Milawa Bakery Cafe

If you're passing through the King Valley, Milawa Bakery Cafe is a bakery and cafe in Milawa, Victoria, set beside the Milawa Cheese Factory. It sits back from the street, with a lot of greenery, mismatched seating and a large shaded outdoor area under a vine-draped cover. Locals say it suits a big group at the long tables just as well as a quiet table for two, and it's a friendly place to bring the kids.

The tagline is "Fresh Food, Great Coffee & Country Hospitality", and the staff get a lot of the credit for the last part. We've heard they're warm with families, and one local told a story about a young girl heading to the snow with her family, and how the team made her feel special. Coffee gets a good wrap too, with one person calling it probably the best around Milawa.

On the food side, they bake artisan breads including sourdough, plus pies, sausage rolls, cakes, pastries, sandwiches, wraps, salads and quiches. Gluten-free options are on the menu, and breakfast, brunch and lunch are all covered, along with vegetarian and vegan choices. People talk fondly of the savoury muffin, a fish roll with fresh coleslaw, the pulled pork Benedict and the wagon wheel slice. Pies are the thing most people bring up, and opinions on them are mixed. The pepper and beef has its fans, while others have found the fillings on the light side, so it's worth trying a couple and judging for yourself. A few locals also feel the prices run closer to city cafe levels, and one visitor found the bread shelves bare when they called in, so if you're after a loaf, get in touch.

You can dine in, take away, or have meals delivered. They also make home-style ready meals for pick-up or local delivery around Wangaratta and surrounds, including a dedicated meal service for eligible NDIS and Support at Home customers, and they do catering. It's open every day of the week, but check the hours before you head out.

Come for a long, relaxed breakfast or lunch in the garden and you'll likely leave happy.