Clarendon Bakery

Clarendon is the kind of small South Australian town you could drive straight through without noticing, and the bakery is a big reason people don't. Clarendon Bakery is known for its pies, and locals will tell you the savoury range is the draw: pies, pasties and sausage rolls, plus doughnuts and tarts if you're after something sweet.

The pies get most of the talk. We've heard about a chunky steak pie that had one couple detouring an hour out of their way and then buying up everything left on the shelf. Lamb and rosemary, a Ned Kelly pie and a decidedly peppery beef pie all get a mention, and the sausage rolls, bacon and cheese or cheese kransky, are said to be full of flavour. The doughnuts are fluffy and a hit with kids, and one adult has been known to sneak one before getting home.

Value comes up too. The prices offer good value, and it's a place one visitor has returned to many times. One local who grew up in Clarendon remembers getting lunch here as a kid and has come back to visit many times.

We've heard the odd complaint about pastry or filling, and when it's busy on a weekend the staff can look stretched, so a little patience helps at peak times.

You can grab a coffee and take your order away. Eating out the front isn't on offer, but picnic benches under the trees just over the road make a pleasant spot for lunch. Free street parking and a car park are close by, and card and tap payments are accepted. Opening hours vary through the week, so check before you head in, especially if you're making a special trip.

For a bakery in Clarendon, South Australia, it's a worthwhile stop if you're exploring the valley and fancy a proper country pie.