Mudgee Bakery & Cafe

Mudgee Bakery & Cafe is a locally owned and operated bakery in Mudgee, New South Wales, and by their own account it has been feeding the town since 1990. The smell of fresh bread and pastries hits you as you walk in, and the hot pies, sausage rolls, breads, cakes and sweet things are laid out for browsing at the counter. Coffee, hot chocolate, milkshakes and fresh juice are all on offer, so it works as a proper stop for breakfast or brunch as well as a quick grab-and-go.

Pies are what people talk about most. We've heard the steak and mushroom, the pepper pie, the Mexican and the potato, pea and beef all get high praise, with thin, flaky pastry and generous fillings. One local called them the best pies they'd had in years, and another warned that if you buy too many, you might find the shelf empty next time. Sausage rolls, custard tarts and wraps come up regularly too. Fruit turnovers and doughnuts have their fans, and a well-filled salad roll has impressed a traveller who goes looking for exactly that when driving through rural NSW.

There's plenty of room to sit in, and people describe the place as clean, classy and welcoming, with welcoming staff who are happy to chat. Takeaway, delivery and in-store pick-up are all available, and gluten-free options are on the list. Custom cakes are a strength: one parent ordered a plain sponge for a daughter's birthday and was thrilled by the bright, fully personalised print on top, and another found an online cake order turned out cute and delicious. Catering is also available if you're feeding a crowd.

One visitor found a chicken curry pie and some sausage rolls underwhelming, though the staff and atmosphere still got a nod. The overall picture around Mudgee is of a well-regarded bakery that people return to.

Parking is easy, with a free car park and street parking, and there's wheelchair-accessible parking and a toilet. Cards and tap-and-go payments are accepted. They open early on weekdays and keep shorter hours on weekends, so check the hours before you head in.