Originally founded in 2014 in Córdoba, Argentina, Pizzería Popular was inspired by the spirit of 19th-century Neapolitan ‘cantinas’. When the restaurant arrived in Paraguay in October 2023, it brought with it a philosophy of food, rooted in authenticity, simplicity, and human connection.
With a wood-fired oven at its heart and a focus on making high-quality pizza accessible to all, it quickly grew from a single local spot to over 70 branches across Latin America, mostly in Argentina, Uruguay, and Chile. The establishment offers not only excellent food, but a space where memories are made.
The atmosphere is relaxed, welcoming, and filled with life. This is a place where first dates, birthdays, family gatherings, and post-work meet-ups all blend into a shared experience.
A personal journey that became a collective experience
Behind the project is Nicolás Correa, a 31-year-old Argentine entrepreneur from the city of Clorinda. Trained as an agricultural engineer in Córdoba, Correa initially focused his professional life on peanut cultivation. A process he followed with deep passion, from planting through to commercialisation.
In 2020, amid the uncertainty of the pandemic, a new opportunity brought him to Paraguay. “The soil, the climate, and above all, the entrepreneurial energy of the country convinced me to invest here for the long term,” he explains. The move marked a turning point, not only for his agricultural work but for a new adventure in hospitality.
Alongside his agro-industrial projects, Correa brought a piece of his beloved Córdoba to Paraguay: a franchise of Pizzería Popular. “It started out as an idea that seemed unlikely, but today it has become part of a new chapter,” he says. “Paraguay gave me the chance to unite two of my passions: agriculture and gastronomy.”
Pizzería Popular: more than just pizzas
The menu is led by the much-loved pizza popular and the burrata pizza, but diners will find a variety of options, including hearty salads, sandwiches, milanesas, fresh cocktails, and even sweet pizzas for dessert. All ingredients are sourced locally, reflecting a strong commitment to quality and Paraguayan producers. There are no shortcuts in the kitchen, only care, consistency, and flavour.
What sets Pizzería Popular apart is not only what is on the plate, but what happens around it. “There is no rigid protocol here,” Correa explains. “Things are always happening. Each table has its own story, and they all coexist. That is what makes the experience unique, you come for the pizza, but you leave with something more.”
For Correa, the greatest satisfaction comes from watching the restaurant come to life. “Seeing people enjoy themselves, laugh, celebrate, or simply relax, and knowing you helped create that environment, is incredibly rewarding,” he says. He also highlights the importance of staying close to the team, solving problems in real time, listening to customers, and constantly improving. “Gastronomy is dynamic and human. It always challenges you to do things better.”
Looking ahead
The response from the local community has exceeded expectations. With growing demand in neighbourhoods and cities beyond Asunción, the team behind Pizzería Popular is already working on plans to expand. Their vision remains clear: to grow without losing the essence that defines them, great pizza, genuine hospitality, and a space where everyone feels at home.
VIP Card benefits
As a VIP member of The Asuncion Times, you get a 10% discount at Pizzeria Popular, just by showing your VIP Member card – one of many VIP Member Benefits. The pizzeria is opens daily and is located in the Villa Morra neighbourhood. The restaurant is on the corner of Doctor Morra and Víctor Andrade.
Pizzeria Popular remains open on public holidays. The space itself includes an indoor seating area with a private section for more intimate gatherings, a spacious outdoor area, and a newly inaugurated beer garden. Pizzería Popular continues to position itself as a warm, flavourful meeting point in the heart of the city.
Pizzería Popular opening hours
Monday: 18:00 to 00:30
Tuesday: 18:00 to 00:30
Wednesday: 18:00 to 00:30
Thursday: 18:00 to 00:30
Friday: 18:00 to 00:30
Saturday: 18:00 to 1:00
Sunday: 18:00 to 00:30
For more information check Pizzería Popular on instagram.
