Home Grain Bakery

If you're after a bakery in Aldinga, Home Grain Bakery is the name that comes up. It's an artisan bakery on the Fleurieu Peninsula turning out bread, pastries and pies, with coffee on the side, and the bakery describes its approach as honest bread, warm pastry and coffee for the coast. It's also a woman-owned business.

Pies are the big draw. We hear the steak and creamy green pepper pie is a standout, and people also rave about the more adventurous fillings, from brisket with cheese and jalapeños to tuna mornay and even a laksa pie. Pasties, sausage rolls and the odd family-sized pie or quiche round out the savoury side. On the sweeter side, the berry and custard danish gets plenty of love, along with vanilla slice, custard tarts, jam berliners and donuts. The chocolate croissant has its fans too, though one local reckoned it would be even better served warm.

Sourdough is another reason regulars keep coming back. One local buys a loaf every week, and the cheese and onion version gets a special mention. Bread and pastries come out fresh from the oven, and the smell alone has taken at least one person straight back to childhood.

Locals describe the staff as welcoming and cheerful, and the value as good, with generous fillings. One person found a particular pie smaller and less flavoursome than they'd hoped, but the wider verdict is strongly positive. It gets busy, though we hear the queue moves quickly.

You can order takeaway or in-store pick-up, and catering is available if you're feeding a crowd. There's coffee and breakfast on offer, a spot to sit outside and watch the main street, free street parking, and a wheelchair-accessible car park. Cards and mobile payments are accepted. Opening hours run from early morning through to mid-afternoon most days, but it's worth checking before you head in.