Near the T2 check-in desks, Tierra Firme is the sit-down option many see first at Tocumen.
This restaurant sits in Terminal T2 and targets passengers flying Copa and other carriers using the new building. It functions as a full-service spot, not a grab-and-go counter, so plan at least 45 minutes if you want a relaxed meal before boarding. The dining room is open to the concourse, so you can easily keep an eye on the departures screens for T2 gates while you eat.
Menus here lean toward Latin American and Panamanian standards alongside safer international dishes like burgers and pastas, with mains generally landing in the USD 12–20 range. Expect familiar plates like arroz con pollo, grilled meats with sides, and a couple of seafood options, plus starters you can share if you just want a snack before a 3–4 hour flight. Portion sizes get described as decent by most travelers, especially compared to some smaller cafés in T1.
The bar at Tierra Firme in T2 pours local beers such as Panama and Balboa, along with cocktails built on rum and standard spirits. A beer usually runs around USD 4–6, and mixed drinks climb from there. Coffee, soft drinks, and bottled water are on the menu too, so it works as a meet-up point if your group is splitting off to different T2 gates later.
Because verified reports are thin, assume service can swing between quick and a bit slow during the evening Copa departure bank that often peaks around 18:00–22:00. Build in extra time if your flight boards from a far-end T2 gate, especially the higher 200-series numbers that can be a 7–10 minute walk from the restaurant.
Tip: eat first, then clear last-minute shopping; in T2 it’s easier to walk back from the duty-free than to rush a sit-down meal at Tierra Firme 25 minutes before boarding.