Connells Bakery

Connells Bakery sits right in the town centre of Wonthaggi, directly opposite the supermarket, which makes it an easy pitstop whether you're doing the weekly shop or just passing through. It's a proper bakery café, big enough that groups and families settle in comfortably, with seating both inside and out. Dogs are welcome at the outdoor tables, and there's free parking close by, including a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance.

The range is wide. Locals come for the pies, sausage rolls and pasties, and there's a local Miner's Pie that visitors are told to try. Hot pastries come out fresh from the oven, and the sourdough has its followers too. Beyond the savoury side you'll find toasties, sandwiches, brioche breakfast rolls, focaccia, buns, donuts, cakes and old-school sweets like neenish tarts and chocolate eclairs. There are a couple of vegetarian choices, and the coffee gets plenty of praise, with generous pours that people mention.

Service is a big part of the appeal. Staff are friendly and helpful, young and old behind the counter alike, and it's the kind of place where regulars chat, so it can get lively and noisy when a group of locals gets together over morning tea. People who walk past every morning admit it takes real willpower not to go in.

One person found an apple crumble a bit soggy, another thought the quality was fine but not special, and a few have grumbled that some items, particularly rolls and breakfast fare, run on the pricey side. If something in the cabinet doesn't show a price, ask before you order.

Takeaway, dine-in and in-store pickup are all on offer, and catering platters are available for gatherings. They run an online ordering system and a loyalty program for regulars, and cards and tap payments are accepted. Check the hours before heading in, since the weekend trading day is shorter than the rest of the week and the shop has a day off.

For a pie, a coffee and a friendly welcome in Wonthaggi, Victoria, it's an easy bakery to like.