Mount Evelyn Bakery & Cafe

Fresh-baked pies, pasties and sausage rolls are the heart of the trade at this Mount Evelyn bakery and cafe, and it draws people from beyond the town. The chicken and green curry pie gets a particular mention. One local liked the Thai chicken curry pie's crust and pastry, and thought the filling could have used a touch more seasoning. The selection is wide, so there's usually something to tempt you whether you're after a savoury lunch or a sweet treat.

The vanilla slice gets plenty of love here. One regular called it the best they'd ever eaten, and another passing through on the way to Silvan raved about the flaky pastry and quality custard. There's also a custard donut, lamingtons and cherry cha cha cakes that one local admits to being thoroughly hooked on. If you're after something more substantial, the freshly made sandwiches, rolls and classic toasties are well liked too, along with hot coffee and chai lattes.

You can sit in or take away. The indoor seating looks out over trees where sulphur-crested cockatoos like to gather, which makes for a pleasant stop with a cuppa. Breakfast is on offer, and there's free street parking and a car park, including a wheelchair-accessible one, so it's easy to pull in. Card and mobile payments are accepted.

Custom cakes are a feature as well. Birthday cakes can be ordered in square or round sizes, and the advice is to put the order in at least a day ahead, so it's worth asking the team about timing.

Staff come in for plenty of praise, described as friendly, welcoming and quick with a smile. It's the kind of bakery where a first visit tends to turn into a habit.

A few long-time locals have voiced disappointment at the move to self-serve and the amount of individually packaged cakes and donuts, saying it has lost a little of the country bakery feel. Others still rave about the food and the service. Check the hours before you head in, as they vary a little between weekdays and weekends.