hammock, sip on Atlas, the local Panamanian beer, snorkel, and indulge in fresh seafood prepared in the traditional Panamanian style.
For a quick bite, the airport itself has a good food court with a variety of options, including burgers, pizza, pastries, and American fast-food chains like Subway and Carl Jr.'s. However, eating at the airport can be pricey, so be prepared for high costs.
If you're looking for a more extended exploration of Panama City, consider taking advantage of Copa Airlines' Stopover Program, which allows for a stopover of up to six nights. This way, you can properly explore the city and its surrounding areas, such as Taboga Island.
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Frequently asked questions
The Pearl Hotel's signature restaurant, Coconut Charlie’s, Compass Kitchen and Bar, and O-Ku Alys Beach are some good restaurants near the airport.
Tierra Firma and Air Margaritaville are good sit-down restaurants inside the airport. There are also international chains such as Cinnabon, Subway, Quizno’s, and Domino’s.
The InterContinental, Casco Viejo, and the Gamboa Forest are some good places to visit and eat at near the airport.
There are close to 20 eateries inside the airport, including sit-down restaurants, cafes, and to-go options. Some options include Olive Garden, Starbucks, and a ramen place.
You can browse or shop at the 40+ shops inside the airport, including internationally-known brands like Burberry, Kate Spade, and Mango. If your layover is at least 7 hours long, you can also visit Panama City for sightseeing.
