Paynesville Bakery

Paynesville Bakery is the kind of old-fashioned country bakery that gets people pulling over while they're passing through. Folks driving through East Gippsland end up here for a hot pie and a coffee, and plenty of them leave planning to stop again next time they're in the area.

Pies are what people talk about first. We hear the sausage rolls draw real praise, with proper sausage meat, plenty of onion, good seasoning and crisp, flaky pastry, and the chicken pie is described as creamy and holding together to the last bite. The Ned Kelly pie, with beef, bacon, egg and cheese, gets a lot of love, and the vanilla slice has its own following, with buttery pastry and good custard. One happy visitor reckoned you can't leave without trying it, as long as it hasn't sold out. Pasties, doughnuts and a bacon and egg roll round out the counter, along with fresh-made sandwiches, toasties and coffee. Locals say everything tastes fresh from the oven.

It works as a takeaway stop or a place to sit down. There's seating indoors and out, and the water views make a bakery lunch or a morning coffee feel like a bit of an occasion. Breakfast is on offer, free street parking and a car park are close by, and they take cards and mobile payments. People often describe the value as good for what you get.

The staff come up again and again as friendly and welcoming, and regulars chat easily with newcomers at the counter. The bakery changed hands at some point, and opinion is a little split on that front. Most people rave, though one local felt the pastie didn't match what the previous owners used to turn out, while still saying the new owners were lovely.

It's a handy bakery in Paynesville for a quick pie, a slow coffee by the water, or something sweet for the road. Check the hours before you head in, especially if you're making a special trip for that vanilla slice.