Gray's Bakery

Gray's Bakery is a bakery in Kerang, Victoria, and it works for more than a quick grab-and-go. There's seating inside and out, and travellers passing through town have been known to make it a proper lunch stop. We've heard there's even an indoor play area, which parents with little ones in tow tend to appreciate.

Pies are what the bakery is known for. One visitor on a drive through town called the homemade plain pie excellent and was told that pie-making here is something of a family tradition. Alongside the pies you'll find the traditional fare you'd expect from a country bakery, including pasties, sausage rolls, donuts and vanilla slice, plus a decent spread of cakes. We've heard the chocolate eclair is worth a try, and the made-to-order salad rolls get a good word from people who like picking their own fillings.

Everything comes fresh from the oven, and the staff have a friendly name locally. One regular singled out a team member called Yvette for going out of her way to drop bread off for a young woman with a disability, an act that does a lot of good on a family farm. Others describe the young team behind the counter as attentive and polite.

To be fair, it isn't flawless. Opinion on the food is a little mixed, with the odd grumble about pastry that wasn't baked through or a pie that came out too dry, and some find the coffee only so-so. The staff are known for being friendly, and the pies are what to stop for.

Beyond dine-in and takeaway, they take custom cake orders, serve coffee and breakfast, and accept cards and mobile payments. There's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park, along with free street parking. The doors open early, before the working day gets going, and trade seven days a week, though it's worth checking the hours before you head in, especially on weekends.