Valley Fair Continental Bakery

Valley Fair Continental Bakery is a Vietnamese-leaning bakery in Narre Warren that does a lot more than loaves and pastries. The roast pork banh mi is what most people talk about, packed with crackling and pate in a roll that locals say carries real flavour. Ask around and the pork roll comes up first, with the pho and the pies close behind.

The pies deserve their own mention. They're known for them, and one local who rates the pork roll above everything else still tells people not to skip a pie, saying it holds its own next to the rolls. Pork rolls, dim sims and potato cakes are regular fixtures for the lunchtime crowd, and sweet items are available at the counter if you want something to finish with. Things come out fresh from the oven, which is half the appeal of a continental bakery.

Plenty of people come for the pho too. It's the kind of bowl that has locals talking, and the whole place feels more like a neighbourhood eatery than a quick grab-and-go counter. There are plenty of seats inside if you'd rather sit down, or you can take it away. Coffee and breakfast are on offer as well, so it works first thing in the morning.

The staff get warm words. People describe the women behind the counter as friendly, welcoming and hardworking, and one regular who has been going for a couple of years says it still feels like a cosy bakery from childhood. It's also regarded as good value, with prices that many feel suit the quality.

A couple of people have found the banh mi a bit hit and miss, with a roll that wasn't as crisp or a filling lighter than they hoped, so it can depend on who's making it. Most people leave happy, though.

Parking is easy, with free street parking and a free car park, and there's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park. They take cards and tap-and-go payments. The bakery has closed for a few weeks over the summer break in the past, so check the hours before you head over.