Nettle & Knead

Nettle & Knead is a bakery in Malvern, South Australia that doubles as a relaxed cafe, and it's the sort of place where people drop in for a pie and a coffee and end up lingering. There's plenty of seating, takeaway if you're on the move, and free street parking nearby, which helps on a busy morning. The entrance is wheelchair accessible, and they take cards and mobile payments.

Pies are what it's best known for. One visitor called the beef pie delicious and reckoned it was ideal hangover food, and the range of pies sits alongside sausage rolls, pastries and a good run of sweet things. We've heard good words about the vanilla slice, the lemon and coconut cake, and the muffins, which one early-morning visitor found still hot from the oven. Brownies get a mention too.

The bread has its own following. Someone who wasn't fussed on the coffee still raved about the loaf, singling out the 10 seed rye, and sourdough is something people come in for as well. It's a good reason to stop by even if you're not planning to sit down.

Staff are a big part of the appeal. Locals describe the service as friendly, welcoming and helpful, and one regular who takes away whenever she's in Adelaide called the team super happy and helpful. One person felt the counter service was a bit cold on their last visit, and another found the coffee slow on a quiet morning, but the general feeling is warm.

Vegan options are on the list of things they offer, though the choice may be limited, so it's worth asking at the counter about what's available that day.

They open early most mornings and run through to early afternoon, with a slightly shorter day on weekends, so check the hours before you head in. If you're after a pie, a loaf of sourdough or a decent coffee and something sweet in Malvern, this one is well placed to deliver.