The 18 best pies in Australia from classic beef to curried scallop

Order the: Bush kangaroo pie

Port Douglas’ original bakery has been cranking out steaming-hot pies for more than 50 years, with everything made from scratch daily. It’s the perfect pit stop en route to the Great Barrier Reef or Daintree Rainforest, with more than 30 different fillings to choose from. If you’re up for it, the bush kangaroo pie is a real winner, having nabbed the title of Best Game Meat Pie at the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition in 2019. Other adventurous hits include a crocodile laksa pie and the signature seafood pie, loaded with barramundi, prawns and scallops.

Where to find: 9/34 Grant St, Port Douglas, QLD

Order the: Tradie pie

This national treasure has landmark status in the Sunshine State, having been announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland in 2009. Today, Yatala sells more than 3,500 pies a day, with each and every one baked from scratch in traditional ceramic pie ovens. It’s hard to pick a winner here, so why not just go all in with the ‘tradie pie’, featuring steak, bacon, cheese, tomato and egg? A side of mushy peas and gravy is non-negotiable.

Where to find: 48 Old Pacific Hwy, Yatala, QLD

Order the: Curried camel pie

No trip to Outback Queensland is complete without demolishing one of Birdsville Bakery’s legendary curried camel pies. This square-shaped pastry has become an icon of the tiny, remote town ever since it was created by local legend, the late Robert ‘Dusty’ Miller, who founded the bakery around 20 years ago. At its peak, the bakery dished out a whopping 12,000 pies over one weekend during the annual Birdsville Races. If camel is a little too adventurous, Birdsville Bakery also makes a ripper steak and pepper pie, plus a tasty spinach and feta roll for the vegos.

Where to find: 25 Billabong Blvd, Birdsville, QLD

Order the: Big Mac and cheese pie

It’s hard to wrap your mouth around the loaded pies at Blackbutt. They don’t take things too seriously here, but they also don’t do things half-heartedly. Expect to see the likes of a Big Mac, nachos or lasagne stuffed reimagined in pie form, with each achieving a near-perfect ratio of meat, gravy and crust.

Where to find: 34 Coulson St, Blackbutt, QLD

Order the: Lamb and mint

Winning gold, silver and bronze at the Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition, this family-run country bakery proves that the proof is in their pudding (actually pies). After years of selling their creations solely at markets, Gum Tree now boasts three shopfronts in Yackandandah, Bright and Wodonga. Each pie is filled and pressed with puff pastry for a golden, crunchy finish, then baked fresh throughout the day to guarantee you’re eating it at its best. While the lamb and mint is a clear crowd-pleaser, regulars also rave about the steak and red wine, and the panang pumpkin.

Where to find: Yackandandah, Bright and Wodonga

Order the: Fish amok pie

Pies are serious business; just ask the Baking Association of Australia. In their annual Australia's Best Pie and Pastie competition for 2023, Kyneton's very own Country Cob Bakery came out on top – making its third consecutive win. In 2021, it was the caramelised pork and pepper pie that was deemed the best, while last year's winner was an Aussie classic: the plain meat pie. But what took the pastry crown in 2023, we hear you ask? The fish amok pie – a slightly unconventional, but undeniably tasty Cambodian-style creation made with barramundi and curry sauce.

Where to find: Kyneton, Boronia and Springvale

Order the: Scallop pie

Along the Great Ocean Road, there’s no place more renowned for its scallop pie than the Apollo Bay Bakery. Whether it’s for brekky, lunch or afternoon tea, these piping-hot parcels of goodness go down a treat every time. You’ve got two scallop pies to play with, both filled with fresh Bass Strait scallops and either a mild curried cream gravy or mornay sauce.

Where to find: 125 Great Ocean Rd, Apollo Bay, VIC

Order the: Chunky meat pie

If there’s one topic guaranteed to cause beef in bakeries across Australia, it’s the age-old debate of “who makes the best meat pie?” Our unofficial national dish is so loved across the nation that there’s an entire competition dedicated to finding the very best one. In 2024, Buddy Bakery in Melton – located just 45 minutes from Melbourne – took out the top gong for Australia’s Best Plain Meat Pie. Their winning creations are packed with chunky beef, wrapped in a flaky, golden crust, and best enjoyed with a vanilla slice or custard tart for dessert.

Where to find: 351 High St, Melton, VIC

Order the: Plain mince pie

Boogie on down to this bright yellow bakery that claims bragging rights to the ‘best plain meat pie’ in Australia’s 2023 Best Pie and Pastie competition. It’s a tasty number filled with a combo of mince and slow-cooked beef chunks, but be warned, these pies fly out the door, so get there early.

Where to find: Belair and North Plympton 

Order the: Chunky steak pie

With four locations across Western Australia, Pinjarra Bakery might just be the state’s best pie pit stop (wow, that has a nice ring to it). This family-run business has been baking up award-winning pies for almost 30 years, racking up more than 700 state and national awards in its time. Pinjarra’s proudest claim to fame is winning the Best Meat Pie category at the Official Great Aussie Pie Competition in 2019 and 2021. We recommend trying the award-winning ‘Bob’s Your Uncle – Chunky Pepper Steak’ pie, which is packed with tender chunks of prime steak, ground beef and a bold, peppery flavour.

Where to find: Pinjara, Maddington, Port Kennedy and Waroona

Order the: Slow-cooked BBQ pork and jalapeños pie

It’s worth trekking to Mt Barker Country Bakery for a bite of their legendary, crisp-crusted pies. These guys are no strangers to a trophy or two, having taken out first place for their slow-cooked barbecue pie in the Official Great Aussie Meat Pie Competition in 2022. If you can stomach a second pie, it’s worth also trying the truffle, chicken and mushroom; kangaroo and chorizo; or chicken, cranberry and camembert.

Where to find: 18 Mondurup St, Mount Barker, WA

Order the: Stirling Ranges Angus steak pie

This is easily one of Australia’s most prized bakeries, having racked up more than 1,000 awards over the last 20 years. Their prize-winning parcels are baked from scratch every morning using local WA flour and meats. Follow the crowds and order the Stirling Ranges Angus steak pie, which won the title of ‘Best of the West’ in the 2023 WA Baking Industry Awards.

Where to find: Myalup, Gilberts, Falcon, West Pinjarra Northbound and West Pinjarra Southbound

Order the: Scallop and wakame pie

This humble yet upmarket bakery is one of the best places to go for a scallop pie in Tassie. The pastry is light and crisp and encases five or six juicy scallops bathed in a creamy curry sauce. A side of homemade ketchup seals the deal.

Where to go: Battery Point and New Town

Order the: Palak paneer pie

Vegos, this one’s for you. Head to Canberra’s homegrown Three Mills Bakery (with four stores across the capital) for a taste of their ripper palak paneer pie, featuring a flaky pie shell filled with earthy spinach, chunky potatoes, sweet paneer and slow-cooked lentils. You can also get their pies in family-sized form to take home and reheat – the kids will thank you later.

Where to find: Fyshwick, Belconnen, Woden, Majura Park and Capital Region Farmers Market