BD’s Wood-fired Pizza: Best Pizza in the Southern Highlands

The Southern Highlands has voted. This is the best pizza in the region, according to the locals in the know.

BD’s Wood-fired Pizza and Pasta has been crowned the best pizza in the Southern Highlands after a poll of the region’s favourites.

Locals around the Highlands overwhelmingly voted for BD’s as their favourite pizza and didn’t hesitate to compliment the food and the atmosphere. After over a decade, it feels like family to most locals.

Manager Anthony Payne says the welcoming and friendly atmosphere are what makes BD’s a clear winner.

“It feels like family,” he said.

“We’ve got a lot of regulars and most of the customers know us and know about our lives.”

BD's uses an authentic Italian wood-fired pizza oven. Picture: BD’s

Although he admits that was not such an unusual experience in the Southern Highlands, he said friendly interaction with the customers made them feel at home.

“We have a lot of regulars, and a lot of them get the same thing every night,” he said.

Many regulars don’t have to even order anymore. They are seen by one of the four full time staff and their food will come up when it’s ready.

According to Mr Payne, consistency is the other key factor in the success of the restaurant.

“We have one elderly man who comes in four times a week,” he said.

“If we weren’t focused on consistency, that wouldn’t happen.”

BD’s is booked out most nights because locals love their pizzas. Picture: BD’s

BD’s has been owned by husband-and-wife team Ben and Jo-An Salmon for the last three years, although Ben has been working at the restaurant for over a decade. When the previous owner decided to sell up, Mr Salmon was offered the ownership because of his longstanding connection with the restaurant.

All of the staff at BD’s have been there for years, so everyone knows each other very well. Mr Payne said those relationships make a fun working environment.

“You’re here every day, it does become a family,” he said.

“We’ve all worked here for years and we all enjoy coming to work.”

In Mr Payne’s case, some of the staff actually are family. His brother is one of the chefs and the other manager is his childhood best friend.

The open plan layout of BD’s gives the restaurant a relaxed atmosphere. Picture: BD’s

BD’s wood-fired pizzas are made in an authentic Italian oven in an open kitchen, so guests can see and smell everything. Mr Payne said this openness really adds to the friendly atmosphere and helps people to relax.

When deciding which pizza to get at the region’s favourite pizzeria, the most popular pizzas to order are the Bowral (prawns, squid, and avocado), the Prosciutto (prosciutto, tomato, and pecorino cheese), and the Supreme (three meats, capsicum, mushroom, and onion.