Our Favorite Pizza Pies

You’d think we’d get tired of pizza. Nope. Never. We love it. You could say we never met a pizza we didn’t like, but we also like some more than others, including some that don’t even come from a pizzeria. (Looking at you, Park Café, with that longtime favorite Fig & Pig pie with fig jam, prosciutto, mozzarella, goat cheese, arugula and balsamic reduction. And you, BetMGM Sports Lounge, with your flatbread with peach, mozzarella, serrano ham and pineapple syrup.)

We like that pizzas keep coming, with new twists, tweaks, toppings and traditions. These days, there are too many excellent pies in Nashville to count, but here are few pizza purveyors we count on.

Slim & Husky's

Multiple locations

What started as an edible enterprise among three friends to support the North Nashville neighborhood near their alma mater, Tennessee State University, mushroomed into a beloved meat-and-cheese-covered brand with 10 locations between Tennessee and Georgia.

On a recent visit to the Murfreesboro outpost, we found the 10-inch Slim—versus the 16-inch Husky—a perfect meal for one, with stretchy crust the perfect thickness. The PREAM (white sauce, cheese, meats) was fire, as was the California Love (spinach pesto and tomatoes). But you can also build your own. If that’s not enough, you can order a cinnamon roll for dessert. @slimandhuskys

Hometeam Pizza

Charlotte Pike

If you’re rolling along the 4600 block of Charlotte Pike around dinnertime, ping Hometeam Pizza and pick up a fresh pie curbside at the Citizen Kitchens culinary incubator, where owners Samantha and Kevin Jackson load homemade dough with all the toppings for takeout or delivery. Keep an eye out for Hometeam’s expansion to an independent bricks and mortar in Belmont. @hometeamnash

Gio's Chicago Style Pizza

Charlotte Pike and around town

Chicago is not just about deep dish, and Gio’s serves up a delicious thin “tavern-style” pie, as well as a deep dish. Check Instagram to track down the new Gio’s truck, which pops up around town, or to bag a pie when Greg’s pulling them out of the 500-degree oven at Citizen Kitchens on Charlotte Pike. @gioschicagopizza

Ophelia's Pizza + Bar

Downtown

In the shadow of the iconic L&C Tower, this sister of Church and Union restaurant offers Italian staples—antipasti, carpaccio, scampi, calzone, tiramisù and more — along with a portfolio of thin-crust pizzas that can be upgraded with a “Nashville-hot” medley of Mike’s Hot Honey, ghost pepper salt, Calabrian chile or a 5-gram shaving of truffle. @opheliasnashville

St. Vito Focacceria

The Gulch

After numerous “residencies” around town (Vandyke and Hathorne), St. Vito brings its Sicilian-style sfincione to its own bricks and mortar in the Gulch, headlined by an ever-evolving roster of pies that build on a classic base of fontina, pecorino and breadcrumbs and pile with everything from pepperoni to potato cream. @st.vito_focacceria

Nicky's Coal Fired

The Nations

Proof that pizza speaks on all levels, this Nations landmark lures a dinnertime crowd that draws equally from early-bird family feeders and date-night cocktailers, all of whom light up when the pizza stands arrive at the center of the table, laden with pies ranging from red and white to meaty and vegan. @nickysnashville

Bella Napoli

Edgehill

All these years after Bella Napoli arrived to anchor the shops at Edgehill Village, arriving at the alley of outdoor tables and café lights still feels like stumbling onto a secret hideaway, where the reward is immediate gratification of chewy and charred Neapolitan-style pie ready after just two minutes in a wood-burning oven. @bellanapolinashville

Pinky Ring Pizza

Madison

In just over a year and a half, this Madison-based eatery has amassed a serious following. Their pies are unique, genius and made with lots of local products, including Gifford’s Bacon ends, Mike’s Hot Honey and Henosis mushrooms. They take their crust seriously, and you can get a whole pie or a slice. Love that. @pinkyringpizza

Il Forno

Wedgewood-Houston

This pizza truck-turned-restaurant is adjacent to Barrigue Brewing & Blending, where you can combine the two, if you’re lucky. Serving authentic Neapolitan-style pizza, native Italian chef-owner Egidio (Egi) Franciosa cut his teeth at Bella Napoli before setting out on his own in 2017. The wood-fired pizza is serious, as are their homemade ravioli, risotto and fish dishes. @ilfornonashville

Smith & Lentz Brewing Co.

Gallatin Pike

This craft brewery is serving some serious food and homemade ice cream, anchored by seasonal pizzas on 16 inches of fermented sourdough crust. July brings squash pie with summer squash, mozzarella, Taleggio, walnut and parsley. @smithandlentzbeer

East Nashville Beer Works

Dickerson Pike

This family-friendly, dog-friendly brewery on the East side has solid pizza. Try the Buffalo chicken pie accompanied by a  Greek salad and, of course, a cold one. But they always have a special of the week, too. @eastnashbeer

Dicey's Pizza & Tavern

Wedgewood-Houston

This playful pizza joint in Wedgewood-Houston launched post-pandemic in what was Parson’s Chicken & Fish, another Chicago brand. They serve thin-style Chicago pizza with daily specials. The pizza is solid, but what we like best is their collaborative joie de vivre. Some Sundays, Dicey’s teams up with Second Hand Sundays Vintage Market, while other days you might find Otto’s Bar slinging drinks. Community at its best. @diceyspizzatavern