Latrobe Bakery and Cafe

If you're driving through Latrobe, Tasmania and want a proper pie, this bakery is a familiar stop. Latrobe Bakery and Cafe is known locally for its pies, and we've heard people say it's worth pulling off the main highway for them. Travellers off the ferry from Melbourne seem to know it too, with one visitor planning to come back for another round of baking before the return crossing.

The pie cabinet is the main event. The scallop pie is described as packed with scallops. Others rave about the lamb and mint, the beef, bacon, onion and cheese, and a cauliflower cheese pie for something different. Locals mention buttery, flaky pastry with well-flavoured fillings, along with sausage rolls and pastie rolls. Helpful staff and fair prices come up as well, so it's regarded as good value.

Beyond the pies, there's a fresh sandwich and salad roll selection, with a generous choice of meats and a chicken salad roll that has its own fans. On the sweet side, carrot cake comes in a hefty portion, along with small apple cakes that suit a hot chocolate, and a French vanilla slice with a generous serve of light custard. Coffee gets a good wrap too, and breakfast is on offer. You can take your order away or sit in, though the room is small, so it gets tight when the tables fill.

Being popular has its downsides. We've heard it can be run off its feet in school holidays, with cabinets looking thin by early afternoon and the tables needing a wipe. One longtime regular felt the pie pastry had changed lately, and another thought a visit fell short of past standards. Others describe the service as quick and the staff as cheerful, so it's mostly good word of mouth, with the odd grumble. It's worth knowing there's no public toilet.

Practical bits: it opens early, from the morning through to mid-afternoon most days, but check the hours before you go. There's free parking out front and a car park, with wheelchair-accessible parking and entry, and cards and mobile payments are accepted. For the best pick of the cabinet, go earlier in the day rather than later.