Kenrose Bakery

Kenrose Bakery is a neighbourhood bakery in Carina, Queensland, and it's the pies and sourdough that get people talking. Locals will tell you the pastry is flaky and the fillings are a step beyond the usual. One of the more unusual ones is a Thai curry pie with shredded chicken and a gentle curry flavour that suits breakfast. The pies run a bit thinner than the typical Brisbane style, which makes them easy to eat on the go. We've also heard a tip from a regular: if your pie needs a little crisping up at home, a couple of minutes in the air fryer does the trick.

Beyond pies, the sourdough and specialty loaves have a following of their own. People rave about a fruit loaf loaded with figs and big pieces of fruit, a tomato bread, and croissants that one visitor rated as close to Paris as they've found. There are sausage rolls, spinach and feta triangles, small tarts and doughnuts, plus gluten-free options that one family called out with real gratitude. The baker is said to enjoy experimenting, so specials change depending on the day.

It works as a cafe as well as a bakery. You can dine in or take away, and there's a breakfast menu with options like avocado toast with feta and eggs Benedict. Coffee gets plenty of praise, and a little piece of cake often comes with it, a touch people clearly appreciate. Staff are described again and again as friendly and helpful, and the early start is a hit with those after breakfast or a pie before work.

To be fair, opinion isn't entirely uniform. We've heard the odd comment that consistency has wobbled since the refurbishment, with a pastry or coffee occasionally missing the mark. Most folks come away happy, though, and value is generally seen as good, with the fruit loaf a little pricier but considered worth it.

Free street parking is nearby, and there's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. They take cards and tap payments. The shop is closed early in the week, so check the hours before you head in. Queues can build at busy times, but locals say the short wait is worth it.