Gladysdale Bakehouse

Gladysdale Bakehouse is the kind of bakery in Yarra Junction that makes for a good stop, especially on a drive through the hills. The pies get most of the attention, and locals will tell you the pastry is baked fresh and the sausage rolls and classic pies hold their own against anything nearby. The pork belly sanga and the pork belly breakfast come up often too, and by all accounts the brekkie fills you up properly.

The sweet side of the counter is a real drawcard. We hear the range is big enough that choosing is the hard part: vanilla slice, custard tarts, home-made muffins, carrot cake, even a chocolate mousse cake and strawberry cheesecake tart that one visitor found pleasantly not too sweet. Sandwiches, bread and good coffee round it out, and there are vegan options for those who need them. You can dine in or grab takeaway, and the prices are described as comfortable, so it's good value for the quality.

Part of the charm is the setting. There's a deck with a lovely rural view, plenty of seating outside and some inside, and it's dog-friendly. The walls are covered in photos of customers' pets, each with a name and a story, and the staff are happy to add yours. People often single out the team for being friendly, patient and good with a table of noisy kids. Mountain bikers have also made it a favourite after-ride feed.

On practical matters, there's free parking, though the spot out front can be a bit tight when it's busy. It takes cards and mobile payments, and there's a wheelchair-accessible car park. The bakery is open daily, and if you're coming for pies late in the day, it pays to arrive earlier, as the selection can thin out after lunch on a busy weekend.