Few culinary comforts rival the warm, golden satisfaction of oven-baked perfection. Whether it's the flaky crust of a just-out-the-oven pie, the caramelised top of a roasted veggie tart or the chewy satisfaction of a wood-fired pizza, there's something irresistible about a kitchen that revolves around baking. Across the country, venues are taking this obsession to stylish new heights, proving the oven is more than a workhorse - it’s a creative centrepiece.
From the windswept coastlines of Victoria to the sunny streets of Queensland and inner-city café culture of Sydney, these venues champion everything from delicate pastries to indulgent sourdough sandwiches and gourmet pizzas.
Here's where to go when your cravings call for something hot, hearty and straight from the oven.
Margaret & Agnes – Portland, Vic
Nestled in the seaside charm of Portland on the iconic Bentinck Street, Margaret & Agnes offers a refreshingly coastal take on the modern café. The vibe here is breezy and relaxed, blending earthy blond wood interiors with an alfresco outlook ideal for morning musings or lazy lunches. The scent of just-brewed coffee and warm pastry wafts from the open cabinet, hinting at the oven devotion within. On any given day, locals and road trippers alike drift in for breakfast and brunch, surrounded by trailing greenery and sun-dappled tables.
The menu is a study in oven-centric comfort with a Cheffy twist. Early risers dive into Where the Wild Things Are, a flatbread breakfast ensemble layered with roasted wild mushrooms, wilted greens and sumac yoghurt, crowned by a perfectly poached egg. Later in the day, the kitchen turns up the heat with slow-baked wonders like the Big Daddy Pig burger, overflowing with Dr Pepper-infused pulled pork and smoky BBQ sauce. Don’t overlook the pastry cabinet - croissants and Danishes are daily crowd-pleasers that pair as well with coffee as they do with coastal air.
Planning a road trip? Lock in your table now before your next Great Ocean detour.
Baked & Caked – Helensvale, Qld
Celebration meets craftsmanship at Baked & Caked, a Helensvale boutique bakery where the oven is always aglow with creativity. Located on Siganto Drive, this bright and welcoming space is more than a pick-up spot it’s a portal to dessert dreams. Chef and founder Brooke leads with passion and precision, turning fresh, seasonal ingredients into edible masterpieces. Each cake is custom-crafted to celebrate life’s sweetest milestones, from birthdays to business launches.
Whether it’s a decadent Black Forest gateau layered with cherry compote and chocolate drip, or a lemon-swirled butterfly cake with Swiss meringue buttercream, Baked & Caked takes the baked arts seriously. Kids adore the Oreo cupcakes with ganache and a cookie crown, while adults are drawn to sophisticated flavours like elderflower and vanilla bean. It's the kind of place where each item is as photogenic as it is flavourful and where the oven is revered as both a tool and muse.
Got a celebration coming up? Secure your custom bake slot today spots fill fast.
Akuna Restaurant Pizza, Bar & Café Anglesea – Anglesea, Vic
Just across from the sandy stretch of Anglesea Beach, Akuna Restaurant is a family-run favourite that puts fire and flavour front and centre. Inside, the setting strikes a balance between coastal casual and Italian rustic, with banquette seating perfect for groups and mood lighting for evening rendezvous. Whether it’s date night or post-surf hunger, this Great Ocean Road gem draws crowds with its wood-fired creations and oven-baked Italian fare.
At the heart of the menu are gourmet pizzas that celebrate the diversity of the Mediterranean. The Tiny Surfer is a nod to classic combos with smoked ham and pineapple, while The Greek takes things up a notch with slow-roasted lamb, feta, olives and a drizzle of tzatziki atop a blistered crust. Not feeling pizza? Soft housemade gnocchi swimming in creamy sauce is just as indulgent. Each dish here is a love letter to the oven, proving that baked can be bold.
Ready to turn your pizza night into a seaside escape? Book your spot at Akuna now.
As Usual – Macquarie Park, NSW
Hidden in plain sight along Waterloo Road, As Usual is a chic café that blends Sydney’s coffee obsession with an all-day menu built on baked finesse. With its minimalist interiors and laidback alfresco space, it’s the kind of place where locals linger longer over oat lattes, crispy enoki mushrooms and flaky pastry tarts. The open display of housemade baked goods entices as much as the aroma of espresso drifting through the air.
Brunch at As Usual is anything but ordinary. Try the ciabatta layered with prosciutto, rocket, lemon ricotta and poached eggs for a perfectly crisp start to your day. Stay for lunch and dive into bucatini with a creamy cod roe sauce topped with shaved Parmigiano and umami-packed katsuobushi or a Waldorf salad reimagined with miso butter, apple and fried onion. It’s fresh, modern and effortlessly elevated, all underpinned by oven artistry.
Craving a weekday escape? Make a table yours and brunch as usual with extra style.
Australia’s love affair with baking is more than just a culinary trend it’s a culture. From flaky pastries and savoury flatbreads to celebratory cakes and pillowy gnocchi, these venues prove that the oven remains at the heart of the kitchen, crafting moments of comfort and indulgence. Whether you’re on the road, by the beach or in the city, there’s always something warm, golden and oven-fresh waiting to be devoured.
