The 14 best pies in Australia

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Order: Beef brisket pie

The queue often stretches around the corner at Bourke Street, and there’s only room for a few gluteus maximi at the window tables, but hell, it’s worth it. Cross your fingers that they haven’t sold out of their rich and earthy beef brisket with red wine and mushroom. You can taste each of the individual components; the pastry lid is crisp and flaky, and you can pick up a sweet treat (shout out to the chocolate ganache tart) for the way home too.

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.

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.

Order the: Curry scallop pie

Also vying for the crown of best scallop pie in Tasmania is Bakery 31. This quaint shop in the small town of Ross represents everything the Isle is loved for – charming service, a cosy cottage and the freshest seafood. In this case, it comes in the form of local scallops, which are encased in a flaky, buttery pastry, and can be easily devoured in just a few quick bites.

Order the: Beef and Burgundy pie

The beloved Northern Beaches' little mom-and-pop pie store has a big upper hand in Sydney's pie wars: Collaroy Beach. Once you pick your pie from the small shopfront with the large line out front, cross Pittwater Road and march down Anzac Avenue and enjoy it by the seaside. The Upper Crust’s signature beef pie is grand stuff, and that thick Burgundy sauce the beef cheek is swimming in is winey perfection. Bonus points for manageability, too: the pie is small enough to hold and the no-fuss, crisp, not-too-flaky shell makes for quick, easy, beach eating.

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.

Order the: Lamb, honey, mint and rosemary pie

If you’ve got a hankering for a good old-fashioned Aussie pie, then plan to make a pit stop at Pie in the Sky on your next NSW road trip. These guys have been in the biz for more than 30 years, so know what’s up. Try to get your hands on the lamb, honey, mint and rosemary number, which is packed with generous chunks of meat and tastes just like your favourite weeknight dinner in pie form.

Order the: Lasagne pie

Melburnians have their knickers in a knot over this tiny pie shop. It’s hard to go past the lasagne pie, which marries two of our favourite dishes to create the ultimate comfort food. Think layers of silky lasagne sheets, beef and pork bolognese sauce and creamy béchamel, all baked into a crisp shell with a bubbly, blistered cheese top. Pies also come in miniature form for those who can’t decide on just one.

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.