Pizza has been winning hearts since the 10th Century in Italy, and the obsession has never stopped. Here in Jervis Bay, we are spoilt for choice when it comes to this universal family favourite. Ahead of National Pizza Day on Sunday 9 February, we talked to the masters of the dough at five popular local pizza parlours from Huskisson to North Nowra to discover their mouthwatering secrets. How will you celebrate?
But first, a tasty little tale. In 1889, Italian Queen Margherita visited Naples, inspiring chefs to create a pizza in the colours of the Italian flag: red tomato, white mozzarella and green basil. Just like that, the iconic Margherita was born, earning its place as the queen of pizzas!
Every great pizza starts with the right dough. The perfect water-to-flour ratio ensures stretch, texture and an airy crust. Then comes the magic when fired to a golden, crispy perfection, ready for endless toppings.
Pizza is the ultimate party staple, cosy couch companion, and guaranteed mood booster. So, what’s your go-to slice?
Sandbar Restaurant: A Slice of Culinary Magic
At Huskisson’s Sandbar Restaurant on Hawke Street, Head Chef Jason Wilkinson brings his culinary flair to every dish. His pizza sauce is not your average sauce. Jason explains: “Our pizza sauce is based on a classic Italian recipe I learned years ago, but I’ve added a fresh twist with extra herbs like oregano and thyme, a dash of smoked paprika, and roasted capsicums for that indulgent, sweet kick. Plus every pizza can be made gluten-free upon request.”
Enjoy a Sandbar pizza inside the air-conditioned restaurant or opt for alfresco out on the covered balcony or one of the tables down on street level where you can enjoy the view of White Sands Park and the water of Jervis Bay twinkling through the trees.
We asked Jason what’s hot out of the pizza oven.
Locals love the Classic Margarita, a timeless choice with a twist topped with the restaurant’s house-made pesto, packed with pine nuts and a blend of cheeses. We think this is definitely a crowd pleaser.
Staff love something a little more adventurous, the spiced lamb pizza topped with olives, onions and za’atar, finished off with BBQ oil and a refreshing mint yogurt.
Jason recommends pairing your pizza with a refreshing glass of Sidewood sauvignon blanc or a smooth Tomfoolery shiraz to elevate your meal.
The Husskison Hotel: Science Behind the Dough
Even driving down the street, you can’t miss the mammoth pizza oven at The Huskisson Hotel! No matter the angle, the sight and the aroma will draw you in.
Leading the kitchen is Chef Anthony Telford, former Group Executive Chef of Salt Meat Cheese restaurants around the country, who takes immense pride in the hotel’s pizza offerings.
“Our dough is a traditional 63% hydration mix with a 48-hour chilled resting period,” Anthony shares. Hydration is key to great dough. It affects stretch, stickiness and the lightness of the crust. Mastering this results in consistently outstanding pizza.
There are no catering-pack sauces here: the Napolitana sauce is slow-cooked for four hours, maximising flavour. They also offer gluten-free bases by Letizza Bakery, a brand with 30 years experience creating top-quality, family-recipe pizzas.
Anthony says the locals favourite is The Husky Pizza topped with Napolitana sauce, Fior Di Mozzarella, BBQ chicken, pepperoni, garlic-marinated prawns, olives, mushrooms, Spanish onion, roasted peppers and basil. The staff love a classic Pepperoni with Napolitana sauce, Fior Di Latte Mozzarella and generous pepperoni slices.
Fior di latte, meaning “flower of milk,” refers to cow’s milk mozzarella, distinguishing it from buffalo milk mozzarella.
Ordering is effortless. Simply place your order at the bistro bar and pick it up from the outdoor pizza station. Embrace the summer vibes as you enjoy your pizza on the wraparound balcony, or opt for a cooler spot inside the spacious pub.
From Tuscany to Jervis Bay: Peter & Eva’s Passion for Pizza
Authentic wood fired Italian pizza is the drawcard at this Huskisson establishment, which had a loyal following from their food truck even before they landed in the Owen Street premises. Chef Eva is passionate about her pizza dough, having trained as a pastry chef in Italy and incorporating family recipes in their traditional and inventive menu.
It’s not unusual to see someone carrying a stack of takeaway pizza boxes out of the restaurant – no matter what day of the week, this restaurant is always buzzing.
There are 25 pizzas to choose from, whether you prefer a classic Margherita or more adventurous toppings like their Stagioni (four seasons), that starts with a tomato base and is divided into four sections celebrating the freshest ingredients including mozzarella, anchovies, mushrooms, olives and ham. For the seafood lovers, there’s the seafood pizza with a fresh tomato base, mozzarella, garlic, calamari, prawns, local mussels, squid and mixed Italian herbs.
The husband-and-wife duo behind Peter and Eva share their deep love of Italian cuisine with their customers. Peter, born in Australia and raised in Italy, spent 30 years mastering cooking pizza and making gelato. Eva born and raised in Italy learned traditional recipes from her nonna before training as a chef, pastry chef and gelato maker. They worked together in Peter’s family pizzeria before launching their own bakery and pizzeria in Tuscany.
The Cheesy Grin Pizzeria: Where Pizza Meets Perfect Views
Located inside Club Jervis Bay, The Cheesy Grin Pizzeria is a local favourite that combines delicious pizza with stunning bay views. With floor-to-ceiling windows and a spacious balcony, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy your favourite slice while soaking in the scenery.
Manager Brayden McMillan shares that their pizza base dough is hand-made fresh daily in the morning by their skilled pizza chef. The sauces are also made in-house for truly fresh flavours.
The menu offers a mix of classic and elevated options, such as the staff favourite, the Bomba with smoky BBQ Sauce, mozzarella, beef brisket, roasted capsicum, caramelised onion topped with rocket and garlic aioli.
The Garlic Chili Prawn pizza is seasoned with just the right amount of spice and topped with Mutti Aromatizzata pizza sauce mixed with confit garlic, mozzarella, plenty of garlic chilli prawns, cherry tomato, rocket, Danish feta and parsley. They also offer gluten-free options and a choice of fresh garden salad on the side $10.50. Even more enticing, Wednesdays are $15 pizza special days for club members.
Wood-Fired Pizzas Ignite Our Local Nowra Scene
Flame is a relaxed modern pizzeria in north Nowra delivering mouthwatering, authentic Italian flare – or dine in if you can’t wait to get the pizza home.
Steve and his team prepare their pizza dough by hand rolling, throwing and shaping it with skill. Each pizza is topped with high-quality, fresh, and seasonal local ingredients before being fired to perfection, resulting in a perfectly balanced chewy crust and golden, bubbling cheese, which is surely everyone’s favourite part.
Flame’s wood-fired pizza menu features creative options like the creamy Avo Delight with avocado, mozzarella and savory toppings, and the rich Quaker Duck, which combines tender duck, sweet potato crisps and tangy sauces. The Ranch pizza is topped with chicken, bacon, prosciutto and creamy ranch sauce, while the All You Can Meat is a meat lover’s dream with pepperoni, ham, chorizo and prosciutto.
As well as pizzas, Flame serves freshly made pasta, juicy ribs, and a variety of salads and sides. Flame’s partner, Pasta Buoy Huskisson supplies their pasta dishes. Flame offers gluten-free pizza and pasta options, as well as a range of vegan dishes.
The Pizza Love Story That Became Flame
Steve started tossing dough at 14, while Jess spent her school years boxing slices and both were blissfully unaware they were on the same path. Mutual friends saw the perfect match, so they met over pizza, of course!
From that fateful meeting, love and pizza became their destiny. Since 2014, Flame is their passion brought to life, serving up not just slices but a taste of the romance that started it all.
It’s easy to see why Flame has become a North Nowra favourite, open every night.
