Pie & Pastry Paradise

Pie & Pastry Paradise is a bakery in Pialba, Queensland, and pies are what most people head there for. Ask around Hervey Bay and you'll hear about the chunky steak pie, with tender pieces of meat and flaky pastry that holds together when you eat it by hand. The steak and mushroom has its fans too, and one visitor was won over by a steak, cheese and jalapeno pie. Sausage rolls and pasties sit alongside the pies, and the pastry cabinet is just as popular. The French vanilla slice comes up more than anything, and we've heard good things about the bee sting and the Danish, which isn't overly sweet.

Everything is baked fresh, and the smell of baking and coffee greets you at the door. Locals will tell you to come early, since the cabinet thins out by late afternoon. There are pre-made sandwiches and wraps for something lighter, plus coffee, breakfast, and thickshakes that get a good word.

It works for a sit-down or a quick stop. There's dine-in with plenty of seating, including large outdoor picnic tables under shelter that suit catching up with friends. Takeaway and delivery are both on offer, and catering is available for bigger orders. Online ordering is available too. Parking is easy, with a free car park on site and free street parking nearby, and the car park and entrance are wheelchair accessible. They take cards and mobile payments, including American Express.

The reputation around town is that the staff are a big part of why people return. Friendly, cheerful and happy to chat comes up again and again, and the prices are considered fair for the size of the pies and the range on offer. One local summed it up as a business doing well and still employing plenty of people from the area. They've been calling themselves Hervey Bay's favourite bakery since 2001. If you're planning a visit, check the hours before you go, as the weekend hours are shorter than the rest of the week.