Oscar's Donuts

If you're driving through Braidwood, New South Wales, Oscar's Donuts is the kind of bakery that has people planning a return trip before they've finished their coffee. Locals and passing travellers alike seem to agree that the donuts are the draw: big, fluffy and fresh, and in a wide spread of flavours. Passionfruit and cinnamon are the ones people keep naming, with lemon getting a mention too.

Donuts are only part of the story. We've heard plenty of praise for the toasties, with cheese that turns properly oozy, and for the made-to-order sandwiches built on bakery-quality bread with fresh salad and sliced ham. The coffee gets a good word, and so do the milkshakes, which come out generous and ice cold. One regular says the way to have a chocolate milkshake is at a table in the shop, served the old-fashioned way.

The fit-out suits the menu. People describe a cosy, retro diner feel, with 1950s-style seating and old cafe touches that make you want to stay a while rather than grab and go. You can eat in or take away, and there's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and seating, free street parking nearby, and easy card and phone payments.

What comes up just as often as the food is the welcome. The staff are friendly and quick, and visitors say they feel looked after. One traveller with a few dietary requests found the team happy to sort every one of them, and even made something that wasn't on the menu. Prices are considered good value for what you get, and the donuts are talked about as fresh from the oven.

It sits on the route between Canberra and the coast, which makes it a natural stop, but plenty of people say they'd go out of their way for it. Hours vary through the week and the shop closes on a couple of days, so check before you head in.