Orbost Bakery & Cafe

If you're passing through East Gippsland, this is the bakery in Orbost that road-trippers and locals alike tend to steer towards. We hear it described as the best bakery for a long way in either direction, and that comes from people who stopped on the way somewhere else and were glad they did.

Pies are the headline. One visitor loved the curry and mushroom varieties, with plenty of meat in them, and the cheese and bacon, sausage rolls and spinach and ricotta rolls get a good word too. It's also known for its sourdough, and everything is said to come fresh from the oven. On the sweet side, one visitor reckoned the vanilla slice was excellent, and another reckoned the caramel slice, with its crisp chocolate top and plenty of smooth caramel, was the pick of the lot. One visitor reckoned the carrot cake was the best they'd ever had, and one visitor said the muffins were delicious. One local put it simply: maybe the best donut of the year.

Orders for custom cakes are taken, and a family who had a birthday cake made here while holidaying down the coast made a point of calling in again on the drive home to Melbourne. Gluten-free options are on the menu as well, and a salad to go surprised one visitor in the best way.

You can dine in, with outdoor seating, or grab takeaway, and the coffee and breakfast options make it a natural stop for a hot drink and something to eat. Staff are friendly and kind to travellers, and it's generally seen as good value. Car parking is free on the street, and there's a wheelchair-accessible entrance and car park.

One customer has left unhappy. We've heard the odd grumble about a cup of coffee that missed the mark, and one afternoon visitor found the pastries had clearly been in the cabinet a while. Going earlier in the day suits a bakery like this best.

It's open weekdays and closed weekends, so check the hours before you head in.