Here are the top 10 best pizza joints on the Gold Coast for 2018 as voted by locals.

10. Napoli Zero81 Pizza Bar

58 Brooke Ave, Chirn Park

Owners Justin and Sarah Palumbo made their mark on the local pizza scene with their mobile Wildfire Pizza, a popular fixture at Miami Marketta for many years, before setting up shop at Chirn Park in November.

Both Justin and Sarah have Italian parents and admit they’re slightly obsessed by perfect Neapolitan-style pizzas.

A marble wood-fired pizza oven, not surprisingly imported from Naples, is the centrepiece of the establishment and pizzas are traditional (definitely no pineapple), focusing on quality of ingredients and exquisite simplicity.

Napoli Zero81 also serves handmade Neapolitan street food: pastas, arancini balls and sweet treats too.

“The best thing about going into a restaurant from the mobile business is the relationship you build with customers,” Sarah says.

“They’re loyal and so supportive. Even in a short time, they’re like family.”

Now, how Italian is that?

9. Justin Lane

1710 Gold Coast Hwy, Burleigh Heads

This Burleigh Heads eatery has become a rite of passage for both tourists and locals, largely thanks to their famous pizzas.

“Justin Lane has always had the philosophy to do things simply but exceptionally well,” owner Adam Haralampou says.

“Our pizza bases are what sets us apart as they’re 100 per cent sourdough and are made through a 72 hour natural fermentation process. We also use high-quality ingredients and have a strong focus on sourcing locally where we can.”

Justin Lane favourites include seafood pizza and zucchini vegetarian option. Everyone can eat, drink and be messy on the Justin Lane rooftop as the full menu is now available here too.

8. Salt Meats Cheese

10 Beach Rd, Surfers Paradise

Salt Meats Cheese is an Italian restaurant, delicatessen and authentic wood-fired pizza specialist.

Owner Korine Skinner says they’re all about food and atmosphere.

“We deliver passion for food and shared experiences in a relaxed and fun atmosphere where family, friends or co-workers can enjoy simple, delicious and quality dishes over a cocktail or two,” she says.

“Our pizza is handcrafted from scratch by our Italian Pizzaiolo’s, using the finest quality ingredients, with the dough resting for 48 to 72 hours. Bestsellers include the Italian classic margherita and prosciutto san daniele pizzas, while our signature quattro carni pizza is also a crowd favourite, containing a mouth-watering four varieties of cured meat.”

7. Lambar

4/37 Musgrave Ave, Chirn Park

Lambar’s pizzas are named after the owners’ children, nieces, parents and even faithful staff members.

It’s that kind of place and owner Jaimie Lamb (yes, as in Lambar) likes to spread the love to his food. He says that’s the secret to his 10 years in the business. Lambar’s pizzas haven’t deviated too much from the recipes Jaimie used to launch his first foodie venture a decade ago.

“There are no tricks really,” he says.

“Just hand-rolled bases with fresh, generous ingredients.”

Customers who like extra spice know to ask for the free chilli tray to add their preferred amount of zing. There is also the free yoghurt dish if they need to cool things down.

6. Nonna’s Restaurant

Harbour Town, Brisbane Road, Oxley drive, Biggera Waters

After months tossing and kneading endless dough recipes, owner Damien Kanaghines says Nonna’s finally produced the perfect blend; a base that is light and crispy with the feel of an Italian pizza.

“Although our Marana Forni oven imported directly from Naples, Italy came in at a hefty $70,000 it is the only one of its type on the Gold Coast — and it is worth every cent, boasting a rotating base and ensuring our pizzas take only 90 seconds to reach perfection,” he says.

“Over the years we have dabbled with different flavours such as a nacho pizza and cheesy chip, however, our all-time classic barbecue chicken still sits at the top of the list for everyone’s favourite pizza.”

5. Mandala Collective, Mermaid Beach

4/2558 Gold Coast Hwy, Mermaid Beach

Even dedicated omnivores can’t get enough of this vegan eatery’s pizzas, which are flavoursome and filling despite not using meat or dairy.

“Mandala is a plant-based restaurant and live music venue that offers a unique culinary experience with influences from many different cuisines around the world,” owner Lucas Mogaroto says.

“Pizzas like Mexicana, Thai, Balsamic and Margherita are an illustration of these influences. Our pizza base is made with unbleached organic spelt flour and all of them are topped with our famous cashew cheese. The creamy mushroom is definitely a favourite and comes with sauteed mushroom and herb pate base, zucchini, sweet corn, Spanish onion, kalamata olives and sour cream.”

4. Merlin’s Pizza

17/221 Christine Avenue (Christine Corner shopping Centre), Varsity Lakes

A second Merlins was on the cards for quite a while before the perfect location popped up at Christine Corner. Co-owner Scott Jelich launched the store in August last year, replicating the formula that had seen the flagship Palm Beach store powering since 1991.

The menu is the same, a selection of traditional and more gourmet specialty pizzas. The good news is the Varsity Lakes store has widened the delivery area and customers are advised to ring even if they’re outside the advertised zone which is negotiable.

Customers new to the Merlins experience could well start with the favourites: the signature Super Supreme, Mighty Meat, chicken avocado and the ever-popular seafood.

“We’re getting a name for ourselves in the new neighbourhood,” Scott says.

“We’re pretty happy the Varsity store is on the list after such a short time.”

3. Three Kings Pizza

310 Olsen Ave, Parkwood

The three Lleshi brothers launched Three Kings nine years ago with the supremely simple aim of producing great pizzas.

One of their mantras has been never to scrimp on toppings and locals love them for it.

Co-owner Nick says they’re fussy about their suppliers and insist on quality.

“The fresh produce comes from a supplier who buys spray-free fruit and veg direct from farmers,” he says.

“We aim for organic and free-range wherever we can.”

Dough is made fresh twice a day with low salt, no sugar and no preservatives.

The menu is extensive by pizza shop standards with a couple of pasta favourites thrown in, fresh designer salads and dessert pizzas.

2. Merlin’s Pizza

Shop 3, 19th Avenue Shopping Centre, Palm Beach

On the scene for 27 years, Merlins Pizza is obviously doing something right — both its stores have made the list. Co-owner Scott Jelich started as a delivery driver at Merlins Palm Beach fresh out of school, working his way up to chef then store manager before buying into the business five years ago.

He’s learned a thing or two about pizzas along the way and reckons the secret to a good pizza is freshly-made dough and super-fresh produce.

“Then there’s the passion and love in how you throw it together,” Scott says.

“That’s so important.”

There’s been little messing with the formula over the years — Scott has two staff members who’ve worked with him for 10 years and two chefs who’ve been there for five or six.

“We’re committed to quality and flavour and being generous with our servings and toppings,” he says.

1. Creative Pizza

7/145 Pappas Way, Carrara

As its website proudly proclaims, Creative Pizza has been a fixture on the Best of the Gold Coast Pizza rankings for the past few years.

This year, they’ve nabbed top spot.

Co-owner Ron Rezuk says it’s because there’s always an eye on quality, quantity and friendliness.

“We keep things as fresh as we can,” he says.

“We prep all our meats and vegetables ourselves on-site — very little comes in cans.”

The Creative moniker comes from the store motto: We Don’t Make It ... We Create It!

With that in mind, the menu regularly features the staff’s latest pizza masterpieces. Keep an eye out for the latest Reef ’n’ Beef, featuring pulled beef and prawns with mushroom, onion and cajun spice, topped with aioli.

Never fear, traditionalists, all the old favourites are on the menu too.