Gidgegannup Bakery & Cafe

If you're driving through the hills and want a proper bakery stop, Gidgegannup Bakery & Cafe is the sort of place people plan around. Pies are the main event, and they come out fresh from the oven. Visitors mention the Ned Kelly, the butter chicken, the chicken, cheese and leek, and a steak and jalapeño with a crisp, not-hard crust and proper chunks of steak. One visitor tried the sausage rolls, and the black pepper pie and a smoked kransky cheese sausage are also made fresh on site.

Beyond the savoury side, the cabinet is a big one. People talk about the vanilla slice, a coffee eclair filled with real coffee cream, a pistachio eclair that goes early, and a pistachio and lemon curd doughnut. There are croissants, muffins, brownies, cookies and apple turnovers, plus toasties, rolls, quiche, focaccia and fresh loaves. A few flourless sweet options are made too, which is handy if you're avoiding gluten. They also take custom cake orders, so it's worth asking at the counter if you have an occasion coming up.

Coffee and breakfast are both on, and the service gets a good word: friendly, welcoming and quick even when there's a queue, which locals will tell you is usually a good sign. Prices are known to be fair, and the pies in particular are seen as good value for the size.

The setting is part of the appeal. There's a shady outdoor area with picnic tables and a garden feel, a relaxed place to eat lunch, and dogs are welcome outside. Parking is easy, with free spots out the front and plenty around the back, and the car park and entrance are wheelchair accessible. You can dine in or take away, and cards and tap-to-pay are accepted. It opens daily, with slightly later starts on weekends, so check the hours before you head in.

If you're after a good pie in Gidgegannup, Western Australia, this is the one to try first.