Unearth The Voyage
Tennessee is packed with incredible food, but its pizza scene is something truly special. From the smoky hills of East Nashville to the riverbanks of Chattanooga, cozy little restaurants are serving up pies that stop people mid-conversation.
Whether you crave a classic New York slice or a wood-fired Neapolitan beauty, the Volunteer State has you covered. Get ready to bookmark every single one of these spots.
City House — Nashville
Forget everything you think you know about pizza — City House will rewrite the rules entirely. Tucked into a converted warehouse in Germantown, this Nashville gem blends Italian technique with Southern soul in ways that feel genuinely unexpected.
The space is intimate and warm, with exposed brick and soft lighting that makes every dinner feel like a special occasion.
Chef Tandy Wilson earned national recognition for his wood-fired pizzas, and one bite explains exactly why. The Belly Ham pizza — topped with cured pork, chili flakes, and fresh mozzarella — has become almost legendary among Nashville foodies.
It sounds simple, but the flavors hit in layers that keep you reaching for another slice.
Reservations are a smart move here because tables fill up fast, especially on weekends. The menu changes seasonally, so regulars always have something new to look forward to.
Pair your pizza with a local craft cocktail and settle in — City House is the kind of place that turns a Tuesday night into a memory worth keeping.
Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria — Nashville
Walk through the doors of Slim and Husky’s and you immediately feel the energy — it buzzes like a block party that never ended. Born from a mission to revitalize the Buchanan Street neighborhood, this Black-owned pizzeria has grown into one of Nashville’s most beloved spots.
The founders believed great pizza could bring a community together, and they were absolutely right.
The menu is where things get seriously fun. Topping combos like mac and cheese, candied jalapeños, and pulled pork sit proudly alongside more traditional options.
Every pizza is built on a perfectly chewy crust that holds up under the most ambitious topping combinations without ever getting soggy.
The atmosphere leans lively but never overwhelming — think good music, friendly staff, and the smell of fresh dough floating through the air. Multiple Nashville locations make it easy to find one near you.
First-timers should try the fan-favorite “A-Town Stomp” pizza, which layers bold flavors in a way that somehow works perfectly. Come hungry, stay for the community vibe, and leave with a very happy stomach.
DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana — Nashville
Some pizzerias borrow from Neapolitan tradition — DeSano lives it completely. Certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, this Nashville restaurant imports its flour, tomatoes, and mozzarella straight from Italy.
That dedication to authenticity shows up in every single bite of their perfectly charred, cloud-soft pies.
The space feels like a gathering place rather than just a restaurant. Long communal tables encourage strangers to share a meal, swap recommendations, and maybe argue (politely) about which pizza is the best.
The wood-burning ovens dominate the room, glowing orange and filling the air with that unmistakable wood-smoke aroma.
Ordering the classic Margherita here is not boring — it is a lesson in how perfect ingredients need nothing extra to shine. The San Marzano tomato sauce, fresh fior di latte, and fragrant basil create a combination that feels almost impossibly good.
For something bolder, the Diavola brings spicy salami and a satisfying kick. DeSano also moves fast, so the wait is rarely long.
Show up, grab a seat at the communal table, and enjoy Nashville’s most authentic taste of Naples.
Five Points Pizza — Nashville
There is a very specific joy that comes from holding a giant, floppy New York-style slice — and Five Points Pizza delivers that joy on repeat. Parked in the heart of East Nashville, this laid-back spot has earned a fiercely loyal following since it opened.
The neighborhood feels right at home here: creative, unpretentious, and absolutely passionate about good food.
The slices are enormous, generously topped, and priced in a way that makes your wallet as happy as your stomach. Whole pies are available too, but many regulars come just for a quick slice and a cold drink.
The cheese pull on a fresh-out-of-the-oven pie is genuinely satisfying in a way that is hard to put into words.
Five Points also does a fantastic job with specialty pies. The Spicy Honey pizza — drizzled with hot honey over crispy pepperoni — has developed a serious fan base among Nashville pizza lovers.
The cozy interior fills up quickly on weekend evenings, so arriving early is always a solid strategy. Whether you grab a slice at the counter or settle into a booth, Five Points Pizza delivers a no-fuss, all-delicious experience every single time.
Tennessee Pizza Company — Seymour
Small towns sometimes hide the biggest culinary surprises, and Tennessee Pizza Company in Seymour is proof of exactly that. Sitting quietly along Old Sevierville Pike, this bright little restaurant has built a devoted following among locals who know that great pizza does not require a big-city zip code.
The atmosphere is warm, casual, and genuinely welcoming.
The specialty here is thin, crispy crust pizza — the kind that snaps satisfyingly when you fold it and leaves your fingers pleasantly greasy. Toppings are fresh and generous, piled on without any stinginess.
Regulars rave about the combination pizzas, which layer flavors in a way that feels carefully thought out rather than randomly assembled.
Families drive from surrounding towns to eat here, which says a lot about the reputation this spot has quietly built over the years. The staff remembers regulars by name and treats first-timers like old friends.
If you are passing through the Seymour area on your way to the Smoky Mountains, skipping this stop would be a genuine mistake. Pull over, order a whole pie, and give yourself a few extra minutes to enjoy every crispy, flavorful bite before hitting the road again.
Big Ed’s Pizza — Oak Ridge
Big Ed’s Pizza has been feeding Oak Ridge families since 1975, which means there are actual adults today who grew up eating here as kids and now bring their own children. That kind of multigenerational loyalty is not built on luck — it is built on consistently great pizza and a whole lot of heart.
The recipes have barely changed, and that is entirely the point.
The pies here have a thick, doughy crust with a slightly crisp bottom that holds up beautifully under mountains of toppings. The sauce is tangy and rich, made from a family recipe that nobody is giving away anytime soon.
Cheese arrives in generous, bubbly layers that brown perfectly at the edges.
The interior leans retro in the best possible way — checkered tablecloths, dim lighting, and the kind of booths that feel like they have heard a thousand good conversations. Oak Ridge locals treat Big Ed’s like a community institution, not just a restaurant.
Weekend nights can get busy, so plan accordingly. First-timers often leave wondering why they waited so long to visit.
Regulars already know the answer: once you find a place this good, you keep coming back.
Pizza Palace — Knoxville
Since 1961, Pizza Palace has been doing exactly one thing — making Knoxville very, very happy. This is the kind of place where the recipes have not changed because they do not need to.
Generations of University of Tennessee students, families, and longtime locals have made this their go-to spot for a reason that is pretty simple: the pizza is outstanding.
The signature thin crust gets wonderfully crispy in the oven, creating that satisfying crunch on the first bite while staying tender underneath. The sauce recipe is a closely guarded secret, but it tastes like something a grandmother perfected over decades.
Toppings are applied with a generous hand that feels almost rebellious by modern standards.
Walking into Pizza Palace feels like stepping back in time without any of the inconveniences. The booths are cozy, the lighting is low, and the noise level stays at a comfortable hum.
It is the perfect spot for a no-stress dinner where the food does all the talking. If you find yourself in Knoxville and someone asks where to get pizza, Pizza Palace is the answer that locals give without hesitation.
Over sixty years of consistency is not something you argue with.
A Dopo Sourdough Pizza — Knoxville
A Dopo Sourdough Pizza might be Knoxville’s best-kept secret, but it is getting harder to keep quiet. Tucked into the Williams Street neighborhood, this small and stylish spot has built a devoted following around one brilliant idea: slow-fermented sourdough crust that delivers flavor most pizza doughs only dream about.
The process takes days, and every bite reflects that patience.
The crust is the star here — blistered, chewy, and complex in a way that makes you pause and actually think about what you are eating. Creative toppings complement rather than compete, with combinations that feel adventurous but never gimmicky.
Seasonal ingredients keep the menu feeling fresh and exciting throughout the year.
The interior is intimate and thoughtfully designed, with a vibe that feels more like a neighborhood wine bar than a pizza joint. The staff is knowledgeable and genuinely enthusiastic about the food, which makes ordering feel like a fun conversation rather than a transaction.
A Dopo tends to fill up quickly, especially on weekends, so calling ahead is worth the thirty seconds it takes. For pizza lovers who appreciate craft and technique, this Knoxville gem hits every single note exactly right.
Do not miss it.
Lupi’s Pizza Pies — Chattanooga
Chattanooga locals will tell you that Lupi’s Pizza Pies is not just a restaurant — it is a neighborhood institution with a personality all its own. The hand-tossed pies here have a satisfying chew and a slightly charred bottom that signals they were made by someone who actually cares.
The sauce is bright and herbaceous, cutting through rich cheese with just enough acidity to keep things interesting.
The space feels genuinely lived-in, with vintage touches and a relaxed atmosphere that encourages long meals and slow conversations. It is the kind of place where you order a second round without feeling rushed, because nobody here is in a hurry to turn the table.
That unhurried vibe is part of what keeps people coming back week after week.
Lupi’s has a rotating cast of specialty pies that regularly surprises even longtime regulars. The staff handles busy nights with calm efficiency, which is a skill more restaurants should study.
Located on Broad Street in the heart of downtown Chattanooga, it is perfectly positioned for a pre-show dinner or a post-hike reward. Whatever your reason for visiting, the pizza itself is reason enough to make the trip.
Chattanooga made a great choice keeping this one around.
Community Pie — Chattanooga
Community Pie earns its name every single day by being exactly the kind of place a neighborhood rallies around. Located on Market Street in downtown Chattanooga, this cozy spot offers two styles that pizza fans can spend a very happy evening debating: wood-fired Neapolitan pies and thick, cheesy Detroit-style squares.
Both are excellent, which makes choosing genuinely difficult.
The wood-fired pies come out with that gorgeous leopard-spotted char on the crust, topped with quality ingredients that taste fresh and carefully selected. The Detroit-style squares have crispy, caramelized cheese edges and a pillowy interior that is deeply satisfying in a completely different way.
Ordering one of each is not greedy — it is research.
The dining room stays warm and relaxed, with lighting that flatters everyone and a noise level that allows actual conversation. Service is friendly without being overbearing, and the staff genuinely knows the menu well enough to make solid recommendations.
Community Pie also has a solid drink list that pairs nicely with whatever pizza direction you choose. Chattanooga has plenty of good restaurants, but Community Pie has carved out a special place in the city’s food identity.
It is the kind of spot that makes you proud of wherever you live.
Aldo’s Pizza Pies — Memphis
Memphis is famous for barbecue, but Aldo’s Pizza Pies is quietly making a strong case that the city deserves serious pizza recognition too. Sitting on Cooper Street in the Midtown neighborhood, this spot serves New York-style pies with bold, unapologetic flavors that cut right through any loyalty you might have to other pizza styles.
The crust is thin, foldable, and absolutely perfect.
The cheese here is applied generously, stretching in long ribbons that make every slice feel indulgent without crossing into overwhelming territory. The tomato sauce is punchy and well-seasoned, providing a solid backbone for whatever toppings you choose.
Classic combinations shine here, though the specialty pies offer some genuinely clever flavor pairings worth exploring.
One of Aldo’s most talked-about features is the rooftop seating, which transforms a regular pizza dinner into something that feels a little bit celebratory. Warm evenings in Memphis with a great pie and a cold drink overhead — it is hard to imagine a better combination.
The interior seating is cozy and relaxed for cooler nights. Midtown locals treat Aldo’s like their personal neighborhood treasure, and after one visit, it is very easy to understand why.
Memphis pizza fans, this one belongs on your regular rotation.
Hog & Hominy — Memphis
Hog and Hominy sounds like a Southern barbecue joint, but walk through the door and you will find one of Memphis’s most celebrated chef-driven restaurants, where wood-fired pizza meets Southern hospitality in the most delicious way possible. Chefs Andy Ticer and Michael Hudman built this spot on the idea that Italian and Southern cooking share more DNA than most people realize, and the menu proves it convincingly.
The pizzas here are creative without being confusing. Southern ingredients like pimento cheese, country ham, and local greens find their way onto Italian-inspired pies in combinations that sound surprising but taste completely natural.
The wood-fired oven gives every crust a beautiful char and a smoky depth that elevates even the simplest toppings.
The atmosphere leans cozy and intimate, with warm lighting and a room that feels designed for lingering over good food and good conversation. The cocktail program is strong, and the servers are the kind of knowledgeable that makes ordering a pleasure rather than a guessing game.
Hog and Hominy has earned numerous accolades over the years, including national press attention, and it handles that success without losing any of its neighborhood charm. Memphis should be very proud of this one.
It is genuinely special.
Mellow Mushroom — Various Tennessee Locations
Mellow Mushroom has a personality that is impossible to ignore — the psychedelic art, the funky decor, and the menu that reads like it was written by someone who genuinely loves pizza and refuses to be boring about it. Across Tennessee in cities like Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, each location carries the same creative spirit while developing its own local flavor.
No two visits feel exactly the same.
The crust is made from spring water and hand-rolled fresh daily, giving it a chewy, slightly tangy texture that sets Mellow Mushroom apart from chain pizza competitors. Specialty pies like the Kosmic Karma — topped with roasted garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, and artichokes — have earned passionate fans who order the same thing every single visit without apology.
The atmosphere is relaxed and welcoming, making it an easy choice for groups with wildly different pizza opinions. Craft beer selections are consistently impressive across locations, which makes the pizza even better.
Mellow Mushroom also handles dietary restrictions well, offering gluten-free and vegan options that actually taste good rather than feeling like an afterthought. For a reliable, fun, and flavorful pizza experience anywhere in Tennessee, Mellow Mushroom consistently delivers without ever feeling predictable.
That is a harder trick to pull off than it looks.
Joey’s House of Pizza — Hendersonville
Joey’s House of Pizza is the restaurant that Hendersonville families treat like a second home, and the feeling is entirely mutual. From the moment you walk in, the staff greets you with the kind of warmth that makes you wonder if you have been here before even when you have not.
This is comfort food done with genuine care, and it shows in every generous slice that lands on the table.
The pizzas here lean toward classic comfort — thick crusts, rich sauce, and toppings piled high with a generosity that feels almost old-fashioned in the best sense. Portions are substantial, making it an excellent choice for families with big appetites and reasonable budgets.
Leftovers, if you manage to have any, reheat beautifully the next day.
Joey’s has a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere where kids are welcome and noise is expected. The menu covers all the crowd-pleasing bases without overcomplicating things, which is exactly what a neighborhood pizza spot should do.
Regulars have their orders memorized before they even sit down. First-timers tend to leave already planning their next visit.
Hendersonville is a growing city, and Joey’s House of Pizza has grown right along with it — staying true to its roots while building new fans one satisfying slice at a time.
NY Pie — Nashville
Homesick New Yorkers in Nashville have a standing prescription for their cravings, and it is filled at NY Pie on Donelson Pike. This casual, no-frills spot has become a quiet legend among locals who know that finding genuinely authentic New York-style pizza in the South is not always easy.
NY Pie makes it look effortless, which is actually the result of doing things exactly right every single day.
The slices are wide, properly foldable, and loaded with quality cheese that bubbles and browns in all the right places. The sauce is assertive without being aggressive — tangy, herby, and clearly made from a recipe worth protecting.
Whole pies are available, but many regulars come specifically for the slice experience, grabbing a couple and heading out the door with a very satisfied look on their faces.
The vibe is relaxed and unpretentious, with counter seating and a casual energy that keeps things light and fun. Prices stay reasonable, which is a detail that loyal customers genuinely appreciate.
NY Pie does not chase trends or reinvent the wheel — it simply makes excellent New York-style pizza in a city that has fully embraced it. Nashville locals swear by this place, and after your first visit, you will completely understand why they feel so strongly about it.
