Ivan's Pies

Ivan's Pies is a pie shop in Braeside, Victoria, and the pies are what people talk about. The business has been going for 40 years, and it's a second-generation family operation. The tagline, Finest Pies and Pastries, gives you the idea.

The range is wide. Beyond the classic beef pie, you'll find pasties, sausage rolls, quiches, tarts and desserts, plus family-sized pies if you're feeding a crowd. The chunky Angus pie gets a good wrap, and one local was won over by a pepper beef pie that improved with every bite. Curry party pies have a fan too. A pastry-to-filling balance that people describe as just right seems to be the common thread. We'll be fair, though: one person who's eaten plenty of pies felt the curry could carry a bit more punch, and that's a matter of personal taste.

The shop itself sounds like a comfortable stop. You can eat inside or out, and the pies come on proper plates rather than in a paper bag. There's good coffee and breakfast on offer, a hot selection you can try before you buy packs to take home, and sweets for afterwards. Locals describe the place as clean and the staff as friendly and helpful with recommendations, and it stays efficient even when it's busy. Access is good, with a free car park, a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, and card payments accepted.

Takeaway and delivery are both available, and catering and party or fingerfood options suit events. Delivery has travelled well, with one customer in Sydney reporting pies that arrived frozen and in perfect condition, with storage and cooking instructions included. Larger online orders have a minimum spend, so check the details with the bakery before you order. Their pies also turn up in some supermarkets and specialty stores, though the shop is where people say the real thing is.

Opening hours differ between weekdays and weekends, so check before you head in. For a proper pie and a coffee in Braeside, this is a good place to start.