Coral Bay Bakery

If you're after a bakery in Coral Bay, this is a busy local spot. It sits in the shopping complex in the town centre, with a fair number of tables in the open seating area just outside the shop, so you can eat your haul in the shade rather than rushing back to the car. It's a busy spot serving a tourist town, and the line can be long, though we hear it moves along quickly.

Pies are what it's known for. Locals and holidaymakers point to the lamb curry pie as a standout, and the chunky steak pie gets a nod for a crisp, well-browned bake and generous chunks of meat, though one person felt the gravy could be less gelatinous. The spinach and feta pastry is a regular favourite, and the toasties come loaded with melty cheese. Opinions on some of the more unusual fillings are mixed, so it pays to stick with the classics if you're unsure.

Beyond pies, the range is wide for such a small remote town: savoury and sweet, plus cafe-style food and drinks. Donuts are a big draw, with the jam donuts and soft cream and custard varieties often mentioned, although one visitor felt the cream and custard donut looked better than it tasted. Custard tarts, salad rolls, an apple turnover, a chicken toasted focaccia and a steak pie croissant all get a mention too. Coffee and breakfast are on offer, along with custom cakes, and it's all fresh from the oven. One regular says the bread is largely gluten free, which is worth asking about if that matters to you.

The staff have a friendly manner, even on the busiest mornings, and one family who stayed a week came back every day. Service is geared to takeaway, and it's a quick stop when you're short on time. Some visitors have found the experience uneven, with the odd grumble about portion sizes for the price and about service on a busy day, so it's a decent local reputation rather than a flawless one.

Practical details: there's a wheelchair-accessible car park and entrance, and they take credit cards, debit cards and mobile payments. They're open every day of the week, starting early, but check the hours before you head in.