Your search for the elusive world-beating vanilla slice, pie or sausage roll may just finally be over. After all, kilojoules eaten on holidays don’t count, right?
Cakes, pies and sausage rolls? Is vanilla slice more your style? Or are you more of a lamington lover. Chasing a gourmet vegetarian pastie? Perhaps a pie with peas and gravy is more your thing.
In any case, we urge you to roll on to the best bakeries in the Barrington Coast where tasty treats both sweet or savoury matched by fresh salad sandwiches are always good to go. And where your search for the elusive world-beating secret sausage roll recipe - or pie or vanilla slice - may just finally be over.
But if your tastes are a little more continental... then we have you covered too.
Palms Artisan Bakery, Forster
Already famous for their sourdough breads sold at farmers markets across the region, the much-anticipated shopfront of this popular bakery has now opened in Forster's main street.
The talented bakers here really put the 'art' into artisan, with an ever-changing selection of deliciousness that taste as good as they look. Like all good country bakeries there are no mass-produced items here, just small batches of sourdough breads, better-than-French croissants and Danish pastries, plus those edible works of art. Try the pistachio scroll (pistachio cream, pistachio crumb and ruby ganache), one of the donuts (tiramisu coffee cream donut please) or one those tarts topped with fruit that looks like glistening jewels. And you can tuck that sourdough baguette under your arm.
2 Fat Bakers Bakery, Tea Gardens
Combining a bakery with a cafe? What a great idea, especially when you have over 30 years bakery experience. Yes they do vegetarian (try the spinach and ricotta rolls) and vegan (vegie pie) and gluten-free (frittata with asparagus and pumpkin). The sweet treats will also have you coming back for more... especially the chocolate raspberry fresh cream mini trifle or maybe it's time to crown a winner here for best banoffee pie.
Batter & Dough Patisserie, Gloucester
The sourdough breads here are what made Hailey famous but it's her ever-expanding baking talent that's keeping happy smiles on faces everywhere. A boulangerie sells classic French breads; a patisserie tends to be more a French confectionery; and viennoiserie is considered the bridge between the two. Batter & Dough at Gloucester is all these, come see if you can tell the difference.
The Boathouse Cafe, Taree
Ok, this place is not technically a bakery and not in the country either but it's just too good to ignore. This cafe serves delicious food with generous portions to enjoy with views across the Manning River. But it's the cake cabinet that will catch your eye as you place your meal order at the counter... it's truly gobsmacking! The ever-changing selection is baked onsite (hence its inclusion here) and it's worth making a special shopping trip here for any occasion that demands an impressive sweet treat.
Some tasty examples to get you interested: a mile high French vanilla slice with its Italian neighbour Neapolitan slice, Tim Tam cruffin (yes, it's a thing), pear and ricotta tart, red velvet cake, blueberry and white chocolate scone... decisions, decisions!
Old Bar Bakery, Old Bar
A small family owned and operated bakery that’s renowned for their fresh, soft bread, delicious pies and decadent pastries. A classic bakery feed in every sense. Stop in for a classic chunky steak pie – you won’t regret it.
Nabiac Bakery, Nabiac
An old school bakery with a solid claim to fame for their tasty and well-priced pies. Friendly staff who are more than happy to recommend the best sweet treats. Easy to find, just off the Pacific Highway to enjoy a bakery feast to remember.
Butterfingers Bakery, Tuncurry
Fabulous bacon and cheese pies made fresh on the premises. Plenty of other mouth-watering pie fillings are all calling your name too. Excellent cakes baked to order – be sure to pick one up for your next celebration. And if brownies are your thing, then you’ll probably need to try the cream cheese brownie and the chocolate soufflé brownie several times over… just to be sure of your favourite.
Hebbys Bakery, Gloucester
An old fashioned family run bakery in a small country town that’s sure to please your taste buds. Consistently serving delicious sweet treats and savoury goods to hordes of loyal customers. Generational pie recipes are the secret to their success. Oh, and that sky-high vanilla slice too.
Lakesway Bakery, Forster Keys
Popular with locals and tourists alike for good reason. Their potato topped pie should mandatory eating when visiting Forster. Grab a top quality bakery feast and sit by Wallis Lake to eat. Bon appetite.
Ma Baker, Booral
Serving up Booral’s finest savoury pastries, authentic pies and delicious cakes. Sweet fans will cherish the cream horns and fruit flans on offer here - they are really something else! Hint: the family sized quiches make for an excellent meal. Not bad for a village on the way to Stroud.
Andy's Cake Kitchen
Popular with locals for a very good reason, Andys Cake Kitchen serves up the country classic goods! Cakes, fresh bread, made to order salad rolls and pastry delights, these guys will definitely have you coming back for more. A must try list is a hard one here however some of our all time stars are: Fresh bread, chocolate mud cake, paris-brest and oh-my the fresh made to order salad rolls!
Nadine The Cake Queen
Looking for a custom made celebration cake? Look no further than Nadine the aptly named Cake Queen. Think stunning wedding cakes, birthday cupcakes and assorted sweet treats to impress your guests. Nadine is a talented pastry chef valued for her bespoke dessert range which caters for elegant and extravagant tastes. You’ll need to pre-order and maybe your next newest favourite will be her irresistible chocolate hazelnut frou frou cakes.
Moorland Cottage Cafe
Though not technically a bakery, this cafe makes "the best scones on the coast" so it's worth a visit just for this tasty Australian icon alone! Their scone of the day will never fail to impress, so if you're ready to step beyond the strawberry jam and cream, then try something new. How about a blueberry scone or raspberry with white chocolate scone or even one of their cheeky double-ups... yes, that would be a blueberry + raspberry + white chocolate scone.
Hooked On Pies, Taree
All the elements of a great bakery in downtown Taree! Fresh baked pastries, flavour packed pie fillings and a top selection of sandwiches made to order. Stop in for a quality bakery snack next time you’re in town and eat it on the grassy banks overlooking the Manning River.
