By Victoria Scott

When I first moved to Nashville, I figured that I’d find an excess of hot chicken and meat n’ threes, but that I’d be forced to give up my dreams of discovering a truly exceptional slice of pizza nearby.

I can’t tell you how wrong I was. Nashville is actually teeming with delicious pizza places, each with their own unique offerings. Depending on your mood, price point, and comfort with creative toppings (I personally favor a classic cheese, but to each his own), you’ll find that they all offer something special.

Here are three must-visit pizza places in Midtown and Hillsboro Village:

Two BootsIf a pizza chain originated in New York City, you can typically assume that it offers excellent pizza. With its oversize slices of thin crust pizza (with a hint of cornmeal on the bottom), Two Boots is no exception. However, they’ve taken it a step further with their Nashville-themed offerings. The Kitty, a fan favorite, includes chunks of Hattie B’s hot chicken alongside jalapenos and blue cheese. I prefer The Meg, a sauce-free slice with multiple cheeses and roasted garlic, but you really can’t go wrong with any of their options. Grab a slice or order a whole pie — between the mouthwatering food and the eclectic atmosphere (in true Music City fashion, they frequently host live bands on their patio), you really can’t go wrong.

Pizza Perfect

Their slogan is “looks good, tastes better,” and I for one have to agree. The pepperoni pizza is incredible, with ample cheese and plenty of meat, but even their standard cheese won’t disappoint the eyes or the stomach. While the prices are reasonable to begin with, it’s the specials (two-for-one slices and beer on Monday evenings, anybody?) that make Pizza Perfect, well, extra special.

Not to mention that the Hillsboro Village location sits next to their sister restaurant, Kay Bob’s. Those who can’t choose between kebabs and pizza (or those who want to partake in Kay Bob’s Sunday trivia and beer specials) can order Pizza Perfect menu items at the Kay Bob’s counter. It’s a win-win!

DeSano Pizza BakeryAny pizza place that proudly advertises their 10,000 lb. wood-burning ovens (handcrafted in Naples, Italy and shipped overseas) means business. New York may have revolutionized thin crust, but Italy will always be pizza’s true home.

Though pricier than some of the other options nearby, DeSano is worth every penny. They don’t just have “cheese pizza,” they have margherita (with fresh buffalo mozzarella and basil), marinara (pecorino romano, no mozzarella), bianca (topped with four different cheeses, just hold the sauce), and pomodorini (with cherry tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella). And those are just the simple, cheese-centric options! Technically, they don’t offer “slices,” just whole pizzas, but trust me when I say after one slice, you’ll be glad to have the whole pie.

Suffice to say that no matter what you order from DeSano, you won’t be disappointed. Just get there at a decent hour — they make fresh pies each day, from 11:30 AM until they run out of dough. Make sure to bring a bottle of your favorite red (they’re BYOB, but only with wine), claim a space at one of the long wooden tables in the dining area (with a convenient view of the pizza ovens), and prepare to dig in!

I could talk about pizza all day long, and considering the cheese-laden heaven to be found at all corners of Music City, I feel completely justified in doing so. Soulshine Pizza Factory, Bella Nashville, Five Points Pizza (it’s a trek from Midtown to East Nashville, but Five Points is often rated the best pizza in town)… the list goes on. Suffice to say that there’s a reason why Nashville is considered an up-and-coming pizza city. The next time you decide to treat yourself, do yourself a favor and check out one of the city’s many delicious pizza restaurants.