The Happy Bakers Brunswick

The Happy Bakers in Brunswick is the kind of bakery people drop into after a run around Princes Park, and it's easy to see why. Pies, pastries and a proper coffee under one roof, with a warm, welcoming feel and a smell of fresh baking the moment you walk in.

Pies are what visitors come for. The brisket and American cheese gets a good word, as does the chunky pepper pie, and we've heard the bacon and cheese does the job too. Pastries are the other draw: a pistachio croissant with a crisp, flaky shell, a chocolate chip croissant that isn't too sweet, a cheese and bacon danish, a cinnamon scroll with generous creamy icing, and a Biscoff bun. One regular still talks fondly of a chocolate almond croissant that has gone missing from the cabinet. There's also a tomato and mozzarella roll with soft, fresh bread that has been mentioned.

You can eat in or take away, and they take custom cake orders if you've got an occasion coming up. Breakfast and coffee are on offer, and the room has accessible seating. Payment is easy with cards and mobile tap, and parking is simple, with free street parking and car parks nearby. The bakery is LGBTQ+ friendly and identifies as women-owned. Hours run early and wrap up in the early afternoon, so it suits a morning stop, though it's smart to look up the hours.

Value gets a mention, with sandwiches a particular bargain, though one local found the sausage roll a little small for the price. Some find the coffee excellent, while others say it has slipped, and visitors have found service a little slow or pies not as hot as they'd like. Most describe the staff as friendly, and the bakers seem to take it on board when asked, with one offering to warm up a pastry so the chocolate came out nice and melty.

If you're after a hearty pie or a flaky pastry in Brunswick, this is a bakery to try. Go for the pies and croissants, and ask for your order warmed if you like it hot.