The Highway Bakery

Pies are what get people pulling off the highway at The Highway Bakery in Cobargo, and it's easy to see why. Locals and road-trippers alike rave about the round, thick-crusted variety, with steak and kidney, butter chicken, curry steak and a pepper pie among the favourites. One southbound regular from Victoria picks up a dozen for the freezer every time he comes through. The fillings are real meat, everything is made in-house, and the pastry gets praised for being spot on.

It's a proper all-rounder, though. The sausage rolls turn up in plenty of conversations, along with cinnamon donuts, cannoli and a carrot cake one traveller called the best they'd had. We've also heard good things about the vanilla slice, apple slice and a corned beef salad roll that was tasty and filling. Bread is part of the story too, with sourdough, rolls and white sliced all described as fresh and tasty.

If you're gluten-free or vegan, this is a good stop. There's a decent spread for gluten-free eaters, including cheese and onion, steak and tomato pies, and the line from one happy customer was that gluten-free here doesn't mean taste-free. Vegan options are on offer as well, and dairy-free coffee drinkers will be glad to hear they use Bonsoy.

Speaking of coffee, it gets a solid thumbs up from people on the road, and breakfast is on the menu too. Prices are described as fair, which counts for a lot when you're feeding a car full of hungry people. The staff are friendly and keep things moving even when the place is buzzing, with a veranda out the front and tables to sit at if you'd rather not eat in the car.

One visitor found the fillings a touch salty and jelly-like on their occasional visits, though even they rated the pie crust and the coffee.

Takeaway is easy, and there's free street parking and a free car park, plus a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. They take cards and tap-and-pay. Check the hours before you go, as they differ across the week, and this is a morning-to-early-afternoon kind of place.