Hayden's Pies, 2/166 Princes Hwy, Ulladulla
You’ve got to love a pie shop that bakes a Coat of Arms Pie (Kangaroo and Emu). Hayden’s Pies was established in 2003 by Hayden and his mum (and now run with wife Caroline).
They produce pies with quality ingredients: beef, chicken, lamb and if your game, game. Or go the full Aussie and try a Crocodile or Wallaby or Wild Boar and Chorizo Pie.
British ex-pat and NRMA Member, Trevor R, says: "I love Hayden’s Steak & Kidney pie. I travel from Sydney just to buy them. Sydney bakers seem to avoid offal, he said."
Beef pie: $5.
Heatherbrae’s Pies, Heatherbrae or Sutton Forest
What’s unique about Heatherbrae Pies is they offer both a drive-thru McDonalds style pie service or a full sit-down-with-your-cloth-napkin pie dinner.
Established by Russell Cox in 2001 - on the centenary of federation - Rusty became passionate about bringing traditional food back to Australian palates. The original pie shop is still perched on the Pacific Highway at Heatherbrae, near Raymond Terrace (and a new one at Ourimbah).
But soon Russell identified that two hours north of Sydney was the perfect tummy grumble stop on the long drive north. So why not open one in the south? This one has a classic 1950s Holden ute inside for that Insta shot.
Beef Pie: $6.75
The Famous Robertson Pie Shop, 4400 Illawarra Highway, Robertson
Billy Bleeker and his wife Jenny have been baking pies for 37 years. Moreover, The Famous Robertson Pie Shop is one of the longest-running businesses in the Southern Highlands. The big fella’s pies (be wary of a skinny pie maker) are made fresh on their premises with beef from Maugers Meats in Moss Vale.
They have three leading pies but the favourite is the Chicken Leek & Camembert, followed by Beef Bourguignon in a red wine sauce. If you’re on the road early, try their brekkie pie: egg, bacon, chorizo and two cheeses (all the major food groups).
If you still have a remaining artery, try one of their renowned fruit pies. For that Insta photo, see the neon sign reading, Pie Making is Considered a Competitive Sport.
Beef pie: $6.90
Ken's Humble Pie, Coral Street, The Entrance
To “eat humble pie” (1830s) is to admit that you were wrong. But the meaning has changed over the years. It was originally to “eat umble pie” (1640s). A pie made from umbles "edible inner parts of an animal" (especially for Trevor R). Umbles were considered food for peasants.
But there is nothing ‘offal’ about Ken’s delicious shells of delight. Ken Shearim, formerly of Pie in the Sky at Erina, established Ken's Humble Pie shop in 2012 - and what a pie shop it is!
They are all very good but some of the author’s faves are Ken’s Guinness, Beef & Mushroom with steak cooked in Guinness, then beef stock with prunes until soft and finished with sour cream before baking.
Or try the Bangers & Mash with premium sausages, chopped and cooked in gravy, topped with a creamy mashed potato before being baked to a golden finish.
Beef Pie: $5.70
Mountain High Pies 293 Great Western Highway, Wentworth Falls
After graduating with honours as a pastry cook and toiling for several of Sydney’s top patisseries, baker Damian Smith opened his first pie shop in 1985. In 2006 Damian and his wife Reyna made Wentworth Falls their home and opened their boutique bakery, focusing on crafting a range of killer pies.
Mountain High Pies employs over 30 locals and the cavernous shop has a great atmosphere with plenty of parking.
NRMA member Rebecca M says her favourite is lamb, rosemary, and Shiraz. Steak, mushroom, and Guinness.
Beef Pie $6
Lismore Pie Cart, Magellan Street, Lismore
Established in 1947, the Lismore Pie Cart is both a Lismore icon with a Harry’s Café de Wheels aesthetic. Situated in a historic tram car, it’s a must-stop dining break if passing through Lizzie. You can eat pies takeaway or al fresco at the half a dozen tables in front of the old tram.
Lismore’s iconic pie cart offers a killer pie floater: mushy peas and gravy. And it wouldn’t be Lismore without a lentil pie.
NRMA member Helen R says we need people to come to visit and support our small businesses like Lismore Pie Cart as the town was smashed by the Big Flood.
But this business (currently up for sale) is flood-proof - you simply drive to higher ground!
Beef Pie: $4.20
Croft’s Pies, 127 Main Rd, Aberdeen
Set in a weatherboard cottage on the main drag, Croft’s Pies has been an institution in Aberdeen for 45 years. Melissa Croft and her mum are regrouping after losing both dad and her brother recently, but baking keeps them sane, she says.
Croft’s pies are baked on premises daily by Melissa and her mum and Croft’s is a traditional pie and cake shop with good old-fashioned service. Little wonder so many locals and travellers stop there. Melissa says, forget exotics, her focus is on making the best traditional Aussie pies.
Beef Pie: $4.70
Jackson's Bakery and Café, 9-11 East Street, Harden
For that country bakery vibe, drop into Jackson's Bakery (nee Harden Hot Bake), located in the Hilltops Food and Wine Region at Harden. The bakery is all country charm wrapped in buttery pastry. At Jackson's, you can grab a pie to go or dine in.
There’s a cute landscaped outdoor courtyard, where you can listen to carolling magpies, whilst eating your authentic country pie. They even have a range of gifts available for purchase including children's books. The curry pie is the most popular, with surprise veggies in every pie.
Beef Pie: $6.50
Tilba Bakery, 18 Bate Street, Central Tilba
Tilba Bakery is a country bakery on the South Coast known for its incredibly flaky, buttery pies. The signature lamb and rosemary is a local favourite but Tibla has a kangaroo and red wine pie that jumps out of your brown paper bag saying “eat me”.
If that’s not your thing, their range of sweet pies is popular with locals and their Vanilla Slice is legendary.
But their meat pies are the main attraction. Indeed, NRMA Member Roslyn R says: "Tilba Pies are worth the wait, fresh out of the oven when there is a rush on them. Just magnificent pastry and a great variety of fillings."
Beef Pie: $6:50
Morpeth Cottage Bakehouse, 151 Swan St, Morpeth
Located on the main drag in Morpeth and on the opposite side of the street to the river, Morpeth Cottage Bakehouse bakes a classic, light and fluffy meat pie that is “more meat than gravy” – a reoccurring theme with our Members – and a delicious cheese and bacon pie.
They also do a magnifique Paris-Brest (so named for the route of a bicycle race that runs from the French capital to the port of Brest). But for sweet Aussie fare, see their custard tarts that are the size of truck wheels.
Beef Pie: $5
So, to the humble Aussie meat pie, we salute you! You have survived two World Wars and a Great Depression and are here to stay, even in these tough economic times.
Thank you for reading our list. Do you have a pie stop that you simply must share? Please let us know via Facebook and Instagram.
