Violet's of Sassafras

In the main street of Sassafras, Violet's is a cosy cafe where the baking is the real draw. Locals will tell you the scones are the thing to order: light and fluffy, served with a generous helping of jam and cream, and sometimes fresh out of the oven when you arrive. Cakes and slices get just as much love around here, with a burnt Basque cheesecake, moist carrot cake and apple cake all coming up as favourites. The baking is done in house, and you can taste it.

Beyond the sweets, the kitchen turns out pork and fennel sausage rolls, toasties and sandwiches. Coffee, tea, juices and milkshakes round out the menu, and the little ones are well looked after with high chairs on hand and a vanilla milkshake that has won over at least one toddler. There are vegetarian and vegan options, brunch and lunch, and catering if you're planning a gathering. You can dine in or take your order away.

The room itself is part of the appeal. People talk about the pretty decoration, the fresh flowers on the tables and the calm, cosy feel, and there's a small gift shop in an adjoining room to browse. If you're coming with a pram, there's a small set of steps at the front, though there's a wheelchair-accessible car park too. Outdoor seating is available when the weather plays along.

It's a hands-on, owner-run place, and the welcome gets mentioned almost as often as the scones. Staff have a reputation for being warm and accommodating, including with larger groups, and nobody feels rushed. They also make custom cakes, and one local who ordered a 60th birthday cake said the couple behind the counter took the time to personalise it and every guest remarked on how fresh it tasted.

This is a cafe in the hills rather than a traditional bakery, so come for a slow morning or afternoon tea. It's a bakery in Sassafras, Victoria, that people recommend to friends visiting the Dandenong Ranges. The cafe closes in the late afternoon, so check the hours before you head up, especially if you're hoping for the last of the day's scones.