Nick's Bakehouse

If you're after a bakery in Drouin, Victoria, Nick's Bakehouse is a handy stop that does a lot more than loaves and sweet treats. It's close to the Drouin railway station, so it suits a quick bite before or after a train as much as a sit-down lunch.

The banh mi is what keeps getting talked about. People rave about the pulled pork version and the sweet, aromatic liver spread, and we hear the bakery makes its own hoisin sauce, which one local reckons is the secret behind the flavour. One person found a crispy pork roll a little heavy on the pickled carrot and wished for fresher bread, and another would like to see more meat choices on the menu. Still, plenty of folks call it among the best they've had in the area.

Beyond the Vietnamese rolls, the range is broad: pies, sausage rolls, wraps, roti wraps, sandwiches, an egg and bacon muffin and a good spread of fried food. The spicy chicken roll gets a nod for being good value, and a lemon meringue pie has its fans too. Coffee and milkshakes are on offer. One local was less happy with a custard slice and a chicken roll on a recent visit and felt things had changed, so it's a mixed note on the baking side, but the savoury counter is where most of the praise lands.

Service is a real drawcard. Locals describe friendly, smiling staff, and one family with a young child was impressed when the team brought their food out to the table. You can take away or eat in, with a few outdoor tables, and there's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. Cards and mobile payments are accepted.

The bakery has also backed local events, donating fresh rolls to a community breakfast at a caravan park. Opening hours run across the week, but check them before you head in, particularly on weekends.