From biodynamic woodfired bread, to sweet treats worth savouring.
A bakery visit is a classic holiday experience.
Jam and cream donuts, yellow vanilla slice, sausage rolls doused in ketchup. Feet covered in sand, and fingers sticky with sugar. These are the happy memories of childhood bakery visits. Nowadays I love a chunky beef pie, gourmet wraps, veggie frittatas, fresh white bread and salted caramel donuts – and bakeries still make me happy.
Here’s a round-up of where you can find some of the best bakeries in the Margaret River Region.
Dunsborough Bakery is the place to go for all the classics – homemade pies with quality fillings and flaky pastry, sugary jam donuts, and fresh loaves of bread hot out of the oven. Grab a few treats to go, and head down to the beach to enjoy them.
Margaret River Woodfired Bread is certified organic, and tasted fresh from the oven is a highly memorable experience. The ovens are built from volcanic stones and heated by the flickering flames of a genuine woodfire. The local biodynamic grown grain, is stoneground to the finest flour and gently kneaded then fermented over many hours. Zero chemical treatment or mechanical abuse takes place. This bread is cared for like a baby. The bakery is tucked on the corner of Boodjidup Road & Burton Road in Margaret River. Grab a hot loaf before turning up to a BBQ and you’ll most definitely please the host.
Visiting on a Saturday morning? The Margaret River Farmers Market is an exciting place to grab a feed. Get a mixed biscuit bag from Claudio Biscotti. Jill James makes ethereal duck pies, asparagus tarts and plum tarts from scratch, including the pastry. Nadia from Harlequin Desserts is a Master Chocolatier so pick up cocoa-rich truffles along with brioche donuts filled with passionfruit curd, Nutella or dulce de leche. Donuts aside, Nadia makes plenty of gluten free and vegan cakes, slices and desserts, which can also be found at Yahava, Gourmet Merchant in Cowaramup and the Prevelly General Store.
Baked, Busselton scooped some serious accolades for their breads at the Perth Royal Food Awards, and it’s little wonder. The husband and wife duo put a lot of love into their boutique bakery, and it shows in the beautiful display, elegant cakes, tantalizing wraps and tasty breads. The staff are all beaming, and owner Candice offers a cheery hello from the coffee machine. Her husband Chris is a baker and pastry chef and “makes a killer vanilla slice”, and after long careers in the industry they are thrilled to finally have their own bakery.
A visit to Maison Lassiaille is like being whisked away to Paris. Chef Roman Lassiaille has worked in Michelin star restaurants, and recently opened his own patisserie where you can sit with a coffee and one of his beautiful desserts / works of art. There are also chic boxes of colourful macaroons, and show-stopping occasion cakes available to order in advance.
Margaret River Bakery is a must-stop when driving through town. Lavish displays of dark chocolate brownies, brûlée tarts, veggie frittatas, jam-packed toasties and salted caramel donuts are served on mismatched vintage china. There’s the usual hot pies and pastries, plus an epic breakfast and burger menu. The food is sophisticated and the décor retro-cool.
People travel from far and wide for a Witchy Pie, which are all made from scratch using premium local ingredients. Conveniently also located in the same spot are Cookies Galore, a family business using classic recipes to bake cookies like your nana makes.
High on the hill as you drive into Augusta town, Augusta Bakery is the place to fuel up before a big day exploring the rivers, back beaches and lighthouse. Generous filled rolls, pies with flaky pastry and a cabinet full of traditional cakes; cream donuts, matchsticks, strudel, bee stings and hedgehog slice. Grab a table and take in the awesome view.
You’ll be lining up with the locals at Gracies. Their handmade pies are famous, but sell out fast so you have to get down there early. Best enjoyed after a morning dip, while watching the surfers. They also have freshly prepared baguettes for a slightly more virtuous start to the day.
