Vili's Family Bakery

Vili's Family Bakery is the bakery in Mile End South that people turn to when they want a proper pie, and the range is a big part of why. Locals will tell you the line out the door is no accident. Beyond the classic beef and mushroom, there are pasties, a butter chicken pie that gets plenty of praise, a smoky pulled BBQ meat pie, and a Hungarian goulash version. The business itself says it has been baking since 1968, built around meat pies, pasties and cakes, and the tagline is "The Great Aussie Meat Pie changed for the better."

It's more than a pie counter, though. We've heard people rave about the variety on the menu: schnitzel, hot chips, fully loaded rolls made fresh to order, fish burgers with a choice of fish, all-day breakfast, and sweets like custard tart and bee sting. There's a donut of the month that regulars look forward to, and a kids' meal that comes with a little drink and an ice cream cone, which parents like for the value.

You can dine in, grab takeaway, or pick up in store, and coffee and breakfast are on offer. The bakery is open 24/7, which makes it a handy stop for shift workers, early risers and late-night pie runs. Accessibility is covered too, with a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, free parking, and card and mobile payments. The venue is also LGBTQ+ friendly.

Staff get a lot of friendly mentions, with the young team at the counter often described as welcoming and quick with a smile. It isn't flawless. Opinion is a little split on some of the non-pie dishes and the hot drinks, and one longtime pie fan reckons the product isn't what it was in the founder's day. Order mix-ups at busy hours have also come up. Still, the pies are what people keep returning for.

Check the hours before you head out, though they are generally open 24/7. If it's your first visit to this Mile End South bakery, start with one of the specialty pies and add a donut for the road.