This not-so-secret spot makes appearances on almost every round-up of the best pizza in Australia. Pizzica's rustic brick restaurant has lots of character and will transport you straight from Margaret River to the charming region of Salento in south-east Italy. On any given night, Pizzica is fully packed with people travelling across the state for a slice of their infamous wood-fired pizzas.

It may be dug into the ground beneath another restaurant, but there’s no longer any hiding the fact that Pizzica is far more than a bolthole pizza joint. With the help of his crack Italian wait and kitchen staff, owner Ivan Zecca has created a little slice of Italy in the heart of rural Australian wine country. While thin-crust pizzas topped thoughtfully with high-quality ingredients are the drawcard, the wood-fired meats and puccia (stuffed calzone-like breads) demand notice; the 400-gram T-bone is seasoned and charred well enough to make Nonna cry.

Among recent openings are Pizzica (73 Bussell Hwy, 08 9758 7361), a pizzeria and charcoal grill that serves pliable, elegant and sparsely topped pizza; and small bar Yonder (124 Bussell Hwy), a neon-lit fantasy of ’80s rock and Australiana. Brew Shack (2/124 Bussell Hwy, 08 9758 8338) serves the town’s best coffee, while Burger Baby (1/115 Bussell Hwy, 08 9757 9991) is your destination for buns. The Margaret River Farmers’ Market (272 Bussell Hwy, 08 9757 9095) runs every Saturday morning at the Margaret River Education Campus.

Schooled in the art of pizza from the age of 14 at the fabled Pizza da Franco in Sorrento, Campania, Italian expat Ivan Zecca started Pizzica in Margaret River with his wife Anna after emigrating in 2010. Situated underground in one of the town’s oldest buildings, Pizzica is not just about the revered wood-fired pizza, but also what comes off the charcoal-fuelled grill. It is a firm local favourite, with bookings recommended.

Arguably the best pizza joint in the entire Margaret River region, Pizzica also offers wonderful charcoal grill and Italian meats like porchetta, beef cheek, lamb shank, and sausages. A little spice, a hint of charcoal crust, and all piping hot fresh from the hands of your Italian chefs. You’ll also love the quaint forest-like setting, which is perfect for date nights and cosy evenings with friends and family.

Pizzica, Italian Pizzeria & Charcoal Grill, also in Margaret River Central, offers a variety of Italian-style pizzas and charcoal-grilled dishes. Stella Bella Wines, a winery in Margaret River Central, not only offers wine but also serves Italian cuisine. Swings & Roundabouts, another Italian restaurant in the Margaret River Central area, provides a diverse selection of Italian dishes for visitors to enjoy.

Located in the undercroft of the iconic Bridgefield Guest House you’ll find Pizzica, a little piece of Italy right here in our south west. Come hungry and peruse the three-page menu loaded with every type of pizza imaginable, a delicious selection of antipasti and mains such as charcoal grilled pork ribs and a fisherman’s stew loaded with prawns, mussels, cuttlefish and market fish in a rich tomato broth.

For some more rustic, cosy Italian vibes make sure you visit Ivin and his family at Pizzica. Combining Italy’s best pizza flour with fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and a giant wood fire oven makes for some molto bene delights. The wood fired pizzas are a winner, but don’t be afraid to dive into some of the heartier options, like the wood fired porchetta or pork shank.

Step down underneath La Sparpetta into Pizzica (a separate business) and you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a pizzeria in Puglia. The traditional crockery imported from Puglia just adds to the charm. Using the best Italian flour, canned tomatoes and ingredients, the woodfired pizzas are thin, crisp and come with a red tomato base or a white base.

Pizzica is named after a dance performed in the Salento region of Southern Italy. Drawing inspiration from the Salento Region, it has a real rustic style with handcrafted terracotta plates, glasses and jugs made from local Salento artisans. The atmosphere is friendly and warm, transporting you to Italy for a real Italian experience.

Pizzica – named for a southern Italian folk song and dance – is Margaret River's "it" restaurant, also having opened in early 2018. Meat and veg come from local growers, but the 5 Stagioni flour is imported from Italy. Every table sports a pizza or puccia (stuffed, wood-fired bread), but the porchetta gets rave reviews.

Located on the main street of Margs you’ll find Pizzica, a little slice of Italy right here in the south west. It’s a great spot for a birthday celebration, and our kids love it. Come hungry with the kids and peruse the extensive menu that’ll transport you straight to the cobbled-stoned streets of Naples.

Pizzica is an Italian pizza and charcoal grill restaurant in Margaret River that we eat at pretty regularly. They do really amazing pizzas and keep it simple: three toppings and that’s it instead of trying to put 10 things on the bloody thing. That’s the simplicity of good produce.

The food is authentically Italian and they also have a great range of Italian style wines to enjoy with your pizza. A mostly pizza orientated menu with a few additional menu items coming straight from the wood fired oven. And don't go past the fried pizza dough for desert...

This may be WA’s best pizza joint – Italian owned & operated, with native Italian staff you can’t go wrong with any of the pizzas (or the drinks menu, with negronis & limoncello). The ascolane (stuffed olives) are a great way to kick off the meal.

Authentic Italian wood fired pizza and charcoal grill dishes served in a traditional Italian restaurant. Dining: Open for dinner. Location: 73 Bussell Hwy, Margaret River (850m distance)