Dulwich Bakery

Dulwich Bakery in Henley Beach is the kind of stop people make on the way to or from the beach, and the pies are what most locals bring up first. Chunky beef and mushroom gets a good word, and the sausage rolls have their fans too. One local who tried the chilli pie called it a basic pie with pretty good pastry, which sums up the everyday standard: honest, dependable and fairly priced.

It's part of a South Australian bakery chain with several shops around Adelaide, and this Henley Beach one runs as a proper dine-in and takeaway bakery. The display is a big part of the appeal. Alongside the pies and pasties you'll find slices, banana cake, apple crumble slice, New York cheesecake and vanilla slice, and we hear there are gluten free options if you ask. They also take custom cake orders and do party food for events, with click-and-collect ordering if you'd rather plan ahead (check the timing with the bakery first).

Value comes up often. People talk about reasonable prices for the range on offer and about welcoming staff who greet you with a smile. Coffee and breakfast are on the menu as well, though opinion on the coffee is split. One local raves about a great cup, while another who's fussy about their flat white says it's inconsistent.

It can get busy, and a few people have mentioned slow service when the counter is short-staffed, especially at peak times. A bit of patience goes a long way, and the staff on the floor are generally described as kind and hardworking.

Practical bits: there's free street parking nearby, a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, and they take cards and tap-and-go payments. They're open seven days, with slightly shorter hours on weekends, so have a quick look at the hours before you head in. If you're after a pie and a sausage roll before a walk along the Henley Beach foreshore, this is an easy one to add to the plan.