Meet the new man behind Bella Nashville Pizzeria.

Bella Nashville Pizzeria has been a well-loved staple of the Nashville Farmer’s Market for many years. In June of 2020, Franco Ballarini, long-time Pizza chef and Italian native, moved to Tennessee to run this beautiful shop.

Franco was born in Italy, a lover of motorcycles and a very hard worker. He spent time living in Venezuela before moving to Miami in 1989, where he owned a manufacturing company, and soon a thriving pizza shop called Sapori D’Italia Cafe Pizzeria.

Franco’s love and knowledge of pizza come from his education in Fermo, before founding Sapori D’Italia. The biggest thing he remembers from day one of classes was a quote that would stick with him throughout his pizza-making career: “When you start with high quality ingredients, half of the work is already done.” Franco’s pizzas use Double Zero flour imported from Italy, as well as the freshest ingredients, all prepared by hand and cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven.

We’re very excited for this new chapter of Bella Nashville Pizzeria. Franco has brought quality, expertise, an Italian flare, and an official “LLC” to our little corner of the Farmer’s Market. If you have questions about our pizzas, ingredients, or Franco’s motorcycles, just stop by our shop between 11-3 Tuesdays through Sundays.

We can’t wait to serve you.