13 Legendary Pizzerias In Tennessee That Are Absolutely Worth The Drive In 2026
If you’re a pizza lover, Tennessee is the place to be. Across the state, there are pizzerias serving up incredible pies that make the drive totally worth it.
These spots are more than just a place for a quick meal – they’re where locals gather, and where the art of pizza is taken seriously. Expect everything from mouthwatering crusts to perfectly balanced toppings, often using the best local ingredients.
Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Margherita or something more daring, these pizzerias offer flavors that will stay with you long after you leave. Make sure to pack your appetite because these pizza spots will leave you craving more, and they’re a must-visit for any pizza enthusiast in 2026.
1. Five Points Pizza East
If you have ever craved a proper New York-style slice without buying a plane ticket, Five Points Pizza East on Woodland Street in Nashville is your answer. Located in the heart of the East Nashville neighborhood, this spot has built a fierce and loyal following among locals who take their pizza very seriously.
The crust is thin, crispy on the edges, and perfectly chewy in the middle, just the way a real New York slice should be.
Walking inside feels like stepping into a no-nonsense pizza joint where the food does all the talking. The menu is straightforward but executed with real care and consistency that keeps people coming back week after week.
Regulars often rave about the quality of the cheese and the perfectly balanced sauce beneath it.
East Nashville has a creative, artsy vibe, and Five Points fits right into that energy without trying too hard. Whether you grab a quick solo slice at the counter or settle in with a group for a whole pie, this place delivers every single time.
It is one of those spots that earns its legendary status honestly.
2. Bella Napoli Pizzeria Nashville
Tucked inside a charming spot at Villa Place in Nashville, Bella Napoli Pizzeria brings the heart of southern Italy straight to Tennessee. The name itself translates to Beautiful Naples, and that is exactly the kind of experience you get when you walk through the door.
Authentic flavors, quality ingredients, and a warm atmosphere make this place feel like a genuine Italian trattoria rather than just another pizza shop.
The pies here are crafted with real attention to detail, from the hand-stretched dough to the rich tomato base that carries just the right amount of sweetness and acidity. Locals and visitors alike have flooded this spot with glowing reviews, and the word of mouth continues to grow stronger each year.
You can feel the passion for traditional Italian cooking in every single bite.
The surrounding Midtown Nashville area adds a lively backdrop to your visit, making the whole outing feel like a special occasion even on a regular Tuesday night. Bella Napoli is the kind of place that reminds you why simple, honest food made with care will always win over flashy gimmicks.
A true gem worth seeking out.
3. Sho Pizza Bar Nashville
Sho Pizza Bar on McGavock Pike in Nashville is the kind of place that makes you rethink everything you thought you knew about pizza toppings. This spot leans heavily into creativity, offering combinations that sound unexpected but somehow work together in the most satisfying ways.
The crust is a standout on its own, with a texture and char that speaks to a kitchen that genuinely knows what it is doing.
The artisan approach here means every pizza is treated like a small work of art, not just a meal to rush out the door. Guests consistently rate this place among the best in Nashville, and it is easy to understand why after your first visit.
The staff brings real enthusiasm to what they do, and that energy is contagious from the moment you walk in.
The neighborhood around McGavock Pike has a relaxed, unpretentious feel that matches Sho’s laid-back but elevated vibe perfectly. Whether you are a pizza purist willing to be challenged or an adventurous eater looking for something new, this bar-style pizzeria has something to offer you.
It earns every bit of its high rating and then some.
4. Midnight Oil
There is something undeniably magnetic about a pizza place that cares deeply about its crust, and Midnight Oil on 51st Avenue North in Nashville has clearly made that a top priority. The crust here achieves that elusive balance between crispy and airy, with just enough chew to make each bite genuinely satisfying.
It is the kind of foundation that elevates every topping placed on top of it.
Midnight Oil carries a cool, creative energy that feels right at home in West Nashville’s growing food scene. The menu reflects a kitchen that enjoys experimenting while still respecting the fundamentals of great pizza making.
Guests often describe their meals here as unexpectedly memorable, which is exactly the kind of impression a great restaurant should leave.
The spot has a relaxed neighborhood feel that makes it equally appealing for a casual date night or a low-key dinner with friends. Natural conversation flows easily in a space that is comfortable without being overly loud or chaotic.
If you have not yet made the trip to this side of Nashville for pizza, Midnight Oil gives you a very compelling reason to finally do it. You will not regret the detour.
5. Luca’s Pizzeria
Luca’s Pizzeria on New Salem Highway in Murfreesboro has earned its place as a true local classic through years of consistently great pizza and a welcoming atmosphere that makes everyone feel at home. This is the kind of spot where regulars walk in and feel like they belong, because the food and the experience have never let them down.
Murfreesboro has a thriving food scene, but Luca’s holds its own with quiet confidence.
The pizzas here are straightforward and satisfying in the best possible sense, built on a solid crust with generous toppings and a sauce that has clearly been refined over time. There is no need for gimmicks when the fundamentals are this well executed.
Families, college students, and longtime residents all seem to gravitate toward this place for the same reason: it just works.
Sitting down at Luca’s feels relaxed and unhurried, which is a welcome change of pace in a world that often moves too fast. The surrounding area along New Salem Highway is busy and convenient, making it an easy stop whether you are running errands or planning a proper pizza outing.
Luca’s is Murfreesboro pizza done right.
6. BoomBozz Craft Pizza And Taphouse
BoomBozz Craft Pizza and Taphouse on Medical Center Parkway in Murfreesboro is the kind of place that has somehow become bigger than just a restaurant. It has turned into a genuine community gathering spot with a following that borders on cult-like devotion.
The combination of thoughtfully crafted pizzas and an impressive lineup of craft beers makes it a natural destination for a wide range of occasions.
The pizzas at BoomBozz stand out for their bold flavor combinations and quality ingredients that go well beyond what you might expect from a taphouse setting. This is not an afterthought menu alongside the drinks; the food is front and center and absolutely holds its own.
Every pie feels like it was designed by someone who genuinely loves both pizza and good ingredients.
The atmosphere inside is energetic and social without crossing into overwhelming territory, making it a great spot for groups who want a fun night out without sacrificing food quality. The Murfreesboro community has clearly embraced BoomBozz as one of their own, and the packed dining room on any given evening proves it.
If you are passing through Middle Tennessee, this stop is non-negotiable.
7. Joey’s House Of Pizza Catering
Joey’s House of Pizza Catering on West Jefferson Pike in Murfreesboro carries the kind of charm that only comes from years of doing things the right way without cutting corners. This spot is unapologetically old-school, and that is precisely what makes it so endearing to the community that has supported it for so long.
When people talk about pizza love in Murfreesboro, Joey’s name comes up with genuine affection every time.
The pizzas here feel like they were made by someone who learned the craft from a family member and never forgot those original lessons. There is a warmth and sincerity to the food that you simply cannot manufacture or fake.
The crust, the sauce, the cheese proportions all feel like they have been carefully considered and lovingly maintained over the years.
Walking in feels like visiting a familiar place even if it is your first time, because the hospitality and the food speak a universal language that everyone understands. The catering side of the business also speaks to how trusted this spot is within the broader Murfreesboro community.
Joey’s is proof that staying true to your roots and your craft will always find a loyal audience willing to come back for more.
8. Marioochi’s Pizzeria
Sparta is a small city nestled in the Upper Cumberland region of Tennessee, and Marioochi’s Pizzeria at Liberty Square has become one of its most beloved culinary treasures. The cult following this place has developed speaks volumes about the quality and consistency it delivers to a community that does not take its food recommendations lightly.
Small-town pizza spots like this one have to earn every loyal customer, and Marioochi’s has clearly done the work.
The atmosphere inside feels intimate and personal, like the kind of place where the owner might know your name by your third visit. That sense of genuine connection between the kitchen and the customer is something you simply cannot replicate in a large chain environment.
The pizzas themselves reflect that same personal touch, crafted with care and a clear sense of pride.
Sparta is surrounded by beautiful Tennessee countryside, and visiting Marioochi’s can easily become part of a larger day trip through the region. The combination of great pizza, a welcoming small-town environment, and the scenic drive to get there makes this stop feel like a real discovery.
If you appreciate finding hidden gems off the beaten path, Marioochi’s belongs on your must-visit list for 2026.
9. Singer’s Landing
Smithville sits on the edge of Center Hill Lake and carries the relaxed energy of a Tennessee lake town, and Singer’s Landing on West Market Street fits perfectly into that laid-back spirit. This pizzeria has cultivated a loyal fan base that returns not just for the food but for the overall experience of being in a spot that feels genuinely connected to its community.
The combination of good pizza and a welcoming small-town vibe is a winning formula that never gets old.
The pizzas at Singer’s Landing are satisfying and hearty, the kind of meal that feels appropriate whether you have just come off the water or you are simply looking for a reliable dinner in a comfortable setting. The restaurant does not try to be something it is not, and that authenticity resonates deeply with everyone who walks through the door.
Regulars speak about this place with a warmth that tells you everything you need to know.
Smithville itself is a charming destination worth exploring, and Singer’s Landing gives you a great reason to linger a little longer than you might have planned. The friendly service and consistent quality have built something genuinely special here.
This is the kind of pizzeria that makes a small town feel like a destination all on its own.
10. Painturo’s
Few things in the food world are as reassuring as a restaurant that has been serving its community well since the year 2000, and Painturo’s on West Main Street in Lebanon is exactly that kind of anchor. Over more than two decades, this spot has woven itself into the fabric of Wilson County life in a way that goes beyond just being a place to eat.
People grew up eating here, celebrated milestones here, and keep coming back because the quality has never slipped.
The pizza at Painturo’s carries that comforting familiarity that only comes from a recipe and a process that has been refined through years of real experience. There is a reliability here that feels rare in a restaurant landscape that is constantly chasing the next trend.
Lebanon residents are proud of this spot in the way that small cities tend to be proud of the places that define their food culture.
The West Main Street location is easy to find and sits right in the heart of Lebanon’s community life, making it a natural gathering point for families and friends. Whether it is your first visit or your fiftieth, Painturo’s delivers the kind of honest, satisfying pizza that reminds you why the classics endure.
A true county-wide institution worth every mile of the drive.
11. Sorelles Italian Restaurant And Pizzeria
Eagleville is a small community in Rutherford County that most people drive through without a second thought, but Sorelles Italian Restaurant and Pizzeria on North Main Street gives you a very good reason to stop and stay a while. This place runs almost entirely on word-of-mouth recommendations, which in the food world is one of the most honest and powerful endorsements a restaurant can receive.
When people go out of their way to tell friends about a spot in a small town, you know something special is happening there.
Sorelles brings a genuine Italian restaurant experience to a community that might not otherwise have easy access to this kind of food, and the locals clearly appreciate the effort. The menu reflects a kitchen that respects Italian culinary traditions while also making sure the food feels approachable and generous in the way that a neighborhood restaurant should.
Every pizza that comes out of this kitchen tells a story of care and intention.
The intimate dining room creates an atmosphere that feels warm and personal, ideal for a quiet dinner or a relaxed family meal away from the noise of bigger cities. Eagleville’s rural surroundings make the drive feel like a mini escape, and Sorelles rewards that journey with food that genuinely delivers.
This is a discovery worth sharing with everyone you know.
12. TailGate Brewery Murfreesboro
The pizza at TailGate Brewery is not a side note to the brewery operation; it stands firmly on its own as a reason to visit. The menu reflects a kitchen that understands flavor and texture, creating pies that complement the beverage program without being overshadowed by it.
The balance between the two offerings is part of what makes TailGate feel like a cohesive and well-thought-out experience.
The taproom atmosphere is lively and social, drawing in everyone from sports fans catching a game to couples looking for a fun and casual night out. The Murfreesboro location benefits from strong foot traffic and a community that has clearly embraced what TailGate offers.
For anyone exploring Middle Tennessee’s food and drink scene in 2026, this brewery and pizza combo deserves a prominent spot on the itinerary.
13. Giorgio’s Pizza
Giorgio’s Pizza on Rock Springs Road in Smyrna has been a fixture in this Rutherford County community since 1996, which means it has been feeding loyal locals for nearly three decades and counting. That kind of longevity in the restaurant industry is not an accident; it is the result of consistent quality, dependable service, and a genuine connection to the people who call Smyrna home.
When a pizza shop survives and thrives for that many years, the food speaks for itself.
The slice shop format at Giorgio’s gives it an accessible, no-fuss energy that feels refreshingly straightforward in an era of increasingly elaborate dining concepts. You come in, you get your pizza, and you leave happy.
That simplicity is part of the magic, and the regulars who have been coming here since the late nineties would not change a thing about it.
Smyrna has grown significantly over the past few decades, but Giorgio’s has remained a constant and comforting presence through all of that change. New residents discover it quickly and old-timers never let it go, which is exactly the kind of dynamic that keeps a neighborhood institution alive and thriving.
If you are in Smyrna and you want pizza that has stood the test of time, Giorgio’s is your destination.