Tennessee · By City

Best Pizza in Knoxville

The most essential pies in Knoxville, ranked by the Great Pizza Places editorial team. We currently rank 10 pizzerias here, with Neapolitan and Italian-American leading the scene.

Ranked: Top 10
High score: 9.1
On the map: 10

List last updated September 2026

#1 in Knoxville

Hard Knox Pizza

Neapolitan · Editorial score 9.1

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Neapolitan

Hard Knox Pizza

Knoxville, TN

The blistered leopard-spotted crust has real chew and the sausage is clearly house-made. Sauce is bright and not oversweet, balancing the fresh mozzarella well.

9.1

Editorial Score

Artisan

The Tomato Head

Knoxville, TN

The whole-wheat crust option is a nice surprise and holds up under the roasted vegetables. Their signature Tomato Head pizza has a garlicky sauce that isn't drowned out by cheese.

9.0

Editorial Score

Neapolitan

A Dopo Pizza

Knoxville, TN

The cornicione puffs up dramatically with real char and a tender, wet center. The Margherita's San Marzano sauce is simple and lets the buffalo mozzarella shine.

8.9

Editorial Score

Wood-fired

Pizzeria Nora

Knoxville, TN

The thin crust crisps well at the edges without going cracker-dry in the middle. Toppings like local sausage are applied with a light hand so the char comes through.

8.8

Editorial Score

New York

Dazzo's Pizzeria

Knoxville, TN

The slices are wide and floppy with a good greasy sheen, exactly what a late-night NY-style pie should be. Pepperoni cups up and crisps nicely at the edges.

8.7

Editorial Score

Craft

Baker Boy Pizza Company

Knoxville, TN

The long-fermented dough gives a noticeably tangy, airy crust. Seasonal toppings rotate but the base sauce stays balanced and not too acidic.

8.5

Editorial Score

Italian-American

Pizza Palace

Knoxville, TN

This decades-old spot bakes a thin, cracker-style crust with a sweeter red sauce than most. It's a nostalgic, unpretentious pie rather than a showpiece.

8.4

Editorial Score

Californian

Mellow Mushroom Cumberland Ave

Knoxville, TN

The thick, sesame-seed-studded crust holds up under a heavy pile of veggies without sogging out. It leans more into toppings than sauce, which suits the campus crowd.

8.3

Editorial Score

Italian-American

Gondolier Italian Restaurant

Knoxville, TN

The crust is medium-thick and slightly crisp on the bottom, standing up well to a generous layer of mozzarella. It's a straightforward, garlicky red sauce pie rather than anything

8.2

Editorial Score

Tavern

Sam & Andy's

Knoxville, TN

The cracker-thin crust is cut into squares and holds its crunch even loaded with pepperoni. It's a straightforward tavern-style pie best enjoyed with a pitcher of beer.

8.1

Editorial Score

Knoxville pizza FAQ

What is the best pizza in Knoxville?

Our editorial team currently ranks Hard Knox Pizza as the best pizza in Knoxville, Tennessee. The blistered leopard-spotted crust has real chew and the sausage is clearly house-made. Sauce is bright and not oversweet, balancing the fresh mozzarella well.

What style of pizza is Knoxville known for?

Neapolitan is the most common style among our ranked Knoxville pizzerias (2 of 10). The top-rated Neapolitan spot is Hard Knox Pizza.

Where can I get great budget-friendly pizza in Knoxville?

Dazzo's Pizzeria is the highest-scoring budget-friendly ($) pizzeria on our Knoxville list, with an editorial score of 8.7.

How many pizza places does Great Pizza Places rank in Knoxville?

We currently rank the top 10 pizza places in Knoxville, Tennessee, scored on crust, sauce, cheese, ingredients, and consistency.

How does Great Pizza Places rank pizzerias in Knoxville?

Every Knoxville pizzeria is reviewed on five criteria — crust, sauce, cheese, ingredients, and consistency — combined into an editorial score from 0 to 10. Rankings are updated as we revisit and add new places.

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