Hard Knox Pizza Central

4.2 ( 158 reviews )
Checking... 11:00 AM - 09:00 PM See Hours
$10–20
2300 N Central St, Knoxville, TN 37917, United States
+1 865-263-2633

Hard Knox Pizza Central, located at 2300 N Central St, Knoxville, offers an inviting escape for pizza enthusiasts. This restaurant has rapidly garnered attention as a must-visit destination, claiming the title for best pizza in Knoxville. Diners rave about the true Neapolitan experience that comes from a wood-fired oven, delivering the perfect balance of smokiness and a chewy yet crispy crust.

Customer reviews like Jarrad Newsome's highlight the knowledge and passion of staff, particularly Moe, who enhances the dining experience with engaging conversation about the menu. The focus on fresh, bold flavors is palpable, especially in popular selections like the veggie pie and the focaccia. Jonathan Lee recommends the basillio complemented with balsamic reduction, emphasizing the fresh toppings and rich sauce that elevate the dish.

Beyond pizza, the restaurant also excels in complementary offerings such as quality salads, making it an all-around reliable spot for casual lunches or weekend meals. Anisa Witherspoon's commendation of the well-prepared Marciano pizza showcases their commitment to balancing lightness and flavor, while dessert like the Archie S’mores provides a delightful conclusion to the meal. Hard Knox Pizza Central promises not just great food but a warm, welcoming atmosphere—perfect for those looking to make it a regular Sunday tradition.

Amenities and More

  • From the business
    • Identifies as women-owned
  • Service options
    • Outdoor seating
    • Kerbside pickup
    • Takeaway
    • Dine-in
    • Delivery
  • Highlights
    • Fast service
  • Popular for
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Solo dining
  • Accessibility
    • Wheelchair-accessible car park
    • Wheelchair-accessible entrance
    • Wheelchair-accessible seating
    • Wheelchair-accessible toilet
  • Offerings
    • Alcohol
    • Beer
    • Comfort food
    • Quick bite
    • Wine
  • Dining options
    • Lunch
    • Dinner
    • Dessert
    • Seating
  • Amenities
    • Toilet
    • Wi-Fi
    • Wi-Fi
  • Atmosphere
    • Casual
    • Trendy
  • Crowd
    • Groups
    • University students
  • Planning
    • Accepts reservations
  • Payments
    • Credit cards
  • Children
    • Good for kids
    • High chairs
  • Parking
    • Free of charge street parking
    • Free parking lot
    • Parking
  • Pets
    • Dogs allowed outside

Reviews For Hard Knox Pizza Central

Jarrad Newsome
Jul 5,2025
Lets gooooo!!!! We hit the spot for some fresh Za on a Sunday morning. Moe absolutely made us an amazing pie and provided awesome service. Even chatting us up about the best pizzas and the wood fire oven. Dude was super knowledgeable and you can tell he enjoys what he does. The pizza is top notch. Guess theres a reason they've won best pizza in knoxville. We got the focaccia and the veggie. Both are full of flavor and the smell literally made my mouth water. This could be a new regular for us on Sundays.
Jonathan Lee
Jun 30,2025
Hands down best pizza in Knoxville. True Neapolitan pizza that is wood fired, it gives the nice smokey/chewy/crispy crust that sets the base for the pizza. An amazing sauce and fresh toppings top off the pizza. I recommend the basillio with the balsamic reduction.
La
Jun 29,2025
Fantastic pizza - With fanatic brew ! Fresh quality salad ! Had Graziano with pepperoni & white pesto cream with chicken - excellent ! Laid back spot not crowded today at lunch great addition to area ! Very clean restaurant! Good service !first time here we will b back !
Tiffany Sherrill
Jun 9,2025
Pizza was delicious. Good music. The person working was very nice and quick. I'll be back for sure!
Anisa Witherspoon
May 9,2025
I ordered the 8 inch Marciano pizza well done, and it was absolutely amazing—fresh, light, airy, and perfectly crispy. Just the way I like it: not too dense and full of flavor. After that, we tried the Archie S’mores, and wow, we were in for a treat! I could only finish one slice because it was so rich and packed with Nutella. The staff was incredibly kind and attentive. We’ll definitely be back!
GARY MAHL
May 3,2025
Excellent pizza..I just recently moved here n found this is best pizza I've had. Nice crust, great sauce .. delicious. Will be back ..again n again.
Jordan Long
Apr 1,2025
Hard Knox Pizza truly impressed me from start to finish. I ordered the Bone Crusher 8 inch pizza, and it was a perfect balance of flavors. The olive oil gave it a rich, savory base while the fresh, well seasoned meat was cooked to perfection, especially since I requested it well done. The crust had just the right amount of crispiness without being too thick or thin. Every bite was packed with flavor, and it’s clear they use high quality ingredients and take great care in their preparation. For dessert, I couldn’t resist the s’mores pizza, and it did not disappoint. The combination of gooey marshmallows, rich Nutella, and the crunchy graham cracker topping created a delightful texture and taste experience that I’ll definitely be ordering again. Beyond the food, the customer service was outstanding, friendly, attentive, and genuinely welcoming. Hard Knox Pizza is a standout in the Knoxville area and has earned a permanent spot on my go-to list. Highly recommend giving them a try!
Kirsten Horne
Mar 18,2025
Honestly some of the best pizza I have had while out of town! We ordered the Garlic Knots which were cooked perfectly and the Hawaiian pizza. Great flavor, atmosphere, and customer service!

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