Could these Aussie pie shops beat your British favourites?

Must-try pie places

Whether encased in golden pastry or topped with mashed potato, there's no denying it – Aussies love a good pie. The proof is in the pie shops; the country is peppered with the places, from humble food carts to traditional bakeries where pies of all kinds sit temptingly under heat lamps. To help you navigate your way to the tastiest hand-held bundle of savoury deliciousness near you, we've rounded up the best pie shops in each Australian state, counting down to the best of all.

Read through the gallery to discover our ranking of the Aussie pie shops worthy of a pit stop – whether you prefer a classic meat pie or something a little bit fancier.

Our selections are based on genuine user reviews, awards and accolades, and the first-hand experience of our team. They're also regularly checked and updated.

41. Queensland: Old Fernvale Bakery, Fernvale

Located just west of Brisbane, this quaint country bakery and café has a big reputation for its pie-making prowess. Old Fernvale Bakery boasts counter after counter of appetising pastry and bakery goods; alongside tried-and-true classics like steak and potato pies, you can pick up game pie specials (featuring the likes of buffalo, kangaroo and emu) and fancy bakes like sweet and spicy pork pies. Whatever you order, be sure to get yours with a scoop of creamy mashed potato, a dollop of mushy peas and some piping-hot gravy to really ramp up the comfort food factor.

40. Western Australia: Miami Bakehouse, various locations

Stirling Ranges beef and locally sourced flour are among the ingredients that set Miami Bakehouse’s pies apart. The burgeoning business has five bakery-cafés where you can eat in or take away – and its Myalup branch even has a drive-thru. Every week brings a 'unique pie of the week' to the chain's already palate-pleasing gourmet pie selection. Expect tempting fillings like Japanese chicken and shiitake mushroom, kangaroo and chestnut, lamb rogan josh and caramelised ginger chilli pork.

39. Victoria: Paul the Pieman, Inverloch

Forget fish and chips; next time you're in South Gippsland coastal town Inverloch, hit up Paul the Pieman for some prize-winning pastry goods instead. Go for one of the shop's latest award-winning bakes – the pepper steak pie, perhaps, or the Korean BBQ pork pie (both of which were category winners in the 2023 Great Aussie Meat Pie competition). Other mouth-wateringly decadent options include a smoky beef, jalapeño and cheese creation, and a pie stuffed with brisket mac ‘n’ cheese.

38. Northern Territory: Tommo’s Pies, Darwin

Crafting simple but delicious bakes since 1978, Tommo’s prides itself on the quality of its pies, from classic steak varieties to fancier options like curry chicken. Whichever you choose to sink your teeth into at this brilliant bakery – located in the Darwin suburb of Berrimah – pair it with mashed potato, peas and gravy for the ultimate tucker from the Top End (the northernmost part of the Northern Territory). You’ll also find pre-packaged Tommo’s Pies for sale around the state. Perfect road trip fodder!

37. Tasmania: The Richmond Bakery, Richmond

Richmond is one of Tasmania's most picturesque and historic towns – and it's also home to one of the island's longest-running bakeries. The Richmond Bakery does a delicious version of Tassie's famed curried scallop pie, filling a perfectly buttery pastry case with a turmeric-spiced curry sauce and a generous number of sweet scallops. Other solid options include a steak and mushroom pie and a decadent chicken and Camembert creation. Fancy a day at the seaside? Head for the bakery's sister store, Richmond Bakery on the Coast (located in Dodges Ferry) to get your pies instead.

36. Queensland: Blackbutt Bakery, Blackbutt

Doing a roaring trade in prize-winning pies since 1910, Blackbutt Bakery is a Queensland institution. The no-frills mince pies here are as good as they get; however, the small-town bakery punches well above its weight when it comes to imaginative flavour combinations, too. Standouts include the deeply meaty bison pie, made using locally sourced bison, and the Big Mack, the shop's signature pie – featuring two beef patties, special sauce, cheese, onion and pickles, all encased in sesame seed pastry.

35. Tasmania: Smith’s Specialty Pies, Hobart

Another Tassie bakery offering a tempting selection of scallop pies, Smith’s Specialty Pies serves customers through a unique 'Pie Window' in Hobart's Cambridge suburb (open every day) – and you can also buy its seafood treats from the Smith's Specialty Pies food truck at Salamanca Market on Saturdays. Once you’ve sampled the signature scallop pie, move on to the Buffalo cauliflower pie or try a bake filled with chicken, Brie and caramelised leeks. Everything is delicious, and the veggie varieties all come stuffed with island-grown produce.

34. Queensland: Yatala Pies, Yatala

What's better than a roadside pie shop? A pie shop with a drive-thru, of course! You can even order ahead at Yatala Pies, then collect your pie ready to go. This Gold Coast gem has been serving people heading along the Pacific Highway delicious pies (from classic staples to more exotic offerings like lamb coconut curry varieties) for more than 130 years. The bakery began as a small shop on the highway, but it's since moved to larger premises at Exit 38 off the M1. It’s gone from baking 200 pies a day to more than 3,500 – and that’s not including its array of sumptuous sweet treats.

33. Tasmania: McCarthy’s Bread Lounge, Ulverstone

McCarthy’s Bread Lounge proves that gluten-free doesn’t have to mean joy-free. Gluten-free pies that are every bit as crispy, juicy and flavourful as the rest of the bakes on the menu line the shop's cabinets every day. These pies – including perfectly-seasoned plain mince and cheesy chicken Camembert varieties – may have won industry awards, but it’s the love and appreciation from customers that confirms they’re the best around. Finish off with a delicious ‘donut of the day’ for a truly memorable experience.

32. Western Australia: Pinjarra Bakery, various locations

From its crusty classics to a host of more inventive fillings, Pinjarra Bakery has become something of a cult favourite in Western Australia. The family-run operation has grown from its original location in Pinjarra to four stores, scoring awards along the way – including bagging the Best Meat Pie in Australia accolade twice. Top-quality pastry and generous fillings are hallmarks of its pies, which can be square, circular, family-size or bite-size (perfect for parties). Notable options include the Gold Digger (chunky steak and mushroom) and Ned Kelly (beef, bacon, cheese and egg), while the Waltzing Matilda is jam-packed with veggies.

31. Victoria: Country Cob Bakery, Kyneton and Melbourne

Owned by Cambodian-born brothers Chan and Ryan Khun, Country Cob Bakery has been named Australia's Best Pie Maker numerous times by the Baking Association of Australia – and in 2023, the brothers' fish amok pie, inspired by the Khmer fish curry of their homeland (and made with Australia's own barramundi) took home the award for Australia's Best Pie. You’ll also find all the classic fillings (potato, plain beef and pepper beef), plus a range of gluten-free and vegetarian offerings. There are locations in Melbourne's Springvale and Boronia, as well as Kyneton, the small country town where it all began.

30. Victoria: Pie Thief, Melbourne

Creative pie fillings currently on offer at this hip pie shop – which also does a good line in coffee, kombucha and milkshakes – include lasagne, vegan spaghetti Bolognese and creamy pesto macaroni with sopressa salami. The bakery is also loved for its 'pie of the week' specials, which have previously included a chicken parmy pie: an irresistible mash-up of two of the country's ultimate counter lunches. Pie Thief's main shop is located in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray, but you can also head to its Fitzroy outlet (open on weekends only) to get your pastry fix.

29. Western Australia: The Bakers Hill Pie Shop, Bakers Hill

With its own tasty take on all the great Aussie pie classics, The Bakers Hill Pie Shop is a must-visit on any road trip east from Perth along the Great Eastern Highway. Meat lovers should try the steak, bacon and cheese pie, or the belly-busting brunch pie: a hefty number that's chock-full of chunky steak, egg, bacon, spring onions and cheese. There’s always a pie special chalked up, too – it might be a chilli-filled pie, a sloppy joe creation or a steak, cheese and Vegemite pie (a patriotic pastry treat that made an appearance on Australia Day).

28. Tasmania: Bakery 31, Ross

Nestled in the heart of historic Ross, Bakery 31 is known for its excellent scallop pies. The cosy cottage shop bakes locally sourced scallops in buttery, flaky pastry – resulting in a glorious seafood creation that you’ll want to dive into before it’s even in your hands. Stop a while in the tea rooms if you really want to savour every bite. Can’t stay? You can get scallop pies sent from the bakery straight to your door.

27. Victoria: Buddy’s Bakery, Melton

Buddy’s Bakery has shown it can get the basics right, topping both Plain Beef Pie and Chunky Beef Pie categories in Australia’s Best Pie Competition 2024 (and beating thousands of other pies). But this plucky bakery isn’t afraid to do something different; it also offers a range of more experimental flavours, from pizza to mushroom kangaroo. It’s an essential stop in the Melbourne suburbs – whether you’re an adventurous eater or you like to play it safe.

26. Victoria: McKinnon Village Bakery, McKinnon

Just south of Melbourne, you’ll find McKinnon Village Bakery – where the sausage rolls are as popular as the pies. This spot's tom yum beef pies and aromatic green curry chicken pies are so tasty that they've snagged themselves awards. Not only that, but the bakery has been recognised for its fruit flans too, so you know there’s something sweet waiting for you when your pie is no more.

25. New South Wales: Milkwood Bakery, Berry

Located in the genteel town of Berry, this pretty-as-a-picture bakehouse is a true gem. If you can tear your eyes away from Milkwood Bakery's scrummy sandwiches, salads and smoothies, you'll notice that it also has a solid selection of gourmet pies. Don't miss the classic beef pie (top chef Matt Moran is a big fan) or the hearty beef Bourguignon pie. Other appealing options include bakes filled with roast potato and chorizo, and cauliflower and pecorino – as well as specials like bacon and egg pies. This is a place to linger over your meal; take a seat in the leafy courtyard and tuck in.

24. New South Wales: Lismore Pie Cart, Lismore

Parked on Magellan Street in the Northern Rivers city of Lismore, this retro pie cart has been doing a brisk trade in simple handmade pies since 1947. The family-run operation covers all the essentials, with a range of beef, chicken, veggie and sweet bakes on offer. Whether you go for the classic pepper steak or the more exotic duck and mushroom offering, be sure to accessorise your pie with the cart's signature buttery mashed potato and mushy peas – not to mention a ladleful of rich gravy. And don't forget that all-important squeeze of tomato sauce!

23. South Australia: Apex Bakery, Barossa Valley

Baking pies to golden perfection since 1924, Apex Bakery certainly knows its way around a pastry. Set in the bucolic Barossa Valley, this traditional bakehouse has been in the same family for four generations – and it's proud of preserving the area’s rural traditions, including cooking its breads and pies in a wood-fired oven. That’s not to say that it sticks solely to the classics when it comes to pie fillings; alongside the staple potato, chicken and steak variations, you’ll find fun offerings like pepperoni pizza pies and chilli cheese pies.

22. South Australia: Port Elliot Bakery, Port Elliot

Forget the sea views and rugged rock formations – if you ask us, all you need for a truly memorable Great Ocean Road trip is one of this coastal bakery's fresh-from-the-oven pies. With perfect shortcrust bottoms, puff pastry tops and plenty of delicious fillings, Port Elliot Bakery's pies are a cut above the rest. You’ll find all the favourites here, as well as some more leftfield options like the Ned Kelly pie, featuring a filling of beef, bacon and egg. Pies of the month are hotly anticipated, with recent standouts including eggs Benedict, chilli con carne and mac 'n' cheese.

21. Western Australia: Toodyay Bakery, Toodyay

This cracking spot is everything you could want from a country bakery, from its gorgeous heritage-listed exterior to its glass counters lined with hand-crafted sweet treats and hot pies. Toodyay Bakery has amassed numerous awards over the years, including a recent gold gong for its unapologetically meaty barbecue beef smoked brisket and jalapeño pie. It’s not the only flavour bomb in its gourmet pie range, though – spice lovers will also adore the African berbere lamb pie, the Madras goat pie and the cauliflower chickpea curry pie.

20. Western Australia: Mt Barker Country Bakery, Mount Barker

Deliciously thin, crispy pastry is par for the course at this rural bakery in the Albany region – and there's no skimping on the mouth-watering fillings, either, with plenty of top-quality produce plumping up the range of popular pies. Mt Barker Country Bakery won gold for its spicy Korean gochujang chicken, five pepper steak and gunpowder lamb pies in the Official Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition 2023, while its slow-cooked barbecue pie was a worthy winner in 2022. Other top picks include the truffle, chicken and mushroom pie, the chicken, cranberry and Camembert pie and the kangaroo and chorizo pie.

19. New South Wales: Mountain High Pies, Wentworth Falls

As any true pastry connoisseur knows, pies can be eaten at any time of day. If you love a brekkie pie, Mountain High Pies’ award-winning Big Breakfast Pie is guaranteed to be right up your street. Sausage, bacon, house-made baked beans, a soft poached egg, chorizo and potato are all piled into a pastry case and topped with Hollandaise sauce for an unbeatable way to start the day. Other pies on the menu include a lamb, rosemary and Shiraz offering and a dhansak and curried vegetable bake.

18. South Australia: The Little Red Grape Bakery, Sevenhill

Variety is the spice of life – and perhaps no one knows that more than the team at The Little Red Grape Bakery, a bright and airy café tucked away in the Clare Valley. They’re constantly trialling new flavours and putting on new specials; however, you’ll have to visit the bakery if you want to find out what they are. The shop is loved by locals and competition judges alike for its sticky lamb shank, Thai satay chicken and surf ‘n’ turf pies.

17. Victoria: Rolling Pin Pies & Cake, various locations

Another premium pie place in Victoria, Rolling Pin Pies & Cake snagged the Gourmet Pie award in the Australian Baking Association's Best Pie & Pastie Competition in 2022 – and, in a category typically dominated by meaty creations, it was the bakery's mushroom and truffle pie that took the prize. Geoff and Susie Chalker took ownership of Rolling Pin in 1997 and, since then, it's spawned four more stores throughout Geelong and the Bellarine Peninsula. It's a real family affair, with the Chalkers' daughters, sons-in-law and grandchildren all involved in the business.

16. Tasmania: Oliver’s Bakery & Cafe, Ulverstone

A popular bakery on Tasmania's North West Coast, Oliver's does a roaring trade in scallop pies – a state speciality. There are three tasty versions on offer: traditional Tasmanian scallop pies, lightly spiced curried scallop pies and award-winning Mornay scallop pies, all of which are made from scratch every morning. You can either eat inside the bakery or take your chosen pastry down to Buttons Beach for views across the salty Bass Strait. Oliver’s assortment of steak pies are belters too, all made with tender Cape Grim beef.

15. Australian Capital Territory: Three Mills Bakery, various locations

Three Mills Bakery – which has several stores in Canberra and the wider Australian Capital Territory – is beloved for its artisan bread and pastry items, made using house-milled flour and speciality grains. Notable bakes include the posh chicken, leek and Riesling pie, which sees chunks of tender chicken enrobed in a creamy leek and wine sauce, then encased in a sour cream pastry shell. Indigenous ingredients and local wines are put to clever use in the bakery's pie fillings, too; the beef and pepperberry pie features fall-apart pieces of Angus beef, braised in a mixture of local Shiraz, pepperberry and chilli.

14. Victoria: Apollo Bay Bakery, Apollo Bay

An epic journey on the Great Ocean Road calls for plenty of places to stop and enjoy a pastry snack along the way. Apollo Bay Bakery & Café, the 'home of the scallop pie', is the perfect picturesque pit stop, with some beautiful pies to fuel your sense of adventure. There are two types of scallop pie here: a spicy curry version and a creamy, cheesy Mornay offering, both of which are bursting with flavour, filled to the brim with whole Bass Strait scallops.

13. New South Wales: Bourke Street Bakery, Sydney

Who doesn’t love an artisan bakery, especially if there are some snazzy pies nestled among the croissants and sourdough loaves? The original Bourke Street Bakery can be found in Sydney's hip Surry Hills suburb, where it still draws queues – and the same can be said for its 10 other locations across the city. Bourke Street Bakery stocks a small but standout selection of pies, including a traditional beef pie, a vegan curry pie, a chicken, sweet potato, pea and lemon pickle pie, and a beef, beer, bacon and cheesy mash pie.

12. New South Wales: The Upper Crust, Sydney

Close enough to Collaroy Beach that you can walk your pies down there and enjoy them on the sand, The Upper Crust is a small bakery with a big following – and it offers dozens of pie varieties, from traditional minced steak bakes to fusion takes like massaman beef pastries and Thai vegetable creations. The beef and Burgundy pie, rich with red wine and mushrooms, receives rave reviews, while the spinach, feta, pumpkin and couscous pie will hit the spot if you’re giving meat a miss.

11. Northern Territory: The Bakery Alice Springs, Alice Springs

A beacon of baked goods in an Outback town that's sometimes seen as rough and ready, The Bakery Alice Springs tempts passersby in with a glorious array of pastry goods and artisan loaves. However, you’ll need to get in line early – especially on the weekend – if you want to snag one of its signature pies. Quirky concoctions like chilli kangaroo pies sit alongside classics like mince pies (which are swirled with a mashed potato topping) and steak pies, as well as a decent showing of veggie and vegan options. Good barista-made coffee adds to the bakery's appeal.

10. Tasmania: Summer Kitchen, Ranelagh

It’s not just scallops that get pride of place in Tassie pies – just visit Summer Kitchen in the Huon Valley for proof. Here, you can get your hands on a wallaby and potato pie (featuring wallaby sourced from nearby Bruny Island), or tuck into the Hunza: a veggie pie filled with brown rice, rye and silver beets. If time permits, be sure to eat in; this family-run bakery and café is cute as can be, with a wooden interior and a pretty little courtyard. The spot's sweet pastry treats and breads are equally droolworthy, and it sells family-size pies to go, too.

9. South Australia: Home Grain Bakery, Aldinga

Set in a handsome heritage building in Aldinga, just south of Adelaide on the Fleurieu Peninsula, Home Grain Bakery has a lovely homely atmosphere – and thankfully, its perfect pies more than match the aesthetics. Freshly baked and brimming with fillings, varieties including the piquant steak and pepper pie and the hearty egg and bacon pie are top-notch. Alternatively, look out for the regular pie of the month (it might be steak braised in red wine from a nearby winery, or lamb and rosemary, for example). Better still, pick up a box of assorted pies, head to nearby Port Willunga Beach and eat them on the sand.

8. South Australia: Banana Boogie Bakery, Adelaide

With its bright yellow exterior, it's impossible to miss Banana Boogie Bakery, located in Adelaide’s Belair suburb. Bite into its classic meat pie, and you’ll find a deeply savoury combination of mince and slow-cooked beef chunks. Don’t limit yourself, though; this popular pie shop has plenty of quirkier creations up its sleeve, like a pie burger (a steak pie in a brioche bun, served with mac ’n’ cheese) and 'pie-chos': a nacho pie served with nachos, salsa, guacamole and sour cream.

7. New South Wales: Hayden’s Pies, Ulladulla

From chunky steak to lamb saagwala, there's a choice selection of fillings at South Coast spot Hayden’s Pies – a destination pie shop run by a mother-and-son team. This isn't your usual pie shop; the bakes here are a cut above the norm, with perfectly buttery puff-pastry crusts (made with locally sourced butter and flour) and flavoursome fillings featuring local meats and vegetables. As well as the usual suspects, the bakery always has weekend specials like gourmet steak Diane pies (topped with a potato galette) or down-and-dirty cheeseburger pies.

6. South Australia: Para Hills Hot Bread Bakery, Adelaide

Looking for a little indulgence? Lobster and wagyu beef pies are both on the menu at Para Hills Hot Bread Bakery. Vietnamese owner Thuy Vu, who has been running the bakery since the early 2000s, often puts flavours from her home country into her pies and other bakes, resulting in some incredible fusion creations. Don’t leave without trying the bo kho (beef tendon) pie or a lemongrass chicken sausage roll.

5. Queensland: Paradise Bakehouse, various locations

Winner of the 'Best Chunky Plain Meat Pie' accolade in the 2023 Official Great Aussie Pie Competition (and numerous other awards over the years), Paradise Bakehouse now has three stores in the Bundaberg region. A vision of pastry perfection, it was the golden-crusted chunky steak pie that scooped the top gong for the bakery’s owners Huyen Nguyen and Lam Khong. Other tasty pie fillings include steak, cheese and chilli, and creamy chicken and vegetable, both of which are perfectly crisp and packed with prime produce.

4. New South Wales: Ken’s Humble Pie Shop, The Entrance

An essential pit stop for motorists driving along the Central Coast, Ken’s Humble Pie Shop in The Entrance has homemade pastry goods all wrapped up. Order the traditional mince or chunky beef pie, spice it up with a chicken satay creation, or look out for specials like curried prawn – a bake inspired by a dish that owner Ken Shearim’s grandparents cooked for him. Family-size pies are available in any flavour and can be baked to order (just be prepared for a 30-minute wait).

3. Victoria: Shop 29 Pies, Ballarat

The team at Shop 29 Pies (which has also won awards under the name J & M Catering) pride themselves on using ‘real meat’ in their generously filled pies – but it was one of their veggie creations that scooped an award at Australia’s Best Pie and Pasty Competition 2024. The winning mango chutney pie is just one of the many tantalising flavours the shop has to offer; choices range from spicy curried sausage to rich chicken and Camembert, and the fillings are always plentiful.

2. New South Wales: Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop, Glen Innes

Skip the meat and head straight to the veggies with an award-winning pie from community-focused Sweetie Pie’s Bake Shop, run by partners Nicole and Zaylie Hyde. The pair managed to nab the top prize in the Vegetarian/Vegan Pie category at the Great Aussie Pie Competition 2023 with their vegetable Mornay pie – fresh, bright vegetables in a creamy, cheesy sauce, all packed inside a crispy pastry shell. For those who really must have meat (or perhaps fish), fun flavours like honey chilli duck and surf ’n’ turf are top choices.

1. Australian Capital Territory: Bakehouse, Canberra

You might find it hard to decide what to order at this charming bakery, which boasts heated cabinets lined with shelves of tempting pies. Run by husband-and-wife team Baden and Kaylee Burke, Bakehouse Canberra is located in the Ainslie area of the Aussie capital. You can find all the classics here, but one of the shop's more eye-catching creations is the Mongrel – a hand-held treat bursting with bacon, egg, cheese, tomato, mince, chilli and Tabasco. Veggies will feel fully satisfied here too, thanks to wholesome meat-free bakes like the spiced lentil and tomato pie.

Last updated by Laura Ellis.