Hearthfire Bellingen

Down a little alley beside the Federal Pub, Hearthfire is an artisan bakery in Bellingen that turns out sourdough and viennoiserie from a wood-fired stone oven. The wheat is organic and comes from local farmers around Tamworth, and the baking follows traditional methods. That care shows, and one local reckons the pastry is unusually hearty and quite unlike what you find elsewhere.

Pies are what many people head here for. We hear the beef and red wine pie is rich and properly savoury, the lamb pie is a standout, and a chicken pie got a very enthusiastic thumbs up from a visitor who said it punches well above the usual rural-town weight. A chicken and mushroom pie and a macadamia fig brownie have their fans too. The sourdough loaves are well liked, and there's a gluten-free loaf for those who need one.

Quiche gets plenty of love, especially the zucchini, feta and kale version, and one local appreciated the Gruyère and local smoked bacon going into it. Sweet tooths mention the vanilla slice and caramel slice. Vegan options come up as well, including a curry puff and a date and fig slice. If hot cross buns are your thing, one fan suggests getting your order in early.

Beyond the bakery counter, you can dine in or take away, with coffee, breakfast and lunch on offer. There are outdoor tables, and we've heard it's dog friendly. The staff get a warm mention, with one visitor singling out Sid on the coffee machine for being kind and welcoming. Be aware that it can get noisy inside, and one person found the coffee unremarkable, so some treat it as a bakery first and a cafe second.

Prices lean a little high for a bakery, though locals tend to put that down to being in Bellingen. Accessibility is good, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, plus free street parking and a free car park. They take cards and mobile payments, and the bakery is LGBTQ+ friendly. Check the hours before you go, as the bakery is closed one day a week.