Beechworth Bakery Ballarat

If you're after a proper pie in Ballarat Central, Beechworth Bakery is a name that comes up quickly. It's part of a multi-location Victorian bakery that has been going since 1984, and the Ballarat branch sits in a revamped historical building that suits both a solo coffee and a table full of family.

Pies are the main event. Locals rave about the Ned Kelly, with its cheese, bacon and a whole egg through the middle, and the pepper steak, though one regular found the pepper a touch heavy-handed. The mushroom pie has its own following. Beyond the pies, we hear the bee sting is a drawcard for plenty of visitors, though one local found the filling richer and lighter than expected, so it may come down to taste. There are donuts, slices, pastries and biscuits, with a section of shelf-stable goods that makes an easy gift or souvenir.

It works as more than a grab-and-go stop. You can dine in, take away, arrange delivery or in-store pick-up, and the bakery does catering boxes for events and group visits. Coffee and breakfast are on offer, and one local likes the hot chocolate with marshmallows and a cheese and tomato toastie at lunch. Wheelchair-accessible parking, entrance and toilet are all there, there's free street parking nearby, and they take cards and mobile payments.

Staff are a consistent bright spot. People describe the team as friendly, quick and helpful, and one family of six left impressed by the service. On value, opinion is fairly balanced: some find the pies a little pricey, others call it reasonable for handmade quality. We've also heard it can get noisy and busy at peak times, with the odd grumble about slow coffee and tables that need clearing, so ordering through the app is a handy tip.

Opening hours run early through to late afternoon, every day of the week, but check before you head in.