Baked In Berrima

Baked In Berrima is an Italian-style bakery in Berrima, New South Wales, set just around the corner from the main strip with free street parking close by. It's the sort of place people detour for on a day trip from Sydney, and one customer has mentioned that the drive is part of the plan.

The pies are what get talked about most. The lamb and rosemary pie has a loyal following, and people rate the beef ragout version too, though one local found the lamb shank pie's base a touch soft and the flavour not to their taste. The pork and fennel sausage roll gets a good word, and so do the savoury pastries, with the beef brisket and the spinach and cheese both described as generous and full of flavour.

Bread is a real strength here. Sourdough and focaccia sit alongside the pastries, and the focaccia in particular has won over visitors. On the sweet side, locals mention the sfogliatella, the Basque cheesecake and a lumberjack cake of apple, dates, coconut and caramel. Pizza by the slice gets plenty of love as well, so it pays to come early, since popular items can sell out. Everything is baked on site, and there's a genuine Italian baker behind the counter.

You can take it away or settle in with a coffee and breakfast, and the outdoor seating is a relaxed spot to enjoy a pastry, sometimes with rosellas for company. The staff are friendly and quick, and the shop dog is a hit with kids. Cards and tap-and-go payments are accepted.

If you're after something warm straight from the oven, one local suggests also trying the sister shop on the old Hume Highway. The shop is closed early in the week, so check the hours before you set out.