The beachside town of Thirroul, near Wollongong, will profit this week from the exodus of sea-changing Sydneysiders, with the opening of Franco Pizza Bar in the former Cin Cin site.

Franco's owners have some serious pedigrees: chef Matt Taylor (Monopole, Bentley, Tetsuya's) and his pastry chef wife Johannah (Glass, Flying Fish) have teamed up with Sam Jones (Wine Library) after exiting Sydney in mid-2020 to raise their families in a more "relaxed coastal environment".

They have been working on their 72-hour pizza dough for four months.

The signature Franco pizza is topped with 'nduja, pecorino, fior di latte cheese, mushrooms and olives.

There will be a strong focus on South Coast produce and locally sourced natural wines.

Desserts include a bomboloni (Italian doughnut) ice-cream sandwich.

Open Thu-Sun from 5pm, shop 1, 382-384 Lawrence Hargrave Drive, Thirroul