10 Tennessee Pizza Spots That Locals Swear Leave The Big Chains In The Dust
Growing up, I thought pizza came in two flavors: cardboard from the big chains or slightly better cardboard with extra grease.
Then I moved to Tennessee and discovered a whole universe of wood-fired, hand-tossed, sourdough-crusted magic that changed everything I thought I knew about this beloved food.
Tennessee’s local pizza scene isn’t just good, it’s the kind of amazing that makes you wonder why anyone settles for delivery from those national names.
From Nashville to Memphis, Knoxville to Chattanooga, the Volunteer State is bursting with pizza spots where the crust actually has flavor, the toppings are fresh, and every bite feels like a small celebration.
1. Five Points Pizza – Nashville
Walking into Five Points feels like stumbling into your coolest friend’s kitchen, if that friend happened to be a pizza genius. This East Nashville gem serves New York style pies that make you forget every mediocre slice you’ve ever eaten from a chain.
The crust strikes that perfect balance between crispy and chewy, with just enough char to remind you it was kissed by real flames. They don’t mess around with fancy toppings lists that read like a novel, instead focusing on quality ingredients that actually taste like something.
My personal favorite is their classic pepperoni, which sounds boring until you realize how rarely anyone gets it right. The neighborhood vibe makes you want to stay longer, chat with strangers, and maybe order another pie just because you can.
2. Fellini’s Pizza – Nashville
Named after the famous Italian film director, Fellini’s brings the same artistic flair to pizza that its namesake brought to cinema. Every visit feels like a mini adventure, with funky decor that keeps your eyes busy while you wait for your order.
Their pizza by the slice option is a lifesaver when you’re craving variety without committing to an entire pie. The crust has this wonderful chewiness that reminds you pizza is supposed to be fun, not just fuel.
I’ve never met anyone who didn’t crack a smile after their first bite of the veggie supreme, which somehow makes vegetables taste like the stars of the show instead of boring health food. The staff treats regulars and first-timers exactly the same, which is to say, like family members they actually like.
3. Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria – Nashville
Born from a dream to create something bigger than pizza, Slim & Husky’s represents entrepreneurship, community, and seriously good food all rolled into one incredible experience. Their Detroit style pies are thick, square, and loaded with toppings that go all the way to the edges.
The cheese gets caramelized against the pan, creating these crispy, golden corners that people literally fight over at the table. Each pizza has a creative name inspired by hip-hop culture, turning your order into a conversation starter.
What really sets this place apart is how it makes everyone feel welcome, whether you’re a college student on a budget or a foodie looking for your next obsession. The vibe is electric without being loud, comfortable without being boring.
4. DeSano Pizzeria Napoletana – Nashville
Certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana, DeSano takes pizza as seriously as a surgeon takes medicine, except the results are way more delicious. Their wood-fired oven reaches temperatures that would make most home cooks nervous, but creates pizzas that transport you straight to Naples.
The Margherita here isn’t just a pizza, it’s a lesson in why simplicity wins when you start with perfect ingredients. Fresh mozzarella, San Marzano tomatoes, and basil come together in a way that makes you understand what all the fuss is about.
The crust puffs up in spots, creating those signature leopard spots that signal authenticity. Eating here feels special without feeling stuffy, which is exactly how good pizza should make you feel.
5. A Dopo Sourdough Pizza – Knoxville
Sourdough pizza sounds like something invented by food snobs, until you taste what A Dopo does with their naturally fermented dough and realize it’s actually genius. The long fermentation process creates a crust with complex flavors and a texture that’s somehow both light and substantial.
Every pizza here feels thoughtfully composed, like someone actually cared about how the ingredients work together instead of just piling stuff on. The seasonal menu means you might discover your new favorite combination one month, then have to wait patiently for it to come back around.
My stomach does a happy dance every time I see their specials board because I know something creative and delicious is waiting. This is the kind of place that ruins chain pizza for you forever, in the best possible way.
6. South Coast Pizza – Knoxville
Bringing California vibes to East Tennessee, South Coast Pizza proves that great ideas can thrive anywhere when executed with passion and skill. Their pizzas feature combinations that might sound unusual at first, then become your new obsession after one bite.
The dough recipe strikes that West Coast balance of crispy on the bottom and airy in the middle, creating the perfect foundation for their creative topping choices. Fresh ingredients shine here because they’re treated with respect rather than buried under mountains of cheese.
I appreciate how they’re not afraid to experiment while still offering classics for those who prefer familiar territory. The space feels bright and welcoming, like a little slice of sunshine even on gray Tennessee days, making every visit feel like a mini vacation.
7. Rock’n Dough Pizza & Brewery – Jackson / Memphis area
Music and pizza make perfect partners at Rock’n Dough, where the vibe rocks as hard as the food satisfies. Their hand-tossed pizzas come out of the oven with crusts that have just the right amount of chew and char, begging to be devoured immediately.
The combination of a working brewery and quality pizza kitchen means you can enjoy fresh pies alongside craft beverages in one convenient, fun location. Creative specialty pizzas share menu space with build your own options, giving everyone exactly what they’re craving.
What impressed me most was how the kitchen maintains quality even during busy weekend rushes when lesser places would cut corners. The staff genuinely seems to enjoy working there, which always translates to better service and happier customers who keep coming back for more.
8. Memphis Pizza Café – Memphis
Tucked into Memphis neighborhoods, this cafe proves that the best pizza often comes from the most unassuming places where locals gather and word spreads naturally. Their New York style approach means generous slices, foldable crust, and that satisfying grease that makes you need extra napkins.
The sauce has a brightness that cuts through the richness of the cheese, creating balance that keeps you reaching for another slice. Simple ingredients prepared well beat fancy combinations made poorly every single time, and Memphis Pizza Café understands this fundamental truth.
Families fill the tables on weeknight evenings, which tells you everything you need to know about reliability and value. This is the kind of spot that becomes your regular place, where they remember your order and you feel genuinely happy to support their business.
9. Aldo’s Pizza Pies – Memphis
Aldo’s brings old school pizza parlor charm to Memphis, serving pies that remind you why this food became an American obsession in the first place. Their crust achieves that increasingly rare quality of being crispy underneath while staying tender enough to bite through easily.
The cheese blend melts into a glorious blanket that stretches when you pull a slice away, creating those Instagram worthy cheese pulls that actually taste as good as they look. Traditional toppings get the spotlight here, prepared fresh daily and distributed generously across every pizza.
Walking in feels like stepping back to a simpler time when pizza places focused on doing one thing exceptionally well instead of trying to be everything to everyone. The consistency keeps people coming back year after year, building the kind of loyal following that money can’t buy.
10. Community Pie – Chattanooga
True to its name, Community Pie creates spaces where strangers become friends over shared tables and exceptional pizza that gives everyone something to talk about. Their wood-fired pizzas come out blistered and beautiful, with toppings that celebrate both local ingredients and classic Italian traditions.
The open kitchen lets you watch skilled pizza makers stretch dough and build each pie with practiced precision, turning food preparation into entertaining theater. Seasonal specials rotate regularly, rewarding frequent visitors with new flavors while keeping the core menu reliable for those who find their perfect pizza.
I love how they’ve managed to feel both polished and approachable, fancy enough for dates but casual enough for families with messy kids. Chattanooga lucked out when this spot opened, giving the city a pizza destination worthy of its growing food scene.