Amici Restaurant in Caloundra named as the best pizza place on the Sunshine Coast

A popular pizza restaurant in a southern Coast suburb has nailed its recipe for success after loyal customers voted the venue as the region’s best.

Amici Restaurant in Caloundra was voted as the best pizza place on the Sunshine Coast. Owners Jason O’Brien and Sarah Spotz were thrilled with the win.

A popular pizza restaurant in a southern Coast suburb has nailed its recipe for success after loyal customers voted the venue as the region's best.

Celebrity chef Matt Preston put a call out to find the best Coast pizza place as part of his Delicious Local push.

Amici Restaurant in Caloundra earned a majority of the votes out of 15 businesses in the running to be crowned as the Coast's favourite venue.

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Owners Jason O'Brien and partner Sarah Spotz opened the popular spot more than a decade ago.

Mr O'Brien said the pair were grateful for the win.

"We have a good amount of regular customers that support us, that have been supporting us since we've been open," he said.

Some of the pizzas on offer at Amici Restaurant.

"It helps during the slower times to keep us going."

Fresh ingredients and a commitment to buy from local producers was what Mr O'Brien said set the business apart from other Coast pizza places.

"For us consistency is probably our biggest thing," he said.

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"We also try our best to give our employees the best working experience, so obviously they perform a lot better wanting to come to work.

"They put a lot more pride into what they do and they enjoy doing it."

Surviving the fallout from lockdown restrictions was tough for the Bulcock Street venue but Mr O'Brien said the support from their dedicated customers was "incredible".

"The locals that used to come in and dine with us were happy to jump on board and get a takeaway option or a delivery option," he said.

"It kept the majority of our staff in jobs and it was impressive to see.

Amici Restaurant owners Sarah Spotz and Jason O'Brien spread some Christmas cheer in 2014. Photo: Brett Wortman

"It wasn't how we intended our business to be so getting told that you're shutting down is not anything anyone wants to hear, but we kept charging on."

Mr O'Brien said the venue was expanding to allow more seating and hinted at what was next for the restaurant.

"We've got a bit of an extension happening that will allow us to seat more people which will be good for us and customers trying to get in," he said.

"We do have some other plans in the pipework, but watch this space."

Originally published as Amici Restaurant in Caloundra named as the best pizza place on the Sunshine Coast