Panzanella - a slice of Italy in Stavanger
- Gard Karlsen
- 7 days ago
- 2 min read
There’s something magical about a really good pizza. No matter how many times I try at home, I never quite nail that perfect crust or flavor. So when the craving hits, nothing beats heading out to a proper pizzeria — and in Stavanger, Panzanella is one of those places worth getting excited about.
A few years ago, Panzanella Pizzeria opened in Stavanger, serving up fantastic pizzas — but only as takeaway. The flavors were spot-on, but the pizza never quite survived the trip home (lukewarm crusts just don’t hit the same!). So when we heard Panzanella had moved into new premises in Pedersgata and opened a full-fledged restaurant, we were thrilled.
We stopped by early on a Friday evening in November 2025, and the place was buzzing. Every table was taken, the kitchen was alive with energy, and the atmosphere was unmistakably Italian — warm, busy, and full of good vibes. Our waiter walked us through the menu and asked if we were familiar with things like San Daniele. We smiled — after a few trips to Italy and plenty of pizza pilgrimages, we could definitely say yes!
The wine list had a nice selection, but I opted for a cold beer from local brewery Lervig , while Nikki went for a glass of wine. Before long, our pizzas arrived — hot, fragrant, and beautifully blistered.
Nikki went for her go-to favourite, the Panzanella pizza — a perfect combo of tomato sauce, spicy N’duja, creamy buffalo mozzarella, and salty olives. I decided to try something a little different: the Carbonara pizza. Yes, it sounds unusual — turning a classic pasta dish into a pizza — but it worked brilliantly. The flavour of guanciale (cured pork cheek) stood out, giving that rich, salty touch that instantly brought me back to the carbonara we had in Rome this summer. (Our waiter claimed it was pancetta, but I’m convinced it was guanciale!)
Every bite confirmed what I already suspected: Panzanella is doing everything right. The crust is crisp yet chewy, the toppings are top-notch, and the flavons hit that perfect balance between traditional and inventive.
If you love pizza — real pizza — this spot deserves a visit soon.
What we loved:
🍕 Perfectly baked crust and flavourful toppings
🍷 Sharing menu and tasty small bites available
🍽️ Lively atmosphere and authentic Italian vibe
What could be better:
🍺 A wider beer selection would be a nice bonus
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