Braci
Meet Chris and Toby, the passionate duo behind Braci, a celebrated pizzeria nestled in the heart of Willoughby. Their culinary vision blends authentic pizza-making skills with a desire to bring city-quality dining experiences to their local neighbourhood.
What began as a bold venture during the 2020 holiday season has since grown into a beloved dining spot. For Toby, opening Braci was also a homecoming—he grew up just streets away from where the restaurant now stands. Together with Chris, the pair bring creativity and passion to every dish, with a strong focus on using high-quality ingredients.
Braci’s connection to the community runs deep. They work closely with local suppliers like Gabriel Coffee in Chatswood and Finders Distillery in St Leonards, and they’re always eager to promote other small businesses nearby. As they put it: ‘when we all win together, that’s the best kind of community.’
They say
For Chris and Toby, supporting local means embracing community spirit. ‘We love recommending great little spots, the hidden gems. We love leaning on our neighbours, lifting them up—when we all win together, that's the best kind of community.’
This philosophy extends to their suppliers: Gabriel Coffee based in Chatswood, smoked trout from their friend Julian (formerly of Dose), and spirits from Finders Distillery in St Leonards.
"I don't think you could do this job unless you loved it," Chris reflects. "I've never seen anyone more excited about dining and drinks than Toby. Bread is just the most exciting thing in the world to him—it's the perfect job."
‘We're trying to take everything we've learned from the city and bring it to here for us, it's about making a great space where people don't have to go too far. They get some great dining and experiences from us. We try and create a really fun and positive environment, good, youthful, organic energy.’
How to support this business
You can help support Braci by:
- Watch and share their Support Local video on your social media to help spread the word.
- Let friends and neighbours know about this locally owned pizzeria offering quality dining in the heart of Willoughby.
- Visiting Braci for a meal and experiencing firsthand what makes it such a special part of the neighbourhood.
Willoughby local centre information
Willoughby is a charming district blending village-like character with urban amenities. Along Willoughby Road and nearby streets, you'll discover a diverse range of specialty shops and services creating a friendly community atmosphere.
Along Willoughby Road, home design enthusiasts will find a remarkable collection of specialty stores including Signature Appliances offering premium kitchen and laundry appliances, No Chintz for fabrics and textiles, Oishi Furniture, Porter's Paints and Style My Home showcasing Hamptons Inspired Interiors .
Just around the corner on Penshurst Street, the design precinct continues with kitchen design specialists including Premier Kitchens Australia, Swish Kitchen and Leicht Kitchens Australia, furniture retailers like Le Forge and French Accent, and complemented by renovation and construction companies.
This concentration of complementary unique and specialised home design businesses makes the Willoughby area an ideal one-stop destination for homeowners and designers.
How to get involved with Support Local
Support Local is Willoughby City Council’s campaign to spotlight exceptional local businesses that contribute to the area's economic vitality and cultural vibrancy. Through engaging storytelling, video features and interviews, the campaign celebrates the entrepreneurs behind high-quality businesses that offer something truly unique to the local community.
Businesses that meet the following criteria are encouraged to apply:
- Demonstrate high quality in products or services
- Offer unique and innovative experiences
- Attract residents to local centres and draw visitors to Willoughby
- Enhance the area’s economic and cultural diversity
The campaign supports the broader goal of encouraging residents to shop locally, sustaining jobs and helping shield the community from wider economic challenges. Featuring in Support Local is an opportunity to gain valuable exposure while strengthening Willoughby’s position as a vibrant and distinctive place to live, work and visit.
Businesses that align with the local economic development strategy and contribute to increased foot traffic in the area will be prioritised.
Business nomination form