Woombye Bakery

Woombye Bakery is a country-town bakery in Woombye, Queensland, and it has the easygoing feel that goes with that. Pies are what it's best known for. The chunky steak pie gets particular praise, and one local who stops in whenever they're passing through calls the meat pies a consistently good lunch. The cheese and bacon sausage roll is another favourite, and the bread gets a nod too.

What gives this bakery its character is the Vietnamese side of the counter. Alongside the usual pies and sausage rolls, you'll find banh mi, rice paper rolls and salad bowls, all made fresh on the premises. The lemongrass beef banh mi comes up again and again, especially toasted, and the teriyaki chicken and Thai beef salad bowls have their own devoted fans. On the sweet side, one traveller who stopped on the long drive back to Sydney still raves about a Danish with flaky pastry and soft custard.

There's plenty of room to sit, with covered outdoor seating, and dine-in and takeaway are both on offer. Coffee and breakfast are part of the mix, and the coffee earns good words, though it can be slow at the busy lunch rush. That's down to the crowd rather than the team, who come across as friendly, welcoming and genuinely keen to look after you. Gluten-free pies are available, which will matter to some readers. One local felt the sandwiches and wraps were pricier than nearby alternatives and not as fresh as they'd hoped. Most consider it good value.

Getting there is easy. There's free parking, with a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance, and you can pay by card or phone. The bakery keeps long weekday hours and shorter ones on weekends, so check the hours before you go. For a bakery in Woombye, it's a handy stop for a proper pie, a banh mi or a decent coffee on the way through.