Himalaya Cafe & Organic sourdough bread

If you're after something a little different in Daylesford, Himalaya Cafe & Organic sourdough bread is worth a look. It runs as a cafe and bakery in one, with organic sourdough and a spread of house-made breads at the heart of it. Alongside the loaves you'll find vegetarian, vegan and meat options on the menu, so a mixed group can usually find something that suits everyone.

The bread is what locals tend to rave about first, and the baked goods follow close behind. We hear the pies are a drawcard, particularly the vegan ones. One person who visited called them unlike anything they'd had before, a pie that holds its own rather than trying to imitate a meat version. The pumpkin soup and walnut bread come up a fair bit too. Fresh scrolls, including an apple cinnamon one, get a good word, and one visitor was offered a batch straight from the oven.

Dietary needs are clearly a strength here. The cafe does gluten-free and vegan options across a lot of the menu, plus cakes, biscuits and pastries made without refined sugar, sweetened with things like dates, honey and brown rice syrup. People with picky eaters or specific requirements say the staff accommodated them without any fuss. A vegan chocolate cake has been called the best one some people have tried, and an orange and poppyseed cake was praised for not being too sweet. Custom cake orders are available too.

Breakfast and lunch are covered with toasties, soups and sandwiches, and the BLT has a fan or two. Coffee is organic and fair trade, and there's a house-made organic chai that gets a warm reception. Locals mention the staff as friendly and helpful, and the prices as fair for what you get. We've heard the odd comment about slow service when it's busy, and one visitor had a less than welcoming experience with the front-of-house manner.

There's indoor seating and a small front yard, with takeaway if you'd rather eat on the move. It's family-friendly, with high chairs and a wheelchair-accessible entrance. Hours run a little longer on weekends, but check before you head in.