Your Guide to Panama City's Best Pizza Joints - 9 Incredible Italian Spots You Need to Try

When most people think about Panama, they imagine beaches and tropical vibes. But here's what expats moving to Panama quickly discover: the food scene is world-class. Panama City attracts talented chefs and entrepreneurs from around the globe, and the Italian pizza community has really flourished over the last few years. The reason? Panama's booming expat population means there's serious demand for authentic, high-quality cuisine. International schools, tech companies, and the financial sector bring professionals from everywhere, and they bring their culinary expectations with them. What you get is a beautiful blend of authentic Italian tradition meets Panama's cosmopolitan energy. The pizza restaurants we're featuring aren't just tourist traps - these are places where locals go because the food is genuinely exceptional.

Let's get into the real stars of Panama's pizza scene. We visited all nine of these spots and experienced them firsthand, so you're getting authentic intel, not marketing fluff.

Madre Cucina Italiana is one of those places that hits different. It's where authentic Italian tradition meets Panama City sophistication. The head chef Giacomo brings a magical touch to their pizzas - we're talking unique flavor combinations that make you understand why people make it a regular destination. The atmosphere feels genuinely Italian, not like a tourist-focused interpretation.

Ciao Ragazzi Pizza in Cucina opened a fantastic new location in Obarrio, and partners Conrado and David have really nailed the concept. They're serious about pizza as an art form, and it shows in every bite. If you're exploring neighborhoods like Obarrio while looking for real estate or just scouting Panama City, this spot is worth the visit.

Capitain in San Francisco (the Panama City neighborhood, not California!) is a new pizzeria that's already creating serious buzz. Owner and Chef Ferdinando brings genuine passion to every pie. San Francisco is one of Panama City's most vibrant neighborhoods, packed with galleries, shops, and young professionals - and Capitain fits right into that energy.

Ciao Bella has multiple locations including the Soho Mall spot and their original San Francisco location. They do this incredible deep-dish style that's hard to find in Panama. Manager Ronnie and the team have expanded their reach because word of mouth is that powerful - people genuinely seek them out. Soho Mall is super convenient for expats living in central Panama City who want quality dining without leaving the neighborhood.

Viva La Pizza in San Francisco is where you go when you want creative, bold flavor combinations. Master Rafa (as the locals call him) isn't afraid to experiment while respecting pizza fundamentals. The energy in this place is infectious - you feel the passion for what they're doing.

Fratelli in San Francisco is another gem with incredible depth of flavor in every pizza. Chef Sue is bringing serious culinary skill to their pies. The neighborhood vibe is perfect - you get great food in a genuine Panama City neighborhood setting.

La Fontana rounds out the San Francisco pizza collection with Chef Jose's unique approach. There's something special about this restaurant that keeps people coming back. The neighborhood itself is worth exploring - lots of walkable restaurants and cafes.

Primo's Pizza is right in front of Parker Omar, and co-owner Louis will tell you they're obsessed with their craft. The location near Parker Omar is perfect if you're on the coast enjoying the water and ocean views.

Frank's Place in Casco Viejo is something really special. Owner Stephanie and her husband Robert created this beautiful restaurant named after Robert's grandfather Frank, who was a major businessman in Panama (he actually brought cable TV to Panama!). The decor is old Hollywood - Marilyn Monroe, Frank Sinatra vibes - and the pizzas are phenomenal. The Gorgonzola Pizza with white sauce, crispy prosciutto, and arugula is Stephanie's personal favorite, and once you try it you'll understand why. Casco Viejo itself is absolutely worth exploring if you're considering where to live or just want to experience Panama City's most historic, walkable neighborhood.

Most of these incredible pizzerias cluster in specific neighborhoods, which is actually useful info if you're relocating to Panama and trying to figure out where to live.

San Francisco is absolutely thriving. It's got the density of restaurants, galleries, and shops that make it feel like a proper neighborhood rather than just commercial real estate. Multiple pizza spots, tons of Italian restaurants, boutiques, and the energy is young and international. If you're an expat who wants to be near great food and cultural activity, San Francisco is worth serious consideration.

Obarrio is more upscale, more polished. It's where established expat families tend to settle - better for people prioritizing proximity to business districts and slightly quieter vibes while still having access to world-class dining. The Ciao Ragazzi location here feels right at home in that neighborhood.

Casco Viejo is the historic heart - cobblestone streets, Spanish colonial architecture, waterfront views of the Panama Canal. Frank's Place sits perfectly in this neighborhood. It's the most tourist-oriented of these areas, but it's also genuinely beautiful and worth spending time in, whether you're visiting or considering it as a place to live.

The neighborhoods matter because where you eat reflects where you might want to live. Expats exploring Panama City often make the smart move of visiting different restaurant neighborhoods to get a feel for the vibe before committing to an apartment or house.

Here's where it gets fun. All nine of these pizza spots are featured in the Restaurant Travel Lifestyle Magazine, and they're running a voting contest where you pick your favorite pizzeria. If your name gets drawn on December 21st, you win a $200 gift card to whichever restaurant you voted for. That's serious value - enough for multiple visits or a really memorable night out.

The voting is super simple. You find the link in the video description or comments, select your favorite restaurant, and you're entered. It's real easy, takes about two minutes, and suddenly you could be winning dinner at one of these world-class pizzerias. The winner gets announced live on Facebook and Instagram for the Restaurant Travel Lifestyle Magazine.

This isn't just some random contest - it's an opportunity to engage with Panama's food community and maybe snag an amazing dining experience. Even if you don't win, you've discovered nine new restaurants to explore while you're in or relocating to Panama City.

If you're exploring relocation to Panama, pay attention to the food scene. It sounds trivial until you realize that one of the biggest adjustments when moving internationally is food and dining. Will you find what you miss from home? Will there be quality options? Will restaurants be affordable?

Panama gives you yes to all those questions. You get authentic Italian pizza alongside ceviche, sushi, French cuisine, and every other international option you can imagine. You get it at prices that are significantly lower than major North American or European cities. You get neighborhoods that feel genuinely walkable and alive, where dining is part of the community experience rather than just consuming food.

The nine pizzerias we explored represent something bigger - they represent Panama City as a real option for relocation. These aren't tourist traps. These are legitimate restaurants where locals eat regularly. That's your actual indicator that a city is livable - not fancy tourist restaurants, but places where real people spend their regular eating dollars.

If you're seriously considering Panama relocation, spending time exploring neighborhoods through their restaurants is exactly the right approach. You get to experience the actual vibe, meet people, understand the walkability, and figure out if the lifestyle matches what you're looking for.

Whether you're drawn to the energy of San Francisco neighborhood, the sophistication of Obarrio, the history of Casco Viejo, or the coastal vibes near Parker Omar, Panama City has options that fit different lifestyles.

What we found visiting these nine pizzerias is that Panama City's restaurant scene is genuinely world-class. It's the result of a thriving expat community, talented chefs, and Panamanians who take food seriously. You get exceptional quality at prices that make regular dining out actually sustainable on a middle-class income - something that's become impossible in many major cities.

The pizza scene is just one piece of Panama City's broader appeal. There's the Caribbean weather, the modern infrastructure, the international business environment, the healthcare quality, the visa options, the proximity to the US, and the genuine sense of community among the expat population.

If you're at the stage of exploring whether Panama is right for your relocation, restaurant hopping like we did is actually one of the smartest ways to get real intel. You discover neighborhoods organically, you meet locals and other expats, you understand the vibe, and you get genuinely great meals in the process.