In my search for the best pies in town I have put 11 pizza places to the test. And while I’m sure some of them could compete with the best pizzas I’ve had on my international travels, they don’t quite measure up to my gold standard. But there are still plenty of great spots to get some delicious and flavorful slices.
Come join me on a (tasty) trip as we explore all of Downtown Nashville’s great pizza places and find out which one truly takes the cake!
If you don’t find the best pizza here, check out the best pizza in the whole state of Tennessee
#1 Manny’s House of Pizza
- Has some vegetarian options
- Nice tourist spot
- Offers dessert
As soon as I walked into the restaurant, I was impressed by the warm, inviting atmosphere and the delicious smells of pizza being cooked. The staff were all friendly and helpful, making sure that my dining experience was nothing short of perfect.
When it came to the menu, there was something for everyone – whether you’re looking for classic favorites or something more creative! The ingredients are always fresh and never frozen, which is reflected in the amazing flavor of Manny’s pizzas.
I tried the house special – a combination of pepperoni, sausage, olives, mushrooms, onions and peppers – and it did not disappoint. Every single bite was an explosion of flavor! The crust was perfectly crispy yet still light and fluffy on the inside.
Needless to say that after trying Manny’s House of Pizza I knew that I had found the best pizza in Downtown Nashville. If you’re ever in this area and looking for a delicious meal then definitely give Manny’s a try – you won’t be disappointed!
If you’re willing to go an extra 2 miles, you can get to 29 more pizza places in Nashville!
#2 Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria (North Nashville)
- Serves alcohol
- Nice tourist spot
- Has some vegetarian options
- Offers dessert
The atmosphere of the place is welcoming and bright. The staff was friendly, knowledgeable, and attentive to our needs.
The menu offers a wide range of delicious pizza recipes, from classic cheese and pepperoni to inventive specialties like Thai Chili Chicken and Veggie Supreme. We ended up trying the latter which had a fantastic flavor with just the right amount of spice!
My favorite part about Slim & Husky’s Pizza Beeria is that they offer unique toppings such as fried chicken rinds, bacon bits, and even pickles! I mean how often do you see that on a pizza? They also offer vegan options for those looking for plant-based pizzas.
And the best part? They gave us free beverages with our order too!
I would definitely recommend this place to anyone looking for some of the best pizza in downtown Nashville.
#3 Emmy Squared Pizza: Germantown – Nashville, Tennessee
- Has some vegetarian options
- Has a kid’s menu
- Great place to watch sports
- Offers dessert
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
The restaurant is cozy and inviting, with an open kitchen where you can see the chefs crafting their delicious pies. As for the pizza itself, it’s truly a work of art! The crust is thick and chewy, just how I like it. The toppings are fresh and flavorful, and each bite is like a little burst of happiness on my tongue!
I’m always sure to try something new on each visit, but my favorite has to be their famous “Detroit-style” pizza. It features a double layer of cheese with pepperoni baked right into the dough – trust me, it’s heavenly! And if you’re feeling adventurous, they also offer some unique creations such as the Brussels Sprout Pizza.
To top it all off, they have great beer selections and amazing desserts too. Overall, Emmy Squared Pizza: Germantown – Nashville, Tennessee offers some of the best pizza in Downtown Nashville – hands down!
#4 TailGate Brewery Music Row
- Serves alcohol
The atmosphere was great and the people were friendly, so it felt like a great place to settle in for a slice or two. The menu offered a huge selection of pizza choices; I decided to go with their signature, TailGate Supreme with pepperoni, sausage, mushrooms and onions. It was delicious! Every bite was filled with gooey cheese and juicy toppings that blended together perfectly.
What really impressed me most was the crust. It was light and airy, yet still crunchy when bitten into. And there were so many varieties to choose from too – thick, thin, stuffed… you name it!
The service was top-notch too. The staff were attentive and helpful throughout my meal. Plus they had some pretty cool music playing in the background which added some enjoyable vibes to the experience.
If you’re ever looking for the best pizza in Downtown Nashville then look no further than TailGate Brewery Music Row – you won’t be disappointed!
#5 Desano Pizzeria
- Nice tourist spot
- No delivery
The atmosphere at Desano is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a tourist to enjoy an authentic Italian pizza experience. The staff are friendly and eager to assist you in finding the best-suited topping combination for your pizza as well as suggeting their own specialty pies.
My personal favorite on the menu was the De Julio. It’s a margherita base topped with garlic, mozzarella, and cherry tomatoes – really a must-try if you’re visiting! The crust of the pizza was cooked perfectly with a nice, slightly charred edge and just enough chewiness without being too dense or soggy. And let’s not forget that glorious melted cheese!
Even though I would have liked to take my pizza home with me to enjoy later, unfortunately that isn’t an option at Desano – they don’t do delivery. This is definitely one of the downsides here but it’s easy enough to make up for by eating in-house and taking in all the sights and smells of this lovely place.
Overall, I’m happy I visited Desano Pizzeria during my stay in Downtown Nashville; this place definitely serves up some of the best pizza around!
#6 Emmy Squared Pizza: The Gulch – Nashville, Tennessee
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
- Great place to watch sports
- Nice tourist spot
- Has some vegetarian options
- Has a kid’s menu
- Offers dessert
The atmosphere of the restaurant was warm and inviting, with an open-concept kitchen so we could see our pizzas being made. We tried the signature Detroit-style square pizza and it was absolutely delicious! The crust had a chewy texture and was perfectly charred – it felt like a hug for my taste buds. The toppings were fresh and flavorful, from the pepperoni to the mozzarella cheese.
I also liked that they had a variety of vegan and vegetarian options, which is not always easy to find in a pizza place. They have creative topping combinations like their “Cleveland Caviar” which has black olives, tomatoes, feta cheese, pesto, capers, spinach & red onions on sourdough crust.
We also sampled some of their crafted cocktails – their Moscow Mule was especially tasty! All in all this restaurant exceeded my expectations in every way. If you’re looking for a great pizza spot in downtown Nashville, Emmy Squared Pizza should definitely be your first choice!
#7 DeSano Pizza Bakery
- Nice tourist spot
- Has some vegetarian options
- Offers dessert
- Serves alcohol
The atmosphere is friendly and inviting, not to mention the pizzas are made with top-notch ingredients. The staff was very knowledgeable and they even gave me a tour of their kitchen while I waited for my pies.
When it finally came time to try their pizza, I was blown away! The dough was cooked perfectly – crispy on the outside yet soft on the inside. The toppings were fresh and flavorful, and the cheese was melted just right.
The best part of my experience at DeSano Pizza Bakery may have been the size of the pizzas. They were huge! I had enough leftovers for breakfast the next day, which is always a nice bonus when you’re eating out.
If you’re looking for great pizza in Downtown Nashville, DeSano Pizza Bakery is definitely worth checking out. You won’t be disappointed!
If you’re willing to go an extra 2 miles, you can get to 27 more pizza places in Nashville!
#8 Bella Napoli Pizzeria
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
- Has insanely good dessert
- Nice tourist spot
This pizzeria, which I stumbled upon while walking around town, has quickly become one of my favorites. From the moment I stepped inside, I was amazed by the authentic Italian atmosphere. The decor is simple yet inviting, and the staff is friendly and welcoming.
The pizza itself? Simply delicious! The dough is light and fluffy, and they use only the best ingredients to make their pies. They also have a huge selection of toppings, so you can customize your pizza just how you like it.
To top it off, the prices are more than reasonable for both dine-in and takeaway orders. Overall, Bella Napoli Pizzeria deserves 10 out of 10 stars for their delicious pizza and great value for money! I’ve tried a lot of pizzas all over town, but none compare to this one—it’s definitely the best pizza in Downtown Nashville.
#9 Jonathan’s Grille
- Great place to watch sports
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
- Nice tourist spot
I was immediately struck by the inviting atmosphere of this restaurant; the decor has a modern yet classic feel to it, and the staff were friendly and attentive.
My pizza of choice was the Italian Sausage and Red Pepper Pie – which definitely did not disappoint. The crust had a distinct flavor of garlic and herbs that was unlike any other pizza I’ve ever had! Plus, the toppings were cooked perfectly and the flavors blended together harmoniously.
To top it all off, I washed down my meal with an ice cold beer from their impressive selection of craft ales. Overall, Jonathan’s Grille is an excellent spot for a delicious pizza in downtown Nashville – I would highly recommend it!
#10 Mellow Mushroom
- Offers dessert
- Nice tourist spot
- Serves alcohol (and hard liquor!)
- Has a kid’s menu
I was utterly impressed with their expansive menu options – from the classic Hawaiian to their signature Mighty Meaty, there’s something for everyone. Plus, the vegan-friendly pizzas are just as delicious as the traditional ones!
The restaurant itself is laid back but vibrant, making it a great spot to grab lunch with friends or a quick bite to eat after work. The atmosphere is perfect for game day watching, family dinners, and late night hangouts.
Speaking of pizza…the crust is crisp on the outside and light and fluffy on the inside, making every bite such an indulgence. Every topping was fresh and flavorful – you can definitely tell these guys use only quality ingredients!
Bottom line: if you want one of the best pizza experiences in Downtown Nashville, make sure you stop by Mellow Mushroom!
#11 Bella Nashville Pizzeria
- Has some vegetarian options
I had the pleasure of visiting this charming little pizzeria for lunch and I was blown away. Right when I walked in I was greeted by a staff that were friendly and welcoming. From the outset, it was clear that they took great pride in their pizza-making craft.
The atmosphere at Bella Nashville is unique and inviting. There’s plenty of seating areas to choose from and each table is decorated with some nice blue tiles. The walls are adorned with pictures of famous Italian landmarks, giving it an authentic feel.
I decided to go with their classic Margherita pizza topped with tomatoes, mozzarella, basil and a few other ingredients. After my first bite, I knew why people flock to this place; it’s simply delicious! The crust is perfectly cooked without being too crunchy or overdone, allowing all the flavors of the toppings to shine through.
On top of all that, the pricing is quite reasonable, particularly for such high quality food. All in all, Bella Nashville Pizzeria gives you quality ingredients combined with friendly service at a great price – what more could you want? If you’re looking for the best pizza in downtown Nashville then look no further than Bella Nashville Pizzeria!