Foster's Bakery

If you're after a proper pie in Mermaid Beach, Foster's Bakery is the name that tends to come up. It's a bakery where the pies are the main reason people come in. Locals rave about the pastry and the generous, chunky fillings, and the range is wide enough that regulars end up with a personal favourite. The mince and cheese gets plenty of love, the peppered chunky steak has its fans, and we've heard the lamb and rosemary pie is a serious contender for the top spot. The beef burgundy gets a good word too.

Beyond the pies, the cabinet is full of the classics. Sausage rolls, custard donuts, custard tarts, apple pastries and cheesy Vegemite scrolls all get mentioned, and one local reckons the donuts are the real find, fluffy and filled generously. The vanilla slice is a big one, though opinions on it are a little mixed. A tip from someone who's been: some slices and cakes sit in a second fridge you can't see from the counter, so ask if you don't spot what you're after.

Value is a common thread, and people feel they get a lot for their money. Staff are described as friendly, which matters when there's a queue, and there often is one. It's easy to see why it works for a quick breakfast or morning coffee before a walk down to the beach. You can take your order away or sit in, though the seating is limited to a couple of small tables, so it suits a quick bite better than a long linger. We hear it's dog friendly too.

Parking is the one thing to plan for. The bakery sits on the main road and busy times, especially weekends around lunch, can make spots hard to find. Free street parking is available, and the back streets give you a short walk. There's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, and you can pay by card or phone. The bakery opens early every day, so it's well placed for a breakfast pie, but check the hours before you head in, particularly on weekends.