What is the Pizza Festival in Pasto?
If you live in Pasto or are visiting in August 2026, you've probably already heard the buzz: the whole city smells like melted cheese and freshly baked dough. The Pizza Festival in Pasto is not just any event; it's the perfect excuse to gather the family, go out with friends, or simply treat yourself without guilt. For several weeks, the best ovens in the city line up to offer creations ranging from the classic margherita to combinations with distinctly Pastuso ingredients like cuy or ají.
What started as an initiative by a couple of downtown restaurants has now become a culinary route that draws hundreds of diners. The main star is the Restaurante La Merced, which takes the lead in organizing this year, but it's not alone: traditional pizzerias and new ventures join in with special menus and prices that are easy on the average Pastuso's wallet.
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The question isn't whether you'll eat pizza, but how many times you'll go back for more during the festival. Here's everything you need to know so you don't miss a single slice.
Dates, times, and exact location
The festival kicks off on Friday, August 21, 2026 and runs through Sunday, August 30, 2026. That's ten full days to explore the pizza route in Pasto. Core hours are from 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m., though some spots extend service until 11:00 p.m. on weekends.
The main venue is the Restaurante La Merced, located at Calle 18 # 25-40, barrio El Centro, just a few blocks from Plaza de Nariño. This place becomes the meeting point for official events, tastings, and chef demonstrations. But don't just stay there: each participating pizzeria has its own location, so the full route takes you through downtown, Avenida Boyacá, and barrio Las Cuadras.
For this edition, organizers confirmed the participation of 10 establishments in total. Some are festival veterans, others are first-timers with innovative proposals. It's recommended to check specific hours at each spot before visiting, as some close on Mondays for staff rest.
Festival menu: pizza varieties, prices, and special promotions
The magic of the festival is in the prices. During these ten days, each pizzeria offers a special festival pizza at a fixed price of $28,000 COP (reference price for August 2026). That includes a personal 8-slice pizza with premium ingredients that would normally cost much more. There are also sharing combos that include a soda or artisanal lemonade for an extra $5,000 COP.
Restaurante La Merced, as host, presents its Pizza Nariño: 48-hour sourdough, smoked tomato sauce, double cream cheese, santarrosano chorizo, toasted corn, and a touch of peanut ají. It's the most requested pizza of the festival and sells out fast, so arrive early if you want to try it.
Other unmissable options include the Pizza del Volcán at a pizzeria on Avenida Boyacá, featuring pepperoni, jalapeños, and a center of liquid mozzarella that spills out when cut. And for the boldest, there's a version with crispy cuy that's been the talk of social media. It's not for everyone, but if you're a tourist, it's the most Pastuso experience you'll find.
The promotions don't end there. There's a pizza happy hour from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at most spots, with 20% off individual pizzas. There's also a festival passport: for every pizza you buy at a different venue, you get a stamp. Complete five stamps and you're entered into a draw for a dinner for two at Restaurante La Merced.
The 7 unmissable spots at the Pizza Festival in Pasto
These are the establishments making waves in the 2026 edition. Each has its own signature and audience, but they all share quality and enthusiasm for this festival.
1. Restaurante La Merced (Official venue)
The host doesn't disappoint. Its Pizza Nariño is the crown jewel, but they also have classics like the margherita with fresh basil from the garden on their terrace. The atmosphere is cozy, with wooden tables and a view of the historic center that charms. On Sundays, they offer a pizza brunch from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. with sweet options like Nutella and strawberry pizza. That said, the place fills up fast, so arrive before 7:00 p.m. or book a day in advance.
2. La Rústica Pizzería (Avenida Boyacá # 20-15)
This neighborhood pizzeria has been around for 15 years and had never joined the festival. This year, it arrives with its Pizza del Volcán, a flavor bomb combining three types of cheese with a spicy kick that doesn't burn, just wakes you up. The place is small, with about 8 tables, but they offer delivery that covers the whole city with no extra charge during the festival. Their dough is slow-fermented, making it lighter and easier to digest. If you're going in a group, order the family pizza with 12 slices for $45,000 COP—a steal to share.
3. Donde Chucho Pizza al Horno de Leña (Calle 15 # 12-40, barrio Las Cuadras)
Chucho is a character who knows half of Pasto by name. His wood-fired oven gives the pizza an unmistakable smoky flavor. For the festival, he prepared the Pizza Campesina, with pastusa potato, hogao, chorizo, and a quail egg in the center. It's hearty, perfect for the city's cold climate. The place has no pretensions: plastic tables, paper napkins, and the Transversal on soccer. But the quality of the dough—crispy on the outside, soft inside—is world-class. On Thursdays, there's a 2-for-1 on personal pizzas from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.
4. Pizza Nostra (Calle 19 # 23-10, Centro)
If you're looking for a more modern vibe, Pizza Nostra is your spot. They have a stone oven, a cocktail bar, and a menu of local craft beers that pair perfectly with pizza. Their festival offering is the Pizza Andina, with uchuvas sauce, goat cheese, walnuts, and a touch of cane honey. It's sweet and savory at once, a surprising combination. The place has two floors and a terrace facing the street, ideal for watching downtown life. On Saturday nights, there's a live DJ, making it a great plan for after pizza.
5. El Horno de Don Gio (Carrera 25 # 14-30, barrio El Recuerdo)
Don Gio is an Italian who came to Pasto 20 years ago and fell in love with the city. His pizza is the most authentic Neapolitan style: thin crust, puffy edges, and imported San Marzano tomatoes. For the festival, he created the Pizza del Inmigrante, with prosciutto, arugula, and shaved parmesan. It's elegant and simple, without excess. The place is small, with decor mixing photos of Italy and Pasto. Don Gio himself comes out to serve tables and tells stories of his homeland. On Tuesdays, there's free pizza for kids under 10 with the purchase of a large pizza.
6. Pizzas y Más Pasto (Avenida Panamericana # 30-15)
This place is famous for its generous portions and budget-friendly prices. For the festival, they launched the Pizza Suprema, with pepperoni, mushrooms, bell pepper, caramelized onion, and a shower of crispy bacon. It's the most requested by young people and friend groups. They offer free customer parking, a plus in that area. On weekends, they set up a giant screen for soccer, so if there's a game during the festival, this is the meeting point. A personal pizza costs $18,000 COP outside the festival, but with the special discount, it drops to $15,000 COP.
7. La Muzzarella (Calle 13 # 28-50, barrio Las Lunas)
A family-run pizzeria that has grown steadily. Their specialty is the calzone pizza, a half-moon stuffed with cheese, ham, and mushrooms, served with garlic sauce. For the festival, they created the Calzone del Festival with a secret filling that changes daily. One day it might have BBQ chicken, another shredded beef, and another roasted veggies. It's a surprise that keeps customers coming back. The place has board games for kids and a small playground in the back, making it ideal for the whole family.
Map and how to get to the Pizza Festival in Pasto
The festival route covers several points in the city, but most are concentrated in the center and its surroundings. If you're coming from Antonio Nariño Airport, you can take a taxi directly to Restaurante La Merced (about 30 minutes, roughly $35,000 COP). If you're already in the city, the urban bus system drops you at Plaza de Nariño, from where you walk about 4 blocks to the main venue.
For those driving their own car, downtown Pasto has public parking lots charging around $4,000 COP per hour. The closest lot to La Merced is on Calle 17 with Carrera 26, half a block away. On weekends, the Mayor's office enables the free blue zone on Avenida Boyacá, but it fills up fast, so arrive before 6:00 p.m.
If you'd rather not drive, ride-hailing apps like Uber and Didi work well in Pasto. A trip from barrio El Pilar to downtown costs about $7,000 COP. There are also bike parking spots at Plaza de Nariño if you're up for cycling, which is the fastest way to move between festival venues.
Recommendations for going in a group or with family
The festival is a plan that works
## Tickets, Pricing, and Where to Buy Ticket sales for Pizza Fest 2026 in Pasto are now open. Although official prices have not been fully published, tickets are expected to be available at the ticket office of Bicentenario Park and on the event's official website. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as the event is in high demand. For more information, visit the official Pizza Fest website or its social media channels. ## Official Schedule and Stage Timetables Pizza Fest 2026 will take place on May 30-31 at Bicentenario Park in Pasto. The official lineup includes renowned pizzerias such as PIZA (artisan pizzas), Munaciello, Pummarola, La Leggenda, PizzaPiez, Emily's, Wiseguy Pizza, Verace, Il Pizzaiolo, among others. Specific stage times and cultural activities will be announced soon on the event's social media. Doors are expected to open at noon, with activities extending into the night. ## Getting There and Local Safety Tips Bicentenario Park is located in downtown Pasto, easily accessible by public transportation (city buses) or taxi. It is recommended to arrive early to avoid crowds and enjoy all the food offerings. Bring cash, as some stalls may not accept cards. Keep your belongings safe and follow the instructions of security personnel. If attending in a group, establish a meeting point in case you get separated.
