Braci is the type of neighbourhood pizzeria that every suburb wants and needs. The charming osteria has become a buzzing centrepiece of Willoughby’s High Street shopping strip since it opened in 2021, enticing visitors to journey across the bridge.
You’ll be welcomed like a local into Braci’s rustic dining space, which is almost like an extension of the owners, Chris Carlei and Toby Robinson’s, dining rooms. Here, the duo draw on the passion and flavours of Italy and Australia with a simple menu of carbs and cocktails.
There are ten seasonal sputini (Italian snacks) to start you off. The Milanese-style arancini are a real winner, stuffed with mozzarella and wrapped in creamy saffron risotto. Locals also love Braci’s crispy sprouts with whipped ricotta and chilli, along with the burrata dressed in salumi XO, and roasted cabbage with umami butter and parmigiana.
Not quite chewy, not quite crispy – the pizza at Braci stands in a league of its own. Head pizzaiolo, Carlei, hand-stretches the dough to order using a family recipe that he’s fine-tuned more than 60 times since Braci opened. At any given time, there are eight tempting toppings to share including a mix of fresh creations and old favourites.
Take Braci’s Killa Beez, for example, which has created quite the buzz lately with tomato, fior di latte, hot sopressa, pecorino and honey, as has the new veg-friendly Queen Envy with fior di latte, pea puree, zucchini, feta, mint and pine nuts. You can’t go wrong with a classic margarita too, or the long-standing boscaiola with wild mushrooms (and added prosciutto).
It’s not a pizza party without a glass of fine Italian wine or a fizzy cocktail. Seasonality and locality are at the forefront of Robinson’s (the Star, Firedoor, Bisteccca, the Gidley) beverage list, with a healthy side of Italian amaro.
The Robinson and Carlei families have been crushing grapes together in the Cardinia Ranges since 1998, which makes Braci the natural home of Carlei Estate’s cellar door. Pair your pizza with the family winery’s exquisite new and aged biodynamic drops, or go for a playful cocktail like the OPC, made with orange and poppyseed cake milk punch.
The pizza is on point, the wines are world-class, and you’ll leave Braci wishing you lived northside of the bridge.
