What to try in Boquete: special products & dishes locals love

Boquete is a town with a big mix of nationalities and cultures, which makes the food options range from authentic Panamanian to Italian gelato, German bakery, Peruvian flavors and much more. Even though it’s a small town, there are more than 120 restaurants with lots of variety. Usually, these write-ups list “best restaurants,” but here we want to share products and dishes that feel special to the town and that many locals would recommend.

Strawberries & cream: Strawberries in Boquete and the highlands are high quality. Because of that, there are several spots serving the famous strawberries & cream—a dessert that will make anyone happy. Recommended spots: Fresas Mary (Volcancito), El Poder de las frutas (Los Naranjos), Fresas Café (Los Naranjos). If you don’t want cream, there are other options: Nutella, chocolate, condensed milk and more.

Geisha coffee ice cream: This ice cream has become one of the most popular treats in town. It has an amazing flavor, credited partly to the famous Geisha coffee that has elevated Boquete’s status worldwide. Altieri’s coffee shop is one of the most modern and beautiful spaces in town—definitely worth a visit. It’s inside their coffee farm and has a very large area where they serve drinks and pastries with plenty of seating. They also offer their own coffee tour and a kids’ play area.

Mortons bread: a Jewish artisan bakery where you’ll find a great variety of breads and pastries. Our favorites range from bagels, sourdough bread, cookies, Jewish rye, chocolate babka, or anything else that catches your eye. They serve a very good breakfast that you can enjoy in a stunning backyard with lots of space for kids to have fun.

Pizza at La Galeria or Il Arte del Figlioccio: simply the best pizza in town. Both places were created by the same pizza master, Luis, who is charismatic and friendly and you’ll probably meet him at La Galeria. La Galeria specializes in Italian food with plenty of options (pizza, pasta, dessert and more) and is located next to the library park in Boquete town. Il Arte del Figlioccio is his first project—a small spot that offers only pizza and made him famous with locals and tourists. I’d recommend the small spot for takeaway pizza (the chef says that oven makes better pizza), and La Galeria for lunch or dinner because the space is more comfortable for that plan.

Traditional Panamanian breakfast at Punto de encuentro (Donde Olga’s): this cozy place offers one of the best traditional Panamanian breakfasts. Must-tries: hojaldras, tortilla, carimañola—classic Panamanian options. If you’re here in high season (November to April), try to reserve ahead or go early to make sure you get a seat.

Try any fonda: fondas are typical Panamanian restaurants where the entire menu is cooked “cafeteria style.” You go in and pick your options and they’re kept hot. Fondas are low-cost, with good portions—perfect after a day of hiking or cycling. Popular ones in Boquete: El Sabroson (three locations), Meye Buonore (more comfortable setup), Fonda y Café Beby (smaller spot) and very tasty. You’ll find lots of Panamanian dishes: patacones, hojaldras, rice and beans, many meat/chicken dishes and more, for an excellent price.